Fire Chief

Fire Chief

The Fire Chief provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of one of the nation's largest all-volunteer fire departments. The position oversees fire suppression and rescue operations, ensures a high level of operational readiness, and provides leadership in developing personnel, supporting volunteer recruitment and retention, managing department resources, and ensuring compliance with applicable standards and regulations. The Fire Chief promotes a culture of professionalism, accountability, safety, and service while protecting the lives and property of the community. Provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall administration of the Fire Department. Establishes the departmental goals, policies, operational priorities, and long-range strategic initiatives. Plans, directs, and evaluates all fire suppression, emergency response, and support operations. Oversees the duties and responsibilities of the Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), including EMS operations, personnel, medical response, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and coordination of emergency medical services. Provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for Assistant Fire Chiefs, officers, volunteer personnel, and EMS leadership. Leads one of the nation's largest volunteer fire departments by promoting volunteer recruitment, retention, succession planning, accountability, and organizational excellence. Serves as the principal advisor to City leadership on fire protection, emergency medical services, and public safety matters. Directs the management of staffing, apparatus, emergency vehicles, equipment, facilities, technology, and operational resources to ensure departmental readiness. Develops and administers departmental operating and capital budgets, including capital improvement planning, equipment replacement, purchasing, and grant administration. Oversees firefighter and EMS training, certification, leadership development, safety, and wellness programs to maintain a highly skilled and operationally prepared workforce. Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws; Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) requirements; Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) EMS regulations; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards; Insurance Services Office (ISO) requirements; State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association (SFFMA) standards; and departmental policies. Represents the department before City leadership, governmental agencies, healthcare partners, community organizations, and regional public safety organizations. Supports fire prevention, emergency medical services, community risk reduction, and public education. Maintains all required certifications, licenses, and qualifications required for the position.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible fire service experience, including supervisory or command-level experience. Valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Head of Department Certification. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Certified Structural Firefighter. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Advanced Firefighter Certification. PREFERRED: Experience leading or supervising volunteer firefighters is highly desirable. Experience leading a large volunteer fire department. Experience overseeing Emergency Medical Services operations. Experience with municipal budgeting, capital planning, and grant administration. Executive-level fire service leadership training.

The City of Pasadena offers very generous benefits to all full-time employees. For example:

• Employee-only medical insurance starts as low as $15 per month and the most expensive Employee & Family plan is less than $350 per month.
• The City has its own medical clinic staffed with a M.D. and two medical assistants. Employees and their covered dependents over the age of 5 can visit the clinic FREE OF CHARGE.
• Employees and their covered dependents also have access to Virtual Visits with a medical professional FREE OF CHARGE.
• The City offers college tuition reimbursement of up to $3,500 per year.
• As an employee, you will contribute a portion of your salary each pay-period towards your retirement and the City will match your contribution by 200%. Example, if you contribute $100, the City will contribute $200.
• Civilian employees accumulate vacation at the following rates:
• Less than 6 years of service - two weeks of vacation per year.
• From 6 to less than 11 years of service - three weeks of vacation per year.
• From 11 to less than 21 years of service – four weeks of vacation per year.
• From 21 to less than 26 years of service – five weeks of vacation per year.
• From 26 years of service and up – six weeks of vacation per year.