Description / Position Overview

Fire Chief

The City of Colorado Springs is seeking an exceptional Fire Chief who is a strong leader, possesses vision and creativity, and has a demonstrated track record of successfully leading a progressive, accredited fire and emergency services organization. The Fire Chief is an at-will executive position reporting to the Mayor. The Fire Chief oversees the activities and operations of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD). Working with the Mayor, the Fire Chief will participate in setting goals and recommend policy options to help establish future direction and delivery of fire and emergency services.

The position is advertised at the current salary range. A targeted market adjustment is being considered for 2027 and, if approved by City Council, would result in a hiring range of $183,244 to $219,981 annually. Additional information will be provided to applicants once available.

The City of Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is Olympic City USA, where a timeless culture of achievement, national pride and dedication sits comfortably alongside the awe-inspiring beauty of some of America’s most beautiful mountains. Colorado’s second largest city boasts a thriving community, rich in business experience, with a historic background of achievement. With short commute times, affordable housing, great schools and friendly neighbors, it’s no wonder Colorado Springs consistently ranks as one of the best places to live.

The City operates under a Council-Mayor form of government, led by a popularly elected Mayor and a nine-member City Council.

Learn more about the City’s Strategic Plan and the Mayor here: Mayor's Office | City of Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Fire Department

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) helps protect Colorado Springs' residents through emergency response, fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and community education.

CSFD operates a comprehensive emergency response system designed to reach the site of an incident within 8 minutes of a 911 call 90% of the time, with 25 engine companies, 6 truck companies, 1 Hazmat Team, and 1 Heavy Rescue Team, along with specialized resources for wildland firefighting, technical rescue, and other emergency response needs. The department also leads critical prevention and preparedness efforts through fire code plan review, inspections, hazardous materials programs, and community education.

Key Responsibilities Include

Setting organizational direction by developing and implementing goals, policies, priorities, and service strategies aligned with City priorities and community needs.
Leading department operations across fire suppression, emergency medical response, fire prevention, hazardous materials, disaster preparedness, and public education.
Ensuring operational readiness and leading efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and the department’s ability to protect life and property.
Leading and developing people by selecting, developing, motivating, and evaluating employees while fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Managing fiscal and operational resources, including development and administration of the department budget, staffing, equipment, facilities, and other resources necessary to deliver effective public safety services.
Driving organizational improvement by evaluating service delivery, administrative systems, staffing models, and internal processes and implementing changes that improve effectiveness and efficiency.
Advising the Mayor and City leadership on public safety, emergency management, organizational, policy, and operational matters.
Building strong partnerships with City departments, elected officials, regional public safety agencies, community organizations, and other external partners.
Representing the City and Fire Department before boards, commissions, professional organizations, community groups, and the public.
Responding to complex and sensitive issues involving public safety, employees, community members, elected officials, and other stakeholders with sound judgment and diplomacy.
Other duties as assigned.
To learn more about this position please visit the City of Colorado Springs' Class Specifications page.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in fire science, engineering, management, public administration, or a related field
Seven (7) years or more of progressively responsible full-time, professional fire and EMS experience including at least five (5) years of administrative, leadership, and supervisory experience.
Possess, or obtain upon hire, and maintain a valid, non-probationary driver’s license not subject to restrictions.

One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education (OR) one year of relevant academic coursework beyond the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year of required professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
Experience as a Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief of a municipal fire department or fire protection district/authority.
Experience working in a fire department accredited by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).
Credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer.
Completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.
Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) certifications such as: ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, ICS 400, IS 700, and IS 800.
Completion of the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) program.

Additional Information

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a welcoming culture that values our employees' unique individual qualities and fosters a welcoming environment where people want to be

The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.

NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.

The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B or TN visas). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Apply to Join Our Team

Please visit the City of Colorado Springs Careers page and review our opportunities. Click on Apply button to complete an online application for any position of interest. All job applicants will need to create a new login and online application (unless you already have a Government Jobs user ID and password).
Completing your application in full, including the entire work experience section, will assist Human Resources in the applicant screening process. Your application may not be considered if all of the information requested for each employer you list is not provided.
Applicants may redact information from their resumes, certifications, transcripts, or any other additional application materials that identify the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
We encourage candidates with out-of-state credentials to inquire about expedited processing of Colorado licensing with the Colorado Occupational Credential Portability Program. More information can be found at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Licensing Portability page
Our Government Jobs application system does not allow you to edit your application after it has been submitted for a position. If you want to make changes, you may submit another application prior to the position’s closing date and time listed in the job posting. HR will review the last application you submit for a position.

The City's job classifications, including physical demands and descriptions, can be found on the Colorado Springs Class Specifications page

You can view the status of your application on the City of Colorado Springs Careers page.

To be notified of future career opportunities sign up for job alerts on the Job Alerts page.

Working for the City of Colorado Springs is Rewarding!

Please visit the City of Colorado Springs' Total Rewards Site for additional benefits information.

The City of Colorado Springs is a place where people want to come to work each day. We have a culture of excellence, and we strive to provide our employees with the very best overall career experience and Total Rewards. We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed? Note: Recognized post-secondary education must be from an accredited college or university.

Less than high school
High School diploma or GED
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree or above

02

If you completed post-secondary education, please enter your major, concentration, or primary field of study. Note: Relevant fields include fire science, engineering, management, public administration, or a related field.

03

How many years of progressively responsible full-time, professional fire and EMS experience do you possess?

Less than one year
One or more years
Two or more years
Three or more years
Four or more years
Five or more years
Six or more years
Seven or more years
Eight or more years
Nine or more years
Ten or more years

04

Please tell us more about your relevant experience, including your role and where you gained the experience.

05

Do you have at least (5) five years of administrative, leadership, and supervisory experience?

06

Do you possess or can you obtain upon hire, and maintain a valid, non-probationary driver’s license without restrictions?

07

Do you have experience as a Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief of a municipal fire department or fire protection district/authority?

08

Do you have experience working in a fire department accredited by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE)?

09

Are you credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer?

10

Have you completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy?

11

Please list any Incident Command System (ICS) certifications that you have completed. Please write N/A if not applicable.

12

Have you completed the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) program?

Yes
No
Required Question

City of Colorado Springs

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