The City of Walker, MI (Pop - 25,132) covers 26 square miles within Kent County sharing a border with the cities of Grand Rapids and Grandville, Ottawa County and Alpine Township. Walker is home to a thriving business community including commercial and industrial districts along Alpine Avenue and I-96 as well as home to the Standale Business District on M-45. A community of tree-lined streets, parks and trails, shopping districts, and elite school districts makes the City of Walker a great place to live, work, and grow!

The City of Walker is seeking applicants for the position of Fire Chief (status of current chief). This position is the chief operating and administrative officer for the department and is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and staffing the work of the Fire Department, which includes policy development and implementation, development of departmental goals and objectives, budget management, and personnel management.

The Walker Fire Department is a combination, proactive, community-focused all-hazards department that meets the ever-changing needs of the community through professional development, unity, and teamwork.
The department is built upon the pillars of integrity, collaboration, public education, community engagement, and dedication to the community.
The department has three fire stations and an administrative team with 13 full-time staff and 17 paid-on-call firefighters.
The Chief is supported by a Deputy Chief, (1) POC Captain (north – POC Stations 1 and 3), (1) POC Captain (south – Station 2), (3) POC Lieutenants (Stations 1,2 and 3), a Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, and an Administrative Assistant.
Full-time suppression staff (10) operates out of two stations seven days a week from 5:45 AM – 6:30 PM.
The department operates (9) front-line emergency vehicles (5 engines, 1 platform, 1 ladder, 1 tender, 1 support unit)
The fire prevention program hosts over 100 public education events and conducts annual business inspections.
The department responds to approximately 1,000 calls annually both locally and regionally.
The department is supported by an annual budget of $2.89 million.

Strategic Initiatives – The Next Fire Chief

Develop a department staffing plan to address the current challenges with paid on call recruitment and retention and full-time staffing model to ensure appropriate service levels meeting the needs of Walker’s residents, businesses, and visitors.
Work with the City Commission to create a strategic plan to align department priorities with overall City goals and objectives.

Candidate Qualifications & Expected Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, or a closely related field.
Increasingly responsible experience with a Fire Department of similar or larger in size to the City of Walker; including a minimum of eight (8) years upper-level administrative responsibilities within a Fire Department/Public Safety Department.
Certification as a Firefighter Training Council Instructor and Fire Officer III required. Fire and Arson Investigator certification preferred or the ability to obtain certification as soon as possible after hiring.
The new Fire Chief must understand the need to use data for problem solving assessing community risk and vulnerabilities as well as skilled in Strategic Planning.
Demonstrated skills in change management, succession planning, and agency innovation and creativity.
Knowledge of current fire-fighting techniques and methodologies, first responder training and emergency extrication techniques along with a functional knowledge of a wide variety of fire-fighting equipment and apparatus.
Knowledge of professional public management techniques involved in budgeting, personnel administration, labor relations, purchasing and operations management.
Must be able to motivate and lead by example through honesty, integrity, openness, and transparency.
Skill in assembling and communicating information to various city stakeholders, analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports, and formulating policy and service recommendations.
Proven ability to foster effective and positive working relationships with external and internal stakeholders, including employees, residents, visitors, and city officials.
Knowledge and familiarization of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and
Building Official and Code Administrators (BOCA) codes and local, municipal, and state ordinances pertaining to fire prevention.
Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation, physical assessment, and psychological assessment.
Requires a valid State of Michigan driver’s license, satisfactory driving record and the ability to maintain one throughout employment.

This is a full-time exempt position with a salary range of $95,608 - $124,291, depending on experience and qualifications, and a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, defined contribution 401(a) retirement plan, retirement health savings account, life insurance, short and long-term disability, and fitness membership. The Fire Chief is a City Commission appointed position that reports to the City Manager.

Candidates should apply by April 29, 2025 @ 1700 hours CST with resume, cover letter and contact information for five work-related, or professional references to www.GovHRjobs.com (electronic applications only). Questions may be addressed to the attention of T.E. Sashko, MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiter, (847) 380-3240 x 123. The City of Walker, MI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

City of Walker

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