Description

SALARY: $212,633.44 Max top-step salary with all incentives, if eligible.

Incentives

5% Bilingual

7.5% Education

5% HAZ Cert Pay

8% Holiday Pay

-4.5 Longevity Pay
Base salary subject to a 3.0% cost of living increase.

JOB SUMMARY: Under administrative direction, may serve as a Duty or Staff Chief. The Battalion Fire Chief will be assigned duties and responsibilities that involve interaction with fire personnel, City personnel, and the community; respond to and assume command at emergencies or as part of the incident command team; and assume various emergency and non-emergency duties, and committee work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This job class functions at a management level of classification and serves as a member of the Fire Department Management Team. The Battalion Fire Chief will be assigned either a 5 day/8 hour shift, a 4 day/10 hour shift, or to a 24 hour platoon duty as decided by the Fire Chief.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Serves as incident commander at emergencies
Serves as acting Division Chief
Serves as part of the incident command team
Serves as Duty Chief, or Staff Chief as assigned
Plans, organizes, and coordinates projects and programs as assigned
Understands the principles of the incident command system
Understands, interprets, and enforces federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they relate to fire and life safety, training standards, fire prevention codes and fire investigation.
Performs fire and life safety inspections under the direction of the Division Chief, Fire Marshal and/or Fire Chief
Serves on various workgroups, advisory groups or committees as assigned
Attends meetings day or night as the Fire Department representative
Implements orders, regulations, ordinances, and laws relative to the mission of the Fire Department
Analyzes data, researches new methods, and communicates verbally and in writing that relate to a project, program, or work assignment
Effectively interacts with the public, fire personnel, and City employees to solve problems, identify solutions, and implement programs and projects
Implements Fire Department training and work safety programs
Revises and prepares Fire Department rules, regulations, projects, programs, principles and procedures
Reviews, understands, and assists in the preparation of the Fire Department’s annual budget
Ensures the proper operation and maintenance of all Fire Department apparatus and equipment
Reviews and prepares activity reports, training bulletins, fire suppression and prevention reports, staff reports and other written reports as directed
Serves in the Department’s management role in the City’s Emergency Operations Center
Provides training, guidance, and leadership to all members of the Fire Department
Provides assistance in the Fire Department’s operation and administration
Performs other related duties as assigned by the Division Chief and/or Fire Chief
Supervises the work of the Fire Captain assigned to shifts
Perform Fire Prevention duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge Of

modern principles, practices, and techniques of department administration and operation
methods and principles of fire suppression, investigation, and prevention
proper use and operation of firefighting apparatus and equipment
analytical techniques and effective methods of solving problems
principles of supervision and training
knowledge and development of accounting and budgeting principles
incident command system, hazardous materials recognition, EMS/Paramedic procedures, confined space rescue, urban search and rescue techniques, - multi-casualty incidents and wildland fires
cultural awareness, gender, and personnel issues

Ability To

provide supervision and training to personnel
effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms
prepare written staff reports and training bulletins
prepare oral reports; make effective presentations to department personnel, City Council, and community organizations
prepare budget estimates and control expenditures
represent the Fire Department with high standards of ethics, professionalism, and dedication
focus on multiple tasks simultaneously
respond to negative feedback appropriately
drive Fire Department vehicles and maintain safe driving record
establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties
assume role of acting Division Chief
think clearly and act decisively under stressful conditions
sit at a desk and in meetings and training for long periods of time
stoop and bend; twist; reach above and below shoulder level
push and pull; balance on ladders
climb ground and aerial ladders
work long hours, at all hours, under physical and mental pressures in hazardous conditions, in inclement weather and during emergency response and disaster situations
stand for long periods of time
wear self-contained breathing apparatus
hear alarms and sirens
distinguish red, yellow, and blue flashing lights
wear firefighting gear weighing 50-60 lbs.
smell to detect odors such as alcohol, smoke, gases, etc.
hear effectively and communicate in both emergency and non-emergency situations
work in various environments subject to heat, cold, inclement weather, etc.
walk to perform assigned duties; walk on uneven surfaces; crawl and run
lift equipment weighing 50 lbs.
maintain good physical condition
effectively use radios to communicate
read, speak and write English; Spanish speaker is highly desirable

Typical Qualifications

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Required

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is:

Education

Associate Degree from a properly accredited institution is required before being permanently assigned to the position. A BS/BA degree from a properly accredited institution in Fire Protection Technology or other related field is highly desirable.

Must Complete The Following Coursework Prior To Permanent Appointment

ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System
NIMS I-800
CSTI Hazardous Material On Scene Incident Commander
CSFM Fire Chief Officer/Chief Officer Certification
Strike Team Leader S-330 or equivalent
All Risk Safety Officer S-404 or equivalent

Experience

Broad and extensive experience in firefighting, fire prevention and administrative duties is required. Must have at least seven years of full-time firefighting experience and three of those years at the Fire Captain level or higher.

License, Certification, And Qualifications

A valid Class C California with Fire Fighter endorsement Driver’s license and a safe driving record and/or equivalent per the Department of Motor Vehicles to operate Fire Apparatus.
Public Safety-First Aid and CPR certification, a valid EMT certification is desirable.
Must meet all employment standards for Fire Captain
Must complete all required items in Watsonville Fire Department Battalion Chief Task book prior to permanent appointment. Entire task book must be completed prior to achieving permanent status.
Meet current California State Fire Marshal Office (CSFM) certification of Fire Chief Officer and/or Chief Officer.
Must complete any additional required CSFM Courses or accredited college courses during probationary time period on own time through the City’s Tuition Reimbursement program, if available.

Supplemental Information

BC assessment will be held tentatively on the week of August 10, 2026.

The candidate selected will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list that normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment List at any time the needs of the city so require. The position is represented by the Management bargaining unit.

Prior to appointment to the position of Battalion Fire Chief, a medical examination, background and Department of Justice LiveScan fingerprinting will be required.

The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.

NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.

City of Watsonville offers excellent medical, dental and vision benefits for the employee and dependents. Benefits also include holidays, vacation, and sick leave. The City offers Public Employees Retirement benefits. Employees shall pay the full employee share of CalPERS contribution.

City of Watsonville

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Battalion Fire Chief