Description
THE CITY OF ATASCADERO
IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF
FIRE CHIEF - INTERNAL ONLY
Salary Range:
$15,057.86 - $18,302.92/mo.
3% pay raise effective July 1, 2026, Salary:
$15,509.57 - $18,851.98/mo.
General Purpose
Acts as a member of the City Manager’s executive management team responsible for formulation of Citywide policy recommendations and implementation of City Council policy. Plans, organizes, supervises and reviews the activities of the Fire & Emergency Services Department including fire suppression, prevention and emergency medical services. Provides highly responsible and professional staff assistance to the City Manager, City Council, and commissions.
Supervision Received And Exercised
The Fire Chief is the administrative management level class, which oversees all functions and operations of the Fire & Emergency Services Department, having full responsibility for all program activities. Receives administrative direction from the City Manager.
Examples of Duties
Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities listed here are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Manages and supervises Fire & Emergency Services Department operations to achieve goals within available resources; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
- Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow; studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
- Issues written and oral instructions; assigns duties and examines work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.
- Maintains harmony among workers and resolves grievances; performs or assists subordinates in performing duties; arbitrates errors and complaints.
- Directs, coordinates and participates in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities, and provides staff leadership on policy planning for the Fire Department and inter-departmental activities.
- Selects, supervises, trains, and evaluates professional, field operations, and clerical subordinates.
- Manages and oversees personnel administration within the department.
- Provides professional advice to City Manager and other officials; prepares and reviews staff reports; makes private and public presentations to City Council, boards, commissions, civic groups and the public. Researches and compiles comprehensive reports for the City Manager, City Council and public.
- Assists in the implementation and follow-up on Council decisions and requests.
- Provides leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans and projects; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
- Develops and communicates official plans, programs, policies and procedures to staff and the public.
- Resolves complex and sensitive customer service issues, in-person, by telephone or in writing.
- Monitors inter-governmental decisions and legislation affecting department operations and takes appropriate action.
- Serves as liaison for Department activities and when needed as a member of a task force or committee composed of city, county, state or private groups.
- Must exercise independent judgement, wisdom, common sense and initiative in establishing efficient and effective departmental operations consistent with City Council policies and administrative guidelines established by the City Manager.
- Serves as a member of the City’s executive management team and actively participates in addressing issues of concern to the City, which at times may not have a direct impact on areas of specialization.
- Partners with other members of the Executive Management Team in strategic decision-making and operations.
- Encourages others in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence.
- Oversees and participates in the development and administration of assigned Department budgets; assure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities; monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; prepares annual budget requests; assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
- Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs and evaluates fire department operations for the prevention and suppression of fire and provision of emergency medical services; oversees functions of fire inspection, investigation, hazardous materials management and disaster preparedness activities.
- Analyzes operational and service demands and devises plans to satisfy the needs of the City; analyzes equipment and facility needs; develops municipal fire suppression and prevention policies.
- Develops and updates City emergency plan.
- Assures that personnel are assigned to shifts or working units that provide optimum effectiveness in terms of current situations and circumstances governing deployment.
- Cooperates with County, State and Federal agencies as appropriate where activities of the fire department are involved.
- Responds to and directs firefighting operations during major alarms.
- Performs the full range of professional fire and emergency response work in the City and plans, organizes, and supervises the work of subordinates.
- Plans, develops and implements creative methods to address the fire and emergency response needs of the department and community now and into the future.
- Responsible for ensuring City adherence to State and federal regulations related to fire and emergency response.
Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Graduation from a college or university with a bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration or a closely related field is highly desirable; and
- Eight (8) years of progressively responsible full-time experience in fire service operational support, five years of which must have been equivalent to Captain or higher; and
- Incident management team experience is highly desirable; and
- Certification by the State of California as a Chief Fire Officer or Executive Chief Fire Officer is highly desirable;
- Experience as a Division Group Supervisor and/or Strike Team Leader
Or
- An equivalent combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of modern principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment of Fire Department and Emergency Services administration, organization and operation, and their application to specific situations.
- Extensive knowledge of modern firefighting activities used in the protection of life and property from fire; principles and practices of supervision and training; EMT and rescue; geography, types of building construction, major fire hazards, water supply, fire and building laws and regulations of the City of Atascadero; Federal and State regulations relating to hazardous materials.
- Possess a high degree of knowledge regarding incident management.
- Skill in effective leadership with the ability to set goals and objectives and motivate others to contribute effectively to their achievement. Willingness to embrace new ideas and innovations and lead their effective implementation. Possess an entrepreneurial approach to services, seeking new ways and resources to meet the needs of the future.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of department personnel; oversee and coordinate consultants effectively; prepare and analyze comprehensive technical reports and data; make effective public presentations;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships; to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; and to understand and follow verbal and written directions; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions;
- Possess strong management skills in organization development, operations analysis and planning.
- Ability to build trust and confidence with the department, community, City Council and City Manager through performance. Ability to maintain an open, approachable style with the community through flexibility in problem-solving, and application of judgment, precedent, training and experience
- Possess a high degree of integrity and personal ethics.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
- Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition.
- Skill in the use of the tools and equipment listed.
Special Requirements
- Possession of CA State Fire Training Certifications are preferred. Certifications may include Company Officer, Chief Fire Officer, Executive Chief Fire Officer, Fire Marshal, Fire Investigator or Instructor.
- Ability to meet Department's physical standards.
- Must reside within 20-minute travel time of Fire Station #1 to facilitate direction of major emergencies.
- Possession of a valid and appropriate California Driver License and satisfactory driving record.
- Must be a permanent United States Citizen or hold status of an immigrant “Permanent Resident”.
- Must be able to pass a medical examination administered by the City Medical Consultant periodically.
- Tattoos may be visible when in uniform if approved by the City Manager and in compliance with department policy. Any tattoos containing profane and/or inappropriate messages and/or images are strictly prohibited.
- Employee shall agree to refrain from using any tobacco products while employed with the City of Atascadero Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
- Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3211.9, service is essential in times of extreme emergency or disaster. For this reason, State law designates public employees as “Disaster Service Workers”. Even when off-duty, this position with the City of Atascadero Department of Fire and Emergency Services may be required to return to duty in case of extreme emergency or disaster.
Supplemental Information
Tools And Equipment Used
Emergency medical aid equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses and other standard fire fighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, telephone, calculator, personal computer including word processing software.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste and smell. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stand at special projects or on the fire ground.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequently, work is performed in a normal office setting with some travel to various locations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will also work in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate-to-loud at an emergency scene. The employee may be placed in dangerous environments including, but not limited to, the fire scene, vehicle accident scenes, Hazardous Material incidents and possible exposure to blood borne pathogens.
Selection Guidelines
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; extensive background investigation and medical exam, including drug testing; job related tests might be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
The Department
The Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services Department serves the City of Atascadero, which is a small, beautiful California central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County. We have a population of 30,000 residing in an area just under 27 square miles. Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family! We are situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region and is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1. We are within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park and two hours to Monterey or Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails. Become a member of an organization consisting of hardworking individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact through public service. The organizational environment encourages collaboration and productivity and is fostered by engaged management, all working for the betterment of the community. City offices are located in the beautiful and historic City Hall Administration Building near the picturesque Sunken Gardens Park, located in the heart of downtown Atascadero.
VACATION: 10 days per year, gradually increasing to 24 after 20 years completed.
HOLIDAYS: 11 days per year, plus one floating holiday.
SICK LEAVE: 12 days per year.
HEALTH & LIFE: Employee is covered for medical, dental, vision and life. The City contributes a portion of the cost of dependent coverage for medical, dental vision and life insurance.
RETIREMENT: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). No FICA deductions.
DISABILITY INS: SDI - Employee paid.
