Assistant Fire Chief – Fire Prevention

City of Coquitlam; Coquitlam; On-site; CAD 157,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency in Metro Vancouver is seeking an Assistant Fire Chief for Fire Prevention. This role involves leading a skilled team in fire inspections, education, and community safety initiatives. Ideal candidates will have significant fire service experience, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to public safety. The position offers competitive salary, opportunities for professional development, and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Attractive vacation and benefits package

Municipal Pension Plan

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience within the Fire Service.
• At least five years of supervisory experience as an officer.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee functions of the Fire Prevention Division.
• Plan and implement fire prevention programs.
• Liaise with stakeholders on fire safety matters.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Team building

Public speaking

Education

Post-secondary program

Courses in Fire Inspection

Courses in Fire Investigation

Courses in Emergency Management

Tools

Computer aided dispatch systems

NG911 systems

Records management systems

Job description

About Us

One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community. As the sixth largest city in BC and the largest municipality in the Tri-Cities, Coquitlam is home to more than 160,000 residents and continues to grow as one of Metro Vancouver’s most dynamic and connected communities.

Our municipality is the Regional Town Centre of the Northeast Sector of Metro Vancouver and is thriving through innovative planning and urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and modern urban parks. We are connected by state-of-the-art transportation systems and are experiencing significant transit-oriented growth around the Evergreen Line SkyTrain stations, while continuing to build complete, livable neighbourhoods in Southwest Coquitlam and Burke Mountain.

Our brand is built on excellence in governance, managing resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, and supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre with new infrastructure and public amenities to serve our community. The City has been recognized for excellence in municipal administration and is home to a high-performing organization that values innovation, collaboration, and public service. We are also deeply committed to advancing reconciliation, fostering equity, diversity and inclusion, and maintaining respectful relationships with First Nations.

We envision a bright future in Coquitlam — one built on teamwork, integrity, and service excellence — and we hope it includes you.

About You / What We Are Looking For

The City of Coquitlam is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking professional to join our Fire / Rescue Services Division as Assistant Fire Chief – Fire Prevention. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive leader with a deep understanding of fire prevention, investigation, and community safety, to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic and growing municipality.

As part of the Fire / Rescue Services leadership team, you will lead a skilled team of Fire Prevention Inspectors and administrative staff dedicated to protecting life, property, and the environment through fire prevention, education, and enforcement. Your leadership will be key in driving proactive initiatives that enhance community safety, strengthen partnerships, and ensure compliance with fire codes and standards.

You bring exceptional communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to foster strong working relationships across City departments, with residents, businesses, and external agencies. You are also an educator and mentor — someone who takes pride in developing others and advancing a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all functions of the Fire Prevention and Investigations Division, including fire inspections, investigations, and public education initiatives.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate fire prevention programs and policies that align with departmental and City-wide priorities.
• Manage fire cause determination and arson investigation activities, ensuring coordination with law enforcement and other relevant partners.
• Develop and deliver fire prevention education and training programs for internal staff, community groups, and the public.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders on matters of fire safety, investigations, and public awareness.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and presentations for the Fire Chief, Executive Team, Council, and community stakeholders.
• Participate in full-cycle recruitment, labour relations, and performance management for assigned staff.
• Provide effective leadership in building a positive workplace culture that emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and service.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience within the Fire Service, including at least five years of continuous supervisory experience as an officer.
• Experience and knowledge with telecommunications systems and related technology infrastructure would be an asset, including computer aided dispatch system architecture, NG911 systems, records management systems, cloud computing systems and digital radio networks for public safety.
• Additional preference may be given to candidates registered and in good standing with Engineers & Geoscientists BC as a P.Eng in civil, construction, electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Completion of a post-secondary program, supplemented by courses in, Fire Inspection, Fire Investigation, Emergency Management, Business Administration or equivalent.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and build strategic relationships across departments and with external partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in presenting and delivering training programs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions under pressure, and maintain confidentiality.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence and successful completion of a Police Information Check.
• Compliance with the Chief Officer Residency Requirement (policy ADMIN 50).

Additional Information

The Assistant Fire Chief – Fire Prevention position is assigned to a four-and-three work week (Monday–Thursday or Tuesday–Friday) schedule. However, there may be occasions when this position will be required to backfill for other Chief positions, necessitating temporary changes to scheduled hours or days of work.

What We Offer

This excluded position has an annual salary range of $157,721 - $177,415. The rate of pay is based on a variety of factors including qualifications, knowledge, experience and skills.

You will have the chance to join a rapidly growing and diverse team dedicated to supporting the local community, and be able to engage in variety of learning and development opportunities. The City offers an attractive vacation and extended benefits package, including the ability to contribute to the Municipal Pension Plan.

Accessibility / Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Coquitlam is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer working towards enhancing equitable practices in our recruitment and retention processes. As an organization we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment to support our growing and diverse work force. To learn more about what equity, diversity, and inclusion means, and the City’s efforts in support of these principles, please visit coquitlam.ca / edi for more information.

If at any time during the application or recruitment process you require additional assistance or an accommodation, please contact our team for confidential support. Staff can also provide in-person support if required.