Assistant Fire Chief – Operations

City of Maple Ridge; Maple Ridge; On-site; CAD 149,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

A city municipality in Metro Vancouver is seeking an Assistant Fire Chief – Operations to lead the Fire Services Department. This role involves strategic direction and operational leadership, ensuring effective emergency response and supervision of staff. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience, particularly in fire operations, and possess qualifications in fire officer training. Competitive compensation includes a comprehensive benefits package. Residence within 5-10 km of the city is required for emergency callouts.

Benefits

Municipal Pension Plan

Employee wellness program

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in Fire Operations Division.
• Ability to lead functional committees and develop work plans.
• Proven ability in planning and supervising work.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to suppression staff.
• Direct operations at emergency incidents.
• Contribute to departmental business plans and budgets.

Skills

Leadership in Fire Operations Division

Change leadership and strategic planning

Customer service orientation

Daily/weekly on-call Duty Chief coverage

Training coordination

Knowledge of WorkSafeBC regulations

Project management skills

Interpersonal skills

Budgeting and administration

Effective presentation skills

Education

Post-secondary education in a related field

NFPA 1021 Level 2 Fire Officer training

Job description

City of Maple Ridge

Assistant Fire Chief – Operations

Competition # 26-010
Status: Regular Full-Time (Exempt)
Department: Fire Services
Salary: $149,715.56 – $178,232.81 annually
Closing: January 4, 2026

We strive for excellence as we deliver vital municipal services with innovation, accountability and efficiency to meet the needs of the community now and into the future. Be part of our story. Come grow with us!

POSITION OVERVIEW

We have an exciting opportunity in the city’s Fire Services Department for an Assistant Fire Chief – Operations. This position reports to the Deputy Fire Chief and plays a key leadership role within the department, providing vision, strategic direction, and hands‑on leadership to the Operations Division. The incumbent contributes significantly to departmental planning, policy development, and emergency response readiness, overseeing day‑to‑day operations, supervision of suppression staff, scheduling, performance evaluations, incident review, equipment and apparatus maintenance, procurement, and introduction of new firefighting technologies. Duties include participating in the Duty Officer rotation, providing operational oversight, assuming Incident Commander when required, attending emergency scenes to evaluate staff performance and training needs, and maintaining availability for on‑call rotations and off‑duty callouts.

In This Role You Will:

• Provide leadership and supervisory direction to suppression staff within a unionized environment.
• Attend and direct operations at emergency incidents; provide guidance to company officers on operational and administrative matters.
• Lead and participate in functional committees, including development and delivery of committee work plans; represent the Department and City in regional and external working groups.
• Prepare performance‑related documentation, confidential reports, and conduct scheduled evaluations of operating guidelines.
• Respond to major incidents as Incident Commander or in other supervisory roles; assess safety, performance, professionalism, and training needs.
• Assist in identifying, evaluating, and recommending new firefighting equipment, technologies, and techniques; implement approved training related to new tools and procedures.
• Support management of fire service technologies, including radios, cameras, and specialized instrumentation.
• Contribute to recruitment processes, promotional assessments, and personnel matters, including representing the employer in legal or administrative proceedings if required.
• Assist the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief with administrative, operational, and technical matters, acting for the Deputy Fire Chief during absences.
• Develop, review, and update policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Maintain effective liaison with internal departments, external agencies, and community partners; participate in committees in an advisory capacity.
• Support the development of departmental business plans, budgets, and operational strategies.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated experience and leadership within a Fire Operations Division.
• Strong change leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
• Excellent customer service orientation and effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide daily/weekly on‑call Duty Chief coverage.
• Proven ability to plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate work; mentor staff; manage performance; and support career development.
• Experience coordinating training and ensuring safety requirements are met in collaboration with the Training Division.
• Thorough knowledge of WorkSafeBC regulations, safe work practices, and procedures; ability to monitor and investigate WSBC claims, incidents, illnesses, and absences.
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting and administration of major initiatives.
• Proficiency in computer systems, records management systems (RMS), time‑management software, and business intelligence tools to support analytics and evidence‑based decision making.
• Strong time management, resource planning, and cost‑containment skills.
• Ability to coordinate and report on apparatus, equipment, and facility maintenance.
• Experience in policy and operational guideline administration.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to facilitate, mediate, resolve issues, and build strong internal and external relationships.
• Proven ability to deliver effective presentations and engage constructively with a wide range of stakeholders.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Class 5 Driver’s License and a safe driving record. (Class 3 Driver's License with Airbrakes endorsement preferred)
• NFPA 1021 Level 2 Fire Officer training. (NFPA 1021 Level 3 Fire Officer training preferred)
• Post‑secondary education in a related field, supported by proven and sustained leadership experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• The successful applicant must reside within 5‑10 km of the City of Maple Ridge boundaries as this position requires timely emergency callouts while on duty as part of the Duty Chief rotation.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills, along with comprehensive knowledge of modern, proactive fire service principles and practices.
• A transparent, inclusive, and forward‑thinking leader who engages and motivates others and makes clear, evidence‑based decisions with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Assets include supervisory experience in a unionized environment and demonstrated…

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position requires the Assistant Fire Chief to respond quickly to emergency callouts while off duty. To achieve this timely response the Assistant Fire Chief must reside within 5‑10 km of the City of Maple Ridge boundaries. Please note that this position handles highly confidential and sensitive information; maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of the work is critical. The ideal candidate will have supervisory experience in a unionized environment, experience in an exempt fire service management role, and must pass a satisfactory Police Information Check.

EQUITY STATEMENT

At the City of Maple Ridge, we are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive culture that actively values and embraces diversity. We strive to attract and retain a talented, diverse workforce that is broadly reflective of the community we proudly serve. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process by contacting [e-mail].

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

The City of Maple Ridge is a great place to work with competitive compensation packages that include the Municipal Pension Plan, a strong employee wellness program, and opportunities for professional career growth and development. If you want to help shape a growing community in a municipality that strives for service excellence, then this is the position for you.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.