Deputy Fire Chief, Operations

Town of Oakville; Oakville; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief of Operations in Oakville, Ontario. The selected candidate will lead operations and emergency preparedness while ensuring compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. Ideal candidates will have significant leadership experience and skills in project and change management, alongside a strong customer service orientation. This position offers a permanent full-time role with various benefits.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension plan (OMERS)

Comprehensive health plan

Work/life balance support

Qualifications

• Proven leader with strong leadership skills in an operations division.
• Experience incorporating data analytics for improvements.
• Excellent communication skills and proven labour relations practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and evaluate operations services and compliance.
• Develop policies for fire suppression and fleet management.
• Present reports and recommendations at Committee meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Critical thinking

Project management

Conflict management

Education

Post-secondary education or equivalent

Job description

About The Town Of Oakville

With a population of 240,000, the Town of Oakville is a vibrant and thriving community that has all the advantages of a well-serviced urban centre while maintaining its historical small-town heritage, warmth and charm. The Town has encouraged a strong and growing economic base while it focuses on sustainability and the environment.

Job Details

Permanent Full Time (Non-Union)

Posting Status

Open to all current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants

Closing Date

Applications for this position must be received at by no later than 11:59p.m. on August 29, 2025.

We Offer

• A defined benefit pension plan (OMERS)
• Comprehensive health plan complemented with life and disability insurance
• A progressive work environment that promotes a work/life balance and strives to be a great place for great people to do great things
  
  

What can I expect in this role?

As Deputy Fire Chief of Operations, you will assume a strategic leadership role in a very well respected and forward-thinking emergency and fire services organization and play an important part in the continued safety and preparedness of the town. Reporting to the Fire Chief, you will join a leadership team comprised of three Deputy Fire Chiefs that oversees the Fire Services team of the town. The responsibilities of each Deputy Fire Chief are assigned by the Fire Chief and include but are not limited to the management and direction of the foll ow ing: operations, fire prevention & training, and emergency preparedness & specialized projects. As Deputy Fire Chief of Operations, you will:

• Plan, direct and evaluate services provided by the operations division and ensure service delivery is in accordance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Council mandate and other obligations.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for suppression, communications and fleet management.
• Analyze operational performance, identify and implement improvements and implement action plans in response to issues raised including data analytics.
• Present reports and recommendations for approval at Committee meetings and Council.
• Seek clarification and direction from the Fire Chief as required.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Participate in the execution of the commission’s strategic plan by ensuring it is effectively incorporated into annual business plans and budgets.
• Ensure the department has the capacity and diversity to meet current and future needs.
• Act as a role model and monitors and addresses workplace well-being.
• Develop and implement effective both performance and program based annual budgets.
• Apply and monitor systems for financial information management, internal audit, and evaluation.
• Fulfill legal obligations and policy requirements.
• Initiate and participate in special projects.
  
  

How do I qualify?

You are a proven leader with a results-oriented commitment to great customer service combined with a continual drive to improve the quality of the services offered. You apply your critical thinking, project management and change management skills to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of corporate and departmental initiatives. You develop strategies to address current and emerging fire safety issues, and are comfortable developing solutions, as well as leading the day-to-day operations.

Your strengths include excellent communication skills, conflict management and a working knowledge of relevant legislation, codes, standards and guidelines. You believe in life-long learning and strive to get the best out of your staff through staff development, motivation, training and education. Comfortable in a unionized environment, you foster positive, sound labour relations practices, and work closely with senior management and staff to implement cost-effective, innovated solutions that will improve internal and external customer/client satisfaction and quality of service. You have a proven track record in senior management within the operations division and have experience in incorporating data analytics towards continuous departmental improvements.

Your post-secondary education or equivalent is augmented by progressively responsible positions that have resulted in outstanding leadership complemented by a highly developed understanding of municipal government and service delivery. You have expertise in change management, project management, policy development, business planning and budgeting, labour relations and motivating others.

Core Knowledge Required For Success

You are an experienced leader with a comprehensive knowledge of:

• Fire Protection and Prevention Act
• Ontario Building Code
• Laws and legislation pertaining to the fire service
• Occupational Health & Safety legislation, Section 21 Guidance Notes and practices/processes
• Human resources management
• Knowledge of corporate and department policies & procedures
  
  

In Addition, Your Experience Demonstrates The Following Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – innovating through analysis and ideas
• Engagement – mobilizing people, organizations, partners
• Management Excellence – delivering results through action management, people management and financial & asset management
• Accountability and Respect – serving with integrity and respect
  
  

Corporate Values

Teamwork, accountability, dedication, honesty, innovation and respect.

DATED: August 11, 2025.

This job profile reflects the general requirements to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. Applicants may also be required to undergo testing.

We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.