Fire Chief

Skillhub Solutions Inc.; St. Thomas; On-site; CAD 168,000 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of St. Thomas is seeking a Fire Chief to provide strategic leadership, administration, and operational oversight of the Fire Department.

Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief oversees fire suppression, prevention, communications, training, public education, and emergency management, and serves as a member of the Corporate Senior Leadership Team. Key responsibilities include leading department operations, service planning, risk assessment, and budgeting; ensuring regulatory

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of managerial experience with fire service administration and leadership.
• Valid Ontario driver's license and police check.
• Professional certifications: Company Officers Diploma, Emergency Management Certification, NFPA Fire Officer Level 3.

Responsibilities

• Lead department operations, service planning, risk assessment, emergency management and continuous improvement.
• Develop departmental strategies, policies, service plans, mutual aid agreements, and budgets (annual & multi-year).
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, by-laws, codes and standards.
• Advise/report to Council, senior admin, stakeholders and partner agencies on fire services and emergency planning.
• Manage personnel, workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning, and professional development.
• Oversee fiscal planning, procurement, grants, equipment, facilities and vehicles.
• Promote community fire safety and coordinate with regional partners as Fire Coordinator.

Skills

Managerial experience

Leadership ability

Policy & budgeting

Education

Accredited degree in Fire Protection, Fire Services Admin, Emergency Mgmnt, Public Admin, Business Admin

Job description

St. Thomas, ON Full-time CA$168,206 - CA$204,455 / year

The City of St. Thomas is seeking a Fire Chief to provide strategic leadership, administration, and operational oversight of the Fire Department. Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief oversees fire suppression, prevention, communications, training, public education, and emergency management, and serves as a member of the Corporate Senior Leadership Team.

Key responsibilities

• Lead department operations, service planning, community risk assessment, emergency management, and continuous improvement.
• Develop departmental strategies, policies, service plans, mutual aid agreements, and annual and multi-year budgets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, by-laws, codes, standards, and statutory responsibilities.
• Advise and report to Council, senior administration, community stakeholders, and partner agencies on fire services and emergency planning.
• Manage department personnel, workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning, employee relations, and professional development.
• Oversee fiscal planning, procurement, grants, equipment, apparatus, facilities, and vehicles.
• Promote community fire safety and public education, and coordinate with regional partners, including serving as Elgin County Fire Coordinator as required.

Qualifications

• Accredited degree in Fire Protection, Fire Services Administration, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related program.
• Company Officers Diploma from the Ontario Fire College or equivalent; Emergency Management Certification; Certified Fire Investigator and Certified Incident Commander credentials with experience; Ontario Fire Service Standard for Fire Chief; Occupational Health & Safety Certificate Level III; and NFPA Fire Officer Level 3.
• At least 10 years of managerial experience, with demonstrated fire service administration and leadership ability, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Valid Ontario Class G driver's licence, Ontario Driver Record, access to reliable transportation, and satisfactory Police Record Check.

Schedule and compensation

Normal workweek is 35 hours, Monday to Friday, with evening or weekend commitments as required and shared off-duty call and stand-by responsibilities with the Deputy Fire Chief. Salary is $168,206–$204,455 per annum (Group 3 – 2027 Rate). Benefits include an OMERS pension plan, paid vacation and holidays, EFAP, and tuition reimbursement.

Applications must be received by November 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

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