Fire Chief

The City of Yellowknife

Fire Chief

The City of Yellowknife is an inclusive employer offering a dynamic and rewarding work environment that delivers valuable services to our residents. Working in Local Government provides many opportunities to not only develop your career but also to improve the lives of residents, business owners, and visitors to Yellowknife! At the City, the diverse backgrounds of our employees help us to create a positive, safe and fun environment for us all. The City is committed to hiring a diverse and skilled workforce that is representative of the community, strengthening our ability to provide high-quality services and excellent customer service to residents and business owners. In addition, the City of Yellowknife is committed to reconciliation and implementing actions intended to increase the number of Indigenous peoples who work for the City. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage Indigenous persons to self-declare when submitting their applications.

The City of Yellowknife invites applications for a transformative leadership opportunity as Fire Chief, where the responsibility of safeguarding a northern capital converges with the chance to shape the future of integrated emergency services in Canada’s Arctic. This is a role that goes far beyond operations — it calls for a strategic architect, a cultural steward, and a public servant with vision.

As Fire Chief, you will lead a team of highly trained professionals dedicated to fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue operations, and public education. Reporting to the Director of Public Safety, you will oversee a $7.5M operation that plays a critical role in Yellowknife’s resilience, safety, and sense of community. From the modernization of infrastructure and apparatus to deepening Indigenous partnerships and expanding fire prevention efforts, your mandate will be equal parts operational excellence and progressive leadership.

This is not a position for status quo management — it is an opportunity to galvanize a culture of excellence, collaboration, and trust. You will champion inclusive leadership, safety innovation, and ethical decision-making while preparing the Division to meet the challenges of climate change, complex labour dynamics, and growing public expectations.

In this role, you will also be a visible figure in the life of the city — a connector of communities, a mentor to rising leaders, and a standard-bearer for professionalism in public safety. Your ability to build consensus, communicate with clarity, and act with courage will define your success.

Yellowknife offers more than a job. It offers a way of life — rooted in purpose, defined by community, and rich with natural beauty. If you are driven by purpose, comfortable in complexity, and motivated by service, this is your moment to lead — with heart, with clarity, and with enduring impact.

You are a principled and purpose-driven leader who leads with clarity, conviction, and compassion. With a career grounded in operational expertise and ethical leadership, you understand that trust — both within the department and across the community — is earned through transparency, fairness, and a steady presence.

You do not just manage a fire service — you steward it. You bring strategic insight and a deep respect for the people who serve alongside you. Whether guiding emergency operations, addressing complex labour dynamics, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, you approach every challenge with calm resolve and a collaborative mindset.

Communication is one of your greatest strengths. You listen actively, speak plainly, and foster dialogue that encourages accountability and shared purpose. In the apparatus bay, at the bargaining table, or in a Council meeting, you show up with empathy and authority. In a unionized environment, you are known for being fair, consistent, and honest — a leader who earns respect on every side.

You also bring a sharp administrative and strategic lens. You have led budget development, capital planning, and policy reform. You understand the realities of managing emergency services in resource-constrained settings, and you are comfortable making decisions that balance operational needs with long-term vision. Your approach is data-informed, community-focused, and grounded in safety, inclusion, and sustainability.

You see outreach and education not as secondary tasks but as essential tools for building trust and resilience. You engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities, participate actively in regional partnerships, and elevate public safety through visible, values-based leadership.

You are a leader who inspires confidence. You act with integrity, prioritize people, and stay steady in the face of complexity. You recognize that being a Fire Chief is about more than command — it is about stewardship. And in a city like Yellowknife, you understand that every decision carries weight, every interaction builds trust, and every day is an opportunity to serve with purpose.

This position requires a university degree in fire service administration, public administration, business administration, or other related discipline. The incumbent must have a minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in a related field in a similar sized or larger municipal fire/rescue service, along with a minimum of 5 years of progressive administrative experience including supervising or managing employees in an upper-level position of a public safety agency. A valid NWT Class 3 drivers’ license is required. The incumbent must be certified in the following: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Level II Fire Fighter, NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus driver/Operator, NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level 4, NFPA 1521 Fire Department Safety Officer, NFPA 1030 Fire Inspector Level 2, Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100, 200, 300 and 400.

If you are a Fire Chief who serves with purpose, leads with vision, and builds not just safer systems, but stronger communities, we would like to hear from you.

To discuss the position in confidence, please call or email. Resumes can be directed to: search@leadershipsource.ca
Main: 306.543.1666