Fire Chief Elk Valley South Country

Regional District of East Kootenay; Cranbrook; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Regional District of East Kootenay seeks a Fire Chief to oversee four fire halls and multiple departments. You will lead strategic operations, manage staffing, and ensure high-level emergency response with a people-first, values-driven approach.

The role requires NFPA certifications, strong leadership, and relationship-building skills, plus experience with budgeting, planning, and incident command. Applicants should reside within the EV/SC area and be prepared for after-hours incidents.

Qualifications

• NFPA fire service certifications are required.
• Negotiating and managing paid-on-call firefighters is essential.
• Strong leadership and communication abilities are essential.
• Experience with emergency management and incident command is preferred.
• Ability to prepare reports and manage department records.

Responsibilities

• Recruits, develops, and retains paid-on-call firefighters and selects officers.
• Directs training programs to meet operational demands and maintain competencies.
• Implements a comprehensive safety program and ensures health and safety regulations.
• Inspires a culture of open communication, collaboration, and accountability.
• Oversees daily administrative and operational activities of four fire halls.
• Prepares five-year financial plans and manages budgets within policy.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship-building

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II

NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level I

NFPA 1041 Fire Service Instructor Level I

OFC Fire Investigator or NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator

NFPA 1051 or SPP-WFF1 or equivalent

ICS 300

Intro to Emergency Management BC

First Responder Level 3 / CPR Level C

Tools

Microsoft Office

Operational databases/software

First Due

Job description

Regional District of East Kootenay

Fire Chief Elk Valley South Country

Competition Number: 2026-36

Posting Scope: Internal/External

Posted Date: September 21, 2026

Closing Date: October 23, 12:30 PM MST

Job Location: Elk Valley/South Country Fire Halls - Jaffray

Department: Protective Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Salary: $99, 517.60--$136,160/year depending on qualifications/experience

Employee Group: Exempt

Number of Vacancies: 1

POSITION FUNCTION

Reporting to the Protective Services Manager (“the Manager”), the Fire Chief (“the Fire Chief”) is responsible for the organization and direction of multiple Fire Departments to ensure that the loss of life, property, or injury as a result of an emergency incident is prevented or minimized. The Fire Chief directs all Deputy Fire Chiefs and paid-on-call firefighters across four fire halls, Jaffray, Baynes Lake, Elko and Hosmer, ensuring a safe, professional, and timely response to all incidents, and that firefighting equipment and department property are well maintained. The role requires a broad combination of strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, and active involvement in day-to-day operations, with a people-first, values-driven approach that builds trust, psychological safety, and a culture of continuous learning. Working closely with the Manager on policy and planning while managing operations independently, the Fire Chief identifies future staffing and equipment needs, assesses potential critical impacts to the department, and remains aware of trends in fire protection service delivery.

KEY DUTIES

• Recruits, develops, and retains paid-on-call firefighters through leadership, mentorship, and regular performance feedback; selects and appoints paid-on-call fire officers and recommends the appointment, promotion, discipline, and dismissal of regular employees to the Manager or Chief Administrative Officer.
• Directs training programs so new and existing members meet operational demands and maintain required competencies and professional standards.
• Implements a comprehensive safety program and ensures adherence to WorkSafeBC and other applicable health and safety regulations; documents, reports, and investigates all accidents and incidents.
• Inspires and advances the RDEK culture by modelling open communication, collaboration, respect, and shared accountability, leading with emotional intelligence, empathy, and integrity, and exercising discretion with sensitive or confidential information.
• Directs daily administrative and operational activities of the service area Fire Departments, including scheduling, incident reporting, purchasing, correspondence, and records management.
• Prepares five-year financial plans, controls expenditures within approved budget limits, approves payroll for paid-on-call firefighters and Deputy Fire Chiefs, and ensures purchasing follows RDEK policy.
• Oversees asset management for each of the four stations, grant management for the department, and new software implementation and usage (e.g., the transition from FDM to First Due); establishes General Operational Guidelines and advises the Manager and Chief Administrative Officer on operations and policy.
• Prepares and updates short- and long-range goals, evaluates needs, recommends the orderly addition or replacement of facilities, vehicles, and equipment, and ensures operational readiness through regular maintenance and servicing of fire halls, apparatus, and equipment.
• Responds to emergency calls and assumes direct command or provides operational/tactical supervision at fires and other incidents, which may involve work outside regular business hours.
• Manages wildfire deployments and supervises crews during OFC/BC Wildfire Service deployments and local incidents; supervises contractors; attends day, evening, and weekend events, including weekly training sessions.
• Acts as a liaison between the service area Fire Departments and RDEK departments, Fire Chief counterparts, contractors, government agencies, the news media, and the public; promotes fire prevention and community engagement.
• Establishes mutual aid agreements, joint training initiatives, and incident pre-planning with neighbouring fire departments; participates on the Emergency Management Committee and assumes an assigned role in the Emergency Operations Centre.
• Assumes the responsibilities of Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner if requested; conducts investigations and submits reports as required by the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

QUALIFICATIONS

Formal Education, Training and Occupational Certification (Essential):

• NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II (including NFPA 1072/Ops)
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level I
• NFPA 1041 Fire Service Instructor Level I
• OFC Fire Investigator or NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator
• NFPA 1051 or SPP-WFF1 or equivalent
• ICS 300
• Basic Introduction to Emergency Management in BC
• First Responder Level 3 or CPR Level "C" with Emergency First Aid

• Training and experience in technical rescue (e.g., vehicle extrication, ice rescue, rope/embankment rescue), and an understanding of the Structure Firefighters Competency and Training Playbook.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license with air brake endorsement, and the ability and willingness to drive in all weather and road conditions.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in fire department operations and administration with progressively greater responsibilities, including two years at a senior fire officer level (Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief).
• Demonstrated leadership and relationship-building skills; extensive knowledge of fireground operations, fire prevention, training, personnel management in a paid-on-call environment, and local government legislation and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention, emergency medical services, applicable codes, hazardous materials response, recordkeeping, and department administration.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, manage, direct, and supervise paid-on-call firefighters; to develop and deliver training programs; to prepare and deliver public presentations; and to manage and supervise projects.
• Knowledge of WorkSafeBC OHS and WHMIS requirements; proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and operational databases/software; ability to prepare required reports, records, and correspondence and to organize work to meet deadlines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to interact effectively with elected officials, staff, firefighters, the public, media, contractors, and agencies.
• Must reside within 30 minutes response time to the EV/SC area; preference for residence within the protection area.

Preferred:

• Post-secondary education in Fire Service Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or Leadership.
• ICS 400; NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level II, III, or IV; NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector; NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer; NFPA 1041 Fire Service Instructor Level II; NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator or equivalent EVOC training.
• BC Wildfire Service Structural Protection Program (WSPP-115) or equivalent; NFPA 1035 Public Educator/Information Officer or equivalent.
• Experience with fire department reporting software and additional emergency management training (EOC Essentials, EOC Operations, EOC Planning, ESS training, Emergency Management Certificates).

The Regional District of East Kootenay is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces, and services. Our goal is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve.

If you require assistance, please email us at [e-mail].

Thank you for your interest in this position; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.