Assistant Fire Chief

City of Palm Bay; Palm Bay (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palm Bay is seeking an experienced Fire Department administrator to lead multiple divisions, oversee budgeting, and ensure readiness for major incidents. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 15 years of firefighting/EMS experience, including 10 years in a Lieutenant or higher capacity, with Florida certifications.

Ideal candidates excel in strategic planning, personnel management, and interagency coordination, and are prepared to guide emergency response, training,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Public Administration, Fire Science, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years paid firefighting/EMS/emergency response experience.
• At least 10 years as Lieutenant or higher in a Fire Rescue Department.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement emergency response policies and plans.
• Assist in budgets and administration of funds for divisions.
• Manage Battalion Chiefs and provide necessary support.
• Oversee staffing of fire rescue stations and conduct inspections.
• Coordinate activities with City departments and external agencies.
• Respond to major fires, EMS, and hazardous materials incidents; participate in suppression planning.

Skills

Leadership

Emergency management

Budgeting

Staff supervision

Policy development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Management/Police/Public Administration/Fire Science

State of Florida Fire Officer II

State of Florida Fire Instructor II

State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I

State of Florida Fire Officer III

State of Florida Fire Instructor III

State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector II

Fire Code Administrator

Live Fire Training Instructor

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Public Administration, Fire Science, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution; plus, a minimum of fifteen (15) years of paid (career) experience in firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, and emergency response, which must include ten (10) years of experience as a Lieutenant or equivalent or higher in a Fire Rescue Department required.

Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Please Note: The State of Florida does not accept Pro Board or Equivalencies. If submitting a Pro Board Certificate, you must attach BOTH the State of Florida Certificate and the Pro Board Certificate. Applications missing either documents will not be accepted or reviewed.

Must possess a current Certificate of Compliance as a firefighter from the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards. Must have a current State of Florida Fire Officer I, State of Florida Paramedic Certification or hold a current State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician certification with the ability to obtain a Paramedic certification within 18 months of appointment.

• State of Florida Fire Officer II
• State of Florida Fire Instructor II
• State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I

• State of Florida Fire Officer III
• State of Florida Fire Instructor III
• State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector II
• Fire Code Administrator
• Live Fire Training Instructor

Fire Investigator, Professional Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety and Excellence, and/or completion of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program is highly desirable. Must excel in the use of Microsoft Office programs.

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the employee’s Department Head will make the determination as to who will be required to work.

Under limited supervision, performs administrative and supervisory firefighting work directing the activities of a Fire Rescue Department Division(s). This position can be assigned to oversee Operations, Administrative Services, Special Operations, Logistics, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Resource Management, Fleet, Facilities, Training and Safety, Community Risk Reduction, GIS, SWAT Medic, or other areas assigned by the Fire Chief. Work involves participating in Departmental planning to ensure maintenance of proper service levels for the City, and overseeing budgeting, fiscal and personnel administration functions for the assigned bureau. Employee is also responsible for responding to scenes of major fires, hazardous materials incidents, natural or man‑made disasters, emergency management planning and coordination, etc., evaluating the situation, and formulating and participating in a plan of suppression and/or rescue. Work also involves ensuring availability and proper maintenance of firefighting and rescue equipment, and coordinating activities with other City departments, or outside agencies and businesses. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of emergency response work. Reports to the Deputy Fire Chief.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists in development and implementation of policies, procedures, and methods to be employed in emergency response operations, and in development of plans for multiple responses to natural or manmade disasters; participates in research and development of plans for acquisition of equipment, training and/or staffing to maintain proper service levels based on projections for growth of the City and efficient use of the City's resources.

Assists in preparation of budgets, and administration of budgeted funds for assigned Divisions, prepares requisitions or coordinates purchase of necessary equipment, supplies and materials, and ensures proper distribution, with the Deputy Fire Chief’s approval.

Manages assigned Battalion Chiefs and ensures they have the necessary support to perform their duties.

Oversees and ensures proper staffing of assigned fire rescue stations; enforces day‑to‑day operating policies and procedures, performs inspections of fire stations and apparatus, prepares written inspection reports for the Deputy Fire Chief to review.

Selectively responds to incidents requiring firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue of victims, or hazardous material response; may make determination of necessary personnel, equipment and suppression or containment tactics until relieved by or until otherwise directed by the Deputy Fire Chief.

Rotate afterhours on‑call responsibilities as scheduled by the Deputy Fire Chief. Prepares and maintains various records and reports of activities and emergency response operations.

Attends seminars, conference, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of emergency response, including firefighting, emergency rescue, hazardous materials response, etc.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs other related work as required.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all‑inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary that are a logical assignment to the position.