Assistant Fire Chief - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

City of St. Joseph; Saint Joseph (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of St. Joseph seeks an Assistant Fire Chief responsible for managing all aspects of the Fire Department. This role involves supervising personnel, evaluating performance, and ensuring compliance with fire prevention codes.

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and five years of supervisory experience. Effective communication and management skills are crucial, with the position primarily based in an office environment while requiring physical capabilities for emergency situations.

Qualifications

• Five years of supervisory experience in a related field is required.
• Experience in fire operations management preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Fire Chief in supervisory responsibilities of all Fire Department personnel.
• Monitors service delivery methods.
• Prepares departmental activity reports as needed.

Skills

Management

Supervision

Public Speaking

Public Relations

Interpersonal Relations

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

Personal Computer

Fire Fighting Equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Manages and directs all aspects of the department as directed by the Fire Chief to provide a fire safe environment for the citizens as effectively and economically as practical.

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Fire Chief
DEPARTMENT: Fire
SALARY: Negotiable
CLOSING: July 25, 2026

Job Scope

Assist the Fire Chief in direct and indirect supervisory responsibilities of all Fire Department personnel. Provide support to Fire Chief in developing, preparing, and implementing departmental budget.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Monitors and evaluates service delivery methods and procedures.
• Responsible for effective employee relations, diversity, staff development along with departmental strategic visioning.
• Responsible for implementation of policies and programs supporting departmental and organizational mission and goals under the direction of the Fire Chief.
• Evaluates the performance of supervisory personnel.
• Supports the Fire Chief in acting as a liaison to other professional organizations, community groups and city departments to ensure support and understanding of the Fire Department’s role.
• May be required to attend Council meetings and other departmental meetings.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from citizens.
• Prepares reports of departmental activities as required.
• Participates in labor relations negotiations with authorized (union) bargaining agent.
• Prepares and presents news releases and meets with news media to respond to questions concerning the Department.
• Oversees all aspects of the Fire Prevention office and inspection program.
• Provides direction on maintaining detailed records of fire alarms, code inspections and hazardous materials incidents. Insures monthly and annual run activity reports are properly reported.
• Ensures Inspectors maintain all required certifications.
• Oversees all aspects of the Training Division to ensure ISO and required training/record-keeping compliance.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Employee Behavior and Conduct

City employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include, but are not limited to, being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.

Required (Essential) Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Skills in management, supervision, public speaking, public relations, interpersonal relations, and communication. Knowledge of modern firefighting methods and techniques, modern fire prevention codes and practices, effective supervisory practices and managerial techniques and methods. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; maintain discipline and the respect of subordinate personnel; develop, initiate and administer new programs or improvements in existing programs; and coordinate the activities of the various divisions of the Department. Ability to think and react quickly and rationally in stressful or emergency situations, plan and assign activities, delegate responsibilities and the corresponding authority, and cope with stressful situations. Valid Driver’s License required. Must have experience and knowledge in how EMS is applied in the fire service. Must be willing to look at innovative ways to increase and expand the fire department’s role in its delivery of EMS services for our community. Five years of supervisory experience in a related field required with experience in fire operations management preferred.

Material and Equipment Directly Used

Daily driving of assigned vehicle. Wearing of air pack, basic fire fighting, hand tools in exercise of fire scene management and investigative responsibilities. Daily use of personal computer in exercising responsibilities for scheduling of staff and record keeping responsibilities. There may be times when use of personal vehicle may be required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

Work is primarily in an office environment with a controlled environment and an occasional need to perform in an outdoor setting under adverse and dangerous conditions including the presence of extreme temperatures. Infrequent lifting of objects weighing as much as 60 pounds. Must have physical capabilities to climb, stoop, crawl, bend and perform other repetitive physical tasks. Capable of walking over uneven surfaces.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field preferred and/or equivalent professional experience.

All applicants must pass a drug screening and criminal background check prior to employment. Any job offer made by the City is contingent upon the applicant passing the drug screening and background check.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires that otherwise qualified handicapped individuals be protected from discrimination.