Battalion Chief

City of Calimesa; Calimesa (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Calimesa aims to hire a Battalion Chief to lead a shift, directing fire suppression, EMS, prevention, and training programs. You will supervise staff, coordinate resources, and act as Incident Commander as needed, ensuring compliance with policies and safety standards.

The role requires extensive experience in fire service, supervisory duties, and strong leadership in a dynamic environment. Salary is competitive with benefits, and the city emphasizes collaboration with other departments

Qualifications

• Requires 7 years of fire service experience with 3+ years as supervisor at Company Officer level or higher.
• High school diploma or equivalent; plus Bachelor’s in Fire Science, etc., or Associate degree with Chief Fire Officer cert.

Responsibilities

• Manage operations of an assigned shift including fire suppression, EMS, fire prevention, training, and other functions.
• Supervise, mentor, evaluate and discipline assigned personnel; participate in hiring, training, and performance reviews.
• Provide administrative and technical direction to ensure staffing, apparatus, and resources meet operational readiness.
• Respond to incidents as Incident Commander or command officer and set objectives per ICS.
• Maintain readiness through evaluation of personnel, apparatus, equipment, PPE, and facilities.
• Plan and evaluate Department training activities; address deficiencies with corrective action.
• Develop and maintain department and shift goals, policies, and procedures.
• Manage programs and projects; set priorities and ensure deadlines are met.
• Prepare reports and keep leadership informed of status and issues.

Skills

Fire suppression

EMS training

Incident command

Leadership

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science / related field

Associate degree + Chief Fire Officer cert.

Tools

Fire service software

Job description

1ST APPLICATION REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

$70,105 - $89,474 Annually

Job Description and Employment Application

Completed Applications are due no later than 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 to be considered in the 1st review of submitted applications.

Submit to City of Calimesa Human Resources Department at 908 Park Avenue, Calimesa, CA 92320 or via email at [e-mail].

Under general direction of the Fire Chief or designee, manages and directs assigned shift operations, personnel, and Department programs; oversees emergency response, training, EMS, fire prevention, operational readiness, and other assigned areas of responsibility; supervises and evaluates assigned personnel; serves as an Incident Commander or command officer as appropriate; assists with the development and implementation of Department policies, procedures, programs, and operational plans; coordinates activities with other City departments and partner agencies; and performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage and coordinate the operations and services of an assigned shift, including fire suppression, EMS, fire prevention, training, and other assigned functions.
• Supervise, direct, mentor, and evaluate assigned personnel; participate in selection, orientation, training, professional development, corrective action, and disciplinary processes.
• Provide administrative and technical direction to assigned personnel and ensure appropriate staffing, apparatus, equipment, and resources are available to maintain operational readiness.
• Respond to emergency incidents and serve as Incident Commander or command officer as appropriate; establish incident objectives, strategies, and priorities in accordance with Department policy and the Incident Command System.
• Maintain operational readiness through the inspection and evaluation of personnel, apparatus, equipment, PPE, facilities, and other Department resources.
• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate Department training activities; identify training or performance deficiencies and ensure appropriate follow-up and corrective action.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Department and shift goals, policies, procedures, operational plans, and assigned programs.
• Manage assigned Department programs, projects, and areas of responsibility; establish priorities and timelines and ensure assigned work is completed accurately and within established deadlines.
• Keep the Fire Chief or designee informed of the status of assigned programs and projects, including significant issues, delays, or resource needs.
• Participate in development and administration of the Department budget and assist in identifying staffing, apparatus, equipment, training, and other resource needs.
• Review emergency incidents, injuries, accidents, and operational performance and recommend improvements to training, safety, policies, and service delivery.
• Coordinate Department activities with City departments, public safety agencies, and other organizations, including automatic aid, mutual aid, and regional response activities.
• Prepare and present reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, plans, statistics, and other documents as required.
• Respond to and assist in resolving personnel, organizational, and community concerns within assigned authority.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, standards, and emerging fire service practices.
• Manage multiple assignments and priorities, exercise independent judgment, and remain accountable to the Fire Chief and established chain of command.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of a Battalion Chief. A typical qualifying background includes seven (7) years of increasingly responsible fire service experience in fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, training, or related operations, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience at the Company Officer level or higher.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; and one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Fire Science, Fire Technology, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or a related field; or
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and California State Fire Training Chief Fire Officer certification.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of fire suppression, fire prevention, EMS, training, and emergency operations.
• Fire Department organization, administration, policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Principles of supervision, leadership, employee development, discipline, and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights.
• Incident command, strategy and tactics, firefighter safety, hazardous materials, and mutual/automatic aid.
• Fire apparatus, equipment, PPE, pre-incident planning, and operational readiness.
• City of Calimesa geography, hazards, water supply, and emergency response resources.
• Budgeting, resource allocation, project management, recordkeeping, and report preparation.
• Computer applications and systems used in fire service operations and administration.

Ability to:

• Lead, supervise, train, evaluate, and hold assigned personnel accountable.
• Command and coordinate emergency operations safely and effectively.
• Manage personnel, apparatus, equipment, and other Department resources.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Exercise sound judgment and remain effective under stressful conditions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel, City staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, plans, and other documents.
• Organize, prioritize, and complete multiple programs, projects, and assignments within established deadlines.
• Identify problems, develop solutions, and ensure appropriate follow-through.
• Use computers and Department software necessary to perform assigned duties.

CERTIFICATIONS

Required at Time of Appointment

• California State Fire Training Company Officer
• California State Fire Training Firefighter II
• California State Fire Training Firefighter I
• CICCS Engine Boss (ENGB)
• Fire Officer 3A – Human Resource Management (2020)
• or Chief Fire Officer 3A – Human Resource Management for the Chief Fire Officer (2014)
• Fire Officer 3B – Finance and Administration (2020)
• or Chief Fire Officer 3B – Budget and Fiscal Responsibilities for Chief Fire Officers (2014) and Chief Fire Officer 3C – General Administration Functions for Chief Fire Officers (2014)
• Fire Officer 3C – Command of Expanding Incidents (2020)
• or Chief Fire Officer 3D – Command of Expanding All-Hazard Incidents (2014)
• ics-300 – Intermediate IAS for Expanding Incidents

Licenses

• Valid California Class C Driver's License with Firefighter Endorsement, or California Commercial Class A or B Driver's License with applicable air brake and tank endorsements.
• Valid California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider certification.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

TRAINING – DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• California State Fire Training Fire Service Instructor certification.
• California State Fire Training Instructor II
• Experience developing and managing Department training programs, annual training plans, and training calendars.
• Experience coordinating State Fire Training, EMS continuing education, or other fire service training programs.
• Experience developing task books, competency evaluations, and promotional or professional development programs.
• Previous experience as a Department Training Officer or equivalent is highly desirable.

EMS – DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Current California Paramedic License.
• Current ACLS, PALS, and BLS certification, as applicable.
• Experience managing or providing oversight of a fire-based EMS program.
• Experience with EMS quality improvement/quality assurance (QI/QA), continuing education, skills competency, and clinical performance review.
• Experience working with the applicable Local EMS Agency (LEMSA), medical direction, ambulance providers, and receiving facilities.
• Previous experience as an EMS Coordinator, EMS Officer, or equivalent is highly desirable.

OPERATIONS – DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• CICCS Strike Team/Task Force Leader (STEN/TFLD).
• CICCS Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS).
• Incident Safety Officer.
• ics-400 – Advanced ICSS.
• Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator – Wildland and/or Water Tender.
• Experience serving as an Incident Commander or Command/General Staff member at multi-company or extended incidents.
• Experience with automatic/mutual aid, wildland operations, pre-incident planning, response planning, and operational policy development.
• Previous experience managing a Department operations program or equivalent is highly desirable.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to serve in an all-risk/all-hazard incident command capacity.
• Maintain a satisfactory driving record and remain insurable under the City's applicable vehicle insurance requirements.
• Meet and maintain the health, safety, and physical requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law.

The position requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects weighing more than 50 pounds.

Employees must possess sufficient strength, mobility, coordination, vision, hearing, endurance, and mental alertness to safely perform emergency and non-emergency duties. Employees must also be able to wear and operate required personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection, and work effectively under hazardous and rapidly changing conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in fire stations, offices, vehicles, training facilities, and emergency scenes. Employees may be exposed to fire, smoke, hazardous materials, extreme heat and cold, inclement weather, electrical and mechanical hazards, traffic, elevated noise levels, limited visibility, uneven terrain, and other hazardous conditions associated with emergency response.

The position requires work in both emergency and administrative environments and may involve prolonged or irregular hours during emergency incidents and other Department activities.