BATTALION CHIEF

State of California; United States; On-site; USD 77,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

CAL FIRE seeks a Battalion Chief of Communications to lead statewide firefighting communications operations. The position reports to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and will coordinate incident communications, dispatch protocols, and field support across California counties.

Travel about 50% and overtime are required. The salary ranges from $6,882.00 to $8,930.00 per month, reflecting state employment benefits and retirement options.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications are specified in the Battalion Chief classification specifications.

Responsibilities

• Travel as needed (approximately 50%) for incidents and trainings, possibly several days at a time.
• Positions headquartered statewide with travel and overtime as required; incumbent must wear RPP SCBA and meet CalOSHA medical clearance requirements.

Job description

Job Posting:Battalion Chief of Communications

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

JC-529183 -

JC-529183 - Battalion Chief of Communications
BATTALION CHIEF

$6,882.00 - $8,930.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/18/2026

Job Description and Duties

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.

Please see the Duty Statement link, found in the Additional Documents section, for more information.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

• Positions will be headquartered in one of the following counties: Humboldt, Shasta, Butte, Sonoma, Sacramento, Alameda, Fresno, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Luis Obispo. Additionally, the incumbent's responsibilities will require routine travel and work statewide. Positions and locations will be offered based on operational need.

Travel as needed (approximately 50%) for incidents and trainings, possibly several days at a time. Will be subject to work overtime during nights, weekends, holidays or extra days over and above regular schedule. The incumbent is required to wear RPP, including SCBA. Maintains proficiency, qualification, and experience standards in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and departmental policy.

As such, California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CalOSHA) requires that the incumbent be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment. This clearance process consists of a comprehensive medical evaluation including a review of the incumbent's medical history, a complete physical examination, and vision, hearing, spirometry, and exercise treadmill tests.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• BATTALION CHIEF

BATTALION CHIEF $6,882.00 - $8,930.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

4

Work Location:

United States

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California’s fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 14,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.

When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co‑workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

This position requires Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) Clearance prior to the incumbent being hired.

• The incumbent is required to wear respiratory protection (RPP) equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The use of such equipment may place a physiological burden on the incumbent that varies with the type of equipment used, the job and workplace conditions in which the equipment is used, and the medical status of the incumbent. As such, California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CalOSHA) requires that the incumbent be annually medically cleared to be fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment. This clearance process consists of a comprehensive medical evaluation including a review of the incumbent's medical history, a complete physical examination, and vision, hearing, spirometry, and exercise treadmill tests.

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

The minimum qualifications can be found in the Battalion Chief classification specifications.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Bargaining Unit 8 Memorandum of Understanding regarding Voluntary In-Class Transfer Policy (Inter-Unit) (Section 9.2) will be followed. Transfers may require a two-year commitment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.