Battalion Fire Chief

City-of-Lompoc,-C; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Incentive

USAR incentive

Job summary

The City of Lompoc is seeking a Battalion Chief to oversee department-wide operations, including emergency services, training, and budgeting. This role requires strong leadership and the ability to command during emergencies.

Candidates should have extensive fire suppression experience, Captain-level or higher experience, and relevant certifications. A valid CA driver’s license and EMT/Paramedic credentials are required or highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Five years of increasingly responsible fire suppression experience.
• Two years at Fire Captain rank or higher.
• California Driver’s License; EMT-Basic or Paramedic.
• Fire Chief Officer certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assume admin responsibility for assigned department-wide functions.
• Plan, organize, and implement fire department programs.
• Direct investigations, inspections, and code enforcement as needed.
• Prepare budget components and recommendations; manage department records.
• Direct emergency scene operations, making strategic decisions on tactics.
• Develop and implement staff training and community relations initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Supervision

Strategic planning

Education

AS/AA in Fire Science or related

Bachelor’s degree in related field

California State Fire Chief Officer Certification

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The City reserves the right to stop accepting applications prior to the posted deadline if sufficient numbers of qualified applications are received. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The recruitment is officially closed once it has been removed from the City's website.

TENTATIVE PANEL INTERVIEW AND ASSESSMENT CENTER: 09/16/2026 & 09/17/2026 CHIEF INTERVIEW: The week following

INCENTIVES AVAILABLE:

• Education Incentive - Up to 5% with proof of certification & approval from Fire Chief
• USAR - 2% with proof of required certifications

Under direction of the Fire Chief on an assigned shift, the Battalion Fire Chief is a sworn division management position with broad administrative responsibility of assigned department-wide functions, such as operations, emergency services, emergency medical services, fire prevention, training, or general administration. The Battalion Fire Chief has administrative charge of daily staff and equipment deployment, incident command authority, budgeting authority, and other related responsibilities as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: Positions in the class of Battalion Chief serve as the administrator in charge of an assigned department-wide function and take command of department operations during an assigned shift (in the absence of the Chief), particularly during emergency scene operations. Positions are subject to rotation.

EXAMINATION PROCESS: Based upon screening of the City application, résumé, and responses to supplemental questions, applicants whose qualifications best meet the requirements of the position will be invited to the examination process. This process may include, but is not limited to panel interview, oral presentation, and/or written exercise, which consists of an evaluation of some of the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, and job-related experience listed below. Those candidates who pass the examination process are placed on an eligibility list from which the final selection will be made.

SELECTION PROCESS: Candidates who pass the examination process are placed on an eligibility list that is valid for six months up to a maximum of one year from the date established, from which the final selection will be made. Subsequent screening may include a Chief's interview. The Chief may promote any candidate on the list, regardless of his/her ranking on the list. The Chief will at their discretion take into consideration the following criteria: candidate's past participation in department programs; current and past evaluations; education; experience; examination raters' comments and scores; and other relevant information. As authorized by City policy, applicants being considered for hire in this position are subject to fingerprinting for purposes of investigating criminal history background, as part of the employment screening process. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination (based upon job-related physical standards) by a City-designated physician.

Failure in any one part of the examination or selection processes will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

1. Assumes administrative responsibility for assigned department-wide administrative functions.
2. Plans, organizes, and implements fire department programs.
3. Makes or recommends decisions regarding hiring, promotions, terminations, discipline, or other changes in status.
4. Conducts fire, safety, health, and related inspections, issues notices of violation, and follows-up inspections.
5. Reviews and recommends modification of codes, regulations, and ordinances.
6. Directs and participates in public information programs, plans, organizes, and implements staff training programs presented by the department.
7. Schedules, develops, and presents training programs for personnel.
8. Conducts drills.
9. Prepares operational budget components.
10. Purchases budget items.
11. Prepares budget recommendations.
12. Directs the maintenance of buildings and equipment.
13. Prepares administrative studies and reports.
14. Assumes control of emergency scenes, making decisions and giving directions on strategies and tactics.
15. Assumes responsibility for the operation of the department on an assigned shift.
16. Prepares personnel performance evaluations.
17. Responds to citizen inquiries and complaints.
18. Develops and implements community relations and information programs.
19. Receives, reads, and prepares department/division directives.
20. Assumes the duties of the Fire Chief, as assigned.
21. Participates in the Department's Battalion Chief Certification program.
22. Performs related work as required.

If you are unable to perform the essential functions of the position for which you are applying, either with or without reasonable accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone].

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position.

EDUCATION:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent
• AS/AA degree from a recognized college with work in Fire Science, Fire Protection Engineering, Business and Management is highly desirable
• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized four (4)-Year College or university with major course work in Fire Science, Fire Protection Engineering, Business and Management, Public Administration, or related field is highly desirable.
• California State Fire Chief Officer Certification is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible fire suppression experience.
• Two years of the five at a Fire Captain rank or higher.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:

• Possession of a valid and appropriate California Driver's License; and
• Valid California Emergency Medical Technician Basic or Paramedic; and
• Completion of the Lompoc Fire Department Succession Task Book for Battalion Chief. Task book shall be required for all internal candidates and required 6 months after appointment for external candidates

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles of fire administration and general management and organization
• Modern fire suppression and prevention principles, methods, practices and techniques
• Principles of personnel development, supervision and training
• Principles of hydraulic and construction engineering
• Emergency medical techniques
• City geography and water systems
• Principles of correct English usage, grammar, and composition
• Basic mathematical and mechanical procedures
• Fire codes, standards and investigation procedures
• Building construction methods
• Hazardous materials and products

ABILITY TO:

• Perform responsible administrative work
• Assume responsibility for strategies, tactics, and decision-making at the scene of an emergency
• Supervise and evaluate supervisory level and shift personnel
• Conduct inspections
• Determine code and other requirements and enforce such requirements
• Prepare and present concise written and oral reports
• Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS: The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical : Strength category: Very Heavy- exert force over 100 pounds rarely, over 50 pounds rarely, or over 20 pounds occasionally to lift, carry, push pull or move objects when called upon to respond to an emergency. When working in the office, the strength category is Light-exert force to 20 pounds occasionally, or 10 pounds frequently, or negligible force constantly to lift, carry, push pull or move objects. May involve significant standing, walking, pushing and/or pulling, typing, sitting. Occasional standing, walking, bending. Rare to occasional stooping, climbing stairs, pushing, pulling, twisting at the waist, handling, gripping, grasping, reaching at, above and below shoulder level, extending neck upward, downward and side to side. On rare occasions, crouching, crawling, kneeling, climbing ladders. Vision: visual acuity sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position; average depth perception needed. Hearing: effectively hear/comprehend oral instructions and communication and equipment noise.

Mental/Psychological : Work cooperatively and interact appropriately with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public, without exhibiting extreme responses; respond appropriately to criticism from supervisor; utilize complex reading, math and writing skills; understand, remember and carry out complex job instructions; respond quickly to changing situations under emergency pressures; maintain mental and emotional control in the face of extremely stressful situations; communicate effectively orally; work under pressure; work within deadlines; supervise other workers; train other workers.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Work in extremely hazardous conditions. Works both indoors and outdoors. Depending on the day’s assignments and the number and nature of emergency responses in a day, rarely to frequently is exposed to extreme temperatures, dust, fumes, smoke, gases, odors, flames, solvents, grease, oil, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, electrical energy, and chemicals. Rarely to occasionally works at unprotected heights and in confined spaces. Occasionally works around machinery, uses a computer, drives motorized equipment/vehicles. On rare occasion works with explosives. Works both alone and with others. May be exposed to biohazards including blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Employees in this classification may be required to utilize respirators in the course of their job duties or under emergency circumstance and thus must comply with California Code of Regulations Title 8 General Industry Safety Order 5144. Employees shall not wear beards, mustaches, sideburns, facial hair or other conditions in such a manner that may prevent or interfere with establishing and maintaining a proper seal of the respirator facemask. This requirement is implemented to ensure the safety and health of the employee.