CA – Fire Chief – Felton Fire Protection District – First Review: 10/01/2026

Daily Dispatch; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 167,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

District-provided vehicle

Insurance stipend

457(b) plan

Sick leave

Vacation

Residency requirement

Job summary

Felton Fire Protection District in Felton, CA seeks a Fire Chief to lead the district as it moves from an all-volunteer model to a combined fire service. This is a working chief’s position — you will manage the organization for a five-member elected Board of Directors, and take command on the fire ground.

The district serves a wildland-urban interface, and residency within six months is required. Compensation includes an insurance stipend, 457(b) up to 10%, sick leave and vacation accrual, and a

Qualifications

• Fire Chief level certification (CSFM, ProBoard Officer 4, or NFA Officer 4).
• CSFM HazMat Incident Commander; CSFM or ProBoard Instructor 2; CSFM or ProBoard Inspector 1; CSFM Safety Officer; IC 400.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transition from a volunteer model to a combined fire service.
• Manage the district organization for a five-member elected Board of Directors and command on the fire ground.

Skills

Chief leadership 15+ years

Captain level leadership

Education

CSFM certification

ProBoard Officer 2

NFA Officer 2

High school diploma/GED

Associate's degree or higher

Job description

Salary: $166,998 – $193,034 DOE

Filing: Open until filled. First review of applications begins October 1, 2026.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Felton Fire is moving from an all-volunteer model to a combination fire service, and the next Chief will lead that transition. This is a working chief’s position — you will manage the organization for a five-member elected Board of Directors, and take command on the fire ground.

The District serves the community of Felton in the San Lorenzo Valley of Santa Cruz County — a wildland-urban interface district where the Chief is a visible part of the community as well as its fire administrator.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary: $166,998 – $193,034 DOE
• Full-time, contract appointment; reports to the Board of Directors
• Insurance stipend: $12,000 per year
• 457(b): District contribution up to 10% of base pay
• Sick leave: 168 hours at base pay
• Vacation: 144 hours at base pay
• District-provided vehicle
• Residency within response distance of the Felton station required within six months of hire

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Company Officer certification — CSFM, ProBoard Officer 2, or NFA Officer 2
• High school graduate or equivalency; Associate’s degree or higher preferred
• Fifteen years in the fire service, including five years of progressive leadership at Captain or above

REQUIRED BY END OF PROBATION

Fire Chief level certification (CSFM, ProBoard Officer 4, or NFA Officer 4); CSFM HazMat Incident Commander; CSFM or ProBoard Instructor 2; CSFM or ProBoard Inspector 1; CSFM Safety Officer; IC 400.

QUESTIONS

Felton Fire Protection District, 131 Kirby Street, Felton, CA 95018
[phone] · [e-mail]
Office hours 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

The Felton Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.