CA – Fire Chief – Templeton Community Services District – Closing: 10/05/2026

Daily Dispatch; Templeton (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Templeton Fire and Emergency Services is seeking a Fire Chief to lead the department and advance its mission in the Central Coast region. The role requires strong administrative skills and a track record of fire-service leadership, with oversight of both daily operations and strategic long-term planning.

The Fire Chief will report to the General Manager and collaborate with the district’s executive team, guiding recruitment, training, and safety programs while ensuring service quality and

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional/technical experience in the Fire Services.
• Three or more years of experience as Captain, Battalion Chief, or senior chief in a career department desirable.
• Education and training aligned with fire science and public administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead community fire and emergency services as Fire Chief.
• Oversee non-routine and routine calls in coordination with district leadership.
• Participate in executive management and strategic planning for the department.

Skills

Fire service leadership

Executive management

Strategic planning

Education

Associate's Degree in Fire Science

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Public Admin

Job description

Templeton is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the heart of California’s beautiful Central Coast. Home to approximately 8,000 residents, with an estimated build-out population of 15,000, the community offers small-town charm, a rich history, and room for continued growth.

Templeton Fire and Emergency Services has proudly served the community for more than 125 years. Once an all-volunteer department, it evolved into a combination department with increasing career staffing beginning in the 1990’s.

The current Fire Chief is retiring at the end of 2026 after fulfilling over 6-years of service with the District. The Fire Chief works under the direction of the General Manager and is a key part of the District’s executive management team. The Fire Chief performs a variety of technical and administrative work relating to the operations of the Department and is expected to participate directly in responding to calls for service that are non-routine in nature, and participate as needed on more routine calls.

Qualified candidates will have a minimum of 5 years of professional/technical experience in the Fire Services, with three or more years of experience as a Captain (with administrative responsibilities), Battalion Chief, Assistant or Deputy Fire Chief, or Fire Chief in a department with career staffing with a paid call or reserve firefighter program is desirable.

A combination of education and training in equivalent to an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or a related field is required and training equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration or a related field is highly desirable.

Salary range $141,004- $171,391, plus competitive benefits package.

This recruitment closes October 5, 2026.

The most qualified candidates will be invited to a full day in-person assessment center on October 21, 2026. Applicant should hold this date as the assessment center will be held only on October 21, and no alternate date will be offered. Invitations to participate in the selection process will be sent by email. Employment is contingent upon successful reference and background checks, a physical exam, drug screen, criminal background check, and entering in an employment agreement.

California Firefighter Jobs