Chief of Operations/Deputy Director

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Dental and vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

South Dakota State Government’s Public Safety agency seeks a seasoned Chief of Operations/Deputy Director of the Wildland Fire Division in Rapid City. This executive role directs wildfire suppression, prescribed fire operations, and emergency response programs, guiding policy and budget planning while coordinating with federal, state, and local partners.

The position requires NWCG qualifications, strong leadership, and exceptional communication.

Qualifications

• NWCG qualifications: Division Group Supervisor, Incident Commander Type 3.
• Effective communicator both orally and written.
• Highly motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Passion for development of future leaders

Responsibilities

• Lead firefighters in wildland fire suppression and emergency management operations.
• Provide strategic direction for the fire management program by ensuring safe, effective, and efficient fire management operations, including MOUs and JPAs.
• Provide leadership and oversight to operations staff and program managers.
• Lead strategic planning initiatives to strengthen agency operations and firefighting capacity.
• Develop statewide wildfire management goals and establish policies and procedures.

Skills

NWCG Division Group Supervisor

Incident Commander Type 3

Communication skills

Independent work

Leadership development

Job description

Job ID: 38450

Agency: Public Safety

Location: Rapid City, SDSalary: $37.46 - $44.59 hourly, depending on qualifications

Salary: $37.46 - $44.59 hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: GH- L

Closing Date: 12/03/2026

This is a Full-Time position with the Public Safety. For more information on the Public Safety, please visit https://www.sd.gov/dps .

The Chief of Operations/Deputy Director of the Wildland Fire Division serves as a key executive leader responsible for advancing South Dakota's statewide wildfire and emergency management programs. This position provides strategic direction and oversight for wildfire suppression, prescribed fire operations, and emergency response initiatives while leading a team of fire management professionals dedicated to protecting lives, property, and natural resources. The role drives long-term planning, policy development, interagency collaboration, and operational excellence to enhance firefighting capacity across the state. Working closely with local, state, federal, and national partners, the Chief of Operations/Deputy Director helps shape wildfire management strategies, negotiates critical agreements, supports budget development, and represents the agency on regional and national initiatives. As a senior member of division leadership, this position plays a vital role in ensuring safe, effective, and forward‑thinking fire management programs while serving as a trusted advisor and acting on behalf of the Director when necessary.

• Lead firefighters in wildland fire suppression and emergency management operations.
• Provide strategic direction for the fire management program by ensuring safe, effective, and efficient fire management operations, including the development of annual operating plans, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), and joint powers agreements (JPAs) with partner agencies and municipal and volunteer fire departments.
• Provide leadership and oversight to operations staff, including the Training Program Manager, District Office Program Manager, and Handcrew Program Manager.
• Lead strategic planning initiatives to strengthen agency operations, enhance firefighting capacity, and guide the future direction of the Wildland Fire Division.
• Develop statewide wildfire management goals and establish policies, procedures, and operational standards to achieve program objectives.
• Provide leadership for the agency's prescribed fire program to reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve wildlife habitat, and mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
• Assist in the development and management of the agency's budget for submission to the Department Secretary.
• Lead and participate in negotiations of cost-share agreements with federal land management agencies.
• Represent the agency in meetings with state, local, and federal partners to negotiate, review, and administer MOUs, JPAs, and other cooperative agreements.
• Represent South Dakota and the agency on regional and national committees, subcommittees, and collaborative working groups.
• Serve on behalf of the Director in their absence and provide executive leadership as needed to ensure continuity of operations.

Licenses and Certifications:

• NWCG certification as Division Group Supervisor and Incident Commander Type 3.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• NWCG qualifications: Division Group Supervisor, Incident Commander Type 3.
• Effective communicator both orally and written.
• Highly motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Passion for development of future leaders

Knowledge of:

• Fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire management theories, concepts, principles, and standards applicable to a wildland fire environment.
• Wildland firefighting policies, techniques, and practices gained through substantial experience serving as a primary firefighter.
• Principles, practices, and concepts of wildland fire management, including fire effects, fire hazard and risk analysis, fuel and smoke management, incident management, prescribed fire, and fire use, sufficient to support program development and oversight of fire and aviation management programs.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and agency policies and procedures related to the use and protection of natural and cultural resources.
• Accepted wildland fire safety standards, practices, and procedures.
• Emerging technologies, innovations, and advancements in fire management, with the ability to evaluate and apply them to operational and programmatic needs.
• Budgeting policies, procedures, and techniques sufficient to develop, implement, and monitor program budgets and annual work plans.
• The capabilities, limitations, approved safety standards, and operating procedures of commonly used fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
• Supervisory principles, personnel management practices, and leadership techniques necessary to effectively manage and develop a diverse workforce.
• Contracting policies, procedures, and procurement practices.
• Standard computer applications, software systems, and related terminology.

Ability to:

• Identify, recruit, mentor, and develop employees for current and future leadership roles.
• Interpret, apply, and implement department laws, policies, and procedures.
• Provide leadership that fosters teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and positive interpersonal relationships.
• Organize, prioritize, and manage multiple work activities, projects, and responsibilities effectively.
• Communicate information clearly, concisely, and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteer firefighters, landowners, business owners, the general public, local governments, federal agencies, other state agencies, seasonal employees, and other stakeholders.
• Work outdoors in all types of weather, terrain, and environmental conditions, including physically and mentally demanding and potentially hazardous situations.
• Present, promote, and advocate for division programs, services, and objectives to a variety of audiences.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please the following items:

• A current resume.
• A current Fire Training and Qualification Master Record.
• A current Incident Qualification Card (Red Card).
• Copies of fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, annual operating plans, or other fire management planning documents for which you served as the primary author.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here .

This position is a member of Class B retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

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