City of Billings Fire Chief

International Association-Fire Chiefs; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

International Association-Fire Chiefs is seeking an experienced executive to plan, direct, and manage the Fire Department and City/County Communications Center in Billings, MT. You will provide high-level administrative support to the City Administrator and shape department policy and priorities.

The role requires overseeing fire prevention, fire suppression, and communications center operations, coordinating with city departments and external agencies, and leading senior managers within the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, emergency management, or fire science.
• Twelve (12) or more years of combined education and experience in personnel management, fire suppression and prevention, and incident command.
• Experience with city government and knowledge of department function operations.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and a State and Federal criminal background check.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise employees: select, train, motivate and evaluate Fire Department personnel; provide staff training; correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Direct and coordinate the Fire Department's work plan through subordinate managers; meet with management to resolve problems; assign projects and responsibilities; review methods.
• Participate in labor negotiations; monitor labor contract throughout the year.
• Maintain full management responsibility for the Fire Department and City/County Communications Center; develop goals, policies, and priorities; allocate resources accordingly.
• Coordinate Fire Department activities with other departments and outside agencies; prepare and present staff reports; respond to inquiries and complaints.

Skills

City government experience

Strong interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, emergency management, or fire science

Master’s degree in public administration or related field

Job description

Job Summary:

Under general administrative direction, to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Fire Department including fire prevention, fire suppression, and the communications center; to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Administrator.

Scope of Responsibility:

Incumbent has a very high degree of understanding of department and functional operations and is able to work with considerable initiative. With senior management guidance, incumbent performs work requiring development and implementation of department policy and procedure and establishes precedents within delegated areas of responsibility. Work product has noticeable impact on departmental operations as well as a large impact on the overall City operation. Incumbent must have the ability to exercise discretion regarding confidential matters which requires considerable tact, sense of timing and the ability to engender trust. Incumbent provides management and leadership to all senior managers within the Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervise Employees

• Select, train, motivate and evaluate Fire Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the Fire Department's work plan; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Participate in labor negotiations; monitor labor contract throughout the year.

Department Operations

• Assume full management responsibility for the Billings Fire Department and City/County Communications Center.
• Manage the development and implementation of Fire Department and Communication Center goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes; maintain efficient and cost-effective emergency response teams.
• Coordinate Fire Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the City Administrator, Assistant City Administrator, and City Council; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to Fire Department programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
• Represent the Fire Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explain and interpret Fire Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controversial issues.
• Assume full management responsibility for all Fire Department services and activities including fire prevention, fire suppression, and the communications center.
• Ensure responsive, appropriate service delivery by conferring with civic, professional, service, fraternal and other community groups.
• Enforce the International Fire code.
• Ensure proper maintenance and availability of equipment, apparatus, buildings and other facilities.
• Respond to major fire alarms and personally direct fire suppression activities as necessary.
• Direct and participate in the research of alternative approaches to fire suppression, hazardous material handling, fire and life safety code, and emergency programs.
• Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire science.

Financial

• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Fire Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, emergency management, or fire science
• Twelve (12) or more years of combined education and experience in the areas of personnel management, fire suppression and prevention, and incident command
• Experience with city government and knowledge of department function operations
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and a State and Federal criminal background check
• Strong interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree in public administration or related field
• Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Work is a combination of indoors in a normal office environment and outside in the elements. Intermittent physical effort involving lifting of 25 pounds or less is required. Work requires high attention to detail and deadlines between 15% and 45% of the time. A typical workday involves exposure to disagreeable elements present in moderate intensity less than 15% of the time. Occasional driving on department business may be necessary.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

First Review: September 21, 2026