City of Rowlett Fire Chief

International Association-Fire Chiefs; Rowlett (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fire Chief in Rowlett leads all operations of the Rowlett Fire Department, including fire suppression, EMS, and community risk reduction. You will prepare and administer the department budget, supervise assistant chiefs and staff, and set training standards while representing the department to the City Council and community.

Interim leadership has been in place since March 2026; the next Chief will shape the executive team and build strong working relationships from day one, delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Eight years of paid fire service experience, including four years as a Chief Officer or higher.
• Completion of a fire academy or equivalent training accepted in the candidate's state.
• Valid driver\'s license and NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800.

Responsibilities

• Direct all operations of the Rowlett Fire Department, including fire suppression, EMS, and community risk reduction.
• Prepare and administer the department budget.
• Supervise assistant chiefs and administrative staff.
• Set standards for training and readiness.
• Represent the department to the City Council and the community.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Public Administration

Emergency Medical Services

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or Public Administration

Fire academy completion

Tools

NIMS 100/200/300/400/700/800

Job description

Leadership & Influence:

Few departments hand a new Chief this much to work with. Best Practices recognition, an ISO Class 2 rating, a new station on the lake, and 99 firefighters who take pride in the work. Rowlett is not asking for a rebuild. It is asking for a Chief who will lead what has already been built, and stay.

Position Overview:

The Fire Chief reports to the City Manager and directs all operations of the Rowlett Fire Department, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, and community risk reduction. The position prepares and administers the department budget, supervises assistant chiefs and administrative staff, sets standards for training and readiness, and represents the department to the City Council and the community.

Interim leadership has been in place since March 2026. (Former Chief retired 2.28.2026) The city is completing its recruitment for a permanent City Manager, so the next Fire Chief arrives as the executive team takes its new shape, with the chance to build that working relationship from the first day rather than inherit one.

The immediate work is leadership. Members describe strong training habits and real pride in the job. The next Chief listens first, makes decisions people can follow, and stays long enough for them to hold. The parallel work is administrative: budget, staffing, facilities, and apparatus planning that reach past the next fiscal year. This is not a stepping stone, and it is not a caretaker role. Rowlett is looking for an experienced fire service leader who intends to build a career here and finish it.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a related field
• Eight years of paid fire service experience, including four years as a Chief Officer or higher
• Completion of a fire academy or equivalent training accepted in the candidate's state of certification
• Valid driver's license NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree
• National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer
• Chief Fire Officer designation, Center for Public Safety Excellence
• TEEX Fire Service Chief Executive Officer, Texas Fire Chiefs Certified Fire Executive, or a comparable state fire executive credential
• Fire Officer IV, TCFP Master Firefighter, or equivalent certification from another state