Deputy Fire Chief

City Of Collinsville; Collinsville (IL); On-site; USD 124,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Flexible schedule

Job summary

The City Of Collinsville seeks a Deputy Fire Chief to assist the Fire Chief in leading its full-time Fire Department comprised of 36 firefighter/paramedics. The department covers Collinsville and the Fire Protection District, handling fire and EMS operations, inventory, facilities, and equipment.

The role involves preparing budgets, overseeing labor relations and negotiations, and potentially serving as Acting Fire Chief in the Chief's absence.

Qualifications

• Education and experience equivalent to the stated requirements.
• Fire Officer Certification or ability to obtain it.
• Leadership experience as Fire Officer or Fire Service Administrator.

Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees all Fire Department operations including fire suppression, EMS, rescue, and training.
• Develops policies, response plans, and initiatives to ensure compliance and objectives.
• Responds to emergencies in ICS leadership roles and mentors staff.
• Assists with labor relations, budgeting, and strategic planning; may act as Fire Chief.
• Oversees department-wide training, certification management, and safety programs.

Skills

Leadership

Incident Command System

Budgeting

Labor relations

Training & Certification management

HIPAA compliance

Data analysis

Public/Interagency communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or related field

Master's degree in Organizational Leadership

Fire Officer Certification

EFO program participation

Job description

Under supervision of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief candidate to assist the fire chief in leading its full-time Fire Department comprised of 36 firefighter/paramedics. The Department covers 14.6 square miles of Collinsville as well as the Collinsville Fire Protection District. Responsibilities include managing daily fire and EMS operations, inventory control, maintenance of facilities, and equipment. Respond to emergency operations of both fire and EMS to aid in emergency operations. Assisting with preparation of the departmental budget, budget control, and with negotiations. This position may also serve as the Acting Fire Chief during the period of the Fire Chief's absence.

Primary Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees all Fire Department operations, including fire suppression, EMS, rescue services, hazardous materials response, special operations, public education, fleet and facility maintenance, and personnel management.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates departmental policies, procedures, response plans, and operational initiatives to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and organizational objectives.
• Responds to emergency incidents and serves in leadership roles within the Incident Command System (ICS), including Incident Commander, Command Staff, and other command assignments as required.
• Provides leadership, supervision, mentoring, and performance management for subordinate officers and supervisors while fostering a professional culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Assists the Fire Chief with labor relations, collective bargaining administration, employee relations, grievance resolution, strategic planning, budgeting, capital improvement planning, and departmental administration; serves as Acting Fire Chief when designated.
• Develops, coordinates, and oversees department-wide training, professional development, certification management, and organizational readiness programs to maintain operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Administers the department's health, safety, wellness, and risk management programs, including accident investigations, injury prevention initiatives, occupational safety compliance, and safety equipment evaluation.
• Oversees EMS operations, quality improvement programs, and compliance with all applicable patient privacy and confidentiality laws, including serving as the department's HIPAA Privacy Officer.
• Monitors departmental performance through data analysis, response metrics, audits, accreditation activities, regulatory inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.
• Represents the Fire Department in interactions with City administration, elected officials, partner agencies, healthcare organizations, community stakeholders, and the public; responds to citizen concerns and performs other duties as assigned by the Fire Chief.

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and experience equivalent to: High School Diploma/GED is required; Bachelor's Degree, from an accredited college or university, degree must be in Fire Science or related field is required; Graduate Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership is preferred; Must possess a Fire Officer Certification, or have the ability to obtain; four (4) to six (6) years of proven leadership experience is required as Fire Officer or Fire Service Administrator. EFO graduate and/or currently enrolled in an EFO program is preferred.

Salary and Benefits

Salary negotiable within the expected hiring range of: $124,488/year - $130,790.40/year. Residency is negotiable.

The City of Collinsville offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 100% City‑funded single‑coverage health, dental, vision, and prescription insurance
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility and tuition reimbursement
• Vacation, sick leave, personal time
• 11 paid holidays
• Flexible work schedule
• More details available at: https://www.collinsvilleil.org/departments/employee-benefits
• Apply by September 29, 2026