Deputy Fire Chief

City-of-Lewiston; Lewiston (ID); On-site; USD 108,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lewiston is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief to lead Fire, EMS, and rescue operations for the Lewiston Fire Department. This senior role partners with the Fire Chief to set strategy, develop staff, and drive community safety initiatives in Lewiston and surrounding areas.

The Deputy Chief will oversee budget planning, staff development, and cross‑agency coordination, while maintaining compliance with EMS licenses in Idaho and Washington.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in fire science or related field required.
• Minimum of two years as Battalion Chief or five years as company officer level (including acting out-of-class experience).
• ICS 300 and 400 or equivalency; valid driver’s license and EMS certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead a fire staff of 69 personnel providing Fire, EMS, hazardous materials and rescue services.
• Assist the Fire Chief in planning, coordinating and directing department activities.
• Respond to multi‑agency incidents; may assume Incident Commander or other IC roles as needed.
• Supervise divisions; ensure staff understand and follow policies and SOPs.
• Coordinate EMS license maintenance for Idaho and Washington; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and administer division budgets; supervise staffing and equipment needs.

Skills

Leadership

Emergency response leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Interagency coordination

Staff development

Regulatory compliance

Education

Associate’s degree in fire science or related field

Job description

Lead Today. Shape Tomorrow.

The City of Lewiston is seeking an accomplished fire service professional ready to lead people, embrace opportunities, and help shape the future of the Lewiston Fire Department as the city’s next Deputy Fire Chief. This is an opportunity to help lead a strong department, develop people, bring fresh ideas and perspective, and continue growing as a fire service professional.

We are looking for a leader who is visible, accountable, collaborative, and open-minded. Someone who builds relationships, sets clear expectations, follows through, and is willing to engage in candid and constructive conversations. Our next Deputy Chief will approach opportunities and challenges with curiosity and creativity, bringing people together to find solutions and move the department forward.

As Deputy Fire Chief, you will be a trusted partner to the Fire Chief and an important part of the department's leadership. You should be comfortable stepping forward when needed, exercising sound judgment, remaining composed under pressure, and making thoughtful decisions while keeping communication and collaboration at the forefront.

We want someone who genuinely enjoys training, coaching, mentoring, and developing others and who wants to invest in the department and the Lewiston community. We are looking for a leader who sees this as an opportunity to contribute, grow, build relationships, and make a meaningful, long-term impact.

If you are ready to lead with purpose, develop others, bring ideas to the table, and help shape what comes next for the Lewiston Fire Department, we want to hear from you.

Hiring pay range is $107,702 to $117,051. For full pay range please see the city's Human Resources website : https://www.cityoflewiston.org/DocumentCenter/View/8478/FY26-Exempt--Nonexempt-PDF. Please Note, scale reflects fiscal year 2026. Effective October 01, 2026 a new scale will include a 1.5% COLA, see grade PE on the scale for pay reference.

First application review will be September 16, 2026.

Essential Duties:

• Assist the Fire Chief in leading a fire staff of 69 fire personnel in providing Fire, EMS, Hazardous Materials and rescue services to the Lewiston community.
• The Deputy Fire Chief performs advanced professional and administrative work in planning, coordinating and directing department activities under the general supervision of the Fire Chief. Work involves managing operations including the emergency response aspects of the department; participating in budget preparation and management; making recommendations for hiring, promotions, and equipment purchases; ensuring adequate staffing; guiding other leaders in personnel matters and disciplinary processes; and responding to emergency incidents to assist or assume command.
• Responds to multi-company Fire, EMS, Rescue, Hazardous Materials, and other emergencies; responds to inter-agency (law enforcement, mutual aid, emergency management, mass casualty) incidents; may assume command and control of emergency incidents as Incident Commander or command or general staff positions in the IC system that would include inter-agency incidents where application of Unified Command would be warranted; directs operations of responding companies; coordinates rehabilitation of personnel.
• Supervises the work of all personnel within assigned division(s) to include cross-divisional supervision responsibilities; communicates department mission statement, goals, values, standards and philosophies to employees; ensures all division employees understand, support, and comply with department General Orders, Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines, policies and procedures; attends meetings; advises subordinates on current problems, instructions, outline of policies and other matters of importance affecting day-to-day operation.
• Maintains EMS agency license for Idaho and Washington , coordinates with Division Chief of training to ensure all personnel maintain ems certifications. Ensures compliance with all regulatory agencies for the provision of emergency services.
• Responds to multi-company fire, rescue, and emergency EMS ambulance transport incidents in Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Asotin and Whitman Counties in Washington as directed by intergovernmental contracts; may assume command and control of emergency incidents as Incident Commander or a support position in the Incident Command System; directs operations of responding companies to save and protect lives, protect property, stop property loss and protect the environment; coordinates physical and psychological rehabilitation of personnel.
• Responds to inter-agency (law enforcement, mutual aid, emergency management, mass casualty) incidents; assumes command and control of emergency incidents as Incident Commander or a support position in the Incident Command System that would include inter-agency incidents where application of Unified Command would be warranted.
• Completes performance evaluations for immediate subordinates and reviews performance evaluations for employees supervised through others; advises other division supervisors on performance evaluations as they relate to their division responsibility for all ranks below Deputy Fire Chief; reinforces and acknowledges good performance; prepares updates and reviews job descriptions for assigned personnel.
• Develops and coordinates selection process for new employees in conjunction with Human Resources; assists with promotional candidates interviews and makes recommendations for selection, promotion, or commendations; cooperatively assists and leads the development of promotional examinations with the bargaining unit representatives.
• Recommends, researches, drafts and provides input on ordinances, departmental policy and SOPs, which comply with established City ordinances, State and Federal laws and rules and procedures of contract jurisdictions: develop, implement and coordinate Fire Department activities, operations and programs; serves as department resource for special projects or assignments; represents the department at City of Lewiston advisory boards; acts as liaison with management, staff and the public; assists in development and implementation of City disaster plans; represents the Fire Department to the community through involvement in community activities and professional organizations; coordinates activities with other department divisions and other City departments.
• Keeps abreast of trends and developments affecting EMS and fire service management; assists Fire Chief in specific areas of master planning; identifies actual or potential areas of departmental conflict and presents facts and/or recommendations to subordinate supervisors, peers, Fire Chief, City Council and Mayor; reviews labor relations issues, grievances and recommends appropriate resolutions to Fire Chief; recommends and follows through on necessary disciplinary action.
• Establishes division goals, objectives, and priorities; helps develop and present budget objectives and data for assigned division(s); monitors divisional budgets keeping within budget constraints and department policy; prepares periodic summary and/or statistical reports of division activities and project results; maintains department facilities in a state of readiness; works in conjunction with the Fire Marshal for fire NERIS compliance; prepares and administers grants.
• Reviews and makes recommendations for staffing, equipment, and budgetary needs to accomplish the mission of the department; researches division equipment and vehicle purchases; writes bid specifications; orders and coordinates activities and supplies with contractors.
• Conduct investigations related to citizen complaints and those circumstances that may result in employee discipline following department rules and regulations.
• Assists with preparation with news releases, brochures, correspondence, and other informational material; assists the Fire Chief and other Fire Department employees in preparation and review of material for speeches, conferences, news releases, etc.
• Serves as Acting Fire Chief as designated
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education and fire service experience equivalent to: Associate’s degree in fire science or a related field. Minimum of two years of experience at the level of Battalion Chief, or five years of responsibility at the company officer level (including verified acting out-of-class experience at or above the company officer level. ICS 300 and 400 or equivalency. Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record. Maintain valid Idaho and Washington EMS certification.

Knowledge & Abilities:

Knowledge:

• City, State, and Federal fire suppression laws, contract obligations, rules, regulations, codes and standard operating procedures
• Fire suppression methods, equipment and techniques of fire fighting
• City streets and location of fire hydrants
• Construction methods and materials
• Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training
• Policies and organization of the Lewiston Fire Department
• Principles and practices of fire science
• Rescue and evacuation techniques
• Appropriate medical treatment in emergency situations
• Allocation and deployment of personnel and equipment at significant incidents
• Record-keeping and report writing techniques
• Chemical properties of a variety of hazardous materials
• Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) techniques
• Area-wide emergency management plan
• City organization, operations, policies and objectives
• Oral and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Infection control policies, practices and follow-up
• Patient Care Guidelines
• Basic computer skills
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures
• Record-keeping techniques (i.e., NFIRS, PCR)
• Collective Labor Agreement

Abilities:

• Make timely and informed decisions
• Plan, organize, coordinate and direct the activities of the fire suppression and EMS divisions of the Fire Department
• Read, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Prepare, develop and control division budgets
• Supervise the operation and maintenance of a wide variety of specialized fire suppression vehicles, apparatus and equipment
• Respond to emergency medical calls and direct treatment for sick and injured persons as needed
• Train, supervise and evaluate personnel
• Utilize appropriate fire suppression agents and techniques
• Supervise fire suppression activities
• Assure the preparations and maintenance of records and reports
• Enforce fire laws, codes and ordinances
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Plan and organize work
• Work independently with little direction
• Provide clear and concise communication, both orally and in writing
• Deal tactfully with supervisors, labor leaders, and the general public
• Manage time proficiently
• Maintain open lines of communications with the various units within the fire department
• Skilled in delegating assignments

Working Conditions:

The office environment includes climbing stairs and sitting and operating a keyboard to enter data into a computer for extended periods of time.

Indoor and outdoor working environment, subject to evening or variable hours, emergency callout, adverse weather conditions and driving to conduct work.

Physical activities include dexterity of hands and fingers to operate all types of fire vehicles; climbing, crawling, stretching, walking and standing for long periods of time; bending, pulling, pushing, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 150 pounds; physical agility and stamina; reaching overhead above the shoulders and horizontally; sufficient eyesight, with or without corrective lenses, to operate vehicles and equipment; sufficient hearing, with or without a hearing aid, to communicate with victims and firefighting personnel.

Incumbents may be exposed to extreme heat and flames, toxic smoke, fumes and gases, chemicals and hazardous materials, flammable liquids, bodily fluids, and high voltage. It may be necessary to work at significant heights, and work with and around high-pressure hose.