Fire Captain

Town of Gilbert; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Gilbert is seeking a Fire Captain for the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department. This internal promotional opportunity leads a firefighting team, directs emergency response at incidents, and coordinates training and admin tasks for operations.

Ideal candidates bring extensive suppression experience, certifications, and strong leadership. The role supports ongoing professional growth within Team Gilbert and requires readiness for academy progression and higher responsibility.

Qualifications

• Six+ years of full-time fire suppression experience, with four+ years in Gilbert Fire and Rescue.
• Associate degree or 60 college credits required with specific fire-related courses.
• Active certifications: Firefighter I/II, EMT, CPR, HAZMAT First Responder; valid AZ driver license.

Responsibilities

• Supervise firefighters and assign work per daily schedule.
• Direct emergency response operations and tactical deployments.
• Oversee training, reports, and administrative tasks for operations.
• Enforce policies, safety, and compliance across activities.
• Participate in incident command and ongoing leadership development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Supervision

Leadership

Problem solving

Time management

Decision making

Communication

Staff evaluation

Education

60 college credits

Associate's degree in Fire Science

GFR Captains Academy

Tools

Incident command software

Computer skills

Job description

This job posting is a promotional opportunity, open only to internal employees of the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department. External applications will not be considered for this position.

Team Gilbert is a high-performing, collaborative team of innovators who do important work that makes our community better every day. With every job we fill, our focus is on providing best-in-class service to our citizens while offering opportunities for professional growth and a rewarding, innovative work environment. Team Gilbert has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to serve as a Fire Captain.

The Fire Captain reports to a Fire Battalion Chief. The primary function of this position is to perform the duties of a firefighter and supervise and direct the emergency response activities at incident scenes. In addition, a Fire Captain supervises a work unit, organizes and plans required training, performs administrative activities in support of operations, and performs special assignments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises firefighters by prioritizing and assigning work in adherence to the daily schedule. Shifts priorities as needed. Evaluates firefighter's performance and the performance of the equipment during emergency response operations. Prepares and maintains reports and recommendations for department management. Recommends discipline of assigned personnel as appropriate.
• Responds to emergency calls by determining equipment and personnel to be deployed and provides input in determining the route taken to emergency scene; directs the work of firefighters, supervising and participating in the laying of hose lines, placement of ladders and other equipment, direction of water, ventilation of buildings, rescue efforts and salvage operations.
• Supervises the inspection and maintenance of fire and emergency response equipment. Inspects equipment to ensure efficient operating condition and readiness. Assists in cleaning and maintaining equipment after completion of emergency response operations, as needed. Supervises, tests and participates in minor repairs of apparatus and equipment. Performs fire inspections.
• Reviews, implements, and administers operating policies and procedures and monitors compliance. Maintains a healthy and safe working environment.
• Supervises and reviews the preparation and maintenance of activity reports. Responds to inquiries and information requests.
• Participates in training sessions related to fire suppression and equipment techniques, emergency medical care, hazardous material containment, incident command, leadership training and other related topics. Participates in physical training activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Current safety principles for effective incident mitigation
• Supervisory principles and practices
• Modern firefighting methods and prevention practices
• Applicable fire code
• Basic math and science principles and practices
• Emergency response communication equipment and systems
• Modern office equipment

Skill in

• Supervising, monitoring and evaluating staff
• Solving complex problems
• Applying critical analyses
• Providing leadership
• Managing time effectively
• Making decisions utilizing good judgment
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Incumbents may be subjected to operating a motor vehicle, moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noises, travel, and environmental conditions such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

At Team Gilbert, we promote innovative, forward-thinking problem solvers who love what they do. You are someone who effectively exceeds customer needs by building productive relationships and taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty. You actively participate as a member of the team to move the team toward the completion of goals and produce quality outcomes. You are committed to our safety philosophy, and you take great pride in proactively managing time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently while accomplishing objectives and achieving goals beyond what is required.

In addition to possessing the ability to live out our core and functional values daily, candidates must possess the following requirements:

Time Requirements

The following must be true by the time of completion/graduation of the 2026/2027 Captains Promotional Academy

• Minimum six (6) years of full-time fire suppression experience. Four (4) of the six (6) years must be with Gilbert Fire and Rescue.
• One year of credit may be awarded for current engineer position or completion of an acting captain packet. This one-year credit may be used to reduce the six-year minimum only, and not the four-year Gilbert Fire and Rescue requirement.

Education Requirements

• A minimum of 60 college credit hours that includes the following classes:
  • Firefighting tactics and strategy
  • Firefighting, Safety and Building Construction
  • Supervisory training for firefighters
• Successful completion of the GFR Captains Academy satisfies the specific education class requirements.
• An Associate's degree in Fire Science satisfies educational requirements. Educational equivalents may be considered by email request for an educational equivalent review by the Operations Division Chief and the Promotional Labor Representative co-chair before the submission of the application for the position. All review decisions are final.

Licensing and Certification Requirements

• Valid Arizona Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification
• Emergency Medical Technician certification
• CPR certification
• Hazardous Materials First Responder certification
• Valid Arizona driver's license

Depending on assignment, the following may also be required:

• Paramedic certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification

Application Requirements

The following documents are required and should be attached as part of your application:

• Captain & Battalion Chief Recommendation Letter
• Your most recent Annual Review

Gilbert is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If any reasonable accommodation is needed while participating in the application and interviewing process, please contact our People Team (Human Resources) at 480-503-6823. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

Gilbert provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.