Fire Captain

City of Deerfield Beach; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Deerfield Beach is seeking an experienced Fire Captain to lead a newly forming Fire Rescue Department. You will be responsible for crew leadership, operational readiness, and delivering safe, effective emergency response while shaping departmental standards and culture.

Ideal candidates bring strong leadership, extensive firefighting experience, and certifications (FL Firefighter, EMT/Paramedic, ACLS, CPR).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Five years of progressively responsible firefighting experience; or four years plus an Associate degree.
• Must possess and maintain a Florida driver license.
• Must possess and maintain Florida Firefighter certification.
• Must possess and maintain EMT or Paramedic certification.
• Must possess and maintain ACLS certification.
• Must possess and maintain BLS/CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise assigned Fire Rescue personnel during emergencies.
• Direct and coordinate crew activities with focus on safety and readiness.
• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and support to crew members.
• Identify operational challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Build positive relationships with residents, community partners, City departments, and partner agencies.
• Prepare and maintain required company records, reports, inspections, and training documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Communication

Safety

Public service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Florida Firefighter certification

EMT or Paramedic certification

State driver license

ACLS certification

BLS/CPR certification

Job description

We’re looking for experienced fire service professionals who are ready to lead and want to be part of something from the beginning.

This is more than an opportunity to take the next step in your career. As a Fire Captain, you’ll have the opportunity to help establish the leadership culture, operational standards, traditions, and expectations that will shape the department for years to come.

Why join us from the start?

• Be a Founding Leader — Join during a defining moment and play a key role in building the foundation of a new Fire Rescue Department.
• Shape the Culture — Help establish a culture centered on service, safety, professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and trust.
• Develop Future Leaders — Coach, mentor, and support company officers and personnel while helping build a strong leadership pipeline.
• Help Build the Operation — Bring your experience and perspective to the development of operational practices, expectations, and department standards.
• Make an Immediate Impact — Your leadership and decisions will directly influence personnel, operations, and the service we provide to the community.
• Build Something That Lasts — Help establish the standards and traditions future generations of Fire Rescue personnel will inherit.

What You’ll Do

As a Fire Captain, you’ll serve as a company-level leader responsible for your crew, operational readiness, and the safe and effective delivery of Fire Rescue services.

In a new department, your role goes beyond leading day-to-day operations. You’ll help establish how our crews work together, train, solve problems, serve the community, and uphold the standards that will define the department.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Lead and supervise assigned Fire Rescue personnel during emergency and non-emergency operation.
• Direct and coordinate crew activities while maintaining a strong focus on safety and operational readiness.
• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and support to members of your crew.
• Identify operational challenges and work collaboratively to develop practical solutions
• Build positive relationships with residents, community partners, City departments, and partner agencies
• Help establish the standards future Fire Rescue personnel and company officers will carry forward.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for experienced fire service professionals who understand that strong company leadership starts with taking care of your crew, setting clear expectations, and leading by example.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership skills, operational experience, sound judgment, integrity, accountability, and the ability to communicate effectively. We’re looking for leaders who can develop personnel, build strong teams, make confident decisions under pressure, and create an environment where employees are supported and expected to perform at a high level.

Joining a new Fire Rescue Department also requires adaptability, collaboration, and a willingness to help create—not simply inherit—the practices, expectations, and traditions that guide the organization.

Salary/Step Placement:

The salary range listed for this position reflects the full range of the applicable salary step schedule. The starting salary and step placement for the selected candidate will be determined based on verification of the candidate’s current salary step, relevant experience, education, certifications, qualifications, and other applicable factors. Placement within the salary range is not guaranteed and may vary based on the selected candidate’s verified qualifications.

Purpose of this position is to provide supervisory and skilled firefighting leadership by directing the activities of an assigned fire company, ensuring personnel readiness, maintaining apparatus and equipment, and providing effective emergency response and community service.

This class works under general supervision of a superior officer and exercises direct supervision over assigned personnel. The Fire Captain is responsible for company-level command, discipline, training, readiness, and the safe and effective deployment of personnel and resources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Responds to fires, emergency medical incidents, rescues, and other emergencies; directs assigned personnel and company operations pending the arrival of a superior officer.
• Directs and supervises fire suppression and rescue activities, including hose deployment, ladder placement, water application, ventilation, search and rescue, salvage, and related emergency operations.
• Provides command and control of emergency incidents consistent with the Incident Command System (ICS) and transfers command to a superior officer as appropriate.
• Supervises assigned personnel; maintains discipline; communicates orders and information; and ensures compliance with departmental policies, procedures, rules, and safe work practices.
• Conducts and supervises company training, drills, and instruction in firefighting methods, emergency operations, equipment use, and related subjects.
• Ensures fire apparatus, equipment, and station facilities are inspected, cleaned, maintained, properly loaded, and maintained in a state of operational readiness.
• Supervises routine fire prevention inspections and pre-incident surveys; documents findings and communicates applicable requirements as assigned.
• Maintains familiarity with assigned response areas, including streets, buildings, hydrants, access points, hazards, and other conditions affecting emergency response.
• Participates in community outreach, public education, and departmental programs as assigned.
• Prepares and maintains required company records, reports, inspections, training documentation, and other administrative records.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional firefighting experience; or four (4) years of professional firefighting experience and an Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida driver license appropriate to the assignment.
• Must possess and maintain State of Florida Firefighter certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic certification.
• Must possess and maintain an American Heart Association (ACLS) card, if applicable.
• Must possess and maintain an American Heart Association BLS – CPR & AED card or BLS Healthcare Provider card by American Red Cross (CPR & AED).

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate degree or higher in Fire Science, Emergency Services, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Additional fire officer, instructor, incident command, emergency medical, or specialized fire service certifications relevant to the assignment.
• State of Florida Paramedic certification preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of modern firefighting, rescue, fire prevention, and emergency response principles, practices, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of modern principles and practices of personnel supervision, leadership, training, and discipline.
• Knowledge of the operation, capabilities, inspection, and maintenance of fire apparatus, tools, and equipment.
• Knowledge of departmental policies, procedures, rules, applicable fire and life safety requirements, and incident command principles.
• Ability to rapidly analyze emergency conditions, identify hazards, establish priorities, and implement effective courses of action.
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned personnel during emergency and routine operations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare accurate reports and records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, partner agencies, vendors, and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs heavy physical work associated with fire suppression, rescue, and emergency operations. Work may require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, while wearing required personal protective equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Operations - Work is performed in fire stations, emergency vehicles, outdoor environments, and emergency scenes. The position may involve exposure to heat, smoke, fire, confined spaces, hazardous materials, wetness, humidity, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibration, electrical hazards, unstable structures, and other potentially dangerous conditions.

Bureau - Work is performed in a standard office or fire station environment with minimal exposure to adverse conditions. Duties involve the use of computers, telephones, radios, and other standard office equipment, as well as interaction with employees and the public.

WORK HOURS

Operations - This position is assigned to shift work and may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency call-back assignments. Work schedules may be adjusted based on operational needs of the City and Fire Rescue Department.

Bureau - Monday – Friday 8am- 5pm (May be required to work nights, weekends and holidays to meet the business needs of the City.)

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

The City of Deerfield Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses. Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Note: During emergency conditions, all City employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. City employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as hurricane, or other emergency situations and are expected to perform emergency service duties as assigned.

The City of Deerfield Beach values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and supports the hiring of returning service members and military spouses.