Fire Chief

RiseMe; Carmel (IN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Carmel seeks an exceptional Fire Chief to provide executive leadership for Carmel Fire Department, guiding fire suppression, EMS, and prevention efforts. The role requires building a high-performance team, shaping the department's strategic direction, and ensuring readiness for 24-hour response to significant incidents.

Ideal candidates have 15+ years in fire service, at least 5 years as Captain or higher, and Indiana certifications, with strong communication and change-management skills

Qualifications

• 15+ years of fire service experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
• At least 5 years at the rank of Captain or higher.
• Valid Indiana driver’s license and Indiana certifications (Firefighter I & II, EMT, Fire Officer I–IV, HAZMAT Awareness/Operations).
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex operations and manage organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive and operational leadership for the Carmel Fire Department.
• Set strategic direction, goals, and priorities; translate into action.
• Lead and develop firefighters and officers; nurture future leaders.
• Serve as Incident Commander during major fires and emergencies.
• Develop policies and budgets with focus on readiness and stewardship.
• Build partnerships with local, regional, and state public safety entities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Decision making under pressure

Public safety partnerships

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field

Associate degree in Fire Science (valued)

Indiana certifications: Firefighter I & II, EMT, Fire Officer I–IV, Hazardous Materials, etc.

Tools

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

Job description

Lead a department built to answer the call. Help shape what comes next.

The City of Carmel is seeking an exceptional fire service leader to serve as its next Fire Chief. This is an opportunity to lead people, influence the future of public safety, and help shape how a dynamic community prepares for what’s next.

At the City of Carmel, we innovate fearlessly, lead with heart and empower together. Our next Fire Chief will bring those values to a department where operational excellence, exceptional service and continuous improvement aren't finish lines, but the starting point.

What You’ll Do

As Fire Chief, you’ll provide executive and operational leadership for the Carmel Fire Department, overseeing fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials response, disaster preparedness and major emergency operations.

You’ll also:

• Set the department’s strategic direction, goals and priorities and turn them into action.
• Lead, develop and empower firefighters, officers and the department’s next generation of leaders.
• Serve as Incident Commander during major fires and emergencies and ensure lessons learned become opportunities to improve.
• Make critical personnel decisions involving hiring, promotion and discipline.
• Develop policies, programs and operational strategies that anticipate the changing needs of the community.
• Use data and performance measures to identify trends, evaluate operations and make informed decisions.
• Develop and administer the department budget with a focus on operational readiness and responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards and departmental policies.
• Build strong partnerships with local, regional and state public safety organizations.
• Work collaboratively with the Mayor, City leadership, elected officials and departments across the organization.
• Serve as a visible and trusted representative of Carmel Fire within the community and the fire-service profession. And when the call demands it, you’ll lead from the scene. The Fire Chief serves as Incident Commander during major emergencies, maintains required operational qualifications and remains prepared for 24-hour response to significant incidents.

What You’ll Bring

This is an executive leadership position grounded in substantial fire-service experience.

Qualified candidates will have:

• A high school diploma or GED supplemented by college-level coursework in fire services management; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• At least 15 years of fire service experience, including supervisory and management responsibilities.
• At least 5 years at the rank of Captain or higher.
• A valid Indiana driver’s license.
• Required Indiana certifications including Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Strategy and Tactics, EMT, Fire Officer I-IV, Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations and Incident Safety Officer.
• NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex operations, develop people, manage organizational change and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with employees, elected officials, public safety partners and the community.
• Additional achievements such as an Associate degree in Fire Science, CPSE professional credentials, National Fire Academy EFO or Hazardous Materials Technician certification are valued.

Why Carmel?

Carmel’s vision is bold: to be the best run, most desirable city in the nation. Achieving that vision takes exceptional people and leaders willing to think beyond how things have always been done. As Fire Chief, you’ll have the opportunity to lead a department that is integral to Carmel’s quality of life while helping prepare it for the needs of tomorrow. You’ll inherit responsibility for an essential public service, but you’ll also have the opportunity to influence its future.

Innovate Fearlessly. Lead with Heart. Empower Together.

If you’re ready to bring decades of fire-service experience to a leadership role with community-wide impact, we want to hear from you.

The Fire Chief is appointed by the Mayor and must be available on a 24-hour basis for major incidents.

The City of Carmel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.