Evanston, IL – Fire Chief

City of Evanston; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 170,669 - 256,004; Full time

Job summary

The City of Evanston seeks an innovative, collaborative Fire Chief to lead a respected department in the Midwest. Reporting to the City Manager, the Chief will drive professionalism, accountability, and trust while guiding organizational change and capital planning.

The ideal candidate offers 15+ years in fire/EMS, 5+ years in command roles, and strong experience with strategic planning, community engagement, and workforce development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in fire science, public administration, emergency management, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years in a career fire/EMS organization with at least 5 years in command-level leadership.
• Illinois OSFM Advanced Fire Officer certification or ability to obtain within 12 months.
• Paramedic certification or eligibility to obtain Illinois licensure within six months; NIMS/ICS 300 and CSC 400 within six months.

Responsibilities

• Promote professionalism, accountability, and operational excellence through visible leadership.
• Support workforce development, recruitment, retention, and succession planning across ranks.
• Enhance community risk reduction, prevention, and public education initiatives.
• Leverage technology, data, and performance measures for informed decisions.
• Plan for future service demands, capital needs, and emerging public safety challenges.
• Oversee capital projects for facilities and fleet, including new apparatus and stations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Change management

Labor-management collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Illinois OSFM Advanced Fire Officer

Illinois paramedic licensure or eligibility

Job description

FIRE CHIEF

The City of Evanston seeks an innovative, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Fire Chief. This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected fire department in one of the Midwest’s most distinctive communities.

Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief will be a steady and principled leader who fosters a culture of professionalism, accountability, and trust. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to navigate complex organizational issues, address challenges thoughtfully and consistently, and maintain focus on the department’s mission during periods of change. The Fire Chief will join a talented executive team committed to delivering exceptional service.

More than an operational leader, the Fire Chief serves as a trusted advisor, strategic thinker, and community partner, helping shape the organization’s future while upholding the highest standards in emergency response, community risk reduction, employee development, and public trust.

Key Priorities & Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, and operational excellence through visible and effective leadership
• Support workforce development, recruitment, retention, and succession planning efforts across all ranks
• Enhance community risk reduction, prevention, and public education initiatives
• Leverage technology, data, and performance measures to support informed decision‑making
• Plan for future service demands, capital needs, and emerging public safety challenges
• Oversee active and planned capital projects across the department’s facilities and fleet, including new apparatus, station improvements, and a planned joint public safety facility
• Maintain and build on recent technology modernization investments (CAD, records management, incident command, training, and scheduling platforms)

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Leadership Experience: Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in a career fire and emergency medical services organization, including at least five years of command‑level leadership experience at the rank of Battalion Chief, Division Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Fire Chief, or an equivalent executive leadership position.

Certifications & Credentials

• Illinois OSFM Advanced Fire Officer certification (or equivalent credential), or the ability to obtain certification within twelve (12) months of appointment.
• Highly desirable credentials include Illinois Chief Fire Officer, Executive Fire Officer (EFO), or comparable executive‑level fire service certifications.

EMS and NIMS Requirements

• The department operates as an integrated fire and emergency medical services organization; candidates must possess current paramedic certification or be eligible to obtain Illinois paramedic licensure within six months of appointment.
• Completion of NIMS/ICS 300 and CSC 400 training, or the ability to obtain within six months of appointment, is also required.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Ability to obtain Illinois licensure upon appointment.
• Proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position.
• Subject to qualifying pre‑employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.

Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate

• Proven executive and organizational leadership experience.
• The ability to inspire, develop, and empower employees.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working effectively in a collaborative labor‑management environment.
• Strategic thinking and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated integrity and professional courage.
• The ability to balance operational demands with long‑term organizational planning.
• A genuine appreciation for community engagement and customer service.
• Success leading through organizational change, addressing sensitive organizational and employee relations issues, and building credibility with employees, labor representatives, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range – $170,669 to $256,004 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Benefits – The City of Evanston offers an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).