Fire Chief

City of Grand Prairie; Grand Prairie (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Grand Prairie invites applications for the Fire Chief to lead the Fire Department in delivering fire suppression, EMS, and prevention services. You will set strategic direction, manage a diverse team, and align operations with city goals.

Ideal candidate brings a decade in fire service with senior leadership experience, a relevant Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred), and required certifications.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: Ten (10) years in fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and EMS, with at least five (5) years in senior management or chief level.
• Licenses: Valid Driver's License required.
• Certifications Required: Certification or eligibility for Master Firefighter, Incident Safety Officer and EMT Certification; ability to obtain Head of Department certification within one year; preferred additional certifications include Fire Instructor, Fire Investigator, Hazardous Materials Technician and ICS/NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400.

Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, implement, and manage all Fire Department activities, including fire suppression, rescue operations, and EMS.
• Develop and maintain departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; assign and monitor work activities, projects, and programs.
• Oversee the selection, training, motivation, and evaluation of personnel; provide leadership and coaching as necessary.
• Manage department budget, including forecasting, justification, and expenditures monitoring.
• Coordinate activities with other city departments and outside agencies; represent the City at meetings and events.
• Direct disaster preparedness and response plans; ensure effective command and control at scenes.
• Develop and implement programs emphasizing creative problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present staff reports and management-level documents.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of department activities to identify areas for improvement.
• Respond to media inquiries and public concerns; resolve complaints.
• Perform other duties as assigned by city management.

Education

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

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Fire Chief serves as the senior leader of the City of Grand Prairie Fire Department, responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, and hazardous materials mitigation. Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief ensures the department delivers high-quality services that protect life and property, fosters community engagement, and advances the city’s strategic goals.

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent.

This position has responsibilities that require lifting up to 25 pounds on occasion.

• Lead, plan, implement, and manage all Fire Department activities, including fire suppression, rescue operations, and emergency medical services.
• Develop and maintain departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; assign and monitor work activities, projects, and programs
• Oversee the selection, training, motivation, and evaluation of personnel; provide leadership and constructive coaching and discipline as necessary.
• Manage department budget, including forecasting, justification, and monitoring expenditures.
• Coordinate activities with other city departments, outside agencies, and community organizations; represent the City at professional meetings and community events
• Direct disaster preparedness and response plans and activities; ensure effective command and control techniques at emergency scenes.
• Develop and implement innovative programs and services that emphasize creative problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present staff reports, management-level documents, and presentations as needed
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of department activities, services, and personnel to assess performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Respond to media inquiries and public concerns; resolve customer complaints and concerns
• Perform other duties as assigned or directed by city management.

Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may qualify. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Fire Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services, including at least five (5) years at a senior management or chief level officer. Experience with Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 143 is preferred.
• Licenses: Valid Driver's License required
• Certifications Required:Certification or eligibility for certification as a Master Firefighter, Incident Safety Officer and Emergency Medical Technician Certification required. Ability to achieve Head of Department certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, or ability to obtain within one year of employment. Preferred certifications include Fire Instructor, Fire Investigator, Hazardous Materials Technician and Incident Command/NIMS: 100, 200, 300, and 400.