Fire Chief

Clay County Board of County Commissioners; Green Cove Springs (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Clay County Fire Rescue seeks a visionary Fire Chief to lead a progressive, growing department within Clay County's Public Safety framework. You will oversee emergency services, strategic planning, budgeting, and community engagement, guiding staff across multiple stations to protect lives and property.

The Chief reports to the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager, drives capital improvements, and ensures compliance with NFPA standards, Florida statutes, and EMS regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field is required.
• Ten years of progressively responsible fire suppression, prevention, and EMS operations.
• Five years of command-level leadership in a multi-station department.
• Current Florida Firefighter and Fire Officer certifications, or ability to obtain within six months.
• Ability to pass Level II background screening and 24-hour on-call availability.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and executive leadership for Clay County Fire Rescue aligned with County priorities.
• Oversee budgeting, capital planning, staffing models, and resource deployment.
• Direct incident command and emergency management during major incidents and disasters.
• Ensure compliance with NFPA, Florida statutes, EMS regulations, and reporting standards.
• Engage with Board of County Commissioners, community stakeholders, and labor relations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Incident command

Budgeting

Public safety

Labor relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science / Public Administration

Job description

This position is a unique opportunity to lead a progressive and growing fire rescue organization that plays a critical role in protecting the lives, property, and well-being of the Clay County community. Clay County Fire Rescue is committed to delivering exceptional emergency services while strategically expanding its operational capabilities, workforce, and infrastructure to meet the demands of one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.

Clay County Fire Rescue has a long-standing history of communityengagement and collaboration, built on trust, visibility, and consistentservice. The next Chief will build upon this strong foundation, leadingwith a practical, forward-looking approach, one that values peoplewhile maintaining high standards, and supporting organizational growth.
The Fire Chief serves as the senior administrator and operational commander of Clay County Fire Rescue and is responsible for organizational leadership, strategic planning, operational oversight, fiscal management, labor relations, and community engagement. The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience leading complex and growing organizations as well as navigating the public sector environment.

Job Summary

This is a highly responsible executive leadership position with the Public Safety Department, serving as the senior administrator and operational commander of Clay County Fire Rescue. The Fire Chief provides strategic direction, executive oversight, and command leadership for all fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, and disaster operations throughout Clay County.

The Fire Chief directly supervises Division Chiefs and senior command staff and is responsible for ensuring effective emergency response, organizational readiness, fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and alignment with the strategic priorities of the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager.

The position requires 24-hour availability and executive-level decision-making during routine operations and declared emergencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Provides strategic vision and executive leadership for Clay County Fire Rescue consistent with County priorities and long-term growth planning.
• Develops and implements short- and long-range strategic plans addressing service delivery, station placement, staffing models, apparatus replacement, technology modernization, and capital improvements.
• Establishes measurable performance objectives including response time standards, ISO classification goals, EMS clinical benchmarks, and community risk reduction outcomes.
• Advises the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners on fire rescue policy, operational readiness, and public safety initiatives.
• Ensures alignment of departmental operations with the County’s Strategic Plan.

Operational Command and Emergency Management

• Serves as Incident Commander or Unified Command representative for major emergencies, including structure fires, mass casualty incidents, hazardous materials events, hurricanes, floods, and other disasters.
• Ensures compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Maintains operational readiness across all stations, apparatus, EMS units, and specialty teams.
• Coordinates Fire Rescue operations with the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC); serves in a leadership role during activations.
• Oversees disaster preparedness planning, continuity of operations planning, and after-action review processes.

Emergency Medical Services Oversight

• Provides executive oversight of Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport and EMS operations.
• Ensures compliance with Florida Department of Health EMS regulations and state licensure requirements.
• Oversees EMS quality assurance, clinical performance improvement programs, and system-wide service delivery standards.

Fiscal and Resource Management

• Develops, administers, and monitors the Fire Rescue operating and capital budgets.
• Forecasts long-term staffing, facility, apparatus, equipment, and technology needs.
• Leads capital improvement planning for fire stations and emergency response infrastructure.
• Identifies and pursues grant opportunities and alternative funding sources when appropriate.
• Implements data-driven deployment strategies to optimize staffing and resource allocation.

Personnel Leadership and Organizational Development

• Directly supervises Division Chiefs and senior leadership staff.
• Establishes leadership expectations and accountability standards throughout the organization.
• Oversees recruitment, hiring, promotion, evaluation, discipline, and retention strategies.
• Promotes workforce development, succession planning, and leadership training.
• Fosters a culture of safety, wellness, and risk management consistent with NFPA standards and Florida Statutes.
• Engages in labor relations activities and collaborates with bargaining units, as applicable.

Community Risk Reduction and Public Engagement

• Oversees fire prevention, inspections, plan review, and fire code enforcement functions.
• Implements and advances a comprehensive Community Risk Reduction (CRR) strategy.
• Represents the Department before civic groups, professional organizations, community stakeholders, and media.
• Responds to complex or sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Policy, Compliance, and Administration
• Develops and maintains departmental policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines.
• Ensures compliance with Florida Statutes Chapter 633, NFPA standards, OSHA requirements, EMS regulations, and other applicable laws.
• Maintains accurate reporting systems and performance metrics.
• Conducts operational research and evaluation to improve service delivery.
• Evaluates departmental structure and administrative systems; implements improvements with County Manager approval.

Emergency Assignment Requirement

• In case of emergency or crisis (hurricane, flood, etc.) position is required to respond/perform emergency and recovery duties as assigned by the County Manager or designee.
• During an emergency or crisis situation, this position will be required to be present at the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to provide assistance while activated.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

• Valid Florida Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record, or the ability to obtain a Florida Driver’s License within six months of hire.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, Emergency Management, or related field required.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in fire suppression, prevention, and EMS operations.
• Five (5) years of command-level leadership experience within a multi-station fire department.
• Current State of Florida Firefighter Certification, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Current State of Florida Fire Officer Certification,or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Current Florida EMT or Paramedic Certification,or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Ability to successfully pass a Level II Background Screening.
• 24-hour on-call availability required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Emergency Management, or related discipline.
• Executive Fire Officer (EFO) designation or equivalent executive fire service credential.
• Experience in executive-level budgeting and capital planning.