Fire Chief

CL 6feb969b 76c8 4c4e 8d25 646186c13f85; Leawood (KS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Leawood is seeking a visionary Fire Chief to lead its Fire Department. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in fire service management and a strong commitment to community engagement and operational excellence.

The Fire Chief will guide all aspects of emergency services, focusing on leadership development, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. With responsibilities including developing future leaders and building partnerships, this role is crucial in ensuring high safety standards and effective service delivery.

The position offers a chance to significantly impact the community in a region known for its resident satisfaction and commitment to quality public service.

Qualifications

• Ten years of experience in career fire service organizations with five years in a command-level role.
• Possess Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable record.

Responsibilities

• Lead fire department operations and personnel development.
• Foster partnerships with community stakeholders.
• Ensure exceptional service delivery and community risk reduction.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Collaboration

Community Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or related field

Master's degree in Fire Administration (preferred)

Job description

Learn More About the Position, Organization, and Community

Are you the Ideal Candidate?

The City of Leawood seeks a principled, approachable, and visionary leader who combines operational expertise with a strong commitment to people, service, and organizational excellence. The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive who understands the evolving role of modern fire and emergency services, and can effectively balance strategic leadership, organizational development, and operational excellence while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

Lead with Character

• Lead with integrity, humility, and professionalism.
• Build trust with transparency, communication, and accountability.
• Champion the City's values and contribute to a "One Leawood" culture.

Develop People

• Foster a positive, supportive and high‑performing workplace culture.
• Develop future leaders and invest in employee growth.
• Support succession planning and employee engagement initiatives.

Build Partnerships

• Collaborate effectively across departments and with regional partners.
• Build strong relationships with residents, businesses, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively and build consensus among diverse groups.

Lead Strategically

• Balance operational excellence with long‑term strategic planning.
• Embrace innovation while maintaining a commitment to exceptional service.
• Use data, technology, and continuous improvement principles to enhance service delivery.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and relationship-focused leader who embraces a One Leawood philosophy. They will work effectively across departments, build strong partnerships with residents, businesses, regional agencies, and elected officials, and foster a culture of trust, transparency, accountability, and exceptional service.

The next Fire Chief will possess the strategic perspective necessary to guide the department into the future while honoring its strong foundation and traditions. They will be committed to developing employees, supporting succession planning, leveraging innovation and technology, and identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery, operational effectiveness, and community risk reduction efforts.

Success in the First Year

The next Fire Chief will be expected to:

• Build strong relationships with department personnel, City leadership, and community stakeholders.
• Assess organizational strengths and opportunities while maintaining the department's high standards of service.
• Balance station and staffing needs and public expectations with existing resources.
• Advance succession planning and leadership development efforts.
• Support strategic planning initiatives and future service delivery needs.
• Continue fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement.

Qualifications & Experience

Required: Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, along with at least ten years of progressively responsible experience in a career fire service organization, including a minimum of five years in a supervisory or command‑level leadership role. Candidates must hold the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation through the Commission on Professional Credentialing and possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred: A master's degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field is preferred. Highly desirable qualifications include possession of the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation through the Commission on Professional Credentialing, completion of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, designation as a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager, and demonstrated executive‑level experience leading organizational change, strategic initiatives, succession planning, accreditation efforts, and community risk reduction initiatives.

About the Department

The Leawood Fire Department is a highly respected, internationally accredited organization dedicated to delivering exceptional emergency response, community risk reduction, and public safety services. The department maintains Accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and holds an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification, reflecting its commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and service to the community.

Operating from three fire stations, the department provides comprehensive fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and community risk reduction programs. Through strong automatic and mutual aid partnerships across Johnson County and the Kansas City metropolitan area, the department ensures coordinated, high‑quality service during both routine and large‑scale incidents.

Beyond emergency response, the department is deeply committed to community engagement through public education, CPR and AED training, child passenger safety programs, fire prevention initiatives, and other outreach efforts that enhance safety and quality of life throughout the community.

Why Leawood?

The Fire Chief serves as a key member of the City's leadership team and provides strategic direction for all aspects of fire and emergency services. Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the Fire Chief leads department operations, personnel development, emergency preparedness, community risk reduction, and long‑range planning efforts.

The adoption of one of the Kansas City region's premier communities, combined with strong resident satisfaction ratings, provides a dynamic environment for innovative and impactful public service.