Fire Chief

City of Port Arthur Texas; Port Arthur (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Port Arthur, TX is seeking an experienced Fire Chief to lead its full‑service department in a coastal, industrial city. The Chief will supervise fire suppression, prevention, EMS first response, and support services while guiding organizational growth and community collaboration.

The role reports to the City Manager and requires strong communication, mentoring, and budget management, with partnerships across local, state, and federal agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Minimum 10 years in firefighting or related field with 4+ years in a command role.
• TX Driver’s License required or ability to obtain.
• State of TX Firefighter certificate and EMT‑Basic or higher.
• TCFP Head of Suppression certification within one year.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct all department activities including suppression, prevention, EMS first response, and support services.
• Lead personnel, manage the budget, and coordinate with other departments and agencies.
• Act as Chief Administrative Officer for official powers and duties; liaise with City Manager and City Council.
• Respond to major incidents and provide staff assistance to senior officials.

Skills

Command experience

Communication

Mentoring & development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Business, Fire Protection, Fire Technology, Emergency Management, or related field

Texas Driver’s License

Texas Intermediate Firefighter Certificate or higher

TCFP Certification as Head of a Suppression Fire Department within 1 year

Job description

Fire Chief – City of Port Arthur, TX

Are you an experienced, community-minded fire service leader ready to command a full-service department in one of Texas’s most vital industrial and coastal cities? If so, we’re looking for an engaging, visionary leader who is:

• A proven fire service executive with command experience in a comparable or larger, combination fire-and-rescue organization
• A trusted communicator who builds credibility and collaboration across the department, the community, and local, state, and federal partners
• Committed to mentoring, training, and developing a diverse, professional workforce

Port Arthur is a coastal Texas city with a diverse, small-town feel and a strong industrial backbone. Known for its rich Cajun, Creole, and Vietnamese heritage, Port Arthur offers residents an affordable lifestyle with access to nature, culture, and economic opportunity.

Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief is the Fire Department’s Chief Administrative Officer in all matters relating to the office’s official powers and duties. The Chief plans, organizes, and directs all department activities — fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical first response, and support services — while leading personnel, managing the budget, and coordinating with other departments and outside agencies. As Chief Operational Executive, the Chief leads programs and activities consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the City, continuously improving service-delivery efficiency and response to meet or exceed community needs. The Chief responds to major incidents, directs suppression activities, serves as a management representative in collective bargaining, and provides highly complex staff assistance to the Assistant City Manager, City Manager, and City Council.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Business, Fire Protection, Fire Technology, Emergency Management, or a related field
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional firefighting, safety and risk management, or a closely related field in a comparable or larger community, of which at least four (4) years must have been at a command level (Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, or Fire Chief)
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate Texas Driver’s License
• Texas Intermediate Firefighter Certificate (Texas Commission on Fire Protection) or comparable, and a Texas DSHS-approved EMT‑Basic certification or higher (or equivalent)
• TCFP Certification as Head of a Suppression Fire Department within one year of appointment

Preferred

• Master’s degree in a related field and a minimum of six (6) years in a command-level position
• Chief Fire Officer Designation, National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer, Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Certification, or a related TCFP designation

The salary range for this position is Link to Job Listing: https://www.governmentresource.com/recruitment/port-arthur-tx-fire-chief/, depending on experience and qualifications.

For more information, contact:

Marsha Reed, Senior Vice President

[e-mail] | 806-789-9641

CITY OF PORT ARTHUR

Attn: Hiring Manager

P.O. Box 1089

Port Arthur, Texas 77641-1089

(EEO/AA/V/F/RC/H)
The City of Port Arthur is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Department: Fire Department

This is a management position

This is a full time position

Requisition Number: #26-097