Fire Chief

Clear Career Professionals; Rowlett (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rowlett Fire Department invites an experienced Fire Chief to lead operations, oversee EMS, and drive community risk reduction in Rowlett, Texas. The role focuses on strategic leadership, budget stewardship, and executive accountability to City Council.

The Chief will advance training, readiness, and public safety initiatives while shaping the department's long-term vision and performance expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or Public Administration or related field is required.
• Eight years of paid fire service experience, including four years as a Chief Officer or higher.
• Fire academy completion or equivalent training accepted in candidate’s state.

Responsibilities

• Lead Rowlett Fire Department operations including fire suppression, EMS, and risk reduction.
• Prepare and administer the department budget and oversee staffing and facilities planning.
• Represent the department to City Council and the community, building strong working relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science/Public Administration

Master's degree

Tools

Executive Fire Officer credential

TCFP Master Firefighter/State credentials

State fire certifications

Job description

Acceptance of applications closes at:

5 p.m. | Friday | October 23, 2026

RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

The Fire Chief reports to the City Manager and directs all operations of the Rowlett Fire Department, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, and community risk reduction. The position prepares and administers the department budget, supervises assistant chiefs and administrative staff, sets standards for training and readiness, and represents the department to the City Council and the community.

Interim leadership has been in place since March 2026. (Former Chief retired 2.28.2026) The city is completing its recruitment for a permanent City Manager, so the next Fire Chief arrives as the executive team takes its new shape, with the chance to build that working relationship from the first day rather than inherit one.

The immediate work is leadership. Members describe strong training habits and real pride in the job. The next Chief listens first, makes decisions people can follow, and stays long enough for them to hold. The parallel work is administrative: budget, staffing, facilities, and apparatus planning that reach past the next fiscal year.

This is not a stepping stone, and it is not a caretaker role. Rowlett is looking for an experienced fire service leader who intends to build a career here and finish it.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a related field
• Eight years of paid fire service experience, including four years as a Chief Officer or higher
• Completion of a fire academy or equivalent training accepted in the candidate's state of certification
• Valid driver's license
• NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer
• Chief Fire Officer designation, Center for Public Safety Excellence
• TEEX Fire Service Chief Executive Officer, Texas Fire Chiefs Certified Fire Executive, or a comparable state fire executive credential
• Fire Officer IV, TCFP Master Firefighter, or equivalent certification from another state

Faxed and mailed submissions will not be considered.