Fire Chief

City of San Marcos, TX; San Marcos (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Marcos seeks a Fire Chief to provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight of the Fire Department, including fire suppression, EMS, prevention, and disaster risk reduction. This executive guides policy, oversees budgets, capital planning, and training to ensure efficient emergency response and high-quality service for the community.

Responsibilities include setting priorities, developing long-range plans, directing staffing and performance management, coordinating with other

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration or related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience as a fully paid firefighter.
• Demonstrated command-level leadership experience is required.
• Must be eligible for Intermediate Firefighters Certificate with Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards.
• Must possess and maintain an Advanced or Master Firefighter certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
• Must possess and maintain an EMT Basic-level certification or higher.
• Hazardous Materials Technician Certification due within one year of appointment.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all Fire Department operations, ensuring alignment with community safety priorities and organizational goals.
• Develop and implement policies, programs, and long-range plans that enhance fire prevention, emergency response, and disaster preparedness.
• Oversee departmental budget and capital improvement planning, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and fiscal accountability.
• Direct workforce planning, including recruitment, training, performance management, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Foster collaboration with other departments, agencies, and community stakeholders to strengthen emergency management and public safety initiatives.
• Ensure operational readiness through continuous evaluation of programs, policies, and equipment, adapting to emerging risks and best practices.
• Represent the department and the City in professional forums, community engagements, and interagency coordination efforts.
• Maintain 24-hour availability for major emergencies and assume command during critical incidents to safeguard lives and property.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budgeting and planning

Policy development

Emergency management

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Interagency collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration

Seven years of experience as a fully paid firefighter

Command-level leadership

Intermediate Firefighters Certificate

Advanced or Master Firefighter certification (TCFP)

EMT Basic or higher

Hazardous Materials Technician Certification (TCFP)

Texas Driver's License

Job description

Become part of a team that thrives on Professionalism, Innovation, Customer Experience, Integrity, and Teamwork — the values that guide how we serve our community.

The Fire Chief provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight of all Fire Department operations, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, prevention, and disaster risk reduction. This role ensures compliance with regulatory standards, drives policy development, and optimizes resource allocation to safeguard community safety. As the department’s administrative head, the Fire Chief manages budgets, capital planning, and personnel training to deliver efficient, high-quality emergency response and prevention programs.

The following list highlights the main responsibilities of this position. While it covers the core tasks, it may not include every duty that could be assigned. Employees may be asked to take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team, department and the City..

• Provide strategic leadership for all Fire Department operations, ensuring alignment with community safety priorities and organizational goals.
• Develop and implement policies, programs, and long-range plans that enhance fire prevention, emergency response, and disaster preparedness.
• Oversee departmental budget and capital improvement planning, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and fiscal accountability.
• Direct workforce planning, including recruitment, training, performance management, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Foster collaboration with other departments, agencies, and community stakeholders to strengthen emergency management and public safety initiatives.
• Ensure operational readiness through continuous evaluation of programs, policies, and equipment, adapting to emerging risks and best practices.
• Represent the department and the City in professional forums, community engagements, and interagency coordination efforts.
• Maintain 24-hour availability for major emergencies and assume command during critical incidents to safeguard lives and property.

• Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration or a related field. Equivalent experience may substitute for a degree.
• Seven (7) years of experience as a fully paid firefighter.
• Demonstrated experience in command-level leadership roles (e.g., serving in a supervisory or incident command capacity) is required.
• Must be eligible for Intermediate Firefighters Certificate with Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards.
• Must possess and maintain an Advanced or Master Firefighter certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP).
• Must possess and maintain an EMT Basic level of certification or higher in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services. Individuals who possess or achieve an advanced EMS certification (EMT-Intermediate or EMT-Paramedic) will be required to maintain that certification throughout the course of their employment.
• A Texas Commission on Fire Protection Hazardous Materials Technician Certification is required within one (1) year of appointment.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.

Texas Local Government Code:

The following sections of Texas Local Government Code 143 will be applicable unless superseded by the current Meet and Confer Agreement between the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association and the City of San Marcos:

• Local Government Code 143.014-1 (e) A person appointed to a position in the classification immediately below that of the head of the fire department must: (1) be employed by the municipality’s fire department; (2) have a permanent classification in at least an officer level; and (3) meet the requirements for appointment as head of a fire department prescribed by Section 143.013(b)
• Local Government Code 143.013(b) A person appointed as head of a fire department must be eligible for certification by the Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education at the intermediate level or its equivalent as determined by that commission and must have served as a fully paid fire fighter for at least five years.

Must comply with all other applicable section(s) of the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 143 in effect at the time of appointment.

Meet and Confer Agreement:

Must comply with applicable section(s) of the local Meet and Confer Agreement in effect at the time of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of principles and practices of fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical services, and disaster management, including applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and standards.
• Knowledge of administrative and managerial practices, including budgeting, personnel management, strategic planning, and resource allocation for a municipal fire department.
• Knowledge of modern firefighting equipment, apparatus capabilities, and maintenance requirements.
• Skill in leadership and supervision, including motivating, training, evaluating, and managing personnel to achieve departmental objectives.
• Skill in planning and directing complex operations, including emergency response, disaster preparedness, and interagency coordination.
• Skill in effective communication, both oral and written, to interact with staff, officials, community members, and external agencies.
• Skill in problem-solving and critical thinking to assess situations, develop strategies, and implement solutions under pressure.
• Ability to maintain composure, sound judgment, and emotional control in high-stress, hazardous, or sensitive situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders and represent the department professionally in public forums.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, organize resources, and ensure compliance with regulations and standards.
• Ability to use standard office software and specialized fire service applications for reporting, planning, and data analysis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and perform a range of physical activities associated with emergency response and administrative duties. The role involves sitting for extended periods, frequent bending, reaching, and handling equipment, as well as occasional climbing, kneeling, and walking. Vision and hearing requirements include the ability to read printed and electronic materials, focus on detailed tasks, and communicate effectively in person and by phone. Manual dexterity is essential for computer use and operation of standard office equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in both office and emergency response environments, requiring flexibility to transition between administrative duties and field operations. Conditions may involve exposure to smoke, fire, extreme weather, hazardous materials, and other dangerous environments during emergency incidents. The position requires availability to respond on a 24-hour, on-call basis and the ability to meet the physical and mental demands of emergency incident command. Office work includes extended periods of sitting, computer use, and interaction with staff, while emergency response may involve high-stress situations, noise, and unpredictable hazards.