Fire Chief

Tennessee Municipal League; Tennessee; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Nolensville seeks an experienced Fire Chief to lead its Nolensville Fire & Rescue Department. The role reports to the Town Manager and emphasizes service excellence, life safety, and community impact.

Residency within 30 minutes is preferred and the department comprises 20 personnel with growing volunteer support. The position offers a competitive compensation package aligned with education and experience, with a FY2026-27 budget of $3.4M and a start date anticipated in late October

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Emergency Management, Fire Science, Management, Public Administration or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of firefighting operations experience.
• Minimum 5 years as Battalion Chief or higher.
• Required Tennessee AEMT License and Fire Fighter I/II and Fire Instructor certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for firefighting and rescue operations.
• Ensure compliance with state and local fire safety regulations.
• Oversee department budgeting and resource allocation.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Communication

Emergency management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Fire Science, Management, Public Administration or related

Tools

Tennessee AEMT License

Fire Fighter I

Fire Fighter II

Fire Instructor

Fire Officer I

Fire Officer II

Incident Safety Officer

Fire Officer III

Fire Officer IV

Fire Investigator

Job description

Description:

The Town of Nolensville, TN, (pop. 17,076) is seeking an experienced fire and rescue service executive to serve as its next Fire Chief. Nestled within one of the most economically vibrant counties in Tennessee, Nolensville offers a small-town charm just 30 minutes away from Nashville. The Fire Chief recently moved back to his hometown after serving in good standing for five years including the past year as Fire Chief of Nolensville, leaving a well-functioning and capable department. The ideal candidate will lead the fire department with a focus and commitment to exceptional service protecting life and property while enhancing the quality of life for the residents. With a budget of $3.4M for FY2026-27, the Nolensville Fire & Rescue Department consists of 20 fire and rescue personnel and a growing number of volunteers dedicated to delivering essential fire and rescue services. Reporting to the Town Manager, the successful candidate will not only be a seasoned fire and rescue service executive but also an effective communicator, innovator inservice delivery, and leader for the department and community.

Requirements:

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Fire Science, Management, Public Administration or closely related degree from an accredited college or university. Additionally, candidates must have a minimum of ten (10) years of previous experience in firefighting operations and a minimum of five (5) years of previous experience in firefighting operations as a Battalion Chief Officer or higher. The candidate should possess training in emergency management operations, disaster planning, public safety, hazardous materials, personnel management and public relations or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. The candidate must possess Tennessee AEMT License, Tennessee Certification as a Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, Fire Instructor, and Fire Officer I and II Certification. Additionally, the candidate will possess professional certification (or ability to attain within 12 months of employment) Fire Department Incident Safety Officer, Fire Officer III and IV, and Fire Investigator. The salary for this at-will position will be commensurate with the candidate's education and experience. Residency in the Town of Nolensville is not required but candidate should reside within a thirty-minute response time.

Selection Process:

The Town of Nolensville will conduct initial application package screenings upon receiving applications. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection process. Following the selection, a formal offer will be extended, subject to the successful completion of the Town's hiring procedures. The anticipated start date for the selected candidate is late October or November 2026.

Inquiries:

For inquiries regarding the position or the recruitment process, please contact Kelly Lancaster, Human Resources Director at 615-776-6680 or via email [e-mail].

The Town of Nolensville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.