Fire Chief - Fire & Rescue Department

Denton County, Texas; Denton (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Wellness program

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Job summary

Denton County Fire & Rescue Department seeks a Fire Chief to serve as the executive leader responsible for strategic direction, management, and performance of fire protection and EMS within the ERZ. The role includes developing a new fire department in the first two years and ensuring operational readiness across personnel, facilities, and equipment.

The ideal candidate holds a BS in a related field, 10+ years in fire/public safety with leadership experience, and relevant fire certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible full-time experience in fire service, emergency services, or public safety, including at least five years in supervisory, command-level, senior management, or executive leadership capacity.
• TCFP / IFSAC Advanced Structural Firefighter certification required; Master Structural Firefighter preferred or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership for fire protection, EMS, and training within the ERZ.
• Develops and implements department goals, policies, procedures, response protocols, and performance standards.
• Oversees budgets, capital planning, facilities, apparatus replacement, grants, and staffing.)
• Represents the County in public meetings, regional committees, and professional organizations.
• Directs workforce planning, recruitment, employee development, succession planning, and performance management.

Skills

Executive leadership

Public safety leadership

Budget & staffing planning

EMS oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science/Fire Administration/EMS/Public Admin

TCFP / IFSAC Advanced Structural Firefighter

Master Structural Firefighter (preferred)

Tools

EMT-B Certification

EMT-P Certification (preferred)

Driver's license

Job description

Description

The Fire Chief serves as the executive leader of the Denton County Fire & Rescue Department and is responsible for the overall direction, management, and performance of fire protection and emergency medical services within the assigned emergency response zone (ERZ). This position provides strategic, operational, financial, and administrative leadership while ensuring the department remains prepared to protect lives, property, and community resources. The Fire Chief will be responsible, during the first two years of employment, for developing, establishing, licensing, and staffing a newly created fire department.

Examples of Duties

• Provides leadership for fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, and training activities.
• Develops and implements departmental goals, policies, procedures, response protocols, and performance standards.
• Ensures personnel, facilities, apparatus, equipment, technology, and communications systems remain operationally ready.
• Provides command leadership or executive oversight during major emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents.
• Advises the Commissioners Court regarding public safety priorities, operational capabilities, staffing needs, service delivery, and strategic initiatives.
• Directs workforce planning, recruitment, employee development, succession planning, performance management, and employee relations.
• Oversees departmental budgets, capital planning, facilities, apparatus replacement planning, grants, and resource allocation.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with municipal fire departments, emergency service districts, law enforcement agencies, emergency management organizations, healthcare providers, and regional partners.
• Supports the Office of Emergency Management with disaster recovery, continuity planning, and countywide preparedness efforts.
• Establishes accountability measures and performance metrics to evaluate organizational effectiveness.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, certifications, policies, and records management requirements.
• Represents the County in public meetings, regional committees, community events, and professional organizations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

Ten years of progressively responsible full-time experience in fire service, emergency services, or public safety, including at least five years in a supervisory, command-level, senior management, or executive leadership capacity.

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered when it provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

TCFP / IFSAC Advanced Structural Firefighter required, Master Structural Firefighter preferred, or equivalent credential acceptable to the County.

• Must obtain within twelve (12) months of appointment a certification as Head of Suppression Department issued by TCFP.
• EMT-B Certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services is required / EMT-P Certification is preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.

Supplemental Information

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Denton County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical and dental coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life; disability, and long term care insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays, Tuition Reimbursement, a Wellness Program, and more.

• Note: These benefits are not included for Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees, or any Denton County Part-Time employee.

Denton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, mental or physical disability, age, national origin or veteran status.

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeosp.pdf

Family Medical Leave

Denton County employees who have been employed for one year and who have worked 1250 hours in the preceding year may be eligible for up to twelve weeks of FMLA leave.

The FMLA provides for up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave

• for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child for foster care
• to care for a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition
• for an employee with a serious health condition

Employees who will be away from work for one of these reasons should contact Human Resources for additional information. When possible, an employee should provide at least 30 days advance notice. In the case of an emergency, notification should be made as soon as possible.

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlan.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlasp.pdf