OR – Fire Chief – City of La Grande – First Review: 07/27/25

Daily Dispatch; Oregon (IL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of La Grande seeks a Fire Chief to lead the Fire Department, ensuring effective emergency response and community engagement. This role requires strategic leadership, a bachelor's degree, and ten years of fire department experience. Set in a beautiful area, the position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Ten years of broad fire department experience.
• Four years in an administrative capacity preferred.
• Experience with EMS responsibilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative direction and leadership for all functions of the Fire Department.
• Manage emergency responses and policy development.
• Foster relationships with mutual aid partners and the community.

Skills

Leadership

Budget Management

Emergency Response

Community Engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fire science or related field

Job description

Fire Chief
City of La Grande, Oregon
Salary: $99,204 – $125,520 DOQ (Salary will increase by 5% in December 2025)

Located in the picturesque Grande Ronde Valley in Eastern Oregon, La Grande is a vibrant and welcoming community known for its stunning mountain views, rich history, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. With a population of just over 13,000, La Grande blends small-town charm with modern amenities, creating an engaging environment for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals alike. La Grande is surrounded by natural beauty, offering year-round outdoor adventures such as hiking, fishing, camping, and skiing. The city is home to Eastern Oregon University, which enriches the local culture, provides educational opportunities, and adds a lively energy to the community.

The City of La Grande Fire Department (LGFD) provides a wide range of critical services to the community which include fire suppression, advanced life support (ALS) ambulance services within the Union County Ambulance Service Area, rescue operations, vehicle extrication, swift water rescue, public education, occupancy inspections, juvenile fire setter intervention, and public assistance. Operating on a 2024/2025 budget of $4,027,426, the department has a staff of 22.8 FTEs, which includes the Fire Chief, a Deputy Chief, an Administrative Assistant, 3 Captains, 15 Firefighters, and 9 EMT casuals. In 2024, the department responded to 3,597 calls.

Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Fire Chief provides administrative direction and leadership for all functions, operations and department personnel in accomplishing the Fire Department’s mission of protecting life and property. Key responsibilities include emergency response leadership, budget preparation, policy development, staff performance management, and fostering positive relationships with mutual aid partners and the community. This role requires someone who is a strategic leader committed to operational excellence, team development, and public safety.

Education & Experience: A bachelor’s degree in fire science, fire service administration, public or business administration or a related field is preferred. Ten (10) years of broad fire department experience with increasing levels of responsibility in management and supervisory positions, including four (4) years of experience in an administrative capacity. Experience in municipal fire departments with EMS responsibilities is preferred. Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work will be considered. See full job description for required licenses and certifications.

For a complete position profile, full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on “Open Recruitments”. For questions, call 206-368-0050. The City of La Grande is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by July 27, 2025. (First review, open until filled.)

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Tagged as: Oregon Firefighter Jobs