Strategic Fire Chief & Public Safety Leadership

City of Greensboro; Greensboro (NC); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Greensboro seeks an accomplished Fire Chief to lead the Greensboro Fire Department, shaping emergency services and developing future leaders. You will provide executive direction, oversee budgets, and advance community safety initiatives while aligning services with City goals.

As an exempt executive, you’ll build regional partnerships, cultivate a diverse workforce, and ensure accreditation and readiness for evolving public safety needs in Greensboro.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 10+ years in senior Fire Command roles.
• Knowledge of municipal fire operations and local government public administration.
• Experience in employee development and succession planning.
• Experience building industry partnerships.
• NC Chief 101 within one year.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, manage, and oversee Department operations, ensuring effective delivery of emergency services, fire prevention, specialized response capabilities, and community safety programs.
• Provide executive leadership for emergency preparedness, operational readiness, firefighter safety, training, and incident response.
• Manage the development and administration of the Department’s operating and capital budgets, ensuring responsible resource allocation, financial accountability, and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Establish strategic goals, evaluate service delivery and performance, and implement continuous improvement initiatives aligned with City priorities, professional standards, and community expectations.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with the City Manager’s Office, City Council, other City departments, regional fire and emergency service organizations, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Oversee workforce planning, leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement, recruitment, retention, and initiatives that strengthen organizational diversity and professional growth.
• Maintain accreditation requirements, regulatory compliance, and effective emergency management practices while evaluating emerging technologies, operational strategies, and innovations that enhance public safety.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Public administration

Emergency services management

Employee development

Partnership development

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree in Fire Science/Public Admin

Job description

Leading with Courage. Protecting What Matters. Shaping What’s Next.

Position Closes: November 2, 2026

The City of Greensboro is seeking an accomplished, strategic Fire Chief to lead a vital public safety organization and help shape the future of emergency services for one of North Carolina’s largest and fastest-evolving communities.

This is an opportunity to lead beyond the immediate demands of emergency response—to strengthen organizational readiness, develop future leaders, and advance a culture of excellence, accountability, and community trust. The next Fire Chief willbuild on a proud legacy of public service while preparing the Department to meet the changing needs of Greensboro and its residents.

About the Greensboro Fire Department:
With a longstanding commitment to protecting lives, property, and the environment, the Greensboro Fire Departmentprovides comprehensive fire suppression, emergency medical response, specialized rescue, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and public education services.

The Department has approximately 613 employees, operates 27 fire stations, and responds to more than 40,000 calls annually. Its operational resources include 25 engine companies, 11 ladder companies, a Heavy Rescue Unit, and specialized hazardous materials and rescue capabilities. The Department also maintains a comprehensive fire prevention program encompassing inspections, investigations, development plan review, and community risk reduction initiatives.

The Greensboro Fire Department maintains an ISO Class 1 rating and international accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). These distinctions reflect the Department’s commitment to professional standards, operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. As Greensboro continues to grow, the Department’s next leader will have the opportunity to build on this foundation, strengthen regional partnerships, support a highly skilled workforce, and ensure that emergency services remain responsive, resilient, and prepared for the future.

About the Role:
The Fire Chief provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Department’s operations, personnel, programs, and resources. Working collaboratively with City leadership, employees, regional partners, and community stakeholders, the Chief is responsible for sustaining operational excellence, advancing organizational priorities, and aligning services with community needs and City goals.

Key functions include:

• Plan, direct, manage, and oversee Department operations, ensuring effective delivery of emergency services, fire prevention, specialized response capabilities, and community safety programs.
• Provide executive leadership for emergency preparedness, operational readiness, firefighter safety, training, and incident response.
• Manage the development and administration of the Department’s operating and capital budgets, ensuring responsible resource allocation, financial accountability, and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Establish strategic goals, evaluate service delivery and performance, and implement continuous improvement initiatives aligned with City priorities, professional standards, and community expectations.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with the City Manager’s Office, City Council, other City departments, regional fire and emergency service organizations, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Oversee workforce planning, leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement, recruitment, retention, and initiatives that strengthen organizational diversity and professional growth.
• Maintain accreditation requirements, regulatory compliance, and effective emergency management practices while evaluating emerging technologies, operational strategies, and innovations that enhance public safety.

Strategic Priorities of the Role:

The Fire Chief will play a central role in advancing several interconnected organizational and community priorities:

• Strategic Planning and Service Delivery: Assess current and future community needs, evaluate service delivery models, and develop long-range plans that sustain high-quality emergency services as Greensboro grows.
• Workforce Development and Organizational Culture: Strengthen leadership capacity, succession planning, employee engagement, professional development, recruitment, and retention while fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and inclusion.
• Fiscal Stewardship and Operational Readiness: Align staffing, equipment, facilities, technology, and capital investments with operational demands and long-term public safety needs.
• Community Risk Reduction and Prevention: Advance proactive prevention, public education, and community outreach strategies that reduce preventable emergencies and improve public preparedness.
• Regional Collaboration and Emergency Preparedness: Strengthen partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions and emergency service providers to support coordinated responses to complex incidents and regional emergencies.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Use performance data, emerging technologies, professional standards, and employee input to improve service delivery, organizational effectiveness, and public trust.

About the Organization:

The City of Greensboro is governed under a Council-Manager form of government, with the City Council serving as the legislative body. The Council is composed of a Mayor and eight Councilmembers, each serving four-year terms. The Council is responsible for establishing policy and approving the City’s annual budget.

The City organization includes approximately 3,063 full-time, 59 part-time, and up to 681 temporary and seasonal employees across a wide range of services and departments. The City Manager serves as the chief executive officer of the City and is responsible for implementing Council policy and overseeing the day-to-day operations of City government.

Learn more about the City of Greensboro byvisiting its website

Salary and Benefits:

The estimated salary at the time of hire is expected to be between $148,113.00–$194,886.00,with a full salary range of $148,113.00–$265,045.00 offered commensurate with experience. The position is also eligible for additional executive compensation of $4,320 annually.

For more details about this position, click on the following link: City of Greensboro Fire Chief

As a City employee, the Fire Chief participates in the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (NCLGERS), which includes a 6% pre-tax employee contribution and a City-funded employer contribution, with vesting after five years. Supplemental retirement savings opportunities include participation in a 401(a) plan with a 3.25% City contribution based on base salary, as well as 457 / Roth 457 and 401(k) / Roth 401(k) plans. For highly experienced executives, the City may recognize prior public sector service through adjusted leave accrual rates and initial leave balances, consistent with established policies.

Learn more about the City’s benefits package:HERE

As with all individuals appointed as City Department Directors, the Fire Chief must live within a 30-mile radius of the Greensboro city limits within 12 months of appointment.

This exempt executive position offers the opportunity to lead a respected public safety organization, shape the future of emergency services, strengthen regional partnerships, and develop the workforce and operational capabilities needed to serve Greensboro’s residents and businesses effectively.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in senior level Fire Command positions equivalent to a Fire Chief or a top Deputy/Assistant Chief
• Demonstrated knowledge of fire department operations and management, public administration of local governments
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in the management of municipal fire and emergency services, and principals and practices of emergency preparedness and disaster response
• Demonstrated experience in employee development and succession planning for agency operational continuity
• Experience developing industry partnerships resulting in enhancements of fire prevention and fire risk reduction
• NC Chief 101 within one year of appointment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) Designation
• CPSE Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Designation
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Fire Science, Fire Service Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Management, or Business Administration
• Demonstrated significant Fire Operations and Fire Management experience in departments serving populations of 100,000 or more

Application Instructions:

Find Great People has been engaged by the City of Greensboro to lead the recruitment and selection process for the City of Greensboro Fire Chief.

**Please submit your application along with a resume, cover letter, and reference information.**

Interested candidates are asked to contact Christin Mack, Practice Lead, Public Sector, Nonprofit, and Community Impact Executive Search, [e-mail] with any questions.

The application period will remain open until November 2nd. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the FGP team, with final review occurring the week of November 2nd. Interviews with the City of Greensboro team will begin shortly thereafter.**Candidates must meet the requirements listed above to be considered for this opportunity.**