Assistant Fire Chief

ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF

This recruitment is open for two weeks.

Last day to apply is April 23, 2026.

Pay Grade: 122

Annual Salary Range: $150,400 - $221,800

This classification is unclassified/at-will, which means the employee or the City can terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any or no reason, with or without cause or notice.

The City of Tempe offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 13 Paid Holidays and 1 Personal Day
• Vacation Accrual starts at 9.33 hours/month
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Uniform Credit, Jeans and Safety Boot Allowance
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement; $6,500/year
• Public Safety Personnel Retirement System
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457, 401K, and Employer contribution
• Position is eligible for up to 56 hours of exempt leave and 24 hours of floating holiday leave

To view the employee benefit summary, please visit:

Employee Benefit Summary

Department / Division:

Fire Medial Rescue

Job Type:

Full-Time Regular

This position is classified as safety sensitive. Employees in safety sensitive positions are prohibited from all marijuana usage whether medical or recreational.

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Job Number:

RC#902447

DESCRIPTION / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position assists in planning, directing, and reviewing fire department activities, including fire suppression, hazardous material mitigation, emergency medical services, and administrative support. Provides executive-level support to the Fire Chief by managing significant budget responsibilities, including capital improvement projects and supplemental requests. Sets strategic priorities, ensures progress in achieving goals, and supervises both sworn and non-sworn staff. Depending on assignment, may direct the Emergency Services Division within the fire department by implementing policies, setting service expectations, and forecasting future budgetary and operational needs for the City.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following

• Plans, develops, and implements department goals and objectives. Drafts, implements, and manages policies and procedures. Provides oversight and guidance to staff to help achieve set goals and objectives. Lead the department’s accreditation efforts and ensure compliance with NFPA codes and standards and maintain ISO rating objectives.
• Assigns work activities, projects, and programs to support the division mission. Monitors workflow and reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures.
• Leads the development, administration, and management of the Department budget and identify grant opportunities and alternative funding mechanisms. Forecasts funds required for effective operation, monitors and approves expenditures, and implements mid-year adjustments.
• Responds to major emergencies and incidents. Assumes an appropriate role within the Incident Command System.
• Evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response units by reviewing deployment analytics, regulatory compliance, and overall operational efficiency. Responsible for implementing policy and procedure revisions and changes to improve responses.
• Manages the purchase, storage, and distribution of all supplies and commodities for the Department.
• Manages administrative functions within the department, including new construction, apparatus specification, preventive maintenance, and repair.
• Conducts performance evaluations, seeks opportunities for career development, and works with employees to address deficiencies. Coordinates and provides training to staff.
• May perform responsibilities of a similar nature and level as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience commanding and supervising in an organized fire department, including 3 years of experience in public administration.

Candidates must have the minimum amount of work experience. Years of experience are based upon a full-time work schedule (2,080 hours per year). The sum of an applicant’s full-time and/or part-time qualifying work experience must meet or exceed the stated minimum qualification. Education will not substitute for the required work experience; however, related unpaid and/or volunteer work experience may be used as qualifying work experience.

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field.

The term “equivalent” means that directly related work experience exceeding the required work experience will substitute in equal one-year increments for college-level education (2 additional years for an associate degree and 4 additional years for a bachelor’s degree).

Professional Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 within one (1) year of appointment.
• Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Certification preferred.

Additional:

Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following

• Post offer/pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
• Post offer/pre-employment physical
• Police background investigation
• Must not be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

For a complete list of City of Tempe job descriptions go to:

Job Descriptions | City of Tempe, AZ

This position is FLSA Exempt which means employees are not eligible for overtime compensation and/or compensatory time.

Employees in this position are part of the Senior Management Team (SMT)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.