Battalion Chief

JOB
The City of Santa Maria, Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of Battalion Chief. Applications Open: March 19, 2026Closing Date: April 13, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.Oral Board & Assessment Center: April 21/22, 2026Chief's Interviews: Week of May 4, 2026WHO WE ARE: The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees and serves approximately 108,000 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.WHAT WE DO: The City of Santa Maria is experiencing explosive growth with thousands of residential, commercial, industrial, and retail projects in development. The Fire Department’s goal is to continue to develop staffing that will support continued growth of both the city and the Fire Department. The Santa Maria Fire Department provides all risk emergency services, as well as public education programs, fire prevention, and life safety measures to the City's residents. These services support the Fire Department's mission of effectively preserving lives and protecting property. The department provides Emergency Services, which include pre-hospital emergency medical services at the Emergency Medical Technician I (EMT-1) level; response to structural, vehicular and vegetation fires, hazardous materials response, water rescue, trench rescue, public assistance and other emergencies. The department also administers a hazardous materials business plan program in cooperation with Santa Barbara County.THE POSITION: The Battalion Chief receives general direction from the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chief in the performance of responsible management, technical, and administrative work in commanding and coordinating physical and human resources including: emergency operations, training, fire prevention, disaster preparedness, public education, public relations, facility/equipment maintenance; and other related programs and services. They provide highly technical staff assistance; implement program goals and objectives and oversee and supervise assigned staff. The Battalion Chief functions as the City's key representative pertaining to all Fire Department responsibilities and activities, primarily after normal business hours, on weekends and holidays, or otherwise in the absence of or as determined by the Deputy Fire Chief.REQUIRED SUBMITTALS: ApplicationCertificates (Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Fire Officer or Company Officer, EMT-B, CPR card) ResumeCover Letter

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION: Fire Battalion Chief

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The completed electronic application packet will include the online application and electronic attachments of certificates, resume, and cover letter. The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral board and assessment center tentatively scheduled for April 21/22, 2026. Those applicants invited to interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment. The eligibility list established from the selection process will recommend a limited number of candidates to proceed to the Chief's Interview from which the Battalion Chief may be selected. Chief's interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of May 4, 2026.Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a thorough background investigation. If you have further job-related questions, please contact staff in the HR Division at 805-925-0951 x2203. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties, please call the NEOGOV help line for technical assistance at 1-855-524-5627.