Deputy Fire Chief

Salary : $186,654.00 - $233,298.00 Annually
Location : City of San Luis Obispo, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Department: Emergency Response
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt

JOB DESCRIPTION
The City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department seeks a fire service leader who is a strong communicator who is direct, calm, and consistent. The new Deputy Chief must read people and situations well, anticipate operational and organizational needs, and be committed to developing others through mentoring and coaching. The new Deputy Chief must be transparent in actions, decisions, and communication. They must project organizational integrity through ethical behavior and sound judgment.

The minimum requirements for this position are graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in fire science, fire technology, business administration, public administration, or a related field, seven years of experience as a full-time firefighter, including three years of supervisory experience equivalent to a Fire Captain or Fire Battalion Chief, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Desirable qualifications include California State Fire Training Chief Fire Officer Certification and Executive Chief Fire Officer Certification.
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JOB SUMMARY:

Ensures the safe and efficient administration and operations of the Fire Department; assists the Fire Chief in strategic planning, coordinating, and directing the administrative functions and operations of the Fire Department; develops and mentors the Fire Department's personnel; serves as acting Fire Chief as assigned and performs executive level activities; responds to major emergencies to exercise incident command and also serves a primary role in EOC functions as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification is distinguished from other fire management staff by its broader scope of functional responsibility, oversight of emergency and non-emergency operational functions, including budget, purchasing, grant management, policy and rule development, and decision-making authority in matters affecting the prioritization of department services, as well as its greater external interfaces with the City Council, other fire and safety organizations, officials, and vendors.

SUPERVISION
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives general direction from the Fire Chief within a framework of policies and procedures.

Exercises general supervision over Fire Battalion Chiefs, Fire Marshal, and the Supervising Fire Vehicle Mechanic. Exercises additional supervision over professional, technical, safety, and clerical personnel as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this classification.)

• Assists the Fire Chief in planning, implementing, and directing all programs and operations of the department.
• Assists in formulating and implementing departmental rules, procedures, and policies; ensures consistent application across all functions.
• Develops and recommends departmental goals and objectives and delegates authority and responsibility to meet the goals and objectives; evaluates and reports to the Fire Chief on the effectiveness and efficiency of departmental operations.
• Researches, analyzes, prepares, and presents detailed staff reports, technical assessments, and analytical information to support departmental decision making.
• Oversees departmental programs and functions as directed by the Fire Chief.
• Provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, and supervision to assigned staff; demonstrates open and direct communication with peers, subordinates, and internal and external customers; promotes organizational and employee development.
• Directs the design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive Fire Department training programs, utilizing operational Battalion Chiefs and specialty area expertise to ensure alignment with departmental goals and organizational effectiveness.
• Serves as the incident commander of the Emergency Operations Center in the absence of the Fire Chief in accordance with the City's Emergency Operations Plan.
• Oversees all personnel actions within the department, including, but not limited to, conducting personnel investigations and recommending discipline in accordance with the California Firefighter Bill of Rights and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Responds to major emergencies to exercise incident command as required.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

In addition to the above, the Deputy Fire Chief - Operations will be required to perform the following duties:

• Ensures operational readiness across all shifts, maintaining consistent response capability and alignment with City and departmental standards.
• Plans, manages and directs the purchasing and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, and Fire Department training facilities.
• Oversees replacement planning and readiness standards for equipment, tools, and operational gear.
• Oversees department scheduling, staffing processes, and operational workforce deployment.
• Ensures operational practices, procedures, and daily activities align with departmental policies, strategic plans, and service delivery objectives.
• Oversees the EMS Program and represents the department on the SLO EMSA Operations Committee
• Serves as liaison to internal specialized operational teams and acts as the primary operational liaison to regional fire and EMS partner agencies.

In addition to the above, the Deputy Fire Chief - Administration will be required to perform the following duties:

• Supervise the department's Fire Prevention Division and represent the department in related community development activities.
• Leads development, review, implementation, and communication of departmental policies, procedures, and administrative practices.
• Manages departmental Capital Improvement Projects from concept through completion.
• Coordinates Fire Department involvement with City departments and community organizations engaged in outreach and public safety initiatives.
• Directs community education and engagement programs, ensuring alignment with public safety priorities and improving community awareness.
• Oversees department facilities, coordinating maintenance, renovations, and long-term facilities planning.
• Provides strategic oversight of department-wide hiring and promotional processes in collaboration with City Human Resources to ensure equitable, consistent, and organizationally aligned practices.
• Leads management of departmental technology systems to ensure reliability, integration, and alignment with operational needs.
• Serves as the department liaison to the Police Department's dispatch team, collaborating on communication workflows, system integration, and joint operational procedures to ensure efficient public safety dispatch services.
• Manages departmental data quality, reporting, analytics, and use of incident and activity data.
• Acts as the department's Public Information Officer, partnering with Fire Department team members and the City's communications staff to create, manage, and distribute public communications and outreach content.
• Serves as the department Safety Officer responsible for implementing and maintaining safety plans according to city and fire policies.
• Oversees department wellness program, utilizing other department personnel to implement annual exams and training.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Contemporary leadership principles and practices applicable to a modern, service-oriented fire department.
• Federal, State and local fire safety laws, codes, and regulations; municipal ordinances; and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the San Luis Obispo Fire Department.
• Best practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating fire service training programs, including drill development, competency assessment, and regulatory compliance.
• Management principles and practices necessary to plan, analyze, develop, direct, and evaluate various programs, administrative policies, organizational structure, and life-safety practices.
• Principles of employee supervision and personnel management, including labor laws, fire rescue training, succession training, coaching, counseling, discipline, and modern information systems.
• Community Risk Reduction principles, assessments, and standards.
• California Firefighter's Bill of Rights and other relevant laws and regulations.
• Principles and practices of organizational communications, public engagement, and public information.
• Methods and techniques for making effective public presentations of complex information.

Ability to:

• Define problem areas; direct the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of data; and develop sound solutions.
• Develop and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards, and develop and implement management systems, procedures, and standards for program evaluation.
• Coordinate and initiate actions; implement decisions and recommendations.
• Plan, organize, assign, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the work of assigned staff, directly and through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Communicate efficiently through oral presentations, written reports, and discussions with executive-level staff, and other Federal, State, and local agencies, departments, groups, and individuals.
• Provide steady, effective leadership in both routine and high-pressure situations, including emergency incidents, major projects, and organizational change.
• Establish and maintain highly effective relationships with various stakeholders.
• Make practical and well-informed decisions affecting multiple stakeholders.
• Be an accessible leader who is supportive of professional development, retention, and diversity and who has an understanding of and appreciation for positive productive labor relations.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an equitable and inclusive environment.
• Manage and oversee departmental resources, including personnel, programs, equipment, facilities, and technology systems.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in fire science, fire technology, business administration, public administration, or a related field;

and

Seven years of experience as a full-time firefighter, including three years of supervisory experience equivalent to a Fire Captain or Fire Battalion Chief;

or

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

• A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Desirable:

• California State Fire Training Chief Fire Officer certification.
• California State Fire Training Executive Chief Fire Officer certification.
• Qualified under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group guidelines in one or more ICS positions, such as Strike Team Leader, Division/Group Supervisor, Operations Section Chief Type 3, or Incident Commander Type 3.
• Qualified under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group guidelines in one or more ICS Section Chief positions.
• Enrollment in the National Fire Academy (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Pre-employment Physical
• Police Background Investigation
• Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ)