Deputy Fire Chief of Fire Operations

Salary : $151,256.60 - $193,046.00 Annually
Location : Lausmann Annex Building, 200 South Ivy Street, Medford, OR
Job Type: Full-Time (with benefits)
Job Number:
Department: Fire
Division: Operations
Opening Date: 10/21/2026
Closing Date: 11/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented & Management

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the department's largest division, serve as a key member of the Fire Chief's Executive Team, and make a meaningful impact on emergency operations, operational readiness, and the people who serve our community.

We're looking for a collaborative, approachable leader who brings strong operational experience, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to developing others. From mentoring Battalion Chiefs and strengthening regional partnerships to advancing operational excellence and continuous improvement, your leadership will help shape the future of Medford Fire.

Ready to make a lasting impact? We'd love to hear from you!
Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; and

• Fifteen (15) years of progressive responsible firefighting and fire department-related emergency medical service activities, including a minimum of five (5) years in a supervisory or leadership role, of which at least one (1) year must be at the rank of Battalion Chief or an equivalent rank.
• A bachelor's degree in Fire Suppression or EMS, or other specific area of study as deemed applicable may substitute for four (4) years of the required experience.
• An associate's degree in Fire Suppression or EMS may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.
• Education substitutions apply only to the overall experience requirement and do not reduce or replace the minimum five (5) years of supervisory or leadership experience or the one (1) year of experience at the rank of Battalion Chief or an equivalent rank.

Required License(s) and Certifications:

• Valid, current Oregon Driver's License and safe driving record.
• The following certifications must be obtained through DPSST, NFPA and/or another nationally recognized organization within one year of appointment:
  
  • Firefighter II
  • NFPA Fire Officer IV
  • NFPA Instructor II
  • NFPA Advanced Wildland Firefighter Interface 1 (FFT1)
  • NFPA Incident Safety Officer
  • ICS 400

Available Schedule:

• 9-80 (nine-hour workdays with a three-day weekend every other week)

Compensation & Information on Benefits
This position is part of the Non-Represented employee group.

Learn more about our benefits HERE.
Additional Compensation & Benefits
This position may be eligible for up to 10% in additional pay based on qualifying education and professional credentials:

• Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science: 5%
• Associate Degree in Fire Science: 2.5%
• FEMA Executive Fire Officer: 5%
• DPSST Fire Service Administrative Certificate or DPSST Fire Officer IV: 5%

Additional Benefits:

• $65 cell phone stipend
• City-issued vehicle

The anticipated hiring range for the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations position is $72.72(first step) to $76.36or $80.17(second or third step).The City of Medford determines starting pay based on an evaluation of relevant education, experience, andqualifications as provided by the applicant in their application materials, alongside others who perform work of comparable character consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Six steps are included in this salary range, allowing opportunity for annual movement through the steps.

Healthcare Benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental benefits for employee and family, paid at 100% by the City with the opportunity to buy-up to a lower deductible plan
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance - policy value of $50,000 paid by the City
• Long-term disability insurance provided by the City
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA-VEBA) contributions provided by the City

Retirement Benefits:

• Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) lifetime pension after retirement at no cost to employee
• PERS is 100% fully paid as the City pays both the employer and the employee's (6%) contributions
• Deferred Compensation retirement plan (Section 457 Plan) for employee's retirement planning

Additional Benefits:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• The City's Wellness Program promotes physical, social, emotional, intellectual, financial and environmental wellness with various goals and challenges to participate in throughout the year. Employees may qualify for wellness incentives by completing milestones set within the program up to $200 annually
• Access to the City's fully equipped fitness center 24/7

Examples of Job Duties

Essential Functions of the Position:

• Directly supervises, coaches, mentors, and evaluates assigned Battalion Chiefs and program managers. Exercises overall management responsibility for Operations personnel through the established chain of command. Establishes consistent expectations across shifts and holds subordinate supervisors accountable for operational readiness, personnel performance, and implementation of Department policies and procedures.
• Directs daily operational staffing, station coverage, company deployment, callbacks, overtime deployment, and resource movement within approved staffing plans, budgets, labor agreements, and delegated authority.
• Leads the operational components of standards of cover and community risk assessments. Evaluates response performance, coverage, workload, and resource availability; recommends deployment and service-delivery improvements to the Fire Chief.
• Performs incident command and other ICS assignments consistent with qualifications, Department policy, and assigned responsibilities. Directs operational training through the assigned training Battalion Chief and specialty personnel. Establishes operational competencies, training priorities, performance standards, and qualification requirements, including acting-in-capacity assignments. Evaluates training effectiveness and ensures identified performance gaps and incident lessons inform future training.
• Oversees emergency medical response readiness and operational performance, coordinating with assigned EMS personnel, medical direction, and regional response partners to support consistent practices and continuous improvement.
• Establishes and reinforces incident safety practices and operational risk-management expectations. Uses incident reviews, after-action findings, training evaluations, and operational data to identify deficiencies, implement corrective actions, and evaluate results.
• Defines operational reporting and dispatch-performance requirements and uses validated information to assess service delivery and inform decisions. Collaborates with Administration on data quality, reporting, analytics, and technology support.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates operational procedures, response plans, incident-management practices, and mutual and automatic aid arrangements within delegated authority. Serves as the Department's operational liaison to regional fire and EMS agencies and coordinates joint response practices and training.
• Defines operational communications requirements, response procedures, and dispatch-performance needs in coordination with Administration and the dispatch agency.
• Establishes operational specifications, capability requirements, readiness standards, and replacement priorities for apparatus, equipment, protective gear, and training facilities. Collaborates with Administration on funding, procurement, contracting, maintenance coordination, and lifecycle planning.
• Develops and justifies Operations Division budget requests, monitors assigned expenditures and evaluates staffing and service-delivery impacts. Coordinates with Administration and the Office Administrator on budget preparation, forecasting, financial reporting, and purchasing requirements.

• Advises the Fire Chief on service delivery, organizational needs, strategic priorities, and operational risks. Leads assigned initiatives and coordinates matters affecting both divisions. Refers department-wide policy, significant fiscal impacts, labor strategy, organizational changes, and unresolved cross-divisional issues to the Fire Chief.
• Coordinates assigned airport emergency-response planning and serves as the Department's operational liaison to airport personnel.
• Assists with labor/management relations activities, such as:
  • Participating in internal investigations of subordinates.
  • Interpreting and administering the collective bargaining agreement.
  • Assisting in a confidential capacity to management staff and Human Resources in the formulation, determination and effectuation of management policies regarding collective bargaining.
• Completes designated job tasks, special projects, and all other duties as assigned to meet team, department, and City goals while working cooperatively, efficiently, and productively in a team environment.
• Actively demonstrates high levels of employee engagement, accountability, coachability, and responsibility for personal performance and results.
• Serves as Acting Fire Chief when designated, participates in the duty-officer rotation, and performs assigned Emergency Operations Center duties.
• The scope of the assigned responsibilities may vary based on departmental structure and at the discretion of the Fire Chief or designee.

Other Functions of the Position:

• Approaches training opportunities with active engagement and curiosity, while learning and exhibiting understanding of City policies, protocols, and performance expectations.
• Pursues professional development opportunities to add value to the city, including learning, adopting, and quickly adapting to new techniques, technologies, and industry practices.
• Actively demonstrates accountability and responsibility for both work product results and the impact behaviors and decisions may have on the ability of others to do their jobs well.
• Receives, interprets, and implements job-related instruction, guidance, coaching, and training (both formal and informal) while progressively improving skills and overall success in performing assigned duties. When issues of poor performance or negative behaviors are raised, incorporate feedback in a constructive manner that demonstrates understanding of the concern and an ability and willingness to achieve the required consistent and sustained improvement.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Handles job stress and interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
• Fosters an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.
• Is an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.

Competencies:

Problem Solving & Decision Making- Requires sound judgment during emergencies and in daily management. Uses operational data, identifies underlying causes, evaluates alternatives, and makes timely decisions about staffing, deployment, readiness, and safety.

Strategic Thinking- Connects daily operations with the Department's long-term direction. Anticipates service demands, evaluates deployment models, and recommends sustainable improvements in response capability.

Talent Development-Directly supports supervision of Battalion Chiefs and oversight of training. Emphasizes coaching, performance evaluation, acting-in-capacity qualifications, and preparing personnel for greater responsibility.

Communicativeness-Establishes consistent expectations across shifts and maintains timely information exchange with the Fire Chief, Administration, Training, and regional partners. Supports an engaged, accessible, and responsive leadership approach.
High Standards-Establishes expectations for operational readiness, training, incident performance, and accountability. Reinforces consistent daily practices and uses lessons learned and industry best practices to improve service.

Work Environment & Physical Demands: Work is performed in office and field settings, including fire stations, vehicles, training locations, and emergency scenes. Office duties involve typical office noise and distractions, computer work, meetings, and interaction with employees, outside agencies, and the public. Fieldwork may expose the employee to adverse weather, extreme heat or cold, traffic hazards, moving equipment, and uneven or slippery surfaces. Exposure may include smoke, fumes, dust, gases, chemicals, potentially infectious materials, electrical hazards, vibration, poor visibility, and loud noise. Requires timely decisions under pressure and interaction with distressed or disruptive individuals.

Requires periods of sitting, standing, walking, and repetitive motions associated with computer and office work. Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, balance, walk over uneven terrai