District Chief

Salary: $90,020.31 - $144,032.58 Annually
Location : City of Safety Harbor, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: 11/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

General Description and Hiring Rate

Under the general direction of the Fire Chief or designee, manages the Fire Department by directing and coordinating all shift operations and by planning, directing, and supervising subordinate staff. These management duties account for more than fifty percent (50%) of the responsibilities of the position. Serves as incident commander at emergency scenes in accordance with City codes and Departmental policies. Performs additional functions in areas of EMS, Training, and Operations. Implements policies and procedures and helps maintain communication between administration and fire personnel. Exercises significant independent judgement and initiative in carrying out these duties.
Essential Job Functions

• Plans, directs, supervises, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff. Schedules shift coverage and coordinates vehicle and equipment maintenance. Completes performance evaluations and issues disciplinary action or commendations as warranted.
• Provides leadership, direction, and supervision of the Department's emergency medical services operations to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care in accordance with established medical protocols, Department policies, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Provides guidance, coaching, and mentoring to subordinate officers, firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics regarding clinical expectations, patient care responsibilities, professional development, and EMS operational procedures.
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of emergency medical personnel, including Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics, to ensure compliance with established standards of patient care, operational readiness, and professional conduct.
• Oversees the Department's EMS quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) program, including the review of patient care reports, evaluation of clinical performance, identification of deficiencies, and implementation of corrective actions and performance improvement initiatives.
• Monitors compliance with Pinellas County EMS protocols, medical direction requirements, and established patient care standards. Coordinates with the Department's Medical Director, Pinellas County EMS Medical Control, and other EMS system stakeholders regarding clinical performance, operational concerns, and changes in medical procedures.
• Participates in EMS-related committees, task forces, and meetings to represent the Department, evaluate system performance, and assist in developing and implementing improvements to emergency medical services.
• Oversees the management, accountability, inventory, security, and distribution of medications and medical supplies, including controlled substances, in accordance with established protocols and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensures the Department maintains accurate EMS documentation, patient care records, medication accountability records, and other documentation necessary for regulatory compliance, inspections, audits, and quality assurance activities.
• Identifies EMS training needs through incident reviews, performance evaluations, protocol updates, and quality assurance findings. Coordinates with Department training personnel to ensure EMS personnel maintain required certifications, competencies, and continuing education.
• Responds to emergency medical incidents and provides operational supervision, incident command, and coordination of personnel and resources during complex medical emergencies, mass casualty incidents, and other significant events.
• Evaluates EMS operational effectiveness, including response performance, personnel readiness, equipment availability, patient care delivery, and coordination with transporting ambulance services and other public safety agencies.
• Assists with annual budget preparation.
• Responsibility for drug inventory including dispense and delivery in accordance with Pinellas County protocols.
• Directs, coordinates, and supervises response to major and/or severe incidents. May be required to participate in fire suppression activities.
• Documents daily activities, investigates incidents, writes reports. Prepares other records as required. Inspects station, vehicles, and equipment for cleanliness and proper maintenance.

These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related marginal duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

• Ability to provide effective leadership and supervision to EMS personnel while maintaining accountability for clinical performance, professional conduct, and compliance with established standards.
• Demonstrated experience supervising emergency medical personnel and coordinating EMS operations within a fire-based or comparable emergency medical services organization.
• Knowledge of emergency medical services administration, clinical quality assurance, medical direction, patient care reporting, medication accountability, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience evaluating EMS personnel performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing corrective actions to maintain established patient care standards.
• Knowledge of modern emergency medical services delivery systems, including advanced life support operations, medical direction, quality assurance, and clinical performance evaluation.
• Ability to analyze EMS operational and clinical performance data, identify trends, and recommend improvements to patient care and service delivery.
• Ability to effectively supervise personnel operating at different levels of emergency medical certification and ensure compliance with established medical protocols.
• Experience coordinating and communicating with medical directors, EMS agencies, ambulance transport providers, hospitals, and other emergency response organizations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment when managing complex medical emergencies, evaluating patient care concerns, and addressing EMS operational issues.
• Knowledge of Department rules, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of fire suppression procedures, techniques, and practices. Knowledge of emergency medical care procedures.
• Knowledge of incident command principles as they relate to complex medical incidents, mass casualty incidents, and multiagency emergency responses.
• Knowledge of fire protection district and adjacent area geography.
• Knowledge of modern leadership methods and techniques. Ability to supervise and direct the work of a number of subordinates.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, co-workers, and the community.
• Ability to maintain a variety of records and write reports. Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Associates of Science degree, or greater in fire science, or another related field from an accredited college or university, or the ability to obtain within an agreed upon timeframe from date of promotion; three (3) years of current active experience as a Company Officer with the City of Safety Harbor or another Fire Department. State of Florida Firefighter Minimum Standards Certification; State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Certification; State of Florida Fire Officer II Certification, or the ability to obtain FO II Certification within an agreed upon timeframe from date of promotion. Valid Florida driver's license.

ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Possession of current State of Florida Paramedic certification (Pinellas County Certified Paramedic preferred).
• Experience providing emergency medical care in a fire-based EMS system, including the application of established medical protocols, patient assessment, emergency treatment, and coordination of patient transportation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of EMS quality assurance processes, patient care documentation, clinical performance standards, and continuing education requirements.
• Experience in EMS program administration, personnel development, clinical oversight, or EMS quality improvement is preferred.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Reaching, bending, heavy lifting
• Use of fingers, use of hands. Sitting, standing, climbing
• Ability to access, input and retrieve information and data from a computer.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Works inside and outside. Works in hazardous weather and other conditions.

The City of Safety Harbor offers an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, which may include health, dental, and vision coverage; retirement and deferred compensation plans; flexible spending accounts; life insurance; long-term disability; 12 paid holidays; vacation and sick leave; and tuition reimbursement.

For complete details, please refer to the