Division Fire Chief

Salary: $142,230.40 - $190,611.20 Annually
Location : City of Watsonville, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 10/26/2026
Closing Date: 11/6/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

JOB SUMMARY:
Under general direction, assists in planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the functions of the City's Fire Department; directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Operations Division within the Fire Department; may act as an Incident Commander or as a member of an Incident Command Team during emergencies or disasters; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; serves as the Fire Chief in their absence; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Chief.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This job class serves at a management level classification and serves as a member of the fire department management team. The Division Chief will be assigned projects and programs that involve interaction with fire personnel, other City personnel and other agencies to accomplish the desired outcome in an effective and efficient fashion. This position is also an active participant in the emergency response mission of the Fire Department.

Examples of Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• The following duties are performed personally, in cooperation with the City Manager, and/or in coordination with other City employees, operating partners, community groups, and other public and private organizations. Additional duties may be assigned.
• Assists in the management of all Fire Department services and activities.
• Assumes management responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Operations Division within the Fire Department including managing daily staffing and developing specifications, testing, and maintenance policy.
• Provides for and implements communications, radios, paging, mobile data computers, personal computers, telephones, alarm configuration and reporting, wireless communications systems and new or emerging technologies.
• Provides internal logistics such as fire equipment, fleet, communications programs, orders equipment, tracks purchases and provides logistical support.
• Monitors, reports and oversees daily, weekly and monthly maintenance compliance.
• Coordinates and facilitates facility maintenance, repairs, remodeling, expansion or construction.
• Tracks and maintains performance requirement data such as response times, public educations contacts, target hazard pre-incident planning and other criteria
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities for the Operations Division; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training and development; prepares performance appraisals and recommendations for disciplinary actions, wage and salary actions, promotions, and related employment actions.
• Participates in the development and administration of the division's annual budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Analyzes data, researches new methods, and communicates verbally and in writing findings that relate to a project, program or work assignments.
• Effectively interacts with the public, fire personnel and other City employees to solve problems, identify solutions, and implement programs and projects.
• Implements orders, regulations, ordinances and laws that relate to the mission of the Fire Department.
• Ensure the proper maintenance and operation of department equipment and apparatus.
• Reviews and prepares activity reports.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; may represent the Fire Department at various community events, meetings, and EOC activations; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Coordinates assigned activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field fire suppression and prevention; incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Responds to greater alarm emergencies and may serve on the Incident Command Team.
• May command and direct personnel and resources at incidents as Duty Chief or ICS overhead.
• Serves in a leadership role during disaster response and may be requested to serve in a management role in the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• May provide operational coverage as primary incident commander; responding to calls after hours, on weekends and holidays as operationally necessary.
• May serve in a standby capacity outside of normal working hours, responding to incidents within acceptable timeframes.
• May serve on or be deployed to Operational Emergency Services (OES) incidents at the Chief's discretion.
• Serves as acting Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief.
• Performs related duties as required.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices, and techniques of department administration and operation.

• Methods and principles of fire suppression, investigation, and prevention.
• Proper use and operation of firefighting apparatus and equipment.
• Analytical techniques and effective methods of solving problems.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and control..
• Incident command system, hazardous materials recognition, EMS/Paramedic procedures, confined space rescue, urban search and rescue techniques, multi-casualty incidents and wildland fires.
• Cultural awareness, gender, and personnel issues.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, coordinate and assist in the management of a large and diverse department.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower-level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Implement the fire suppression and fire prevention functions of the Fire Department.
• Interpret, explain, and apply fire codes and regulations.
• Prepare a variety of written and oral reports.
• Perform as the Fire Coordinator or other assigned lead role as a member of the City's response team.
• Make effective presentations to department personnel, City Council, and community organizations
• Understand, interpret, and enforce federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, standards, and regulations as they relate to fire and life safety, training standards, fire prevention codes, fire investigation and emergency operations.
• Understand the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS).
• Prepare budget estimates and control expenditures.
• Represent the Fire Department with high standards of ethics, professionalism, and dedication.
• Focus on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Respond to negative feedback appropriately.
• Drive Fire Department vehicles and maintain safe driving record.
• Assume role of acting Fire Chief.
• Think clearly and act decisively under stressful conditions.
• Work under physical and mental pressures in potentially hazardous situations for long periods of time.
• Work long hours in inclement weather at all hours and during emergency response and disaster situations.
• Wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Hear alarms and sirens.
• Wear firefighting gear weighing 50-60 lbs.
• Maintain good physical condition.
• Effectively use radios to communicate.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Typical Qualifications
EDUCATION/TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is:

Education/Training:

Equivalent to an Associate's degree from a properly accredited institution in fire science, public administration, or other related field and successful completion of a state-certified fire academy and other required certification courses. A Bachelor's degree is highly desirable..

Experience:

Seven years of increasingly responsible fire service experience including five years of supervisory or administrative experience at a level comparable to that of a Fire Captain with the City of Watsonville. Three or more years working as a Battalion Chief is highly desirable.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION:

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain Public Safety First Aid and CPR certificates within six months.

Other Requirements:

• Must meet minimum medical requirement defined in NFPA Standard 1582.
• Must demonstrate physical strength, endurance and agility as defined by NFPA Standard 1582 and as applied to the position.
• Must maintain physical fitness according to Departmental Standards.
• Must sign non-tobacco use agreement.
• May be required to complete all required items in applicable task book(s) prior to active duty assignment.
• Bilingual English/Spanish oral skills is highly preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with some travel to various locations to attend meetings or respond to emergency scenes, disasters, or critical incidents; the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and wet and/or humid conditions; occasionally works in high, precarious places; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level is occasionally very loud due to sirens, etc; wear protective apparel including goggles, face protector, aprons, safety shoes, and self-contained breathing apparatus; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to walk, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to occasionally climb and balance; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to verbally communicate to exchange information; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; .and ability to operate and use specialized vehicles and equipment
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Supplemental Information
The candidate selected will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list which normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by the Fire Management bargaining group.

Prior to appointment to the position of Division Fire Chief, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.

City of Watsonville offers excellent medical, dental and vision benefits for the employee and dependents. Benefits also include holidays, vacation, and sick leave. The City offers Public Employees Retirement benefits. Employees shall pay the full employee share of CalPERS contribution.