Salary : $85,000.00 - $124,009.60 Annually
Location : Winchester, VA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Department: Fire and Rescue Department
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 10/1/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Description
The Fire & Rescue Captain is responsible for middle management leadership and assigned as the station commander for their designated station. In addition to supervisory and logistical responsibilities, Captains function in an operational assignment to respond to medical, fire, hazardous material, technical rescue, and other hazardous events. During these events, Captains provide working supervision for the incident commander to accomplish command and control and manage the appropriate actions to mitigate the emergency and care for sick and injured. Captains also serve as the shift training coordinator and direct and lead subordinates in associated duties including training, pre-incident planning, public education, and equipment and facility maintenance. Work is often performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves considerable hazards. Captains are required to maintain appropriate training and proficiency to serve in an acting Battalion Chief capacity and will serve as the primary fill-in as needed.

All Captains are subject to emergency recall during times of operational need. Examples of operational need include, but are not limited to, staffing shortages, weather events, multi-alarm fires, hazardous material incidents, and acts of terrorism. These events may require the Fire Captain to work multiple consecutive shifts.

Salary starts at $85,000, based on experience. Employees earn holiday pay and a minimum of 19 hours of PTO per month based on relevant government experience.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as a direct supervisor for their assigned station and provides oversight of the station and personnel activities
• Conducts performance evaluations on assigned subordinates
• Supervises daily station operations by scheduling personnel, assigning duties and tasks, overseeing station and equipment maintenance, directing station operations, maintaining records, ordering supplies, and preparing correspondence
• Develops personnel by creating, implementing, and maintaining a shift training program while providing direct instruction, evaluation, counseling, and discipline. Maintains and updates personnel records.
• Maintains communication with their shift Battalion Chief for guidance and supervision on various tasks and responsibilities
• Serves as a primary backup Battalion Chief based on operational need
• Responds to medical emergencies and participates in and directs the delivery of basic and advanced life support procedures in accordance with local protocols
• Responds to fire scenes. Participates and directs the application of water and/or chemical agents to control and extinguish fires and the performance of search and rescue, forcible entry, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul.
• Responsible for ensuring that an initial cause and origin are determined at all fire incidents.
• Responds to hazardous materials emergencies (accidental or intentional) to participate in and/or direct effective hazard control strategies
• Responds to technical rescue emergencies (accidental or intentional) to participate in and/or direct and manage effective hazard control strategies
• Responds to hazardous conditions and general service calls to participate in and/or direct and manage effective hazard control strategies. Provides salvage and recovery support to owners and/or occupants of damaged properties
• Drives and operates emergency apparatus based on operational need
• Supervises and assists with fire prevention inspections and activities
• Participates in continuing education training and instructional programs by individual study of technical material and attendance at scheduled drills and classes
• Performs continuous quality improvement (CQI) reviews of EMS and fire reports
• Conducts public safety programs and tours of fire and rescue stations and grounds as needed
• Performs special projects as assigned
• Participates in and maintains good physical condition as prescribed in the Department's Physical Conditioning and Wellness Program
• Contributes to a positive work environment
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Minimum of 1 year as a company officer within a career department
• Any education equivalent to an associate's degree is required.
• Associate's degree in Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, or other applicable field (e.g. emergency management, leadership, business administration) or Bachelor's degree is preferred
• Certification requirements
  • Valid driver's license
  • Virginia Department of Fire Programs recognized certifications in - Fire Officer Level 2, Fire Instructor Level 2, Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Level 3, Driver/Operator Pumper (DPO), Driver/Operator Aerial (DAO), Mayday Firefighter Down, and Hazardous Materials Operations
  • Current certification as a Virginia Office of EMS (OEMS) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Paramedic. (preferred). Captains must maintain their OEMS certification and can be cleared by the EMS Physician to function as an attendant in charge.
  • NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
  • ICS 300 and 400

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Ability to effectively supervise others during emergencies and non-emergency situations.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency medical services, rescue, fire prevention, fire suppression, fire cause and origin, and hazardous materials mitigation.
• Ability to learn and maintain knowledge of departmental rules and regulations, local geography, safety hazards, firefighting, and rescue resources.
• Thorough knowledge of the use and maintenance of firefighting and emergency medical service equipment and apparatus.

This position is eligible for benefits. To view out benefit packet click
01

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have an associate's degree in Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, or other applicable field (Emergency Management, Leadership, Business Administration)?

• Yes
• No

03

Describe any education or experience you have that may be considered equivalent to an associates degree?
04

Do you have a minimum of one year experience as a Company Officer within a career department?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have a VDFP recognized certification in Fire Officer Level 2?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have a VDFP recognized certification in Fire Instructor Level 2?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a VDFP recognized certification in Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Level 3?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have a VDFP recognized certification in Driver/Operator Pumper (DPO)?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have a VDFP recognized certification in Driver/Operator Aerial (DAO)?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have a VDFP recognized certification in Mayday Firefighter Down?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you have a VDFP recognized certification in Hazardous Materials Operations?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have a current certification as a Virginia Office of EMS (OEMS) recognized Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Paramedic?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you completed NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800 training?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you completed ICS 300 and 400 training?

• Yes
• No

15

Did you provide at least two professional references in your application?

• Yes
• No

16

In order to be considered for this position, certifications and a resume must be attached to this application. Applicants who do not attach certifications will be automatically rejected from this position. Do you understand?

• Yes
• No

Required Question