Salary: $121,138.00 - $147,420.00 Annually
Location : Varies, different locations in Hanover County, VA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:Department: Fire/EMS
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
DescriptionGeneral Description: This is an administrative position. The incumbent is responsible for the provision of fire and medical services and performs complex tasks to manage an assigned division.
Organization: The Battalion Chief reports to an Assistant Chief and supervises officers and civilians of the Fire and EMS Department.
Essential Functions:
- Supervises employees, performing related human resources functions and completing necessary paperwork.
- Assists with the formulation of the annual operating budget.
- Develops division plans and operating procedures as needed.
- May develop and implement new training curriculum.
- May inspect and conduct investigations for Fire Prevention, Fire Hazards and General Compliance.
- Responds to alarms of fires, hazardous materials incidents, and medical emergencies.
- Fosters volunteer involvement and membership to support a combination career and volunteer system.
- Performs related work as assigned.
Working Conditions:
- Hazards
- May be exposed to all hazards associated with firefighting, EMS, and hazardous materials incidents
B. Environment
- Office
- Field -Routine exposure to adverse weather, dust, smoke, noise, and fumes
C. Physical Effort
- Must be able to perform physically demanding tasks in all-weather situations
D. Exempt
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must possess considerable knowledge of modern principles and techniques of firefighting, EMS training, fire prevention and working knowledge of Virginia Codes, equipment, training techniques, and personnel management. Must have the ability to prepare written and electronic reports and be able to make quick, sound judgments in all situations.
Education, Experience and Training: Associate degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management or related field preferred, with a Bachelors' degree desired. Must have 8 years as a full-time Hanover Fire EMS employee, at least 3 years as a supervisor, and rank of Captain with Hanover Fire EMS. Any equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities is acceptable.
Special Conditions:
- Criminal Records Check, including fingerprinting
- Must obtain valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of employment to be eligible to operate a county vehicle
- Twelve-month probationary period
- Pre-employment Physical Examination & Drug Test and repeated regularly thereafter
- Work beyond normal work schedule
- Essential staff designation
- Must wear uniform
- Maintain section specific certification requirements
- Shall perform work at his/her VA Certified EMS provider level of training (EMT-B, EMT-Enhanced, EMT-I, EMT-P), upon clearance by department Operational Medical Director (OMD).
- This position is subject to the department's on-call procedures.
Special Instructions to Applicants Each candidate must submit four components as part of a complete application: a cover letter (no more than one page), a professional resume (no more than two pages), and responses to a four-part essay question embedded directly within the NeoGov application and the signed confidentiality agreement.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring all required certifications and credentials are current at the time of application.
Supplemental InformationLate or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Applications are due November 20, 2026, by 11:59 PM.Your complete application requires four additional components: a cover letter, a resume, responses to a four-part essay question, and a signed confidentiality agreement. These four components should be uploaded and attached to your application. The essay question is located within the application.
1. Cover Letter
Maximum length: one page.
The cover letter must be dated with the application closing date (the final date applications are accepted for this posting).
The cover letter must be addressed to the Fire Chief and should briefly introduce your candidacy for the position.
2. Resume
Maximum length: two pages.
Your resume must include your full legal name and a daytime phone number where you can be reached.
Your resume should reflect your relevant professional experience, certifications required for this role, and education.
3. Essay Question
Your response to the essay question should be uploaded and attached to your application. Do not write your response on the application.
4. Confidentiality Agreement
Use the link below, to download, sign, upload and attach with the rest of your components.
01
A Battalion Chief sits between the senior leadership team and the company officers and crews who carry out the work. Address each of the following four parts to describe how you will lead from that position.Part A. Describe a specific time you were responsible for carrying out a decision or direction you disagreed with, or that was unpopular with the people you led. What was the decision, where did you stand on it, and what did you do? What was the outcome for the organization and for your people?Part B. Looking back, what would you do differently, and what did that experience teach you about the difference between leading a company and leading other leaders?Part C. Identify the most significant challenge you believe Fire-EMS will face over the next three to five years. Explain how a Battalion Chief, and specifically you, would contribute to meeting it. Describe the actions you would take and the outcomes you would expect to see.Part D. What will you need to stop doing, start doing, or let go of to be effective as a Battalion Chief?Maximum Response Length: 1,800 words. Use specific examples with enough detail to show what you did and what resulted. Do not name or identify other individuals.
Required Question
