Assistant Fire Chief

Apply by April 18, 2025.

Full job description & application details: www.camanofire.com/get-involved/careers

Overview
Reporting directly to the Fire Chief, the Assistant Chief of Camano Island Fire and Rescue primarily serves as the district’s Operations supervisor. The Assistant Chief ensures the operational readiness and daily staffing of the Fire District. In this role, the Assistant Chief plans, organizes, and directs fire suppression and emergency medical care efforts, develops and implements policies and procedures, manages personnel, and performs other duties necessary to minimize the loss of life and property and ensure continuity of district operations.

The Assistant Chief supervises the Training Division, EMS operations and Logistics and Supplies. The Assistant Chief will bring a hands-on, visible leadership style, providing engaged support for staff while empowering team members to grow professionally and make decisions in complex or ambiguous situations. They will value and promote flexibility, collaboration, and delegation as essential tools for cultivating future leaders within the organization.

The Assistant Chief is actively involved in building and maintaining relationships with the community, businesses, industry partners, and non-profit organizations. The Assistant Chief represents the department’s vision and mission, fosters partnerships with external agencies, and facilitates communication to strengthen the department’s presence and impact within the region.

The Assistant Chief directly supervises the district’s Battalion Chiefs, Training Officer and Medical Services officer, and indirectly supervises all emergency response personnel.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Camano Island Fire & Rescue seeks an experienced and visionary fire service professional with exceptional leadership skills and comprehensive knowledge of fire service operations and EMS. The ideal candidate will possess the organizational skills, drive, and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively lead Camano Island Fire & Rescue into the future, ensuring operational excellence and community trust.

The ideal candidate will possess the organizational skills, drive, and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively lead Camano Island Fire & Rescue into the future, ensuring operational excellence and community trust. They should have a successful track record of proactive program development and the ability to deliver results while fostering accountability and innovation among district personnel.

They will be a proven leader with experience in similar or larger agencies, adept at building positive labor relations and working collaboratively with local & regional elected officials, a Board of Fire Commissioners, and diverse stakeholders. A history of creating a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment characterized by teamwork, empathy, and emotional intelligence is essential.

The ideal Assistant Chief candidate will possess a strong background in fire department administration and operations, emergency incident management, personnel management and supervision, and fire and EMS training and requirements. Experience as an on-scene incident commander in a multi hazard emergency response organization is required. A strong track record of success in managing combination or career fire departments, along with experience in collective bargaining, fleet oversight, training, grants management, and fire prevention, is highly desirable. Information Technology experience and Radio and Emergency Communication systems experience is also highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In the absence of the Fire Chief, assume all functions of the Chief as assigned.
• Evaluate the District's emergency response operations and strategies, recommend and oversee adjustments to ensure operational efficiency and to keep pace with industry standards and practices.
• Lead and grow the District through dynamic leadership, mentorship, positive motivation, and employee development.
• Develop, implement, coordinate, and manage training, operations, facilities, EMS, information technology

Education & Experience

Candidates must have an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Fire Science, Command, Public Administration, or a related field, or possess an equivalent combination of education and experience. A bachelor’s degree is preferred, with additional advanced coursework in Fire Command or Administration considered highly desirable.

Successful completion of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) and/or Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) certification as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) preferred. If not a current graduate, National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) desired enrollment required within 2 years of appointment.

Applicants must have a minimum of ten (10) years of fire service experience, at least five (5) years at the rank of Captain or higher. Demonstrated experience in increasingly responsible fire service management roles is essential.

Must possess or be able to obtain a Washington State driver’s license with a Commercial Endorsement or certification of Emergency Accident Prevention Program training. Driving record must not show any history of license suspension or revocation in any state or territory.

Candidates must obtain an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification with Washington State within one (1) year of hiring.

The Camano Island Community

Camano Island is a rural community of 17,356 residents located 15 minutes west of I-5 on State Route 532. Part of Island County, Camano sits just across the bridge from the town of Stanwood, roughly 60 miles north of Seattle and 30 miles south of Mount Vernon. Camano is a popular location for visitors – many of whom own second homes on the island – and an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Camano is home to two state parks, more than a dozen county parks, miles of hiking trails, public beaches, and fishing and boating opportunities.

About Camano Fire

Camano Island Fire and Rescue serves a year-round population of 17,356 in a 39-square-mile area. The district provides advanced life support and basic life support services, fire prevention, specialty rescue services, and public education. Camano Fire operates four stations, an administration office, and a maintenance facility. On average, the district responds to more than 2,500 calls each year, approximately 70 percent of which are EMS.

The operational team includes 2 Chief Officers, 34 career firefighters (including 3 Battalion Chiefs, 3 Captains and 1 Medical Services Officer), 12 part-time firefighters, and approximately 15-20 volunteer firefighters. The support team includes 2 full-time and 2 part-time administrative staff and 3 maintenance positions.

The district is governed by a board of five Fire Commissioners elected to 6-year terms. The Board of Fire Commissioners is responsible for financial oversight of the district and helps develop its overall strategic plan and its long-term vision. Working closely with the administrative staff, the Board ensures a balanced budget and guides the District through the adoption of policies and procedures. In addition to their work for the residents of Camano Island, Board members are also actively involved in State and County associations that address issues related to the delivery of fire and emergency medical services.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $175,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• Day shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $175,000 - $225,000