Demo

Fire Chief

CITY OF MISSOULA
Missoula, MT Full Time
POSTED ON 4/2/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/1/2025
Salary

$171,523.00 - $182,022.00 Annually

Location

Missoula, Montana

Job Type

Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

00501

Department

Fire Department

Opening Date

03/05/2025

Closing Date

4/6/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

Overview

The City of Missoula is seeking a proven leader to serve as its next Fire Chief, guiding a dedicated team of professionals in a growing and progressive fire department. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for overseeing all fire department operations, including fire suppression, emergency medical and mental health crisis response, hazardous materials incidents, fire prevention, public education, and training. The Fire Chief also serves as a member of the Mayor's Senior Leadership Team working with all departments in areas such as community growth and planning, behavioral health, and crisis intervention. The Fire Chief will play a crucial role in shaping the department's and the community's future while ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.

About Missoula

Missoula, widely recognized as one of the most livable cities in the U.S., offers a unique blend of natural beauty, strong community spirit, and a rich cultural scene. The community is known for its strong local economy, entrepreneurship, and educational opportunities, with the University of Montana as a key asset. Beyond work and study, Missoula offers abundant recreational activities, including world-class outdoor adventures, sporting events, and a vibrant arts and culture scene.

About The Missoula Fire Department

The Missoula Fire Department was founded in 1887. Today, the department has 120 personnel and staff 5 stations and encompass six divisions:

  • Administration - Provides department leadership and oversight.
  • Operations - Provides public services response through five stations staffed 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week with an engine company.
  • Health and Wellness Programs - Provides support to the community and our personnel through the Mobile Support Team, the Peer Support Team.
  • Fire Prevention Bureau - Provides development review, inspection, education and incident cause investigation.
  • Maintenance - Provides in-house service and repairs to our facilities and equipment.
  • Training and EMS - Provides safe practices and techniques for operations staff.

At the heart of the department's mission is the commitment to service:

"Save lives, protect property, ease pain and suffering."

About The Role

As Fire Chief, you will develop and implement strategic plans, optimize resource deployment, and collaborate with city leaders and public safety agencies to enhance emergency services. You will be responsible for building a culture centered around community priorities, managing budgets, updating policies, innovating emergency operations, and ensuring the department meets the highest standards of efficiency, preparedness, and safety. This position requires strong leadership, operational expertise, and the ability to inspire and develop teams in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive fire service experience, a proven track record in leadership and emergency management, and the ability to navigate the complexities of municipal government. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Missoula Fire Department and the community it serves.

Join us in leading a dynamic, forward-thinking fire department committed to excellence, innovation, and public safety.

Application Requirements

To be considered for the position of Fire Chief, candidates must submit both an application and a cover letter. The cover letter should specifically address:

  • Why you are interested in becoming the next Chief of Missoula Fire Department.
  • Your vision for the future of the fire service.

Applications without a cover letter addressing these points may not be considered.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 11:59 pm MST

Resumes will not be reviewed. All details should be entered on the application.

Qualifications And Additional Application Materials

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to 10 years of professional fire service experience including fire suppression and emergency medical response work, including shift supervisor or higher-level managerial experience.

This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

Benefits

The City of Missoula will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to:

  • Market-Competitive Salary
  • Work/life balance, including the possibility of flexible schedules and remote work opportunities
  • $0 premium for health and dental coverage for employees and affordable premiums for family coverage
  • $10,000 Employer-sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy
  • Options for supplemental life, disability, critical illness, and accident
  • Constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan with the City contributing 8.77% of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program
  • Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  • Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
  • The City of Missoula may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.

Additional Benefits Package Information Is Available Here.

01

Did you attach your cover letter to complete your application?

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Employer City of Missoula

Address 435 Ryman Street

Human Resources

Missoula, Montana, 59802

Phone 406-552-6130

Website https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/

Salary : $171,523 - $182,022

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Fire Chief?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Fire Chief career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$85,467 - $107,082
Income Estimation: 
$93,725 - $113,663
Income Estimation: 
$85,467 - $107,082
Income Estimation: 
$93,725 - $113,663
Income Estimation: 
$34,241 - $43,247
Income Estimation: 
$63,211 - $86,677
Income Estimation: 
$45,833 - $56,838
Income Estimation: 
$69,185 - $95,783
Income Estimation: 
$93,725 - $113,663
Income Estimation: 
$114,334 - $128,441
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at CITY OF MISSOULA

CITY OF MISSOULA
Hired Organization Address Missoula, MT Full Time
Join the City of Missoula's Public Works & Mobility Department as a Surface Transportation EIT/Engineer and play a cruci...
CITY OF MISSOULA
Hired Organization Address Missoula, MT Full Time
Are you a tech-savvy problem solver with a passion for optimizing software systems? The City of Missoula is seeking a So...
CITY OF MISSOULA
Hired Organization Address Missoula, MT Full Time
Are y ou ready to make a meaningful impact on your community while working in a dynamic and essential role? The City of ...
CITY OF MISSOULA
Hired Organization Address Missoula, MT Temporary
Join Our Team as a Recreation Customer Experience Representative! Missoula Parks & Recreation is seeking enthusiastic an...

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Fire Chief jobs in the Missoula, MT area that may be a better fit.

Fire Sprinkler Technician

Summit Fire & Security, Missoula, MT

Fire Suppression Technician

Summit Fire & Security, Belgrade, MT

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!