Intra-division Assistant Fire Chief

INTRA-DIVISION

JOB OPENING

CITY OF FARMINGTON

JOB POSTING #179: Intra-division Assistant Fire Chief

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 1

DEPARTMENT: Fire Department

WORK LOCATION: Varied

DAYS WORKED: Fire Admin Schedule

PAY RANGE: $105,342 - $163,822 annually

PAY GRADE: S

TYPE OF POSITION: Regular, Full-Time

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGH: Friday, October 23rd, 2026

JOB DUTIES

Resumes submitted without a City of Farmington Application will not be considered in our job selection process.

Position Summary

The Assistant Chief serves as the Department's Chief Administrative Officer and principal executive responsible for coordinating the daily administration of all Fire Department divisions. Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Assistant Chief translates strategic goals into operational plans while providing executive oversight of the Deputy Chief of Operations, Fire Marshal, Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, and other assigned divisions.

The Assistant Chief ensures organizational alignment between emergency operations, administration, fiscal management, planning, performance improvement, and community risk reduction. Through collaborative leadership, the Assistant Chief coordinates departmental priorities, allocates organizational resources, monitors performance, and ensures all divisions operate toward common strategic objectives.

The Assistant Chief serves as Acting Fire Chief during the Fire Chief's absence unless otherwise designated.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Directs and coordinates all department divisions through subordinate chief officers and managers.

Coordinates organizational priorities between Operations, Prevention, Administration, Finance, and Support Services.

Ensure departmental initiatives remain aligned with the Fire Chief's strategic direction

Establish executive priorities and monitor implementation thought the organization.

Assists the fire chief in executive management of the department

Coordinates implementation of strategic initiatives.

Oversee department-wide administrative services.

Development and maintain departmental policies.

Monitors organizational performance.

Leads organizational improvement initiatives.

Provides executive staff support to the Fire Chief.

Serve as a key advisor to the Fire Chief, assisting in the development and implementation of the department's mission, vision, and long-range strategic goals.

Lead administrative planning sessions, coordinate annual performance objectives, and align departmental goals with City of Farmington priorities.

Monitor performance metrics and accreditation standards (such as CFAI/CPSE) to ensure continuous improvement and accountability.

Direct administrative staff in the preparation of reports, studies, and recommendations for executive decision-making.

Provide leadership in organizational change management, ensuring smooth adoption of new policies, technologies, and operational models.

Budget & Finance:

Develop, present, and manage the department's annual operating and capital improvement budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with city guidelines.

Analyze financial trends, identify budget variances, and recommend corrective actions to maintain fiscal stability.

Oversee procurement, purchasing, and contract management; ensure compliance with city and state procurement codes.

Direct the preparation of grant applications and oversee management of awarded funds, ensuring proper tracking and reporting.

Provide financial projections for fleet replacement, facility upgrades, and technology investments, and advise leadership on long-term capital planning.

Review and authorize expenditures within established approval authority.

Human Resources & Personnel Management:

Oversee recruitment, selection, and promotional processes in collaboration with the City's Human Resources Department.

Ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws, city personnel rules, and collective bargaining agreements.

Administer employee discipline and grievance processes in accordance with established policy and labor agreements.

Lead workforce planning and succession planning initiatives to ensure a sustainable leadership pipeline.

Direct employee wellness and retention programs, focusing on reducing turnover, enhancing morale, and supporting behavioral health.

Collaborate with Training Division to ensure career development opportunities and compliance with Applicable NFPA standards.

Policy & Compliance:

Develop, review, and revise department policies, Guidelines and Procedures (G&P's) and administrative procedures to maintain compliance with NFPA, OSHA, ISO, and state standards.

Conduct audits and evaluations to ensure compliance with city, state, and federal regulations.

Lead the department's risk management and liability reduction programs, including insurance claims, incident reviews, and corrective actions.

Coordinate compliance with OSHA's respiratory protection, hazardous communication, and bloodborne pathogen standards.

Ensure that records management systems comply with local and state records retention laws.

Serve as the department's compliance officer during external audits and accreditation reviews.

Community & Interagency Relations:

Act as a representative of the Fire Chief at city council meetings, interdepartmental committees, and regional emergency planning groups.

Build partnerships with neighboring fire departments, law enforcement, EMS providers, hospitals, and community organizations to enhance emergency response and community risk reduction.

Represent the department in mutual aid and automatic aid agreements, ensuring equitable resource sharing.

Support and promote community outreach initiatives, such as fire prevention week, public safety education, and business community engagement.

Collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies during disaster preparedness, response, planning, and recovery efforts.

Provides a variety of complex administrative, managerial, and professional work in coordinating and directing the activities of the Division of Operations as well as staff assistance to the Fire Chief.

Responds to major emergencies and may assume command, operations or safety of field operations; performs a management role in the direction of assigning personnel and equipment at the scene of emergencies involving fire, all types of accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and lifesaving and rescue work.

Operates a motor vehicle to assist in carrying out the business of the Department and the City.

Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.

Serves as the acting Fire Chief as assigned, acts on behalf of the Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief.

Non-essential duties:

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The functions and requirements of this job are subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern principles and practices of fire service administration, including budgeting, human resources, facilities and fleet management, labor relations, emergency preparedness, and compliance with NFPA, OSHA, and ISO standards.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing fire service operations, personnel management, and municipal administration.
• Skill in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational leadership, with the ability to manage complex projects and competing priorities.
• Skill in financial management, including budget preparation, capital planning, procurement, and grant administration.
• Proficient in communication, both written and verbal-sufficient to prepare reports, present to elected officials, and build partnerships with community stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze data, evaluate performance, and implement improvements that support efficiency, accountability, and accreditation.
• Ability to lead, coach, and mentor personnel across all levels of the organization, foster teamwork, inclusivity, and professional development.
• Ability to maintain composure, exercise sound judgment, and make timely decisions under pressure, especially during emergencies or politically sensitive situations.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is subject to the City of Farmington Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy which includes pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Extensive background checks required.

The employee must meet initial medical requirements as outlined in NMAC Reg. 11.5.2.10 C (4), and maintain annual medical requirements outlined in NMAC Reg. 11.5.2.10 C (5) and (6).

Employees in this position are considered confidential. Must maintain the utmost confidentiality in dealing with employee records and business information.

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience within a career fire department, with at least ten (10) years of supervisory experience and an increasing level of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
• Minimum requirement of a bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, or a related field.
• Preference may be given to individuals with a master's degree in a related field and/or to individuals who have completed or are currently enrolled in the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program.
• Must have considerable experience in all phases of Fire Department operations and thorough knowledge of modern firefighting practices, NFPA standards, ISO evaluations, inspection techniques, building and fire codes, and fire prevention practices.
• Must have knowledge and experience in the principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Must have knowledge of fire administrative procedures and applicable federal, state, and city regulations related to purchasing and procurement.
• Must have the ability to analyze complex fire service and personnel problems and situations and devise effective and reasonable courses of action.
• Must be able to react quickly, calmly, and with good judgment under emergency conditions.
• Must have good oral and written communication skills and the ability to plan, supervise, and coordinate the work of subordinates.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, and the public.
• Must have a valid driver's license applicable to operate fire apparatus within the state of New Mexico, and able to obtain within 6 months. Must have an acceptable driving record for the past three years.
• Must reside within 15 miles of Farmington city limits.
• Experience must be in an organization equal in size or greater than Farmington Fire Department.
• Must have IFSAC certification in Fire Officer II or equivalent.
• Must be able to obtain a New Mexico EMT-Basic or higher within the first year of employment.
• Must be fluent with "Blue Card command" and have a strong understanding in all areas of the Incident Command System.
• Incident Command System certifications through FEMA (ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800) required.
• MGT-314 Enhanced All-Hazard Incident Management/Unified Command required.
• MGT-346 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Operations and Planning for All-Hazards required.

Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Emergency medical equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, computer, printer, and phone.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in offices, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergencies and stressful situations. The individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, and oils. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an emergency scene.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS:

May be any or all of the following: written examination; assessment center; tactical exercise; oral interviews.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F/D/V

Current Openings for Intra division Assistant Fire Chief Jobs at City of Farmington