Division Chief - Fire Department

City of Fremont | Fremont, CA

Posted Date 7/21/2025
Description

The City of Fremont Fire Department is recruiting for Division Chief.

VIEW OUR RECRUITMENT BROCHURE

This recruitment is open until filled. However, the first review of applications will be FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM (NOON) PST. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered as part of the first review. The recruitment may close without notice after the deadline listed above, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

A resume and supplemental questionnaire (part of the online application) must be submitted with the completed City application.

To be considered for this outstanding employment opportunity, please complete an application online by clicking "Apply" above.

For additional information, please contact Human Resources Department at:
3300 Capitol Ave., Building B
Fremont, CA 94538
humanresources@fremont.gov


This recruitment is a re-post. Applicants from the initial round are still under consideration and do not need to reapply.• May be periodically rotated through other Department divisions or work with each other on certain programs or projects.
• May serve as Acting Chief or Deputy Chief as needed to maintain continuity of Department operations.
• When assigned; plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the activities of personnel in the fire suppression, fire prevention, Special Operations, training, Emergency Medical Services, hazardous materials, dispatch center and support services.
• Assigns personnel, equipment and apparatus to maintain operational readiness.
• Serves on various departmental committees’ special studies and analyses related to methods, equipment, new developments and departmental issues.
• Researches, develops, reports and implements new programs, including the necessary infusion of staff, funds, processes, training, materials, and equipment to ensure successful implementation.
• Performs or oversees administrative programs, projects and personnel duties.
• Contributes to the preparation and administration of the annual department operating budget, and annual strategic plans.
• Identifies and evaluates community needs through data collection and analysis. Monitors program effectiveness; develops recommendations for changes in program operations, staffing, equipment, and facilities; and projects costs and impact of proposed changes.
• Prepares annual budget requests for division operations, monitors and analyzes budget expenditures and ensures the expenditures are within the guidelines established in the budget.
• Participates in the development and review of division and department policies, organizational change, and establishment of priorities.
• Reviews and assures compliance with established rules and regulations, policies and procedures, Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) and recommended safety standards.
• Directs the development and updating of operational manuals.
• Communicates departmental policies and procedures to subordinate staff.
• Coordinates and/or participates in entry level recruitment and hiring processes.
• Coordinates and/or participates in department promotional exam processes.
• Coordinates and/or conducts investigations of personnel issues.
• Coordinates repair and/or alteration to buildings or grounds.
• May represent the City and/or Department Management in labor negotiations.
• Manages the training of personnel in modern firefighting, Special Operations, emergency medical services and fire prevention; determines firefighting methods and practices to increase effectiveness and efficiency; identifies education and training needs; schedules new training programs for new recruits and other personnel; conducts classroom and field instruction and drill periods.
• Respond to citizen complaints or inquires by phone, in writing or in person.
• Investigate alleged violations of policies and procedures or administrative regulations.
• Train and develop subordinates; serve as mentor to subordinate staff to promote professional development.
• Evaluate and document the performance of Battalion Chiefs, officers or other assigned staff to improve work and compliance with City and Department policies, and standard operating guidelines. Provide feedback to subordinates directly and through written performance evaluations.
• Develops and implements quality assurance programs to ensure compliance with Alameda County EMS policies and procedures as well as general industry best practices.
• Implements and manages disaster preparedness, mitigation, recovery and response programs, and participates in regional planning.
• Perform emergency and non-emergency tasks. Emergency tasks include those associated with responding to incidents as the Duty Chief, at emergency incidents, and in the absence of a senior officer, a Division Chief may direct and ensure the efficiency of multi-unit operations, fire ground operations, and Emergency Operations Center assistance.
• On a rotational basis will share with other Division Chiefs and/or Deputy Fire Chiefs the daily responsibility of managing the 24-hour operational readiness of the department, including the management of all City and related personnel and direction of all staffing adjustments necessary to maintain the consistent delivery of services.
• Represents the City and/or the Department with City Council, City Commissions, community organizations, professional groups, and other agencies, including Alameda County Fire Chief's Association and its sections.
• May be assigned other staff support duties and responsibilities.
• Drives emergency response vehicles in a manner permitted by State Law.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: The incident command system; departmental procedures and policies, regulations, laws and ordinances; firefighting technology and methodology; fire training methods; fire prevention methods; related building codes and regulations; building materials and methods employed in building construction; the Fire Prevention Code, practices and policies; principles and practices of fire investigation; the fire code as it relates to the storage and handling of hazardous materials; principles and practices of management, goal setting and leadership; the function, operation and inter-relationship between local, state and federal agencies related to the department mission; general report writing principles; management principles and practices ,workload planning, employee supervision and resource allocation; public information and public speaking techniques; practices and methodologies of contract administration; City Purchasing Guidelines and contract compliance, systems, methodologies, laws, rules and regulations used in responding to emergency incidents; the operation and maintenance of departmental apparatus and equipment; principles and practices of public administration, project management, and budgetary principles and practices; CAD/RMS and regional dispatching principles; Alameda County EMS system; technical report writing; community risk reduction best practices and methods.

Skill in: Report writing, project and workload planning, and conducting personnel counseling and evaluations; operating and maintaining department apparatus and equipment; planning, organizing and directing a large group of employees through subordinate supervisors; analyzing complex emergency response and operational problems, developing sound alternatives, and making effective recommendations and decisions under both emergency and non-emergency circumstances; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Ability to: Determine and evaluate levels of achievement and performance; plan, organize, and direct the work of subordinate employees under emergency and non-emergency conditions; work independently; identify needs, coordinate and administer department training programs; quickly analyze situations correctly and adopt effective courses of action under emergency conditions; implement the incident command system; understand and operate within limits of responsibility and authority; function effectively, both as a team member and as a team builder; review and analyze complex problems and issues to develop and implement effective solutions, goals and objectives; prepare and administer budgets; maintain accurate records; interpret and apply appropriate provisions of applicable laws, regulations, policies and memoranda of understanding; effectively apply continuous improvement principles in emphasizing quality customer service; prepare and present effective written and verbal reports; speak to large and small groups; manage meetings effectively; resolve disputes; actively support and work on cooperative efforts with neighboring jurisdictions; maintain a commitment to continuous service development and improvement opportunities; exhibit resourcefulness representing City's best interest in problem solving and decision making; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Ability to respond within city limits in sixty minutes (60) when serving as Duty Chief. Coordinate the evacuation plans with police partners during emergency responses. Support a culture of inclusivity, cooperation, productivity, and building professional working relationships, maintain a positive working environment to enhance morale and productivity.
Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.

Education/Experience
Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to satisfactory job performance would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be: Graduation from high school, supplemented by courses in fire science at the college level, plus six years of experience in suppression with an organized fire department and at least one year of experience at the rank of Battalion Chief.

Highly Desirable Education and Experience include:
California Chief Officer Certification and/or a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements
Possession of a Class C California driver's license at the time of appointment and satisfactory driving record is required. Failure to possess or maintain the valid required license shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.

Physical and Environmental Demands
Rare = < 10%, Occasional = 11-33%, Frequent = 34-66%, Constant = >66

Sitting: Frequent
Walking: Frequent
Standing: Occasional
Bending (neck): Frequent
Bending (waist): Occasional
Squatting: Rare
Climbing: Rare
Kneeling: Rare
Crawling: Rare
Jumping: Rare
Balancing: Rare
Twisting (neck): Frequent
Twisting (waist): Occasional
Grasp - light (dominant hand): Occasional
Grasp - light (non-dominant): Occasional
Grasp - firm (dominant hand): Occasional
Grasp - firm (non-dominant): Occasional
Fine manipulation (dominant): Frequent
Fine manipulation (non-dominant): Frequent
Reach - at/below shoulder: Frequent
Reach – above shoulder level: Rare
Push/pull:
Up to 10 lbs. Occasional
11 to 25 lbs. Occasional
26 to 50 lbs. Rare
51 to 75 lbs. Rare
76 to 100 lbs. Rare
Over 100 lbs. Rare
Lifting:
Up to 10 lbs. Occasional
11 to 25 lbs. Rare
26 to 50 lbs. Rare
51 to 75 lbs. Rare
76 to 100 lbs. Rare
Over 100 lbs. Rare
Carrying:
Up to 10 lbs. Occasional
11 to 25 lbs. Rare
26 to 50 lbs. Rare
51 to 75 lbs. Rare
76 to 100 lbs. Rare
Over 100 lbs. Rare
Coordination:
Eye-hand: Required
Eye-hand-foot: Required
Driving: Required
Vision:
Acuity, near: Required
Acuity, far: Required
Depth perception: Required
Accommodation: Required
Color vision: Required
Field of vision: Required
Talking:
Face-to-face contact: Required
Verbal contact w/others: Required
Public: Required
Hearing:
Normal conversation: Required
Telephone communication: Required
Earplugs required: Required

Work environment:
Works indoors, works outdoors, works at unprotected heights, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, being around moving machinery, exposure to marked changes in temperature / humidity, exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, odors, mists, or other irritating particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to excessive noise, exposure to radiation or electrical energy, exposure to solvents, grease or oil, exposure to slippery or uneven walking surfaces, works below ground, uses computer monitor, works with explosives, exposure to vibration, exposure to flames or burning items, works around others, works alone, works with others.

Class Code: 4019

FLSA: Exempt

EEOC Code: 1

Barg. Unit: FAME

Probation: 12 months

Rev.: 8/23
Salary186,790.35 - 252,167.02 Annual
Field
Fire and Rescue
FireRescue1
Chief
Job Type
Entry Level

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