Battalion Chief - Operations

City of Sachse•Sachse, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the limited supervision of the Fire Chief, the Battalion Chief is responsible for managing daily emergency response operations, supervising field personnel, and ensuring the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of fire suppression, EMS, rescue, and special operations services. This role provides leadership and operational oversight to shift personnel, supports training and professional development efforts, and ensures adherence to departmental policies and protocols. The Battalion Chief may serve as the Incident Commander at emergency scenes and acts in the capacity of the Fire Chief. The ideal candidate will embody our core values of service, humility, innovation, neighborly, and excellence (SHINE).

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of fire service operations, organizational structure, and administrative practices, including budgeting, procurement, logistics, and resource management within a municipal environment.
Strong understanding of departmental budgeting, financial tracking, and grant administration, including application processes, expenditure monitoring, compliance requirements, and reporting standards.
Ability to plan, coordinate, and evaluate departmental projects involving multiple stakeholders. Skill in identifying inefficiencies, analyzing data, and implementing process improvements.
Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and evaluate personnel; support employee development; and maintain accountability while fostering a professional and collaborative work environment.
Working knowledge of NIMS, EOC operations, emergency preparedness, and incident command principles, with the ability to function effectively during emergency situations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to build effective working relationships, exercise tact and discretion, and collaborate across departments, agencies, and jurisdictions.
Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business, or related field.
Minimum eight (8) years of Fire/EMS experience, including at least four (4) years at the rank of Company Officer or higher.
Demonstrated administrative and leadership experience within a municipal fire department setting.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Possess and maintain a Texas Class C driver’s license
Must hold Advanced Firefighter certification as issued by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP).
Must hold Fire Officer II and Instructor II as issued by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP).
Must be certified as an EMT-Paramedic as issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Must hold NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800.

Nice To Haves

Master proficiency level certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and support company officers and field personnel across assigned shifts.
Monitor staffing levels and adjust as necessary to maintain operational readiness.
Monitor the readiness and condition of apparatus, equipment, and facilities. Coordinate with Logistics and Fleet divisions for maintenance and repair needs.
Coordinate and supervise daily training activities to ensure personnel readiness and compliance with departmental standards.
Support the Training Division in planning and evaluating drills, certifications, and continuing education.
Oversee the development, revision, and implementation of administrative policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Evaluate processes for efficiency, consistency, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices.
Review incident reports and performance metrics to ensure accuracy, compliance, and continual improvement in service delivery.
Plan, develop, and manage the Fire Department’s operating and capital improvement budgets.
Monitor expenditures, track revenues, perform financial forecasting, and prepare reports to ensure fiscal accountability and alignment with departmental and City priorities.
Collaborate with Human Resources on recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, and employee relations matters.
Support policy enforcement, performance management, and professional development initiatives.
Assist with Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination, disaster preparedness planning, and interagency response efforts.
Respond to emergency and non-emergency incidents as required and serve in an incident command or support role consistent with training and certification.
Perform the duties of the Fire Chief in their absence, including overseeing department-wide operations, representing the department at City meetings, and serving as a liaison with external agencies, partners, and stakeholders.
Work collaboratively with Finance, Human Resources, Legal, City Management, and other departments to ensure effective communication, coordination, and alignment of administrative and operational processes.
Performs other related duties as assigned, including serving as a back-up to the Battalion Chief (Administration) when needed.