Battalion Chief - Fire Prevetnion

Akima, LLC • Barstow, CA

3h • Onsite

About The Position

The Battalion Chief is a bargaining-unit leadership position responsible for leading, coordinating, and delivering fire and emergency services across Operations, Training, and Fire Prevention. Battalion Chiefs share the same qualifications, professional competencies, and operational responsibilities and may be assigned to any functional area based on departmental needs. They ensure personnel readiness, operational effectiveness, fire prevention compliance, and training proficiency. The role includes incident command and emergency response, crew leadership, NFPA-mandated training, fire inspections and code compliance, administrative reporting, and command-level support during DES/EOC activations and major incidents.

Battalion Chiefs work a flexible 40-hour schedule, with specific hours varying by assignment and mission requirements. They are hourly employees and receive overtime after 40 hours per week. Overtime may arise from emergency and non-emergency duties, required training, readiness exercises, reporting deadlines, and other mission-essential needs. They may also be assigned overtime to maintain contractual 24/7/365 coverage during staffing shortages.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Minimum six years of experience as a Fire Captain.
• Must pass Battalion Chief promotional evaluations as defined in the CBA and departmental promotional procedures.
• Must possess the required DoD/NFPA/Army DES certifications for Battalion Chief rank or equivalent in Appendix C, including HazMat Incident Commander, Fire Officer III, Fire Inspector III, Fire Instructor II, Fire & Life Safety Educator II, Plans Examiner, EMT-1 or Paramedic, CPR BLS Provider, and ICS/NIMS proficiency at the 100/200/300/400/700/800 level or equivalent.
• Must read, write, and speak fluent English.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for briefings, reports, and coordination with DES, DPW, and installation partners.
• Ability to explain operational directives, training requirements, and code compliance expectations to crews, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate fire department personnel.
• Demonstrated professionalism and judgment when managing incidents, public events, inspections, personnel issues, and high-stress situations.
• Ability to maintain productive working relationships with bargaining-unit personnel, management, DES officials, and external agencies.
• Ability to interpret NFPA standards and building codes applicable to emergency operations, training, and fire prevention.
• Ability to function effectively during emergency incidents, investigations, training evolutions, and other mission-critical activities.
• Must pass the physical and medical requirements necessary for emergency operations under PWS 19.24.00 and department medical standards.
• Strong decision-making under pressure and ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic operational environments.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams platforms.
• Ability to prepare and submit NFIRS, DoD First Due, PWS-required monthly activity reports, training documentation, inspection logs, and other time-sensitive administrative deliverables.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage inspection cycles, training calendars, emergency readiness activities, and shift staffing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fire, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, aircraft, technical rescue, and all-hazard emergencies; assume command or command-level functions as required.
• Provide operational oversight, tactical decision-making, and coordination at multi-company or multi-agency incidents in accordance with FIRESCOPE ICS and NFPA incident management standards.
• Support DES/EOC activations during emergencies, including after-hours incident support as directed.
• Direct, supervise, mentor, and evaluate personnel assigned to fire prevention functions.
• Ensure required company and departmental training, documentation, and competency maintenance in the fire prevention division.
• Manage staffing, daily assignments, resource readiness, and coordination with Captains and the Fire Chief.
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and deliver quarterly, semiannual, and annual training to meet PWS and NFPA standards.
• Conduct or supervise training evolutions, including live fire extinguisher training and public fire and life safety education classes.
• Coordinate Haz-Mat/CBRNE response and post-incident activities; oversee hazard mitigation, documentation, and follow-up actions.
• Conduct after-action reports and analyze fire prevention deficiencies identified for training or occupancy-inspection improvements.
• Prepare NFIRS entries in First Due and monthly PWS-required reports covering training, inspections, alarm testing, staffing, deficiencies, operational concerns, and significant events.
• Ensure time-sensitive documentation, including NFIRS deadlines, is completed regardless of incident timing.
• Fill overtime Operations positions and manage Fire Inspector schedules as required by the CBA.
• Develop, coordinate, and participate in scheduled and unscheduled emergency response exercises required by the PWS.
• Provide Battalion Chief-level leadership and readiness coordination during work hours or special assignments as needed.
• Participate in fire prevention outreach, special events, high-hazard occupancy education, and other community risk-reduction activities, including off-hour events when required.
• Ensure department resources, apparatus, and personnel remain ready in accordance with NFPA and PWS requirements.
• Support the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief with planning, policy development, and mission-support coordination.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Benefits and leave as defined under the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Comprehensive benefits.
• Competitive pay.
• Growth opportunities.
• Retirement options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed