Deputy Fire Chief of Community Safety & Administration
About The Position
Cochrane is seeking a strategic Deputy Fire Chief of Community Safety & Administration to serve as a core member of the Fire Services leadership team. Reporting to the Fire Chief, this role is a senior management position, excluded from the bargaining unit, responsible for providing strategic direction for the department’s administrative operations, fire prevention, and public education functions. This is an opportunity to shape the future of Cochrane Fire Services. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who exercises significant independent judgment and excels at managing budgets, personnel development, and labour relations. We are seeking a visible, values-driven professional who is committed to empowering supervisory teams and fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture. In this role, you will steer the department beyond standard emergency response by championing Community Risk Reduction (CRR) initiatives, ensuring strict regulatory compliance, and driving sustainable organizational growth. If you possess the strategic foresight to navigate complex municipal environments, the integrity to build trust across diverse stakeholders, and a steadfast dedication to administrative excellence and public safety, we want you on our leadership team.
Requirements
- A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership and supervisory experience within a municipal fire service, demonstrating a strong track record in strategic planning and administrative oversight.
- Completion of post-secondary education in Fire Protection Technology, Public Administration, or a related discipline, supplemented by advanced professional designations such as NFPA 1021 (Fire Officer) and Incident Command System (ICS) 300/400 training.
- Experience providing direct supervision and leadership to assigned personnel, including Prevention Captain, Prevention Lieutenant, Administrative Staff, and future personnel as assigned.
- Experience working closely with the Deputy Chief, Operations & Training, Director of Community Safety, Municipal departments, Alberta Safety Codes Officers, Business owners and developers, and External agencies and stakeholders.
- Ability to evaluate Community Risk Reduction (CRR) initiatives, interpret and administer collective agreement provisions within assigned areas, and support development review and fire protection requirements for new construction projects.
- Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills to assess complex emergency management scenarios, operational data, and community risks in order to develop strategic, long-term solutions.
- Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage departmental budgets, forecast expenditures, and develop comprehensive business cases for capital projects, infrastructure planning, and grant applications.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage, negotiate, and build trusting relationships with internal personnel, municipal leadership, external agencies, and the public.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and coach personnel, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellness and continuous professional development.
- High-level organizational and project management skills to coordinate multiple administrative services, policy development processes, and ongoing strategic initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced municipal environment.
- Certification as a Safety Codes Officer (Fire Discipline) in the Province of Alberta (Group B1/C1 or higher), supported by comprehensive knowledge of the Safety Codes Act, the National Fire Code – Alberta Edition, and the Alberta Building Code.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Fire Officer Level II certification.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Fire Inspector Level I or II certification.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033 Fire Investigator certification.
- Incident Command System (ICS) 300 and 400 training certifications.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1041 Fire Service Instructor Level II certification.
- A valid Province of Alberta Class 3 Driver’s License with a "Q" (Air Brake) endorsement.
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and evaluate Community Risk Reduction (CRR) initiatives by analyzing incident trends to recommend mitigation strategies and establish robust performance measures that actively reduce fire loss.
- Direct fire investigations and comprehensive inspection programs (both routine and complaint-driven), monitoring enforcement to ensure compliance with legislation, codes, and municipal bylaws.
- Support development reviews and fire protection requirements for new construction, while developing prevention-related policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
- Oversee departmental administrative services, records management, and information systems to ensure accurate data tracking, reporting, and efficient business processes.
- Lead organizational performance measurement and strategic planning initiatives, developing and implementing departmental policies within approved authority.
- Review and present amendments to municipal bylaws, Fire Services Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Guidelines to ensure legal compliance, practical alignment, and public safety.
- Manage financial resources through long-term planning, budget preparation, and contract monitoring, while strategically pursuing grant applications and external funding opportunities to support departmental objectives.
- Support capital budget development, procurement, and project implementation, leading business cases for station planning, expansion projects, and fleet replacement.
- Supervise assigned personnel by establishing clear priorities and accountability measures, assigning work, and providing regular coaching and comprehensive performance evaluations.
- Foster a healthy workplace by promoting employee wellness initiatives, leading recruitment and promotional processes, and supporting ongoing employee development and succession planning.
- Administer and interpret collective agreement provisions, participating actively in labour-management discussions and supporting collective bargaining preparation and execution.
Benefits
- 100% employer-paid Extended Health Care
- Dental
- Life Insurance
- Dependent Life
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- Short Term Disability
- Health Care Spending Account
- wellness benefit
- Employee & Family Assistance Program
- Enrollment in the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) — a defined benefit pension where the Town matches employee contributions and contributes an additional 1%
- vacation entitlement that increases with service
- learning and development support
- other workplace benefits
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
