2026 District Fire Chief (1YP)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Statewide, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This examination is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to create an eligible list from which to fill District Fire Chief vacancies in participating Massachusetts Fire Departments. Candidates must take and pass this examination in order to be placed on the eligible list. The examination will be held on November 21, 2026, with applications being accepted from August 17, 2026, to September 14, 2026. The examination processing fee is $150. Various sites across the Commonwealth will host the written examination. The examination is weighted as follows: 48% Technical Knowledge, 32% Situational Judgment Test, and 20% Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E).

Requirements

• Be an employee in the fire department for which the examination is given with permanent civil service status in the specified eligible title(s) by the date of the examination.
• Have served in the force at least one year since you were appointed and performed the job duties of the eligible title(s). A combination of temporary and permanent service from a certification can be applied towards meeting this one-year requirement.
• Time spent working in the title of District Fire Chief will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.
• If the eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank you must have served in the force at least one or three years depending on the participating department.
• Knowledge of the chemistry and physics of fire, fire ground operations/fire suppression, special operations, building design, construction, and materials, fire prevention, fire protection, fire cause determination, hazardous materials, legal considerations, supervision, and administration and management.
• Judgment and decision-making, accountability, adaptability, guiding and developing others, leadership (including managing activities and building teams), and interpersonal skills (including conflict management).
• All candidates must complete the 2026 Statewide District Fire Chief Promotional Examination ECT&E Claim application online. This is a separate application.
• Submit original supporting documentation should the issue of authenticity arise with any submitted document copies.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates for this examination must be employees in one of the following Massachusetts Fire Departments: Attleboro – Fire Captain, Fall River – Fire Captain, Plymouth – Fire Captain.

Responsibilities

• Under the general supervision of the municipal appointing authority, directs the operations of the fire department, exercising supervision over direct reporting staff and overseeing the delivery of major municipal fire services.
• Conducts long-range planning to determine policies, program priorities, and the utilization of resources in order to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the goals and objectives mandated by state laws, local bylaws or ordinances and departmental rules and regulations.
• Evaluates the availability of fiscal and equipment resources, personnel, and local needs relative to the protection of life and property and the prevention and suppression of fire.
• Directs and performs fire prevention duties including code and pre-fire inspection duties.
• Directs, performs and reports the results of fire investigations.
• Personally responds to fire and non-fire emergencies in order to supervise actions of fire service personnel.
• Carries out public relations activities and prepares and disseminates news releases.
• Plans and conducts hearings and meetings on issues of public concern.
• Prepares and submits budget requests and administers department budget.
• Interviews and selects personnel for promotion.
• Reviews and negotiates contract proposals from contractors and/or vendors.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• Two points will be added to the passing score of qualified Veterans and Disabled Veterans or individuals who have 25 years of service as a member of a regular municipal fire force in Massachusetts and have passed an examination for promotional appointment in such force.

What This Job Offers

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