Division Chief - Operations

City of Boulder•Boulder, CO

About The Position

Under limited supervision, commands and manages the Operations Division. Provides executive leadership for fire suppression, shift staffing, battalion operations, deployment strategies, and incident command readiness. Oversees three shift Battalion Chiefs and ensures operational consistency, safety, and compliance with standards of coverage. Supports the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief as a member of the Department’s leadership team.

Requirements

Ability to lead and supervise staff, manage budgets, and coordinate complex projects.
Ability to analyze problems, make decisions consistent with departmental policy, and assess effectiveness of outcomes.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, partner agencies, elected officials, and the public.
Ability to demonstrate leadership competencies: Command Presence, Decision Making, Ethics, Integrity, Courage to Lead, and Problem Resolution.
Knowledge of fire suppression operations, incident command, and deployment strategies.
Knowledge of municipal government operations, HR practices, procurement, and fire department policies.
Knowledge of ICS/NIMS, NFPA standards, SOPs, and post-incident analysis.
Skill in communication, presentation, and report preparation.
Skill in using Microsoft Office Suite and departmental software systems.
Valid Colorado Driver’s License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field; or equivalent of eight (8) years related experience may substitute for the education requirement only.
Eight (8) years of progressive fire service experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory/management role (Company Officer or higher).
Completion of FEMA ICS 100/200/700/800; ICS 300/400 within one (1) year of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Ten (10) or more years of progressive leadership in the fire service.
Credentialing: Executive Fire Officer (EFO), Chief Fire Officer (CFO), or equivalent.
Diverse fire service experience including specialty teams, interagency committees, or task forces.
Experience with accreditation, ISO, and data-driven program evaluation.

Responsibilities

Leads the Operations Division, including fire suppression, deployment, staffing, and readiness of all response units.
Directly supervises Battalion Chiefs and provides oversight to shift operations, ensuring consistent practices and accountability.
Develops, implements, and monitors operational policies, procedures, and response strategies.
Oversees daily staffing, scheduling, and deployment to ensure service reliability and coverage.
Ensures compliance with NFPA standards, ISO, accreditation benchmarks, and departmental policies.
Provides oversight and support for company officer development, operational readiness, and leadership training.
Responds to major incidents as a command or general staff officer.
Conducts critiques and after-action reviews of fires and major incidents, ensuring lessons learned are integrated into practice.
Collaborates with Training Division to identify and communicate operational training needs.
Coordinates with EMS, Wildland, Logistics, and CRR Division Chiefs to integrate services and ensure seamless response capability.
Participates in departmental leadership activities, including strategic planning, policy development, labor relations, and accreditation.
Oversees health, safety, and wellness initiatives for shift personnel.
Manages division budget, staffing resources, and apparatus assignments.
Serves as liaison with labor representatives for operational issues.
Performs other duties as required to meet the needs of the City and Fire Department.