City of Walker, MI - Fire Chief

SGR • Walker, MI

1d • $111,530 - $144,989 • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Walker is seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking Fire Chief to guide its growing department through organizational change, strengthen its leadership structure, and support the transition to a sustainable 24/7 staffing model. The ideal candidate will be an exceptional, relationship-focused leader who is a clear communicator, an experienced mentor, a decisive and safety-focused administrator with sound operational judgment, and adaptable, accountable, and prepared to lead a department through continued modernization. The Walker Fire Department provides a range of services including fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, emergency response, training, inspections, investigations, records management, and regional mutual-aid services. Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief serves as the department’s chief operating and administrative officer and provides overall leadership for full-time and paid-on-call personnel. The role requires establishing trust, creating structure, and promoting sustainable performance during the department's transition to a full-time, 24/7 operating model.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or a closely related field
• Increasingly responsible experience with a fire department comparable to or larger than the City of Walker’s department
• At least eight years of upper-level administrative responsibility within a fire department or public safety organization
• Firefighter Training Council Instructor certification
• Fire Officer III certification
• Valid Michigan driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and ability to maintain both throughout employment
• Knowledge of modern firefighting, emergency response, training, fire prevention, equipment, and apparatus
• Knowledge of budgeting, personnel administration, labor relations, purchasing, and operations management
• Ability to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, physical examination, and psychological examination
• Ability to report to the City of Walker within one hour

Nice To Haves

• Fire and Arson Investigator certification, or the ability to obtain it as soon as possible after appointment
• Experience using data to assess community risk and organizational vulnerabilities
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, change management, succession planning, and organizational innovation
• Experience guiding a department through conversion from paid-on-call operations to a full-time, 24/7 staffing model
• Familiarity with NFPA standards, fire prevention codes, municipal ordinances, and applicable state and federal regulations

Responsibilities

• Serve as the department’s chief operating and administrative officer.
• Provide overall leadership for full-time and paid-on-call personnel.
• Guide the department through organizational change.
• Strengthen the department's leadership structure.
• Support the transition to a sustainable 24/7 staffing model.
• Establish trust, create structure, and promote sustainable performance.
• Manage fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, emergency response, training, inspections, investigations, records management, and regional mutual-aid services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior