Fire Chief

Salary : $ - $ Annually
Location : Anacortes, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 03/10/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented

Job Description
Responsible to direct the overall operations in an all-hazard organization to deliver essential emergency and non-emergency services to the community and greater area to include fire suppression, fire education and prevention, special operations, and EMS services. The Fire Chief is responsible for setting overall department strategy and directions, collaborating with City staff and elected officials, and building inter-jurisdictional/regional relationships.

Job Responsibilities

Oversee and direct the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department. Plan, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate fire and EMS operations. Serve as the city's Emergency Management Coordinator.

Direct the development of operational and administrative procedures, departmental policies, programs, and initiatives.

Collaborate and demonstrate an ability to build rapport with staff, elected officials, peers, regional partners, and community representatives. Build partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels to secure resources and to advocate for the community's interests.

Deliver timely, cost effective and efficient all-hazard approaches to community services.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Perform and fulfill obligations as duty commander including responding to alarms and directing activities at the scene of emergencies.

Develop, communicate, and implement the strategic plan and vision for the department in a collaborative manner. Engage with citizens to foster support, input, and prioritization of needs of service delivery.

Plan departmental operations with respect to equipment, apparatus and personnel. Supervise the implementation of such plans.

Use data to comprehensively assess operations and provide a vision to examine alternative forms of service delivery that may improve responsiveness and/or enhance resource conservation. Predict or adjust priorities and services through analysis of performance measure or other analytical data.

Direct the preparation of the budget and manage expenditures for the department and grant funding efforts.

Promote professional development, coaching, mentoring, and fostering a work environment that motivates individuals to excel in their areas of responsibilities.

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Fire Science, public administration, or a closely related field; and eight years of increasingly responsible fire and EMS services including suppression, prevention, training, emergency management, and advanced life support. Completion of a National Fire Academy Executive Officer program is highly desirable.

Licenses and other requirements: Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license. Residency must fall within the response boundary established by the Anacortes Fire Department's Duty Chief Policy.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and city rules and regulations governing firefighting functions and emergency medical services.
• Local, state, federal law, and city ordinances.
• Knowledge of and experience in all major aspects of fire and EMS operations.
• Administrative functions and budgetary responsibilities for a similar sized fire department.
• Knowledge of and experience with collective bargaining, labor negotiations, and civil service rules.
• Geography of the City and its buildings, street systems, and special areas requiring pre-fire knowledge or special firefighting techniques.

Ability to:

• Develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the city and surrounding areas.
• Maintain competencies in ethical conduct; stress management and composure; problem solving and analysis; strategic thinking; and teamwork orientation.
• Direct a program and to plan, schedule, and review the work and performance of others in a manner conducive to strong…