Director of Administration and Operations

About the Department

The Cambridge Fire Department consists of approximately 293 sworn personnel and six civilian staff members dedicated to serving the community. Its mission is to protect life and property in Cambridge by preventing and responding to fires, hazardous materials incidents, and other natural or human‑caused emergencies; to save lives through high‑quality emergency medical services; to advance fire prevention and public education; and to foster a workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and respect.

Responsible for leading the Department’s fiscal and human resources team, the Director of Administration and Operations is a key member of Cambridge Fire Department leadership. Reporting to the Assistant Chief of Administrative Operations, this role oversees departmental budgeting, payroll, and personnel systems; coordinates labor‑management and policy matters; and ensures that administrative functions operate in alignment with City goals and regulations. This position directly supervises the Fiscal Manager and the Payroll Analyst, while also providing indirect supervision of supporting fiscal and administrative staff.

In addition to overseeing the preparation of a $70+ million budget and all personnel‑related matters, this role serves as a strategic advisor to the Fire Chief and Assistant Chiefs, helping to modernize departmental systems, strengthen accountability, and enhance coordination across the Department. The role requires a collaborative, hands‑on leader who can balance long‑range planning with operational execution in a complex, highly unionized public‑safety environment.

• Provide leadership and direction for the Fire Department’s administrative operations, including fiscal management, payroll, human resources, procurement, and policy implementation.
• Serve as a principal administrative advisor to the Fire Chief and Assistant Chiefs on issues of departmental organization, resource allocation, and operational effectiveness.
• Lead and direct the department’s human resource functions—including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and employee development—in collaboration with the City’s HR Department.
• Participate in labor relations activities, including collective bargaining preparation, grievances, and joint labor‑management meetings, ensuring consistent application of contractual and City policies.
• Oversee the preparation, monitoring, and management of the department’s operating and capital budgets; ensure fiscal compliance and responsible stewardship of departmental funds.
• Collaborate with the City’s Budget, Finance, Purchasing, and IT departments to align administrative practices with City policies and ensure compliance with all procurement and fiscal regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate administrative and fiscal staff; promote a collaborative culture emphasizing accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and refine departmental administrative systems and standard operating procedures to improve efficiency, transparency, and data‑driven decision making.
• Represent the Fire Department at City Council meetings, union discussions, and interdepartmental forums on administrative and fiscal matters as directed.
• Support organizational planning and strategic initiatives that enhance the department’s capacity, succession planning, and long‑term sustainability.
• Coordinate the department’s role in audits, accreditation, and compliance efforts, ensuring documentation and reporting meet City and state standards.
• Manage special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, finance, human resources, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible administrative or managerial experience, including supervision of technical, administrative, and clerical staff.
• Demonstrated experience in budget preparation, human resources administration, labor relations, and…