Division Chief

Salary Range: $86,704 - $127,317

Eligibility:
This promotion exam is limited to employees classified as Battalion Chief or Captain of the City of Canton, Ohio Fire Department. Applicants must have completed twelve (12) months in their current classification by September 26, 2026. Captains may sit for the exam only if less than two Battalion Chiefs apply.

The Division Chief manages and administers operations of the Fire Division, including planning, organizing, and directing assigned personnel. The Division Chief responds to second alarm fires or greater, oversees Battalion Chiefs, maintains discipline and compliance with department directives, formulates policy, coordinates training, manages administrative functions, and ensures efficient operation of supporting bureaus.

• Extensive experience in firefighting, at least seven years of progressive responsibility through the rank of Battalion Chief, familiarity with all phases of divisional operations.

• Completion of standard high‑school course and preferably some college courses in management or Fire Science, or an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science.

• Completion of several firefighting courses or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training providing required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Comprehensive knowledge of modern fire‑fighting methods, equipment, and apparatus maintenance.

• Comprehensive knowledge of department rules, regulations, and policies, administrative principles, and procurement.

• Knowledge of city geography, fire prevention laws and ordinances, building construction codes.

• Ability to remain calm, resourceful, command personnel, establish and maintain effective relationships with officials, department heads, city employees, other agencies, and the public.

Performs supervisory and managerial functions under emergency conditions and in unsafe environments. Directs policies, activities, and training of personnel and bureaus, maintains high standards of readiness, and administers administrative, fiscal, personnel, and safety functions.

• Creates and enforces rules and regulations for operations.
• Develops, coordinates, and evaluates programs for the division.
• Ensures personnel maintain required qualifications and training.
• Coordinates platoon training activities with support personnel.
• Administers policies and activities of the Fire Department and related bureaus.
• Attends meetings and conferences, conducts meetings with bureau heads.
• Provides training and evaluates employee performance.
• Manages and supervises division operations and staff.
• Develops plans, establishes goals, administers policies, oversees schedules and deadlines.
• Recruits, screens, advises on selection, promotion, and transfers.
• Develops budget goals, plans, forecasts, and reviews expenditures.
• Manages inventory, makes purchase recommendations.
• Supervises platoon and Battalion Chief work, provides instructions and directives.
• Inspects personnel, apparatus, and facilities; coordinates fire inspections.
• Identifies and solves problems, manages conflicts, coaches and counsels employees.
• Prepares records and reports, investigates accidents, complaints, and official matters.
• Implements policies, provides guidance, resolves complaints and grievances per collective bargaining agreement.
• Conducts operational meetings in accordance with laws and department regulations.
• Maintains knowledge of national fire protection standards.
• Public‑facing discussion of operational and department problems.
• Performs additional duties related to supervision/management as required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for promotion without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, age, type of disability or any other non‑merit factor.

Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available upon request to qualified applicants to achieve the essential job functions.