Chief of Operations​/Deputy Director

Chief of Operations/Deputy Director – State of South Dakota

Agency:
Public Safety – Wildland Fire

Location:

Rapid City, SD
Salary: $76,317.44 – $90,828.00 Annual (Pay Grade: L)
Closing Date: 02/05/2026

• Lead firefighters in wildland fire suppression and emergency management operations.
• Provide direction to the fire management program, ensuring safe and effective operations, including development of annual operating plans, memorandums of understanding, and joint powers agreements.
• Lead strategic planning to guide the agency’s future and build firefighting capacity.
• Develop state-wide wildfire management program goals and create policies and procedures to achieve them.
• Provide leadership for the prescribed fire program to reduce fuel loading, improve wildlife habitat, and prevent catastrophic wildfire.
• Assist in developing the agency budget for submission to the department secretary.
• Represent the agency at negotiations of cost-share agreements with federal land management agencies.
• Represent South Dakota on regional and national sub-committees.
• Act on the Director’s behalf when the Director is unavailable.

• Typical office environment.
• Exposure to dangerous fire‑management situations: unpredictable fire behavior, burns, smoke, dust, and extreme temperatures.
• Heavy equipment and aircraft operations with limited visibility.
• Rough terrain work and continuous physical labor using hand and power tools.
• Annual pack test at the arduous level is required.

Applicants will be required to answer a series of job‑related questions when submitting an application.

• NWCG qualifications:
  Division Group Supervisor, Incident Commander Type 3.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Highly motivated, self‑directed.
• Passion for developing future leaders.

• Fire ecology, behavior, and management theories in a wildland environment.
• Policies, techniques, and practices of wildland firefighting from substantial primary firefighter service.
• Wildland fire management concepts: fire effects, hazard & risk analysis, fuel & smoke management, incident management, prescribed fire, and fire use.
• Laws, regulations, and agency policies protecting natural and cultural resources.
• Wildland fire safety practices and procedures.
• Latest technological advances in fire management.
• Budgeting policy, procedures, and techniques for program budgets and annual work plans.
• Capabilities and limitations of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
• Supervisor policies, procedures, and methods for managing a diverse workforce.
• Contracting procedures and policies.
• Basic computer applications and terminology.

• Identify, recruit, and develop employees for future leadership roles.
• Interpret and implement department laws and policies.
• Provide leadership that promotes teamwork and interpersonal relationships.
• Organize and prioritize work activities.
• Communicate information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish effective working relationships with volunteer firefighters, land and business owners, the public, local governments, federal agencies, and other state agencies.
• Work outdoors in all weather and terrain; manage hazardous conditions.
• Present and promote division objectives and services.
• Additional Requirements:
  
  Submit the following in your application:
  • Current Fire Training and Qualification Master Record
  • Current Incident Qualification Card (red card)
  • Copies of fire management plans, prescribed burn plans, annual operating plans, or other planning documents where you were the primary author, with description of your contribution.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act and is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicants will undergo a background investigation and drug screening. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. National work‑visa sponsorship is not offered. All hires must verify U.S. work eligibility and complete Form I‑9 (E‑Verify).

0‑premium employee health insurance, 11 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and retirement benefits (Class B under SDRS). SD Wildland Fire Benefits.

Must apply online at Job Portal. Resumes or email submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone:
Email: careers.us
Website: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./workforus

“An Equal Opportunity Employer”