Assistant Fire Chief of Risk Reduction, Inspections, and Investigations

Assistant Fire Chief of Risk Reduction, Inspections, and Investigations Spokane County Fire District #9 (Fire
9) Mead, Washington

Salary
: $183,712 - $198,856 DOQ

Named as one of the Best Places to Live in America by Outside Magazine, Spokane, Washington, is the second-largest city in the state and home to approximately 210,000 residents. Located in the eastern portion of the state, approximately 20 miles from the Washington-Idaho border, the Spokane MSA has a population of over 670,000. Spokane is a major commercial, industrial, educational and transportation hub for an approximately 80,000 square mile area encompassing three states and two provinces.

Recreation abounds in Spokane County with prevalent opportunities for fishing, hiking, camping, golfing, skiing and more.

Spokane County Fire District #9 (Fire
9) is an all-hazards agency providing fire suppression, BLS and ALS Fire-Based Transport, technical rescue, hazardous material response, and risk reduction, fire prevention, and investigation services. Fire 9 serves an area of approximately 122 square miles and responded to over 8,800 incidents in 2025. Fire 9 is a combination department that operates on a budget of $26,000,000 with 99 Career personnel and 30 volunteers, and is governed by three fire commissioners.

Service is provided from 5 fire stations staffed by career personnel 24 hours a day, as well as 4 community-based volunteer fire stations. The department is organized into several divisions, which include Emergency Medical Services, Operations, Administration/Human Resources, Prevention/Code Management, Fleet and Facilities, and Wildfire/Fuels.

The Assistant Fire Chief of Risk Reduction, Inspections, and Investigations provides strategic leadership for programs that protect the community before emergencies occur and helps the District learn from those that do. This position oversees and advances community risk reduction, fire prevention and inspection programs, development review, fire plans review, and fire investigation, including the determination of origin and cause. The Assistant Chief works closely with District leadership and personnel, partner agencies, planners, developers, engineers, architects, businesses, and community stakeholders.

As a member of the District’s leadership team, the position helps shape organizational strategy, strengthen programs and practices, manages complex projects, and supports the District as it responds to continued urban and suburban growth. The Assistant Chief also leads, develops, and supports assigned personnel, helping establish clear expectations, accountability, professional development, and succession planning. This position will participate in a weekly rotation as the Administrative Chief on duty.

Education & Experience:

An associate degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Fire Protection Engineering, or a closely related field is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. (Please see the complete position profile for desired and preferred education and experience.)

Benefits include but are not limited to medical, dental, life and AD&D, and long term disability insurance;
Washington Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan II; sick leave; vacation accrual; executive leave time; 12 paid holidays, not including an additional paid day off for employee holiday; bereavement leave; take-home vehicle for official business; all or a portion of relocation expenses may be repaid at the sole discretion of the Board.

Spokane County Fire District 9 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by October 4, 2026. (First review, open until filled.)