Deputy Fire Chief
Deputy Fire Chief
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Job Alert
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$ 163975 - 208509
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Description
Photo Credit: Brittany AppThe brochure for this exciting career opportunity can be found here.
Application Deadline: Monday July 28 2025 at 10:00AM
Tentative Assessment Date: Monday August 18 2025
The City of Paso Robles is excited to announce the search for our next Deputy Fire Chief. The Deputy Fire Chief performs highly responsible technical and professional work in support of the strategic planning management and administration of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. They are second-in-command and manage the day-to-day operations; directs and coordinates activities of personnel under their command; collaborates with internal and external stakeholders; administers training; manages programs and budgets; and responds to major emergencies to exercise incident command. The City of Paso Robles is seeking an energetic highly motivated individual who will be a strong compassionate approachable genuine leader that promotes transparency innovation and confidence.
About Paso Robles
Nestled in the heart of Californias scenic Central Coast Paso Roblesshort for El Paso de Robles or The Pass of the Oaksoffers a unique blend of small-town charm natural beauty and modern opportunity. Originally founded around its famous mineral hot springs and rich agricultural heritage Paso Robles has grown into a dynamic and thriving community. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm sunny days and cool evenings ideal for both outdoor living and agricultural innovation. With its rolling hills majestic oak trees and panoramic vineyard views Paso Robles provides a truly inspiring setting for work and life.
Paso Robles central location within San Luis Obispo County offers residents easy access to a wide array of cultural educational and recreational attractions. Just a short 30-minute drive south lies California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) a nationally ranked institution known for its hands-on learning and innovation. This proximity fosters strong connections to cutting-edge research continuing education and a highly educated talent pool. To the west scenic Highway 1 leads to the iconic Hearst Castle in San Simeon a historic landmark that draws visitors from around the world with its stunning architecture and sweeping coastal views. Within the county residents can also enjoy the vibrant coastal towns of Morro Bay Cambria and Pismo Beach as well as the eclectic energy of downtown San Luis Obispo. From wine tasting and hiking to art galleries surf spots and farmers markets San Luis Obispo County offers an exceptional quality of life.
Today Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels Cabernet Sauvignons and Rhne varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping award-winning restaurants and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival California Mid-State Fair and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round. A wide array of housing options good schools a welcoming business environment and proximity to outdoor destinations make it an ideal place to live and work. Whether youre a young professional a growing family or someone looking to make a lifestyle change the City of Paso Robles offers the perfect balance of opportunity community and California charm.
The Organization
The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. As of January 1 2025 the Citys population has grown to approximately 31061 reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the Citys high quality of life strong community identity and comprehensive municipal services.
The City is a full-service municipality meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. These include police and fire protection emergency medical response water and wastewater utilities parks and recreation planning and development services public works and community enrichment programs. The City is committed to delivering responsive effective and efficient services that enhance the well-being of its residents and support a safe sustainable and vibrant community.
The governing body consists of a five-member City Council: the Mayor elected at large by the voters of the City; and four Councilmembers elected by district. Voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager appointed by the City Council serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is authorized to appoint all non-elected employees with the exception of the City Attorney.
The City operates with a total annual budget of $145.7 million for fiscal year 2025-26 and employs 314.44 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services City Managers Office Community Development Community Services Fire and Emergency Services Police Public Works and Utilities.
The Department
The Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services Department provides a variety of services to include fire protection emergency medical services at the paramedic level rescue services hazardous materials mitigation public services community risk reduction disaster preparedness and response to the community.
The department has automatic and mutual aid agreements with Cal Fire and the other surrounding municipal departments for emergency response to these areas. The City and these agencies provide a clearly defined response plan for dispatching the nearest fire and EMS personnel and equipment to an emergency. The City operates four fire stations: three staffed stations and one unstaffed airport fire station.
The department is currently comprised of 50 FTEs. Administrative staff consists of the Fire Chief Deputy Fire Chief Fire Marshal/Battalion Chief two Fire Prevention Specialists two Administrative Fire Captains and an Administrative Coordinator. The Operations Division is staffed daily with a minimum of one Battalion Chief three Fire Captains three Fire Engineers and three Firefighters who staff three response resources on a 48/96 schedule. The department will be bringing a two-person squad consisting of an Engineer and a Firefighter back online in Fall 2025.The Ideal Candidate
The most successful candidates will have the following attributes:- The ability to empower develop motivate and mentor staff.
- A demonstrated history of sound professional judgement logical reasoning and a strategic approach to problem-solving.
- Effective and adaptable communication skills and the ability to successfully adapt to a wide variety of internal and external audiences.
- The ability to work and collaborate with staff and foster a team environment.
- A forward thinking open-minded and fair approach while being consistent in the application of rules and regulations.
- A strong drive and ability to advance the Departments core missions.
- The ability to work effectively and collaboratively with the Citys diverse community and neighboring jurisdictions.
- A thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of fire suppression emergency medical response hazardous materials response technical rescue and emergency management.
Typical Duties
- Plans develops and implements department goals objectives policies procedures and work standards; delegates authority and responsibility to meet established goals and objectives.
- Analyzes and reports to the Fire Chief on the effectiveness and efficiency of departmental operations.
- Prepares reviews and presents detailed staff reports.
- Serves as the Deputy Director of the Emergency Operations Center in the absence of the Fire Chief in accordance with the Citys Emergency Operations Plan.
- Oversees personnel actions within the department including but not limited to conducting personnel investigations and recommending discipline in accordance with City rules and regulations memorandums of understanding the California Firefighter Bill of Rights and other applicable laws and regulations.
- Develops implements and maintains programs related to departmental activities ensuring applicable federal state and local fire codes and laws are understood and enforced by department staff.
- Works with department managers to ensure the efficient organization and allocation of personnel capital outlays and operations to provide effective customer service and prioritization of service needs.
- Establishes and implements effective training communications and safety standards throughout the department to assure emergency readiness.
- Supervises leadership technical and support staff including employee development and training assigning work mentoring performance evaluations and hiring and selection.
- Oversees fire suppression and operations to ensure rapid response and proper staff deployment during emergencies; works with City staff other jurisdiction leadership and command staff to make complex and decisive technical and safety decisions.
- Participates in the development implementation and monitoring of annual departmental budget: prepares reports and recommendations concerning proposed city activities and their financial and/or staffing impact on the City and the department.
- Provides incident command and management at large scale emergencies; supports routine emergency management operations as needed.
- Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
- Confers with and represents the department and the City in meetings with members of the City Council members of boards and commissions various governmental agencies developers contractors business and industrial groups and the public.
- May act as the Fire Chief in their absence.
Photo Credit: Brittany AppEmployment Standards & Special Requirements
Knowledge of:
- Management principles and practices necessary to plan analyze develop direct and evaluate various programs administrative policies organizational structure and life-safety practices.
- Current widely accepted emergency response practices in the areas of medical fire hazardous materials technical rescue and Emergency Operations Center.
- Principles and practices of budget development administration and accountability.
- Contemporary leadership principles and practices applicable to a modern service-oriented fire department.
- Applicable federal state and local laws codes and regulations.
- Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies community groups and various business professional educational regulatory and legislative organizations.
- Methods and techniques for the development of presentations contract negotiations business correspondence and information distribution including public outreach.
- Current principles practices methods and techniques of fire and life safety fire prevention fire suppression emergency medical response emergency planning hazardous materials response risk management and the operation maintenance and use of modern firefighting and rescue equipment.
- Principles of employee supervision and personnel management including labor laws fire rescue training succession training coaching counseling and discipline.
- Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic cultural and ethnic backgrounds in person and over the phone.
- Planning organizing and implementing division goals projects policies practices and internal controls for the department.
- Balancing competing public interests and effectively addressing critical community concerns directly associated with the health safety and general welfare of the entire community.
- Analyzing problems identifying alternative solutions projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
- Using tact initiative prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines. Selecting training reviewing coordinating mentoring and evaluating the work of staff
- Establishing cost-effective staffing and operational plans.
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with City staff government agencies community groups vendors contractors and the public and representing the department in community relations efforts.
- Performing complex analytical and legal research work and analysis.
- Preparing clear and concise reports correspondence policies procedures and other written materials.
- Making effective command decisions in emergency situations.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:- Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in fire science fire technology business administration public administration or a related field; and
- Eight years of increasingly responsible full-time experience in an agency providing a full range of urban fire protection services.
Licenses and Certifications:
Requires the possession of the following:- Valid California Class C drivers license and a satisfactory driving record
- Company Officer certification issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Advanced Incident Command System for Command and General Staff (I-400)
- Hazardous Material First Responder Incident Commander certification within one year of appointment
- Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN) qualified within two years of appointment opportunities permitting
- Chief Fire Officer certification issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Executive Chief Fire Officer certification issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal
- Qualification under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group guidelines in one or more ICS positions
At the Fire Chiefs discretion required certifications above may be substituted with other state and/or federal certifications for current Chief Officers with a minimum of two years of experience. If substituted completion of a Company Officer certification issued by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal must be completed within one year of appointment.
The full job description including working conditions and physical demands can be found on the Citys website here.Selection Procedure & Application Process
- To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity please submit a completed employment application resumeand cover letterdescribing how your skills and experience translate to the requirements of the position by Monday July 28 2025 at 10:00 am.This is a confidential recruitment and will be handled accordingly throughout the various stages of the process. Candidates should be aware that references will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.
Applications received by the filing date will be reviewed for accuracy completeness and job related qualifications. A limited number of persons whose applications clearly demonstrate they most closely meet the requirements may be invited to participate in the selection process which may be any combination of written oral and/or performance exams. All statements made in the application materials are subject to verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification or discharge.
Appointment is subject to successfully passing a pre-employment physical psychological exam background and criminal history check. Before starting work applicants must present documentation of their identity authorization to work in the United States and a DMV driving record. The City of Paso Robles participates in E-Verify (more information can be found at Following appointment a twelve-month probationary period may be required as the final phase of the appointment process.
The email address you provide on the City application will be the primary means of communication the City will use to contact you regarding your application and this recruitment. If you have questions regarding the application process please contact Human Resources at or by email at.All persons employed by the City of Paso Robles are designated as disaster service workers as defined in the California Government Code section 3100 and 3101.The City of Paso Robles provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract.
Required Experience:
Chief
Employment Type
Full-Time
