Fire Chief â Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
Fire Chief â Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
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USD 122610 - 209558
1 Vacancy
Job Description
About Us
The Fire Chiefwill also play a critical role in cultivating and maintaining strong automatic and mutual aid partnerships with regional emergency response agencies to ensure seamless coordination in the event of large-scale or multi-jurisdictional incidents. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of everyone at RDU encouraging a culture of vigilance care and professionalism throughout the department. Additionally the ideal candidate has a track record of being a team builder across shifts and divisions while being adept at fostering and maintaining a climate of high morale and engagement.
About the Community:
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located at the western edge of Wake County midway between the cities of Durham and Raleigh in North County is home to 11municipalities including the capital city of Raleigh. Accessed by I-40 and four major U.S. highways Wake County is the most populous county in the state with a population of 1.2 million and growing. Consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work in America Wake County offers 11 principal colleges and universities includingNC State University. Wake County is also the center of state government with the Capitol Building legislature and many government offices located in the City of Raleigh.
Known as the City of Oaks Raleigh has received numerous awards recognizing its excellence economically culturally and 2025 the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh the #1 Best-Performing Large City in the U.S. citing its strong job growth and tech sector performance. U.S. News WalletHub and other national outlets have consistently named Raleigh a top city for real estate remote workers veterans and college students while also ranking it among the best places to live in America. Additionally Raleigh has received accolades in environmental leadership including Smart Cities awards and recognition for its urban agriculture and climate initiatives. Culturally Raleighs vibrant arts scene and food culture have earned praise fromSouthern Living Travel Leisure and AAA with local chefs such as Ashley Christensen and venues frequently receiving national attention.
Raleigh has more than 9000 acres of parkland and almost 1300 acres of water offering recreational activities year-round. A nationally acclaimed greenway system spans more than 180 miles providing walking jogging and hiking trails that connect many of the City of Raleighs 200 parks and Town of Carys 30 parks.Dorothea Dix Park commonly known as Dix Park is Raleighs premier urban oasisa sprawling 308-acre landscape featuring rolling meadows mature oak groves and panoramic skyline views right on the edge of downtown. Highlights include the Southeasts largest adventure playgroundthe newly opened Gipson Play Plaza with climbing towers a sensory maze water features and picnic grovesand sprawling open fields perfect for picnics drones disc golf dog walking and sunset strolls.
The NHL Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Mudcats Low-A Baseball NC FC Mens and NC Courage Womens pro soccer teams attract visitors throughout the year and serve as an entertainment hub for community members and visitors alike.Raleighs cultural scene includes renowned institutions like the NC Opera NC Symphony and Carolina Ballet in addition to three major state museums that showcase the citys rich heritage in arts history and natural sciences.
Neighboring Durham County with a population of 326000 and located in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina is home to Research Triangle Park and is one of the most economically competitive regions in the world. Research and development from many private and federal labs have fueled business and economic growth in Durham County and has made the region a world leader in life sciences information technology and clean technology. Consistently ranked among the top places to live work and play Durham is a magnet for talent which helps attract innovative companies working in high-growth industries. Also called the City of Medicine Durham has long been known for world-class medical facilities including top-ranked Duke University Medical Center and an industry-leading pharmaceutical sector. The healthcare industry in Durham County includes more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices with a combined payroll that exceeds $1.2 billion annually. More recently Durham County has become a hotspot for entrepreneurs and high-tech startups propelled by the launch of American Underground a startup incubator and accelerator.
Durham boasts a premier performing arts center and the Durham Bulls AAA baseball addition to Duke University Durham is home to North Carolina Central University the nations first public Historically Black College and University now a major center for biotech and bio-manufacturing R&D and Durham Technical Community College a key partner in preparing a competitive workforce. Private investment flourishes redeveloping former tobacco and textile warehouses and historic buildings into mixed-use developments filled with trendy housing options restaurants artist studios retail spaces and small businesses.Research Triangle Park (RTP) located just 6.5 miles from the RDU Airport is a 7000-acre special county research and production district encompassed on three sides by the city of Durham with a portion in Wake County and served by a Durham postal substation. RTP houses more than 170 major research companies employing 39000 full-time employees and 10000 contract workers.
About the Organization:
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the NC General Assembly in 1939. The cities of Durham and Raleigh along with Durham and Wake counties each appoint two members to the board. The Airport Authority operates much like a small city and is similarly classified as such due in part to the fact that it has its own law enforcement and crash/fire/rescue departments. The Authority employs approximately 400 full-time staff. The campus hosts approximately 5000 badge-holding employees who work for vendor partners (e.g. food/beverage/retail concessionaires airlines rental car companies as well as a variety of janitorial maintenance and engineering/architectural contractors).
Served by 19 airlines RDU offers flights to over 80 nonstop destinations across the United States Canada Mexico Europe and the Caribbean. Major carriers include American Airlines Delta Air Lines Southwest Airlines United Airlines and newer entrants like Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways.As RDU welcomes more guests adds new airlines and increases the number of destinations it servescapacity-related enhancements are underway to prepare the airport for growth. Vision 2040 isthe long-range roadmap the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority follows when making decisions about major campus construction projects. Vision 2040 calls for RDU to tap the existing reserve infrastructure while planning for the future. Key highlights include the construction of a new 10000-foot runway capacity-driven terminal modifications and expansion ground transportation parking roadway construction and general aviation facilities. Details on the expansion can be found on our website here: the RDU Fire-Rescue and Police departments work closely with a number of federal agencies that have a presence at Raleigh-Durham International Airport including theFederal Aviation Administration(FAA) theTransportation Security Administration(TSA)andCustoms and Border Protection(CBP).RDU is a participating airport in theU.S. CBPs Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network. This program allows U.S. citizens lawful permanent residents and pre-approved citizens of Mexico and the Netherlands an opportunity to use an automated kiosk to bypass the standard passport screening lines thereby reducing wait times.
Duties/Responsibilities
About the Department and Position:
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Fire-Rescue Department operates under the leadership of a Chief with three shifts on duty 24/7/365 inclusive of a deputy fire chief captain lieutenant and three fire engineers per shift. The Fire Chief partners with the Police Chief and Director of Emergency Operations to oversee emergency services and response operations within the Airport Authority and works closely with our Airport Operations Emergency Operations Risk Management and Safety and Insurance Departments. Responsible for a budget of approximately $4.25 million and 29 authorized positions the Fire Chiefdirectly supervises four key leadersthe Deputy Chief of Administration and three Deputy Chiefs who manage daily shift operations. The next Fire Chiefshould have experience managing budgets of a similar scale with a strong preference given to those who have worked in or have significant experience within an airport authority environment. The next Fire Chiefshould have airport authority experience from a comparable airport setting. Candidates with substantial military airport experience may be considered but must demonstrate the ability to adapt to a civilian corporate airport authority setting.
Key Position Priorities include but are not limited to:
- Fill several key leadership positions within the fire department.
- Oversee budgeting and financial forecasting including long-term capital improvement planning (CIP) for the replacement of essential apparatus and equipment.
- Develop and implement a departmental strategic plan to guide improvements and operational excellence.
- Manage the departments role in major airport development projects such as the new runway Terminal 2 enhancements the John Brantley Boulevard roadway project and the design and construction of a new fire station beginning in late 2025.
- Proactively plan for and respond to RDUs continued growth in passenger volume ensuring the fire department remains fully equipped staffed and trained to meet the increasing demands of a dynamic airport environment.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in fire science emergency management or related field.
- Six (6)or more years of firefighting experience with at least two of those years leading under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 139 airport operation certificate preferably with an airport authority.
- Four (4) or more years of related work experience in a supervisory role
- Valid NC Drivers License
- Class B Drivers License
- Airport Fire Officer (ARFF/WG-AAAE) Certification
- EMT Licensure and Certification
Preferred Qualifications
- Ten(10) or more years of firefighting experience with at least two of those years leading under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 139 airport operation certificate preferably with an airport authority.
- Six (6) or more years of related work experience in a supervisory role
- Graduation from an Advanced Leadership Development Program
- Certified Airport Master Firefighter
The Successful Candidate:
- is an individual with impeccable integrity and a proven record of consistency in managing both internal and external relationships to develop trust and to create opportunities for collaborative problem solving strong stakeholder relationships and partnerships;
- thinks beyond traditional fire service by embracing a mindset that goes beyond typical fire department operations and applying strategic thinking that aligns with airport authority priorities not just public safety norms;
- provides strong visionary leadership in managing and developing the fire department team.
- brings proven experience and expertise in airport operations specifically within an airport authority environment;
- demonstrates a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management maintaining vigilant oversight of all airport safety;
- prioritizes the safety and well-being of RDUs passengers staff and visitors in every aspect of department operations;
- builds and maintains strong automatic and mutual aid and automatic response partnerships across the region to ensure seamless emergency collaboration;
- thinks beyond traditional fire service boundaries and aligns leadership strategies with the operational structure and priorities of an airport authority;
- understands and embraces that the RDU Airport Authority is a corporate environmentnot a municipal oneand brings the right set of leadership and management skills to succeed in that context;
- recognizes that RDU is a complex high-stakes operational environment requiring specialized nontraditional experience; and
- facilitates morale-building and healing within the department by addressing internal challenges with empathy consistency and team-centered leadership.
Additional Information
Salary and Benefits:The hiring range is $122610.80 to $160845.88 with a full range of $112132.80 - $209558.96. Salaries are determined through a compensation calculation that evaluates experience and credentials for all positions. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority provides anexcellent benefits package including being part of the North Carolina LGERS pension program and Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers Pension Fund (FRSWPF).
To applyplease visit and click on the Fire Chief Raleigh-Durham Airport Authoritytitle.
- All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) NOT the organizations employment application portal nor any other external website.
- Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application.
- Applicants should apply by August 16th 2025.
- The Selection Committee will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluation on September 17-18 2025. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.
- Final interviews with finalists will be on-site following the virtual assessment between October 6 and 13 2025
- Directinquiriesto:
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Developmental Associates LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process visit select Client Openingsand scroll down to Important Information for Applicants.
Required Experience:
Chief
Employment Type
Full-Time
