Fire Chief – Lewis County Fire Districts 5 & 6

About the role

The Fire Chief is the executive fire service leader for Lewis County Fire Districts 5 and 6, responsible for managing, administering and delivering services across both organizations. The Chief works with both Boards of Commissioners to provide strategic and operational leadership, and helps set up communication, coordination and accountability under the new Interlocal Agreement.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee fire and emergency medical operations, personnel management, labor relations, training, budgeting and financial management, capital planning, fleet and facilities, fire prevention, policies and procedures, and other administrative functions.
• Help finalize and implement the Interlocal Agreement, defining roles, communication practices, decision-making and accountability.
• Assess both districts and report findings and recommendations to the Boards, covering strengths, staffing needs and alignment of policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership, supervision and mentorship to career and volunteer members, and develop future leaders.
• Work collaboratively with Local 451 and the union, and with neighboring agencies and community partners.
• Help evaluate the possibility of a single agency, and guide the implementation of the Annexation Agreement.
• Advise on staffing, revenues, facilities and apparatus needs, and on capital, apparatus and training priorities such as the Connex training tower partnership.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in fire science, fire administration, public administration, business administration or a closely related field is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible fire service experience, including significant command, supervisory and administrative responsibilities; experience at Captain, Chief Officer or equivalent level is highly desirable.
• Experience with a combination fire department, EMS, collective bargaining, budgeting, strategic planning and organizational leadership is strongly desired.
• Ongoing commitment to professional development and fire service training; certifications and EMT requirements will be set by the districts before recruitment.

Required skills

• Broad knowledge of fire and EMS operations, personnel management, collective bargaining, budgeting and financial management, capital planning, strategic planning, succession planning, training and emergency response.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust, listen carefully and support employees without micromanaging.
• Sound judgment, political awareness, fiscal responsibility and the ability to make difficult decisions.

What we offer

• Salary of $200,000 - $225,000 DOQ.
• Medical, dental and vision benefits, with employee cost sharing depending on plan choice.
• Washington State LEOFF retirement and deferred compensation available.
• 10 paid holidays, 15 vacation days and 12 sick leave days (vacation and sick leave open to negotiation).