Fire Lieutenant

About the role

The City of Winter Haven Fire Department is seeking an experienced Fire Lieutenant to lead shift personnel and oversee emergency response operations. This full‑time position involves supervising crews, managing incident command, and ensuring the fire station’s readiness.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and direct fire shift personnel during daily duties and emergency incidents.
• Establish and maintain incident command structures for fire suppression, hazardous‑material, medical, and active‑shooter events.
• Perform fire‑ground operations including extinguishing fires, hazardous‑material control, victim extrication, and first‑aid administration.
• Conduct pre‑incident planning, public education programs, and tactical drills.
• Ensure fire apparatus and station equipment are inspected, maintained, and ready for deployment.
• Complete employee evaluations, develop performance improvement plans, and support career development.
• Act as the senior officer on scene when higher‑ranking officers are unavailable.

Required profile

• State of Florida Firefighter, Fire Officer I, and Paramedic certifications (internal candidates) or additional Pump Operator certification and five years of fire department experience (external candidates).
• Ability to obtain State of Florida Fire Officer II certification within six months of selection and enrollment in an associate‑degree program within 24 months.
• Pass a physical readiness test, drug screen, background investigation, and polygraph examination.
• Valid Florida driver’s license with a clean driving record and no felony convictions.

What we offer

• Salary range $66,668 – $90,131 per year, plus a $12,000 paramedic incentive and up to $2,000 technical‑rescue pay.
• 24/48‑hour shift schedule with 17 Kelly days, 12 paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and physical‑readiness leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance effective day one.
• Co‑sponsored defined‑benefit pension plan, deferred compensation options, and tuition assistance.
• Employee assistance program, including mental‑health services, and extensive training and development opportunities.