DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF




Deputy Fire Chief

Deputy Fire Chief 

Job Class Code: 6002

Job Summary:
Under direction this position is responsible for assisting the Fire Chief in for the overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of all Fire Department activities.

Typical Duties:

  • Assists the Fire Chief in the supervision and oversight of all City Fire Department functions. Attends meetings and represents the Fire Department, when necessary. Assists in the development and oversight of the Department budget. Oversees and participates in developing leadership skills in fire officers and civilian employees. Develops and recommends policies, procedures, and general orders to administer the activities of all divisions and sections of the police department. Assist in the planning and oversight of long-term Fire Department administrative, operational, support, public education, and public relations activities. Responds to incidents and emergencies as needed or requested and provides assistance and direction to subordinates retaining command. Maintains knowledge of City geography, traffic patterns, streets, landmarks and building locations, and special hazards of designated facilities, to assure that firefighting activities are accomplished in a fast, effective and safe manner. Assist in the coordination of mutual fire protection plans, emergency responses, and other department activities with surrounding jurisdictions and organizations. Develop and implement major programs and projects. Supervises the performance of projects and receives unexpected priority assignments. Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, training sessions, and review publications to become and remain current on the principles and practices of operations. Maintains regulatory compliance by keeping current on industry trends, regulations, and issues. 
  • Develops, implements, monitors and reports on department goals and objectives related to Master, Strategic and Comprehensive Plans. Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly with City Administration, department directors, consultants, staff, and the public to provide quality services. Reviews progress and direct changes as needed. Coordinates and manages various special and recurring projects. Prepares and presents Commission agenda items. Represents the Department in commission meetings, civic and professional events. Keeps immediate supervisor fully and accurately informed on issues. Identifies areas of concern for management for review and potential action.
  • Manages and provides leadership and guidance to staff through proper delegation and work supervision. Monitors work, evaluates performance, trains, counsels, coaches, and instructs employees in order to meet established goals and objectives. Ensures adherence to established policies and procedures to remain in compliance with local, state, and federal rules, regulations and policies. Enforces work safety practices and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Recommends and implements corrective actions when necessary. Conducts performance evaluations. Participates in selection processes and recommends hires. Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules and expedites workflow. Studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
  • Manages and monitors department administrative activities. Assists with the preparation, coordination and presentation of the department budget and special funding. Provides leadership and direction in the execution of short and long-range plans. Gathers, interprets and prepares data for studies, reports, correspondence and recommendations. Coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed. Reviews and approves reports and prepares and maintains required departmental records. Leads and collaborates in software update and conversion projects. Responds to and resolves various complaints, issues, inquiries, and problems as authorized, and in accordance with established policies and procedures. Participates in procurement activities for supplies, services, equipment, and other items.
  • Ensures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time. Ensures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget by performing cost control activities. Monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control.


Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration or related field with post-graduate course work in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, including two (2) years of administrative or supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would likely produce the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.


Licenses and Certificates

  • New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P)
  • New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate (EMT-I)
  • CPR certification
  • ACLS certification
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or equivalent.
  • Valid driver’s license equivalent to a New Mexico Class D


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge:

  • Municipal organization operations, policies and procedures.
  • Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, and training. 
  • Fire Department functions, methods, procedures, policies, goals, organization, rules and regulations.
  • Local, state, and federal laws, department standard operation guidelines (SOGs), EMS protocols, National Fire Protections Association (NFPA) Standards as applicable to municipal Fire operations.
  • Firefighting tactics and strategies for all types of fire such as wild-land, commercial, residential, airport, flammable and combustible liquids, and vehicles. 
  • Fire department equipment, including vehicles, communications units, EMS and other related equipment.
  • Emergency Medical Service (EMS) procedures, techniques, and related medical equipment.
  • Fire prevention and education techniques.
  • Incident Management Systems.
  • Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including cost accounting, budgeting, procurement, customer service and employee supervision.
  • Techniques and practices for efficient and cost-effective management of resource.


Skills in:  

  • Interpreting and explaining Federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
  • Managing staff, delegating tasks and authority, and coaching to improve staff performance.
  • Analyzing problems, resolving disputes and grievances, and developing effective solutions.
  • The proficient use of fire suppression and other types of equipment.
  • Operating Fire service motor vehicles.
  • Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
  • Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.


Ability to:  

  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively, recognize actual and potential dangers, and make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations, and established procedures.
  • Develop and apply departmental, State and local laws, procedures, policies, rules and regulations.
  • Maintain a safe work environment. 
  • Establish standard operating and safety procedures.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Commission, Mayor, City Manager, outside agencies, department directors, staff, and the public. 
  • Manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
  • Plan, organize, manage, and evaluate the work of the department to ensure efficient, timely, and cost-effective services.
  • Research and respond to sensitive inquires and complaints from the public.
  • Manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  • Plan, organize, manage, and evaluate the work of the Department to ensure efficient, timely, and cost-effective services.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.


Physical Requirements:

  • Occasional work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Must meet NFPA 1582 Standards on comprehensive occupational medical program. Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. Occasionally run, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist, and climb ladders. Lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight. Work may require wearing of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or Hazmat Suit for extended periods of time. Use repetitive hand movement and fine coordination and manual dexterity which permits the employee to use fire suppression equipment, operate standard office equipment and computer systems. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing to permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, use communication equipment, communicate with others, operate motorized vehicles and effectively supervise a fire or related emergency scene. Sufficient visual acuity which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate, and prepare a variety of written materials.


Working Conditions:

  • Work typically performed in a standard office setting with occasional time spent outdoors with exposure to all types of weather conditions, high temperatures and potentially hazardous, uncontrollable, and life-threatening situations. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Occasional work beyond normal business hours. Position is subject to drug testing and regular driver’s license monitoring in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Clovis policies. Employee is exposed to airborne particles, potentially toxic and/or caustic chemicals, and extreme temperatures, travel from site to site, work around vehicles and traffic. Use of safety shoes, glasses and other equipment is required


Position : 18009001

Code : 23-1

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Location : FIRE DEPARTMENT

Group : FULL TIME

Job Class : DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF

Posting Start : 06/11/2026

Posting End : 12/31/9999

Salary: $47.80-$71.67