About this role
This is an internal recruitment - only current NCFPD employees are eligible to apply.
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION:
Subject to policy and administrative direction of the Board of Directors, the Fire Chief/CEO plans, organizes and directs the overall operation and activity of the Department. The Fire Chief/CEO is subject to call-out for major incidents.
WORK HOURS:
The Fire Chief/CEO works a forty (40) hour-per-week work schedule. Board meetings, community meetings, special or educational programs and other events may require travel and additional hours in the evening and/or on weekends. This is an FLSA exempt position.
EDUCATION:
• Bachelor’s degree in fire administration, emergency management, public administration, business administration, organizational leadership or similar major from a regionally accredited college or university is required.
• A graduate degree in a related discipline is preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of total fire service experience is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years as a Chief Officer (Battalion Chief or higher) with the North County Fire Protection District.
• Two (2) years of executive-level leadership is preferred including administrative responsibility, such as: budget development, project management, personnel management, policy development and board relations.
• Service as a Chief Officer with a California special district fire department of similar size, serving a similar community, with a similar risk profile, providing a similar range of services (including ALS engines and ALS transport) is highly desirable.
• Specific experience in a suburban fire department with a significant wildland/urban interface component is highly desirable.
CREDENTIALS/CERTIFICATIONS:
• Must have a California Driver’s License or be eligible to obtain the same (also must be and remain insurable with District’s liability carrier).
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification (BLS - CPR/AED) is required.
• Certification as a Chief Officer by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is required. OSFM certification as a Fire Chief is preferred.
• Candidates from outside California may submit other certifications/documentation/justification demonstrating equivalency with this requirement.
• Completion of or current enrollment in, the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program at the National Fire Academy or the Executive Chief Fire Officer (NFPA Fire Officer IV) through the California State Fire Marshal or equivalent certifying authority is preferred.
• Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) issued by the Commission on Public Safety Excellence or Fire Chief Designation through the California State Fire Marshal is preferred. CFOD will also be recognized as equivalent to OSFM Chief Officer or Fire Chief Certification for out of state candidates (see above). If not held at hiring, this designation must be achieved within one (1) year of date of hire.
• Compliance with State Law requirements for training as public official, including, but not limited to AB 1234 training, SB 827 training, and all other employment training requirements in the State of California.
OTHER KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
• Demonstrated success fostering positive labor relations through effective communication, sound judgment, and principled leadership. Ability to make difficult decisions while maintaining productive working relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to community engagement through active participation in civic organizations, public outreach, and community events while maintaining political neutrality.
• Active participation in local, regional, state, or national professional organizations. Involvement with organizations such as the IAFC, Cal Chiefs, FDAC, CSDA, or similar organizations is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, communicate, and implement organizational vision, lead change, and achieve strategic objectives within available resources.
• Broad knowledge of fire, EMS, emergency management, community risk reduction, and fire service administration, with a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop employees, delegate authority, promote accountability, and foster a collaborative organizational culture.
• Demonstrated ability to improve organizational performance, enhance fiscal sustainability, manage complex initiatives, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with an elected Board of Directors by providing transparent communication, sound policy recommendations, and strategic leadership while respecting governance and administrative roles.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing public agency budgets, long-range financial planning, grant administration, capital projects, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:
The Fire Chief will reside within a reasonable response distance of the District, as determined by the Board of Directors, sufficient to allow the Fire Chief to respond to the District when required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
As defined in the District’s wellness/fitness program for Chief Officers
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The detailed compensation and benefits package is negotiable and will generally be consistent with the terms and provisions of the current Fire Chief employment agreement.
Complete application packages must be submitted 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026.
For questions regarding the application process or the position contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 760-723-2039.
TEST PROCESS:
COMPONENTS:
Review of credentials/application materials. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the classification will move on to the next step in the examination process.
Community Partner & External Fire Chief Panel - October 7, 2026.
The candidates will complete two oral interview/technical panels
NCFPD Board of Directors Interview and Presentation - October 14, 2026
The candidates will provide a presentation to the District Board of Directors, followed by an oral interview panel
Details on the presentation requirements and due date will be provided to interested applicants no later than September 4, 2026.
In order to successfully pass the evaluation process, a candidate must successfully pass each component of the exam; a combined total score that comprises a passing grade is unacceptable if any portion of the exam was not successfully passed. Regardless of the classification/category of the employee, there will be no retesting of any portion of the examination for which a passing grade is not received.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
The NCFPD Board of Directors will select the Fire Chief based on input and feedback from the community panel interviews, as well as its own evaluation and interview process. The selection is anticipated to be announced at the October 2026 Board of Directors meeting.
All material received in this application and testing process will remain confidential.
The North County Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, political or religious affiliation, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or other functional limitation as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act except where a bona fide occupational qualification(s) so dictates.
DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content. The District may, without notice, change or eliminate any particular assessment component or combination of components as needs dictate.
$265,000.00