Fire Chief - Fire Rescue

NOTICE TO APPLICANT

This position will close at 12: 00AM MST on the End Date.

You must ensure your application reflects the correct and current information for your work experience, hours worked per week per position, education, personal information, etc.

Only the information provided on this application is evaluated when determining compensation.

End Date: May 20, 2026

Job Description

PURPOSE SUMMARY.  Oversee, direct, support, and coordinate all operational and administrative activities of the Dona Ana County Fire and Rescue Services (County Fire), including Fire Administrative section, and career and volunteer staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES. 

1. Oversee long-range Fire and Emergency Services planning and direction for the County
2. Provide written and oral presentation on operational and long-range planning to all levels of the organization.

• Analyze and coordinate Fire and Emergency Services strategy, policies, and procedures.
• Provide information to departments for departmental planning and operation.

1. Monitor departmental expenditures to ensure department operates within budget while meeting the goals and objectives.
2. Justify budget requests, schedule annual expenses, and recurring costs.
3. Participate as a member of the County’s management team.
4. Coordinate with other departments to integrate projects of mutual concern.
5. Coordinate with Federal, State, and local agencies to obtain funding assistance.
6. Provide input to senior staff to improve the level and quality of services.
7. Serve as Authority Having Jurisdiction within the unincorporated areas of Doña Ana County to enforce all applicable laws and regulations, nationally recognized codes and standards pertaining to fire and emergency preparedness and response, and transport of EMS patient care.

Tasks include:

1. Adopt, implement, and enforce fire safety and emergency preparedness codes and ordinances now in effect or hereafter adopted.
2. Develop, implement, oversee, and review standards, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and protocols for County Fire Rescue, both career and volunteer.
3. Maintain and protect licenses and authorities held by County Fire for the delivery of emergency services as required by all applicable laws and regulations.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES.  Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS.

1. Education.  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Applied Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, Government, Fire Engineering/Science, or a closely related field.
2. Experience. Ten (10) years of career fire service experience to include operations, emergency medical services (EMS), training, safety, and/or fire and life safety, with at least eight (8) years in a supervisory and/or managerial capacity. Prior experience in managing a combination career and volunteer department of similar size that provided fire-based EMS service in a rural and urban environment, developing and maintaining hazard assessment plans, coordinating disaster preparedness activities, short- and long-range goal planning, budgeting, program and policy development, employee and labor relations, and prior experience working with a labor union, or closely related experience is desirable.
3. Education/Experience substitution. N/A
4. Licenses/Certifications.

• New Mexico Class E or Texas Class B driver's license required. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy.
• Current Emergency Medical Technician-Basic license or above from any state or National Registry.
• New Mexico license required within 6 months of hire.
• ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800
• Fire Certifications
• IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter II.
• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Instructor I
• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Officer I, II, and III
• IFSAC or Pro Board Inspector I/II certification within two (2) years of employment.
• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Officer IV is preferred.
• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Investigator I is preferred.
• Equivalent certifications may be accepted upon review.
• The incumbent must maintain certifications and licensures for continued employment.

Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver’s license record, etc.). Must undergo and pass a annual physical abilities test (PAT); comprehensive background review; integrity testing; and annual medical physical according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 standards. Must pass pre-employment driving record check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration and management, including budgeting, finance, project management, employee training, employee supervision, and conflict resolution.
• Major sources of information and principal documents relevant to emergency response and hazardous materials.
• Fire code inspections, investigations, plan reviews, and public fire education.
• Operation, maintenance, and repair of fire apparatus and related equipment.
• Fire hazards associated with various types of construction and storage of flammable materials and explosives.
• Laws and ordinances pertaining to fire prevention and arson.

Skill in:

• Making decisions under extreme emergency situations.
• Safe operations and care of emergency and firefighting equipment and tools and driving Fire Department vehicles safely through traffic.
• Computer and radio operation.

Ability to:

• Know and abide by all Department and County policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with others.

Compensation Range

$140,000.00 - $156,829.78

Salary/Compensation: $140,000 - $156,830 per year

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