Recruitment documents

The Position

Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief is responsible for administering all operations of the Central City Fire Department, including budgeting, purchasing, personnel supervision, emergency response, fire prevention, public education, training, planning, policy development, interagency coordination, and operational readiness. The Fire Chief serves as the City’s Designated Emergency Response Authority for hazardous materials incidents and maintains command responsibility at structural, wildland, and interface fire scenes.

The Fire Chief prepares and manages the department budget, monitors expenditures, oversees purchasing, prepares RFPs, and pursues grant opportunities that support department growth. This includes identifying and administering federal, state, and private funding opportunities, such as FEMA SAFER, Assistance to Firefighters Grants, and Colorado-based public safety funding. The Chief will also develop and maintain accurate records, prepare reports, track operational data, support compliance, and strengthen internal systems for planning, accountability, and transparency.

The next Fire Chief is expected to guide the department through a period of significant organizational development, including staffing expansion, volunteer recruitment and retention, apparatus and equipment planning, capital project planning, and the pursuit of a modern fire station. The Chief will work closely with the City Manager, City leadership, department personnel, volunteers, mutual aid partners, regional agencies, and community stakeholders to build a sustainable department infrastructure while maintaining strong daily operations and emergency response readiness.

Opportunities & Priorities

Advancing Fire Station Planning and Development: Central City is in need of a new fire station. The current facilities cannot accommodate a Type 1 pumper and do not meet the needs of a department moving toward 24-hour staffing. In 2024, the City engaged ESCI to develop a Long- Range Master Plan for the Fire Department, which is available on the City’s website. The City recently received a $568,000 grant for fire station design, and an RFQ was issued in April 2026 seeking an experienced firm to assist with the project.

Supporting Staffing Coverage and Volunteer Recruitment: The department currently has 15 volunteers and, like many agencies, continues to face recruitment and retention challenges. To support response coverage during daytime hours, when many volunteers are at work, Central City has added part-time firefighters assigned to day shifts.

Planning for Apparatus Needs: Central City received a new Type 3 pumper and tender in 2023. The department also needs a Type 1 pumper, which is directly connected to the need for a new fire station that can accommodate this type of apparatus.

Strengthening Mutual Aid and Training Partnerships: Central City would benefit from an updated mutual aid agreement with Black Hawk and additional joint training with Gilpin Ambulance Service and the Timberline Fire Protection District. Continued attention to regional coordination will help strengthen response readiness, clarify expectations, and support effective operations during larger or more complex incidents.

Education & Experience

Required Education & Experience:

A high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
A bachelor’s degree in fire science, business management, public administration, or another applicable field. However, a combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.
A minimum of seven (7) years of firefighting experience, including at least three (3) years in a Captain or equivalent leadership role for a full-time fire service organization.
Experience working with or supervising volunteer fire personnel.
A valid Driver’s License.
NIMS Incident Command training at the level appropriate for the Department.
Must hold and maintain a credential or equivalent experience to perform command or support functions in all-hazards or wildfire incidents.
EMT Certification, including EMT-B, EMT-B+, or EMT-I.

Preferred Education & Experience:

Colorado Fire Officer Certification.
Completion of fire science coursework and courses offered by the Division of Fire Safety or the National Fire Academy.
Ideally, five (5) years of experience as a Chief Officer.
Demonstrated experience contributing to or leading department growth initiatives, such as capital facility projects, new station planning, staffing expansion, or organizational restructuring.
Demonstrated success in recruiting, retaining, and integrating volunteers within a combination department.
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) experience.
Residency within the City or in the immediate area, or as mutually agreed upon between the new Fire Chief and the City Manager.
Ability to respond to the scene within 30 minutes.
Desirable professional certifications and training include: Executive Fire Officer Certification or IFSAC/Pro Board Fire Officer IV, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Basic Life Support (BLS), IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Instructor II, and IFSAC or Pro Board Hazardous Materials Operations.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

A present, visible, and engaged leadership style within the organization and the community, with the ability to work effectively with elected officials, the City Manager, department directors, staff, volunteers, regional partners, and residents.
Experience working in a combination fire department setting, with an understanding of the operational, administrative, and cultural needs of a department that relies on a volunteer firefighting force.
A strong operational background, ideally gained by working up through the ranks, with experience in wildland, structure suppression, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) environments.
Broad knowledge of modern fire department administration, including financial and budget practices, capital expenditures, fire prevention, fleet management, grants, strategic planning, succession planning, human resources, mentorship, training, and policy and procedure development.
Familiarity with department growth initiatives, including capital facility projects, new station planning, staffing expansion, organizational restructuring, mergers, or consolidations.
An understanding of Colorado statutes and requirements affecting the City and fire department, including applicable Colorado Revised Statutes, the Colorado Firefighter Safety Act, TABOR, and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
The capacity to serve as a key member of the City’s Leadership Team and work closely with the City Manager and other department directors to help lead the City in a strategic way.
A collaborative and regionally minded approach, including the ability to work closely with area fire departments and the Gilpin Ambulance Authority.
Sound business and political acumen, along with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
The judgment to advocate for staff and volunteers while balancing the needs of the City.
The ability to engage department members, delegate appropriately, include those closest to the work in the decision-making process, and foster trust, accountability, coaching, mentoring, continuous improvement, and recognition of strong performance.
A leadership presence that reflects honesty, consistency, accountability, and professionalism during both good and difficult times.
A firm, fair, and consistent approach to applying programs and standard operating procedures, including the ability to use teachable moments when appropriate and take corrective action when warranted.
Clear, direct, and transparent communication with department members, the City Manager, City Council, and the community, including an approachable and open-minded style, the ability to explain decisions, listen for understanding, consider new ideas, and pivot when appropriate.
Fiscal responsibility and accountability for community assets, with the ability to work closely with the City Manager and staff to advocate for a level of service that meets community needs within the authorized budget.
The ability to hold self and staff accountable for assigned work, projects, and special assignments.
A strong commitment to operational readiness, training, and the acquisition of appropriate, reliable, and required equipment as resources allow.

Compensation & Benefits

$130,000 - $180,000 DOQ
Salary will increase by 2.5% Jan. 1, 2027
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, with the City paying 100% of premiums for employees and dependents.
City-paid long-term disability coverage and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program offering support for personal and work-related needs.
Generous paid time off, with approximately 120 hours of vacation and 95 hours of sick leave earned annually.
Increased vacation accrual after five years of service.
15 paid holidays annually, including one personal holiday.
City match of up to 5% for employee contributions to a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.
City-paid job training and certification renewal costs.
Potential for alternative scheduling options as Fire Department staffing grows.
Participation in FPPA benefits, which may include retirement, death, disability, and survivor benefits, depending on position and hiring status.
Coverage may include the FPPA Statewide Death & Disability Plan and eligible FPPA retirement options, such as a Defined Benefit pension, Money Purchase Component, or other applicable plan options.

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