Assistant Fire Chief

The Position

Reporting to the Airport Fire Chief, the Assistant Fire Chief serves as the department's second-incommand and acts for the Chief when delegated or during the Chief's absence. This position assists in planning, developing, and administering the airport's fire and security programs and provides leadership for emergency response, personnel management, training, regulatory compliance, and relationships with airport tenants and partner agencies. The Assistant Chief performs the work with considerable independence and is accountable for operational results, service quality, and readiness of department personnel and equipment.

The Assistant Chief helps establish departmental priorities, organize and coordinate daily operations, prepare schedules, assign work, and supervise and evaluate employees. The position recommends personnel actions, supports the County's employment and diversity programs, and works with Human Resources, labor representatives, and other stakeholders on workforce matters. A central responsibility will be creating clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and supporting employees in maintaining a high level of professional and operational performance.

The position assists the Airport Fire Chief in interpreting and enforcing federal, state, county, airport, and FAA regulations, including FAR Part 139 ARFF compliance, and contributes to the department's budget, capital improvement planning, and annual goals. The Assistant Chief represents Paine Field and Snohomish County in public, governmental, and professional settings and maintains working relationships with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, airport leadership and tenants, the Department of Emergency Management, fire academies, and other partners.

During fire, aircraft, rescue, and other emergency incidents, the Assistant Chief may assume command or delegate command, direct personnel and equipment deployment, and work within Unified Command. The position must remain composed and decisive in rapidly changing situations and be available for emergency response around the clock while in the local area.

To view the full job description, please see the attachment provided here.

Opportunities and Priorities

The Department Leadership and Operational Alignment: As the Fire Department’s second-incommand, the Assistant Chief will help translate departmental goals into consistent daily practices. The position will work with the Airport Fire Chief and employees to clarify expectations, coordinate schedules and work priorities, strengthen communication, and ensure that policies and standard operating procedures are understood and applied throughout the department.

ARFF Readiness and Regulatory Compliance: Paine Field’s aviation environment requires continuous attention to Part 139 requirements, airport certification standards, emergency planning, equipment readiness, and changes in aircraft rescue and firefighting practices. The Assistant Chief will help maintain the Airport Certification Manual and Airport Emergency Plan, assess deployment capabilities, and ensure that personnel remain prepared for aircraft, structural, medical, hazardous materials, and rescue incidents.

Training and Workforce Development: The department has specialized training infrastructure, including an HRET prop and a Boeing 727-100 aircraft that can support practical airfield and aircraft-response exercises. The Assistant Chief will have an important role in developing training materials, coordinating drills, strengthening command and technical competencies, and supporting employees as they pursue advanced certifications and professional growth.

Interagency Coordination: Paine Field relies on established automatic-aid agreements and close relationships with neighboring fire departments, Boeing’s fire organization, law enforcement, emergency management, and other public-safety partners. The Assistant Chief will help sustain these relationships, coordinate quarterly airside drills, maintain mutual-aid agreements, and ensure that participating agencies understand airport access, hazards, communications, and command expectations.

Airport Capital Program and Continued Development: The airport is moving forward with a substantial capital program that includes reconstruction of its primary runway and future annual capital budgets expected to exceed $50 million. The Assistant Chief will help ensure that fire protection, emergency access, operational continuity, apparatus deployment, and regulatory requirements are considered as airport projects are planned and delivered.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring credible chief officer experience in both ARFF and structural firefighting environments and will understand the operational discipline required at a federally certificated airport. This individual will be comfortable moving between emergency command, employee supervision, regulatory administration, budgeting, training, and long-term program development. In addition, the ideal candidate will:

• Establish clear expectations, communicate openly, and follow through on commitments.
• Be visible and accessible to department personnel while respecting the chain of command and the experience of employees throughout the organization.
• Evaluate performance fairly, address concerns directly, and support professional development.
• Assess complex situations quickly and make sound decisions under pressure, maintaining a calm and measured approach.
• Communicate clearly with firefighters, airport personnel, elected and appointed officials, partner agencies, tenants, and members of the public.
• Strengthen coordination with neighboring fire and law enforcement agencies and participate actively in regional training and planning.
• Represent Paine Field professionally in operational, governmental, and industry settings.
• Combine operational credibility with an interest in improving systems, and be willing to examine established practices.
• Involve employees in developing workable solutions and help implement procedures that improve consistency, safety, preparedness, and accountability.

Education & Experience

A bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Services Management, Public Administration, or a closely related field is required, together with IFSAC, ProBoard, or Department of Defense equivalent certification as a Fire Officer III and at least two years of experience serving as a chief officer in a FAR Part 139 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting and structural fire department.

An equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and progressively responsible experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities may be considered. Candidates must successfully complete applicable job-related testing.

One or more of the following professional certifications is preferred:

• Fire Officer IV
• Fire Instructor III
• Fire Inspector III
• Firefighter I and II
• Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter
• Hazardous Materials Incident Commander

Certifications should be issued by ProBoard, IFSAC, or an accepted equivalent accrediting body, as applicable.

Compensation & Benefits

• $121,758 - $155,398 DOQ
• Enrollment in the Washington State Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Plan 2 (LEOFF 2).
• Medical insurance, with dental and vision premiums paid in full by the County.
• Basic group life and AD&D insurance, and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid leave and holidays.
• Access to a County vehicle in accordance with County policies and operational requirements.
• Professional training and development opportunities.
• Additional benefits include an Employee Assistance Program, employee wellness resources, commuting benefits, voluntary 457(b) deferred compensation, flexible spending accounts, and optional supplemental life, AD&D, and individual insurance coverage.