Fire Chief

Salary : $102,585.60 - $128,232.00 Annually
Location : Bernalillo, NM
Job Type: Classified Full Time
Job Number: 2025-00044
Division: EMS/Fire
Opening Date: 04/21/2025
Closing Date: 5/5/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

General Purpose

Under administrative direction, plans, directs, coordinates and administers the daily operations, functions, and activities of Sandoval County Fire and Rescue, which consists of both career and volunteer members; plans, organizes and directs fire prevention, suppression and emergency medical services to prevent or minimize loss of life and property, or injury as a result of fire or accident; develops recommendations and short and long-term goals and objectives for the protection of life and property in the County; oversees staff, finances, program, policy, compliance, and contracts related to fire programs; and performs other administrative support functions as directed by the County Manager, or designee.

A job description is intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job. Job descriptions are not intended to list all duties performed within the job.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Fire/EMS Administration, Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field, Master's preferred; and ten (10) years of fire suppression experience as a full-time uniformed member of a fire rescue or EMS service that includes six years of management or administrative experience with demonstrated experience and responsibility in budgeting and capital inventory, staff supervision, procurement, grant/fundraising activities, fire ground management, incident command and emergency management, and collaborative interagency relationships; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid New Mexico Driver's License, Class E;
• EMS License with current EMT-Paramedic designation;
• Basic Life Support CPR Certificate;
• IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter II
• IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Officer II
• ICS 100, 200, 700, 800
• Other licenses and certifications may be required within a specified time period after hire
• Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Certificate from the National Fire Academy (NFA) preferred
• Sandoval County Firefighter physical capacity/agility test; a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

This is a safety- sensitive position subject to random drug testing in accordance with County policy Article XIII Drug and Alcohol Policy and Testing-Drug Free Workplace of the Sandoval County Personnel Rules and Regulation.

This position is subject to random alcohol and drug testing in accordance with 49CFR.382

Other Requirements

• Ability to maintain a valid New Mexico driver's license

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns tasks and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Coaches and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects; measures the performance of all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides general advice and counsel to staff; develops or assists with developmental work plans for staff; assists with implementation and recommendation of corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.
• Coordinates and manages the daily operations of the fire department including meeting with command staff and administrative assistants at the beginning of the week to identify any new issues, identify tasks that need to be completed, prioritize the tasks and assign work and timelines; when needed, may perform Daily Duty Officer functions including supervising the on-duty career staff; rotates on weekend coverage as scheduled; debriefs with in-coming and off-going crews to identify issues from the previous shift such as repairs needed for equipment and apparatus, narcotics and other medication restocking, potential staff issues, station issues and repairs; responds to all major fire and EMS incidents; debriefs major incidents with all responders; conducts preventative maintenance of apparatus and moves apparatus to and from stations to the repair shop.
• Monitors progress on all construction projects and coordinates issues and problem resolution with the project manager, contractors, subcontractors, and architects.
• Performs various administrative duties; approves requisitions for purchase; prepares department payroll for submission to the payroll department; prepares agenda items for the Board of County Commissioners; presents requests for approval to the Board of County Commissioners; prepares line item transfers and cash balance transfers as needed; prepares New Mexico State Fire Funds carryover requests for all fire districts and fire administration; develops, prepares, and administers all departmental budgets; prepares and manages contracts for , ambulance service contracts, Medical Director contract, consulting Pharmacist, and any other contracts that may be required to perform fire/EMS services.
• Attends a variety of meetings representing the department and/or the County.
• Develops, maintains, and implements a 5-year strategic plan; reviews and updates the plan as needed/required.
• Identifies potential local, state, and federal grant opportunities; receives approval from the Sandoval County Board of Commissioners to apply for identified and recommended grants; applies for grants; and manages and monitors awarded grants.
• Maintains and manages the department Standard Operating Policy (SOP) and Standard Operating Guideline (SOG); continuously reviews and updates the SOP's and SOG's for career and volunteer members; develops training programs based on SOG's and SOP's; and reviews and updates policies as necessary.
• Provides support to, and collaborates with, the County Emergency Manager when needed and/or directed.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Sandoval County offers benefits to full-time and part-time employees working 20 hours or more a week including: Health Care, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, Long-Term and Short-Term disability insurance, Holiday pay, Vacation and Sick Leave, Deferred Compensation Plan.
Sandoval County Fire/EMS Department Non-union positions are part of the Municipal Plan 5. The County contributes 34.75% with the employee contributing 4.6% to the Public Employee Retirement Plan. (PERA)
01

Which of the following best describes your level of education in the related field for this position?

• No High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Ph.D./PsyD/Ed.D/M.D./D.O/Doctorate

02

Do you have ten (10) years of fire suppression experience as a full-time uniformed member of a fire rescue or EMS service that includes six (6) years of management or administrative experience with demonstrated experience and responsibility in budgeting and capital inventory, staff supervision, procurement, grant/fundraising activities, fire ground management, incident command and emergency management, and collaborative interagency relationships?

• Yes
• No

03

Briefly describe when and where you obtained your experience stated above.
04

Do you have the following required License(s) / Certificate(s)? If so, they must be attached. -Valid New Mexico Driver's License, Class E; -EMS License with current EMT-Paramedic designation; -Basic Life Support CPR Certificate; -IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter II-IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Officer II-ICS 100, 200, 700, 800

• Yes
• No

05

I understand that if I do not attach a copy of my High School Diploma/GED Certificate, Degree or transcripts from an accredited institution showing degree conferred/awarded that my application will not be considered.

• I Understand

Required Question