$175,303.56 - $228,731.39 Annually
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Job Summary
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Deputy Fire Chief - Fire Prevention Recruitment Brochure
The Kirkland Fire Department is seeking to hire a Deputy Fire Chief - Fire Prevention!
Why Kirkland?
Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you! If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and fearless innovation. Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees. Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details. Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of finding reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has reserved spots for City employees at local and regional providers, available at a discount. New employees gain access to Kirkland's reserved spots as soon as they start employment. Learn more! Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing it's employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.
Kirkland is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable individual to serve in the newly created position of Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention. The Deputy Chief is a civil service covered employee, reporting to the Fire Chief. The ideal candidate is a skilled leader with excellent oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of and experience in the application of International Fire Code (IFC), code enforcement, inspection programs, plans review and permitting, fire investigations, community risk reduction, and public education.
Experience working in the Northwest or similar labor climate is preferred. Familiarity with the code and policy issues associated with a similar sized City is preferred.
The Deputy Chief will provide high level management and maintain open lines of communication with the various functional units within the Fire Department and other City Departments. The ideal candidates will demonstrate support for other employees, which include uniformed staff and office staff. Important management attributes include the ability to make timely and informed decisions, skill in delegating assignments, approachableness, excellent customer service and maintaining accountability.
The Kirkland Fire Department has an excellent relationship with the Kirkland community, and this individual will be expected to maintain and advance that positive relationship. This individual should be an effective writer and presenter, and be comfortable speaking to various groups, elected officials, neighborhood/ community groups, and the media.
The City of Kirkland provides an exceptional work environment that is marked by employee excellence, outstanding customer service and high levels of citizen satisfaction. The Kirkland community is a livable, walkable, sustainable and safe community. The successful candidate will bring a can-do attitude, excellent communication skills, and an appropriate sense of humor.
Click here for the full job description.
Peripheral Duties:
- May serve as the Fire Chief in their absence.
- Attends meetings, training sessions, and other functions as applicable to keep abreast of modern fire service methods, techniques, and administrative procedures.
- Maintains availability to respond to large-scale incidents to support field command at extended operations.
- Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
- Responsible for developing measurable implementation plans that achieve the City's initiatives in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Roadmap.
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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- Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Knowledge of public disclosure laws, records management, project management, and grant writing.
- Knowledge of various forms of Fire/EMS related technologies.
- Skilled in public relations, negotiations, labor relations, and supervision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrates the knowledge of and adherence to a high standard of personal and professional ethics.
- Innovative and flexible in approach to duties and possesses the ability to readily adapt to a changing community and Department needs. Ability to work confidentially with discretion.
- Ability to make informative and persuasive presentations to individuals and groups, conduct public meetings and participate in public forums.
- Advanced working knowledge of budget preparation and monitoring.
- Advanced analytical skills to comprehend, interpret, and explain rules, regulations, legal requirements, and policies.
- Possesses tact, diplomacy, and the ability to deal effectively with individuals, groups, and organizations representing a wide variety of ethnicities, cultures, opinions, and beliefs.
- Basic PC proficiency and knowledge of technology applications pertinent to the Department's operations and management systems requirements.
- Extensive knowledge of management principles and practices.
- Extensive knowledge of employee and public relations.
- Extensive knowledge of organizational and planning concepts.
- Extensive knowledge of Civil Service regulations, labor agreements, and RCW and WAC rules that have direct application to administration of the Fire Department.
- If overseeing Fire Prevention: Knowledge of fire investigations, development regulations and permitting, and fire prevention best practices.
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Qualifications
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Education: Bachelor's degree preferred.
Experience: 7 years of increasingly responsible experience in a Fire department or similar environment. 5 years of progressive supervisory/ managerial experience, with advanced leadership knowledge. Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.
The ideal candidate for this vital position will have at least 5 years of experience working in a Fire Prevention division together with state or national Fire Prevention qualifications including IAFC Fire Investigator and ICC Fire Inspector 1 and 2. A thorough knowledge of fire science, management principles, methods, current codes and ordinances is required. Applicants must pass a psychological evaluation, background investigation and medical evaluation prior to employment.
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Other
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Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Work is primarily performed in an office environment under time-sensitive, constantly changing deadlines. This position may be called into work on short notice. On infrequent occasions when duties are performed in the field, they are performed at community meetings, Department functions, and the emergency operations center. Selection Process Interested applicants must submit a packet to include a resume (three pages maximum), your responses to the supplemental questions, and a cover letter detailing your experience, leadership style, and why you are interested in the Deputy Chief position. Completed packets are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 9th, 2026. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.
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City of Kirkland, WA
$175,303.56 - $228,731.39 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible benefit account, vacation time, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan
Dec 20, 2025