Fire Chief

The City of Gresham seeks a service-oriented, community-centric, experienced fire management professional to serve as its new Fire Chief. The department has a long legacy of pride, purpose, and service; the incoming Fire Chief will contribute by being a positive, innovative, and motivational force with a proven track record of building and maintaining community goodwill and ambassadorship. Our ideal applicant has a decisive and supportive management style. Our new leader will be expected to take a proactive approach, mentoring department members to stretch their capabilities and empowering staff to achieve the highest success in team performance and as individuals. The next Gresham Fire Chief will be a community brand ambassador, communicating long-term goals to personnel and the community and inspiring a vision for the future that encompasses positive morale and service. Leading by example, holding staff accountable, and recognizing exceptional performance are highly desired characteristics for the next Fire Chief.

Workplace Change is managing our search for the Fire Chief position. We invite you to view the detailed BROCHURE for a more in-depth look at this career opportunity and all that the City of Gresham and Gresham Fire Department has to offer. To apply, please go to: Fire Chief at the City of Gresham

Our City

Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity in Oregon’s fourth-largest city. Our diverse and growing population includes young professionals, growing families, new immigrant communities, and long-time residents.

Gresham’s network of public and private schools provides educational opportunities for students of all ages; many schools are being completely rebuilt and modernized thanks to a recent bond measure. Gresham also offers many preschools, charter schools, private schools, and higher education opportunities, including Mt. Hood Community College.

Enjoy our city’s unparalleled natural beauty in 23 city parks, 15 miles of trails, 942 acres of open space, and a temperate year-round climate. Less than an hour away, the Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge offer fun weekend getaways for skiing, hiking, windsurfing, fishing, camping, and more.

The Organization

Gresham is fortunate to have strong, supportive and stable political and administrative leadership. The City operates as a Council-Manager form of government designed to promote effective management within a transparent, responsive and accountable structure. The Mayor and the six Councilors provide leadership and develop policies to guide the City and adopt the budget and other ordinances. The City Manager is appointed by the Council to oversee operations to ensure policies are carried out and City services are effectively, efficiently and equitably provided.

Rapid growth, ever-changing needs and a prudent budget demand a City government that is resourceful and resilient. The organization prides itself on going beyond to serve its residents, placing the community first in our decisions and practices. We value collaborative partnerships, practical strategies, inventive ideas and nimble approaches.

The organization has a talented and collaborative management team who provide the highest level of service to the community. The City’s Senior Leadership Team is building on a commitment to each other that is built upon strong mutual trust, collective responsibility, and support. The management team values close collaboration and teamwork, acceptance of change, and public service.

Position Description

The Fire Chief is a crucial member of the City’s leadership, working collaboratively with City Management and elected officials to achieve the City’s strategic direction. The Chief will be asked to establish working relationships and partnerships city-wide and with other agencies, business groups and community members in the pursuit of community safety as a common goal.

Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief will be expected to work closely with the City Leadership in addressing the following challenges and opportunities:

• Manage the development of the fire department in its effort to proactively and strategically respond to the community’s growth and changing demands for service.
• Explore innovative solutions to the delivery of emergency services to the community including behavioral health and community paramedicine programs.
• The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead at several levels; as a leader of Gresham Fire, as a member of the City Manager’s Senior Leadership Team, and as an active participant in the Gresham community.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Bachelor’s degree in fire science, public administration or related field, Or
• Graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

And

• Eight years of progressive fire service experience.

Preferred Licenses, Certifications or Registrations:

• Executive Fire Officer - National Fire Academy
• Chief Fire Officer - Center for Public Safety Excellence
• Fire Officer IV - NFPA

Other Requirements:

Candidates will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check, possess a valid driver’s license with a good record, a medical/physical exam including drug screen and may be required to have additional training, licenses or certifications.

Selection Process

Workplace Change is managing our search for talent for the Fire Chief position. Applications will be accepted electronically by the Workplace Change at Fire Chief at the City of Gresham

The current annual salary range for the Fire Chief is $206,253 – $216,566; placement within the range will be determined by the successful candidate’s qualifications.

Benefits Package:

In addition to this competitive annual salary the City offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes:

• Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Employer sponsored deferred compensation plan
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and child care
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement (City picks up 6% employee’s contribution)
• Employer contribution to HRA-VEBA medical savings account
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual starts at 12.66 hours per month
• Sick leave accrual of 4 hours per month
• 10 paid holidays and 3.5 paid floating holidays per year
• Assigned take home vehicle

For more details on the benefits package, visit greshamoregon.gov/benefits

Relocation assistance may be available for the successful candidate.