Assistant Fire Chief

THE OPPORTUNITY 

The City of Burleson, Texas offers a career-enriching opportunity for a highly skilled fire service leader to join the team in Burleson as the next Assistant Fire Chief. The successful candidate will have the chance to make a lasting impact on the quality of life of those who reside in and visit Burleson by delivering solid leadership and technical skill to the Fire Department. Burleson is a city on the move, and the next Assistant Fire Chief will enjoy working in a professionally oriented fire service organization that is laser focused on serving its community. 

ABOUT BURLESON 

Located on the southern edge of the flourishing Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the City of Burleson has an estimated population of 53,100 residents in 28 square miles. The City of Burleson’s family-oriented environment, outstanding schools, plentiful and affordable land, and rolling hills have made it a desirable community to live, work, and play. Burleson residents have placed a high value on nature and recreation, with over twenty parks encompassing over 550 acres. The school districts serving Burleson consistently outperform state and national averages in college entrance exam scores, and its quality of life is further enhanced by a very low crime rate. 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 

The Burleson Fire/EMS Department consists of three fire stations and 76 sworn staff. The Fire Department is led by an executive team made up of the Fire Chief, two Assistant Chiefs, the Deputy Director of Financial Services, and the Emergency Manager. Together, this team provides strategic leadership and oversight for all operational, financial, and emergency management functions of the department. The Burleson Fire/EMS Department adopted a 48/96 work schedule in late 2024 and is currently supported by an adopted budget of $14.3 million. 

THE POSITION 

The Assistant Fire Chief is one of two Assistant Chiefs in the Fire Department and both report directly to the Fire Chief. The Assistant Fire Chief oversees departmental operations of an assigned area on a daily basis and has direct supervisory authority over those areas of responsibility. This position is responsible for helping develop strategic planning, budget preparation, staffing models, and personnel management. In addition, an Assistant Fire Chief carries out the roles and responsibilities of the Fire Chief when the Fire Chief is absent. Primary responsibilities include planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards; assisting in preparing the annual budget for the assigned area and administering and monitoring the budget after adoption; and assisting in the development, implementation, and management of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities for assigned service and/or operational area. 

The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills and the ability to multi-task; possess a high level of emotional intelligence and a leadership style that recognizes and appreciates the work styles and contributions of staff; have experience with PPE equipment procurement and issuance, and demonstrated experience in Fleet and Facilities management; get projects delivered, while communicating effectively with the Fire Chief, peer Assistant Chief, City Manager, staff, and others; and  

have highly technically proficient administrative experience, especially in Professional Standards.