Become an Assistant Chief

  • Entry Level
  • Supervisory
  • Full Time
  • Seasonal
  • Benefits Eligible

In a typical unit, Assistant Chiefs serve as Division Chiefs supervising either the entire administrative program, operations program, or conservation camp.

Positions at this level ensure consistent application of the Department's fire prevention, pre-fire engineering, education, information, volunteers in prevention, and law enforcement policies and procedures.

In unit administration, Assistant Chiefs are responsible for the unit's budget, personnel functions, including the selection, hiring, assignment, staffing, training, performance, promotion, discipline, and grievances of employees; Assistant Chiefs in administration will also have other unit program responsibilities such as the emergency command center, mobile equipment, fire prevention, or training and safety.

In unit operations, Assistant Chiefs assure that emergency resources, personnel, and equipment are trained, available, and ready to respond to fires and other emergencies; establish incident objectives and ensure the effective management and mitigation of emergencies; coordinate, develop, and implement the unit's Emergency Resource Directory, County Emergency Response Plan, Local Government Mutual Aid Plans, Local Government Automatic Aid Plans, and Interagency Operational Plans.

In a conservation camp, Assistant Chiefs liaise with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff to ensure the cooperative program function within the policies and guidelines of both agencies; direct the workday custody, training, and daily ratings of inmates and wards; responsible for planning, developing, inspecting, implementing, and evaluating work projects for federal, state, and local agencies.

In a region or headquarters office, Assistant Chiefs serve as Division Chiefs supervising program staff and assisting higher level managers with direction of a major fire protection or fire prevention program. Assistant Chiefs may have other unit program responsibilities.

Assistant Chiefs may also serve as Deputy Chiefs in very large and complex units or have staff responsibility for program direction in a region or headquarters office.

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$8,966 - $11,600 per month.

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. 

Minimum Qualifications

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Battalion Chief. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement will be admitted to the examination but must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge:
Modern fire protection organization standards and management practices used to deliver wildland and structural fire protection and other emergency services; fire laws and methods of enforcement; contemporary methods of emergency incident management, including the Incident Command System, fire- and non-fire-related emergencies, natural and human-caused disasters, and emergency command center operations; departmental and unit-level computer programs; safety practices; public education, information techniques, and training; departmental codes, rules, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), statutes, policies, and procedures, including fiscal, property, procurement, and personnel policies and standards; Department's budgeting process to develop or oversee the development of a program budget; mission, vision, and values of the Department; cooperative fire protection programs/agreements with federal, state, and local agencies; principles, methods, and terminology of forest management, environmental regulations (California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Protection Act), wildland management, and conservation; methods, principles, techniques, and fire hazard reduction methods to develop, implement, and document fire prevention programs; various state, local, and federal laws, codes, and ordinances relating to land use, life hazard, fire hazard, and risk reduction; Department's public information/education policy; the Standardized Emergency Management System and the National Incident Management System; departmental command and control policies and procedures for emergencies; fire behavior; adverse effects of emergency operations; modern fire protection operations and programs used to deliver wildland and structural fire protection and other emergency services; state forest and fire laws and methods of enforcement; conservation camp operations, organization, and objectives; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation laws and rules for fire crews; care, maintenance, application, and replacement of personal protective equipment, mobile equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and other equipment; law enforcement operations, techniques, and programs (e.g., cost recovery) and procedures; safe work practices to provide a safe work environment; methods to monitor activities and progress of departmental programs; research and statistical methodology; a supervisor's role in promoting equal opportunity in hiring, development, and promotion of employees and for maintaining a work environment free of discrimination and harassment; principles and methods of effective supervision and leadership, disciplinary actions, and employee evaluations; supervisory responsibilities under the Ralph C. Dills Act (Government Code 3512 to 3524); resources available for employees having personal or work-related problems; signs and symptoms to recognize a substance abuse problem and take appropriate corrective action; and employment interviewing principles and techniques used to select and hire personnel.

Ability to:
Work effectively with timber operators, landowners, other fire protection agencies, and the public; communicate effectively, including making presentations; exercise good judgment; perform at a command level on emergencies; respond to complaints or concerns from citizens; work effectively and cooperatively with others; effectively organize and conduct fire prevention, law enforcement, and public education programs; develop and maintain plans for cooperative fire protection and emergency services systems; participate in and assist with projects; combine details from several sources to reach a conclusion, develop program plans and standards, and evaluate and transfer strategic analysis into tactical action; interpret and explain codes, rules, and departmental policies and procedures; adjust in a changing work environment; demonstrate leadership and effective supervision under stressful conditions in both emergency and non-emergency situations; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment free of discrimination and harassment; effectively coordinate the work of others and establish priorities to meet goals and objectives; identify problems and take appropriate action; effectively plan, organize, direct, and control programs, projects, and emergency operations; and fulfill supervisory responsibilities under the Ralph C. Dills Act.

Felony Disqualification
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179 (b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1722 (b). Except as provided for these by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in these classifications. This felony disqualification applies only to those positions designated as peace officers within these classifications.

Background Investigation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. This background investigation applies only to those positions designated as peace officers within these classifications.

Citizenship Requirements
Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if their application for citizenship is denied.

Age Requirement
Must meet the minimum age requirement to be appointed as a California peace officer per the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and in accordance with existing law.

Education Requirement
Existing law provides that a peace officer must be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development (GED) Test indicating high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

No examinations at this time.