Fire Chief
The growing Town of Salem, in southern New Hampshire, seeks a versatile fire safety leader with significant emergency operations experience to join its fire department as its next Fire Chief. This exciting opportunity is for the fire professional who has:
• served in all fire service functions and roles with a history of advocating for best practices in staff recruitment, retention, fiscal well-being, and succession planning, as well as acquisition and access to equipment, technology, and training;
• experience in a similar-sized growing community;
• gradually and purposefully led departments through seasons of growth; and,
• utilized innovative methods to identify and secure resources to address departmental needs.
The Fire Chief is responsible for all operations in the Salem Fire Department and manages critical incidents. The next Fire Chief will lead the department through a pivotal time of change and growth, including building infrastructure in the three existing stations, and enhancing the department through a review of operations to provide maximum efficiency.
About the Town, Department, and Position:
Operating under a Town Council-Manager form of government, the Town Manager reports to the nine at-large Council members. Salem’s recent growth has increased demands on town services, the cost of which is reflected in the Town’s 2023 fire department general fund budget of $15.9M.
For over 100 years, the Salem Fire Department has been committed to serving the community by protecting life and property through prevention, education, emergency medical and fire services. The department operates out of three stations and covers a 25-square-mile district with a population of nearly 31,000.
Serving multiple roles in the community, the Salem Fire Department holds an ISO class 3 rating, providing Fire Suppression, Emergency Ambulance Transport, Fire Prevention, Inspectional Services and Education, Fire Alarm and Communications, as well as Disaster Control Services.
Reporting to the Town Manager, the Fire Chief prepares and manages the department’s budget and oversees the department of 88 personnel, which includes career staff, dispatchers, and inspectional services. The Chief has three direct reports (Assistant Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and Administrative Assistant). The next Fire Chief will be a principled leader who values accountability while holding realistic and fair expectations of self and others with the demonstrated ability to manage the department’s budget and supervise the work of personnel.
Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in a related field and certification or enrollment as an Executive Fire Officer from the National Fire Academy is required; a combination of education and experience will be considered. Advanced training through the Center for Public Safety Excellence or National Fire Academy or interest in participating in such programs is desirable. Applicants should have experience (5 years plus) in a command level position with progressive responsibility, including administrative, labor relations, supervisory, and budgetary experience in fire prevention and fire suppression work, preferably with a municipal, county, or state fire department or district.
*Preference is given to candidates with experience in a similar and/or larger fire department.
Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for the position is $110,000-$150,000, commensurate with education and experience. The Town of Salem offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes PTO, medical, dental, vision, and State retirement.
A rating of your application will be based on your education, assessment, training, and experience as it relates to the requirements for this position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate educational and employment information on your application.
All applications for this position will be held in confidence.
The full scope of responsibilities associated with this position and Town applications are available on-line at www.salemnh.gov.
Qualified candidates must submit a cover letter, current resume, and three professional references to: hr@salemnh.gov .
· Applicants should apply by November 22, 2023.
· The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to virtual interviews on December 7 and 8, 2023. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.
The Town of Salem is an Equal Opportunity Employer.