Deputy Chief

Position:                             Deputy Chief

Staff Member Type:     Administration

Status:                                Full-Time; Exempt 

Reports To:                       CEO / Fire Chief 

GENERAL STATEMENT: 

The Deputy Chief is a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO/Fire Chief. This role oversees assigned divisions and programs—operations, administration, or positions within both—based on organizational needs. The Deputy Chief ensures the efficient, safe, and fiscally responsible delivery of fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, prevention, and support services.  

Responsibilities include planning, directing, and supervising a wide range of operational and administrative functions such as emergency response readiness, staffing, training, budgeting, finance, human resources, grants administration, facilities, fleet coordination, policy development, and organizational performance management.  

The AFPD maintains two Deputy Chiefs whose responsibilities intentionally overlap to promote operational and administrative synergy. While each position emphasizes a distinct area, both are structured to support and rely on one another, ensuring seamless leadership and adaptability, which are interchangeable in authority and command responsibility. While each Deputy Chief is assigned a primary functional focus, both are expected to maintain comprehensive knowledge of District operations and administration and be capable of assuming the responsibilities of the other Deputy Chief or the CEO/Fire Chief when required. 

The Deputy Chief serves as a primary advisor to the CEO/Fire Chief and may act as Fire Chief in their absence. This position requires leadership under emergency conditions involving hazardous environments including, but not limited to fire, smoke, hazardous materials, and severe weather.  

The Deputy Chief promotes a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work culture that values accountability, operational excellence, and professional development—supporting the District’s most valuable asset: our people and the community. Those who serve, and those we serve. 

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: 

The Deputy Chief directly or indirectly supervises all AFPD career and volunteer suppression personnel through subordinate officers, supervisors, administrative staff or others as may be appropriate and assigned by the CEO/Fire Chief. Supervisory responsibilities may include operational personnel, administrative staff, or both.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The following statements are illustrative of the duties and essential functions of the position and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required.  The District reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this position at any time. 

Leadership & Strategy 

• Promote and communicate the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the District. 

• Assist in developing and implementing District-wide strategic initiatives. 


• Serve as an executive leader fostering organizational effectiveness, embodying positive organizational culture, and ensuring continuous improvement for people, processes, and policies. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Both Deputy Chief positions share core responsibilities that encompass oversight of operational and administrative divisions and programs. These duties are intentionally structured to be overlapping and interchangeable, ensuring flexibility and continuity of leadership. Each Deputy Chief may assume responsibilities across both domains as organizational needs dictate, fostering collaboration and mutual accountability. 

Both Deputy Chief positions share the following core responsibilities: 

• Assist the CEO/Fire Chief in strategic planning, goal development, and organizational leadership 

• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for assigned personnel 

• Ensure consistent enforcement of District policies, procedures, and employment agreements 

• Serve as liaison with partner agencies, and community stakeholders as assigned 

• Work with Board of Directors when and as assigned by the CEO/Fire Chief 

• Participate in labor relations, internal investigations, and disciplinary processes as required 

• Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations for executive and Board consideration 

• Support District-wide initiatives, special projects, and interagency coordination 

• Assume command authority in the absence of the CEO/Fire Chief, as directed 

Operations Aspects (as assigned)  

• Oversee fire suppression, EMS, rescue, and related operational programs.  

• Ensure staffing, apparatus, equipment, and personnel readiness.  

• Respond to emergencies and manage resources using the Incident Command System (ICS).  

• Coordinate emergency scene operations and enforce safety standards.  

• Support training programs, Officer development, and operational performance metrics.  

• Establish operational goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) and report outcomes.  

Administrative Aspects (as assigned)  

• Assist the Fire Chief with planning, organizing, directing, and controlling administrative functions of the department. 

• Oversee and participate in the preparation and administration of the department budget 

• Develop and manage budgets; monitor expenditures for fiscal accountability.  

• Oversee financial functions including purchasing, grants, and reporting.  

• Provide leadership for HR functions: recruitment, retention, performance management, and policy compliance.  

• Assist with labor relations and contract administration.  

• Participate in the development and implementation of departmental policies, strategic planning, and organizational goals. 

• Develop and maintain administrative policies, procedures, and records systems.  

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.  

Personnel & Organizational Development

• Supervise, mentor, and coach personnel for high performance and professional growth.  

• Administer performance management systems.  

• Support recruitment, retention, volunteer programs, and succession planning.  

• Supports and participates in a culture of fitness and wellness by taking personal initiative to maintain physical fitness and overall wellness appropriate to the demands of the position.

General Responsibilities

• Establish metrics and continuous improvement plans for assigned divisions.  

• Maintain effective relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders.  

• Represent the District at meetings, conferences, and professional forums.  

• Promote a professional image of the District at all times.  

• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO/Fire Chief.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Strong leadership, decision-making, and strategic planning skills. 

• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities. 

• Proficiency in developing, implementing, and managing policies and procedures. 

• In-depth knowledge of fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, and risk management. 

• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial reports and manage governmental budgets effectively. 

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal, and Special District regulations governing fire districts. 


• Skill in building effective teams, managing change, and fostering positive culture. 

EQUIPMENT, ENVIRONMENT, MENTAL & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:  

• Ability to work in office and emergency response environments.  

• Must be in excellent physical condition and be able to pass appropriate medical and physical examinations. 

• Must be able to supervise or perform emergency scene duties safely and effectively while wearing all required personal protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus. 

• Must be able to perform prolonged, possibly strenuous work, under adverse emergency conditions involving physical and mental stress. 

• Driving: Must be able to operate vehicles in the normal course of duties. 

• Office equipment: Able to operate a copier, fax, calculator, printer, scanner, phone and cell phone.   

• Computer equipment: Able to operate a personal computer, laptop computer, tablet, Microsoft Office, and other software used in the profession and department.   

• Other equipment: Able to operate Fire Fighting and medical equipment, tools; radios and pagers; district vehicles, apparatus and equipment.   

• Language skills: Reads, interprets, and analyzes technical documents, codes and regulations, and professional journals; writes reports, business correspondence, procedures, and proposals; presents information and responds to questions individually and in small or large groups. 

• Mathematical skills: Performs mathematical calculations utilizing basic mathematical calculations and formulas. 

• Reasoning ability: Applies the principles of logic, scientific and medical thinking, and fire science judgment to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems using multiple, complex abstract and concrete variables in order to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 

• Physical activities: Sits for several hours at a time; may walk, stand, bend, stoop, reach, climb, carry and lift for short to long periods of time. Required to participate in AFD fitness program. 

• Lifting: May lift/carry and push/pull up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 180 pounds. 

• Vision and hearing: Must be able to read paper and electronic documents. Must be able to differentiate colors and shades of color, use peripheral vision and depth perception; must be able to see at night and/or in dark spaces. Must be able to hear sufficiently to converse with others and participate in meetings with large and small groups. Must be able to distinguish odors.  

Note: Reasonable accommodation and consideration may be given for an otherwise qualified individual with a disability.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Be at least 21 years old

• Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited educational institution, preferably within Fire Science, Public Administration, Business, Emergency Services. Minimum of 10 years of firefighting and/or EMS service with increasing responsibility in fire suppression, emergency medical response or fire prevention.


• Possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record or be able to obtain within 30 days of employment. 

• Ability to successfully pass a background check commensurate with the position of public trust associated with firefighters and the fire service. 

• Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Officer II certification (or higher) or approved equivalent. 


• Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Instructor I certification (or higher) or approved equivalent 


• Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Hazardous Materials Operations certification or approved equivalent

• Valid Colorado Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or National Registry EMT certification and be able to obtain Colorado licensure within (2) months of hire


• Valid BLS for Healthcare Provider card or equivalent  

• ICS 100, 200, 300, 400 and NIMS 700 & 800 certifications

Any equivalent combination of experience, training, or education which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for this position may be considered. The district reserves sole discretion in determining equivalency.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited educational institution, preferably within Fire Science, Public Administration, Business or Emergency Services


• Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Officer III certification (or higher) or approved equivalent.


• NWCG ICT4 (or higher)


• NWCG Single Resource Boss
  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Must establish residency within one hour drive time of the Aspen Fire Protection District or demonstrate the ability to respond to emergencies within a reasonable time, subject to CEO/Fire Chief approval. 

HOURS AND WORK SCHEDULE 

This is an exempt executive-level position that includes work during daytime hours, with potential evening, weekends and/or holidays should the need arise. This position will require in-office and in-person work time and meetings as well as remote work and meetings. This work may be required in emergency conditions, which might involve extreme danger and exertion under hazardous conditions (flames, smoke, hazardous materials, cramped conditions, charged or oxygen-deficient atmospheres, downed power lines, victims with severe injuries and/or death, and inclement weather, etc.).  

NOTE: 

Essential function, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the above listed tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. 

The District reserves the right to change, update and/or amend this job description as the needs of 

the organization changes.