Fire Battalion Chief (Internal Recruitment Only)

Promotional Opportunity
  

Title: Fire Battalion Chief 
Department: Fire Department – City of San Bruno, CA 
Annual Salary: $180,898 – $221,984 (1)
Work Schedule: 56-Hour Schedule or as assigned by department 
 

Grow and Thrive 

Are you ready to help shape the future of the San Bruno Fire Department?  The City of San Bruno Fire Department is seeking an energetic and dedicated leaders to promote to Fire Battalion Chief.  This promotional opportunity as Fire Battalion Chief will perform responsible supervisory, technical and administrative work in commanding and supervising fire suppression, emergency medical, and rescue activities or fire prevention activities.  

About the Department 

The San Bruno Fire Department is dedicated to the protection of health, life and property, and has a long-standing tradition of service and excellence. The Fire Department provides a full range of services and places priority on the safety and emergency preparedness of our citizens through outreach programs in fire prevention, public education, advanced life support, hazardous material safety, and fire suppression activities. 

About the Role 

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Fire Battalion Chief duties include, but are not limited to: Assume control and leadership of assigned shift; Assume command in a leadership role for fires or other significant incidents; Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures for the various divisions of the Fire Department including, but not limited to, training, operations, and emergency medical services; Ascertain the need for and type of additional equipment necessary to handle emergencies; make technical decisions as to the best methods of extinguishing fires after observing the fire and receiving reports from company officers; Assist in coordinating the Department’s fire inspection program; Assist in the investigation of fires to determine cause and origin; Assist in the preparation of the Department budget and budget implementation; Assist in coordinating Fire Department activities with other departments and divisions within other jurisdictions; Assist to update and revise the disaster plans and emergency operations as necessary; Supervise, train, evaluate and maintain personnel records of assigned staff; Participate in recommending the appointment of personnel; work with employees to correct deficiencies and implement discipline procedures; Participate in related training classes; conduct multi-company training exercises and assess readiness needs of fire personnel; Assist in coordinating public fire safety training programs; Assist in coordinating development of specifications and acquisition of specialized firefighting support equipment; Supervise the annual testing of fire apparatus; Supervise the acquisition, testing, maintenance, inventory and records of fire hose; and Acts as the Fire Department representative in Fire Chief’s absence. Enforce all City and Department rules and regulations, procedures, and policies, and maintain discipline.  

How to Succeed in This Role 

Strategic thinking and adaptability are also essential competencies, as the Fire Battalion Chief plays a key role in the command staff, requiring an ability to balance fire safety needs. This involves analytical skills to assess data and forecast future department needs and negotiation skills to work with consultants and developers to align on shared goals. Additionally, revitalizing San Bruno’s commercial corridor requires a visionary leader who can anticipate emerging fire safety challenges in a changing urban landscape and propose innovative solutions. 

Those who thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative environment will excel in this role. The Fire Battalion Chief must juggle multiple priorities, overseeing fire prevention initiatives, supporting redevelopment efforts, driving revenue-generating strategies, and building trust with external partners while fostering teamwork within the San Bruno Fire Department. Strong interpersonal skills, including educating and influencing stakeholders on fire safety best practices, will be critical to achieving long-term success.  

A candidate with a passion for community safety, a track record of leading through change, and the resilience to handle the demands of a high-visibility position will be well-positioned to make a lasting impact in San Bruno. 

Qualifications 

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in fire science, business administration, public administration or a closely related field and ten (10) years of increasingly responsible municipal fire suppression and prevention experience, including at least three (3) years of command experience comparable to the Fire Captain level in the San Bruno Fire Department  

or  

Graduation from an accredited college with an AS or AA degree in fire technology or general education, or completion of 60 college units, and ten (10) years of increasingly responsible municipal fire suppression and prevention experience, including at least three (3) years of command experience comparable to the Fire Captain level in the San Bruno Fire Department; and Fire Officer Certification and completion of Chief Officer or Chief Fire Officer within one year of appointment. May have up to two (2) years to complete certification after appointment however, probationary period will be extended until completed. 

Special Requirements 

Possession of and ability to maintain a valid California Class B driver’s license, or Class C driver’s license with Firefighter Endorsement.  

Possession of and ability to maintain a valid State of California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license or State of California Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-P) license.  

Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290) and Strike Team Leader (S-334) courses highly desirable. 

How to Apply 

.  Applications must be submitted online at the City’s BambooHR page. Applications must be received by 7:30 am on March 2, 2026. If you are interested in applying, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before the March 2, 2026 deadline. 

The City of San Bruno utilizes a merit-based selection system that is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.   

Timeline 

Below are the key dates for this recruitment.   

• February 17, 2026: Attend Industrial Emergency Council recruitment orientation. 

• March 2, 2026: Deadline to submit online application. 

• March 24, 2026: Assessment center is administered. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

The City of San Bruno is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.  

The City of San Bruno Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the process must inform the Human Resources Department by the final filing date by emailing [email protected].   

Equal Opportunity Statement 
 

The City of San Bruno is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Benefits 

• CalPERS retirement formula of 3% @ 50 for classic members or 2.7% @ 57 for new members 

• Annual accruals of vacation days based on years of service, holidays and sick days 

• Opportunity for bilingual incentive pay up to 2.5% 

• Annual uniform allowance 

• Medical, dental and vision benefits provided with employee contribution 

• Life Insurance equal to one year’s annual salary provided at no cost 

• Long-term disability insurance provided at no cost 

• Home loan assistance program 

• Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan 

• Tuition reimbursement 

(1) The Fire Unit has ratified a tentative agreement which includes a general wage and equity increase effective the first full pay period in January 2026, January 2027 and January 2028 pending City Council ratification on February 10, 2026.