Fire chief

The City of South Beloit is seeking to fill the full-time position of Fire Chief. The Fire Chief is responsible for the complete operation of the Fire Department.

The position is full-time, exempt, and includes primarily working in the Fire Department during office hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday), with some flexibility. The Fire Chief is expected to respond to incidents when necessary, including those occurring outside of normal business hours, and attend certain meetings outside normal office hours. The Fire Chief is expected to meet all qualifications to operate on the fireground, including interior firefighting.

Responsibilities include effective, efficient, and proper administration of the fire department and all emergency response needs, policy development, fiscal management, code enforcement, emergency medical services, fire safety and prevention, and fire suppression. The Fire Chief develops and manages an annual budget, provides strategic and operational planning, and institutes and revises a service delivery plan.

The Fire Chief administers and manages all Department rules, policies, regulations, and standard operating procedures; develops goals and assigns tasks to meet the department operational plan.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

The Fire Chief will need to meet the Illinois statutory requirements for a fire chief as detailed in

65ILCS5/10-1-7.3

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

Five years of experience at the level of a shift commander or higher in a fire department of similar or larger size.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

A valid Illinois driver's license is required.

CRITICAL EXPERIENCE

Critical Experience With:

• Combination Fire Department

• Paid on Premise Employees

• Paid on Call Fire Department

Has a good knowledge of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Master’s degree in related field a plus

• Certified Firefighter III and Fire Officer II or equivalent certification. Executive Fire Officer (EFO) or Chief

Fire Officer (CFO) is a plus

An experienced and collaborative leader who will play a key role in creatively shaping the Department's vision for today and the future. This individual will understand how to develop organizational plans that build solutions, provide structure, and lead to outcomes that contribute to achieving the City of South Beloit’s Strategic Goals.

Is service-oriented, focusing on ways to better support the community and nurture strong relationships with the community and regional partnering agencies. Be able to develop a global vision of supporting the community's needs, providing excellent customer service, and displaying respect in the Department's work.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive Benefits Package

Salary $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 Based on qualifications

Desired Process for Hiring

Letter of interest and Resume

Assessment Center that includes:

Group Problem Solving, Strategic and Implementation Plan to Re-Shape the South

Beloit Fire Department Presentation, Writing Exercise, Structured Oral Interview, Elected Board Interviews

Critical Experience With:

• Combination Fire Department

• Paid on Premise Employees

• Paid on Call Fire Department

Has a good knowledge of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to:

Director Raymond Kay

Illinois Fire Chiefs’ Association

Assessment and Consulting Services

[email protected]

Applications will be accepted until 5pm on November 10, 2025

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person