Walker, MI – Fire Chief

• The Walker Fire Department is a combination, proactive, community-focused all-hazards department that meets the ever-changing needs of the community through professional development, unity, and teamwork. 
• The department is built upon the pillars of integrity, collaboration, public education, community engagement, and dedication to the community.
• The department has three fire stations and an administrative team with 13 full-time staff and 17 paid-on-call firefighters.
• The Chief is supported by a Deputy Chief, (1) POC Captain (north – POC Stations 1 and 3), (1) POC Captain (south – Station 2), (3) POC Lieutenants (Stations 1,2 and 3), a Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, and an Administrative Assistant.
• Full-time suppression staff (10) operates out of two stations seven days a week from 5:45 AM – 6:30 PM.
• The department operates (9) front-line emergency vehicles (5 engines, 1 platform, 1 ladder, 1 tender, 1 support unit)
• The fire prevention program hosts over 100 public education events and conducts annual business inspections. 
• The department responds to approximately 1,000 calls annually both locally and regionally.
• The department is supported by an annual budget of $2.89 million. 

• Develop a department staffing plan to address the current challenges with paid on call recruitment and retention and full-time staffing model to ensure appropriate service levels meeting the needs of Walker’s residents, businesses, and visitors. 
• Work with the City Commission to create a strategic plan to align department priorities with overall City goals and objectives. 

• Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, or a closely related field. 
• Increasingly responsible experience with a Fire Department of similar or larger in size to the City of Walker; including a minimum of eight (8) years upper-level administrative responsibilities within a Fire Department/Public Safety Department. 
• Certification as a Firefighter Training Council Instructor and Fire Officer III required. Fire and Arson Investigator certification preferred or the ability to obtain certification as soon as possible after hiring. 
• The new Fire Chief must understand the need to use data for problem solving assessing community risk and vulnerabilities as well as skilled in Strategic Planning.
• Demonstrated skills in change management, succession planning, and agency innovation and creativity.
• Knowledge of current fire-fighting techniques and methodologies, first responder training and emergency extrication techniques along with a functional knowledge of a wide variety of fire-fighting equipment and apparatus. 
• Knowledge of professional public management techniques involved in budgeting, personnel administration, labor relations, purchasing and operations management. 
• Must be able to motivate and lead by example through honesty, integrity, openness, and transparency. 
• Skill in assembling and communicating information to various city stakeholders, analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports, and formulating policy and service recommendations. 
• Proven ability to foster effective and positive working relationships with external and internal stakeholders, including employees, residents, visitors, and city officials. 
• Knowledge and familiarization of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and 
• Building Official and Code Administrators (BOCA) codes and local, municipal, and state ordinances pertaining to fire prevention.
• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation, physical assessment, and psychological assessment. 
• Requires a valid State of Michigan driver’s license, satisfactory driving record and the ability to maintain one throughout employment. 

Posted: 2025-04-01