Deputy Fire Chief (DEPUTY FIRE CHF MGR 2)

Under general direction from the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief assists the Chief in planning, organizing, and managing activities and operations in assigned functional areas within the Fire Department. The Deputy Chief oversees supervision and direction of assigned staff across departmental divisions and programs. Ensures departmental compliance with state and federal regulations, local ordinances, and university or municipal policies and procedures. Manages and oversees assigned budgets, personnel, and resources; participates in assigned committees, meetings, and interagency functions; evaluates and analyzes operational efficiencies and effectiveness of assigned functions and makes recommendations for improvements as appropriate. Establishes objectives and work plans, and delegates assignments to subordinate managers and command staff. Responsible for managing, preparing, administering, and directing assigned resources. Reviews and approves recommendations for assigned functional programs. Involved in developing, modifying, and executing policies that affect operations and may also have campus-wide or jurisdiction-wide effect. Provides complex administrative and operational support to the Fire Chief; represents the Department and serves as the Fire Chief during the Chief's absences or as assigned.

Apply By Date

November 23, 2025 at 11:59p Pacific; screening and selection can begin any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• California Company Officer Certification or historical equivalent.
• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• Education equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire science, public administration, or a closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years of service at the rank of Fire Captain.
• Supervisory experience and skills to assign work, monitor and evaluate progress and record job performance.
• Ability to successfully complete other training or prerequisites as required by regulation, law, or policy.
• Thorough knowledge of modern fire service issues, philosophies, practices, and trends as applied within the university or municipal environment.
• Thorough knowledge of current fire service management theory, leadership principles, and administrative standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior work experience at a University.
• Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and governance structures.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with organized labor and employee associations.

Key Responsibilities

Management (50%)

• Responsible for Emergency Response personnel, activities, and equipment of the Operations division of the Fire Department. Must have an advanced understanding of Firefighter-specific labor laws including Firefighter Procedural Bill of Rights (FBOR), University Firefighter presumptive laws governed by California labor code 3212, and local collective bargaining agreements covered under HEERA.
• Establishes goals, performance measures, and policies for operations staff, ensuring alignment with overall department objectives, monitoring performance, and implementing corrective actions when needed.
• Provides leadership and direction to command staff in fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and disaster operations.
• Serves as Incident Commander or in a Unified Command role during emergency incidents, providing direction and coordination of resources at complex or large-scale events that exceed the capabilities of Captain-level experience. The Incident Commander must provide both strategic and tactical direction to responders from outside agencies and neighboring jurisdictions.
• Chairs the Department Safety Committee; responsible for conducting injury/illness investigations, coordinating workers' compensation cases, and maintaining the Department's Illness and Injury Prevention Program (IIPP). The Safety Committee Chair must have an advanced understanding of emergency response strategy/tactics and Emergency Medical response protocols to investigate injuries and recommend policy and procedure changes.
• Serves as the Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) in the absence of the Primary DICO to coordinate the immediate response to biohazard exposures of potentially exposed emergency responders. This includes 24hr emergency support of patients, direction to appropriate care, and notification of appropriate entities in short timeframes.
• Develops and manages a robust NFPA 1582 & 1583 compliant departmental health and wellness program to support firefighter safety, resilience, and long-term wellness. The program requires long-range strategic coordination with Labor groups, Campus partners, Yolo County oversight stakeholders, and the department Medical Director.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as departmental policies and national standards. This includes all aspects of the National Fire Protection Association stadards, OSHA worker safety mandates, and local, state, and Federal response requirements set forth by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Compliance responsibility covers all Fire Department employees and responses.
• Represents the Fire Department with campus leadership, community partners, and allied emergency service agencies.
• Responsible for coordinating and completing the department Insurance Services Organization (ISO) audit supporting the department's Class 1 rating. The audit encompasses a campus-wide assessment of emergency response capabilities.

Training & Development (20%)

• Oversees training and development of personnel to facilitate professional growth and succession planning.
• Directs fire and EMS training programs to ensure compliance with applicable state, federal, and accreditation requirements.
• Evaluates training programs to determine effectiveness, safety compliance, and operational readiness. Fire Service training programs are broad, robust, and complex. Training program compliance impacts operational readiness and department alignment with local, state, and Federal training requirements for Firefighters and First Responders. Each oversight entity has different requirements, and training programming must be coordinated to align with dictated best practices.
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, readiness, and professional excellence.

Liaison (15%)

• Maintains communication between the Fire Department and other campus units, departments, and stakeholders to ensure input and collaboration on emergency preparedness, fire and life safety, and risk reduction efforts.
• Coordinates with other campus units and external agencies regarding emergency planning, fire prevention education, and general community safety needs.
• Participates, when assigned, in task forces and committees addressing specific issues or projects.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with appropriate external fire, EMS, and public safety agencies to strengthen mutual aid, interoperability, and cooperative service delivery.

Planning (10%)

• Assists the Fire Chief in the planning, organization, and direction of departmental operations and personnel.
• Responsible for developing and monitoring department Standard Operating Guidelines, departmental operational goals, and coordinating strategic direction.
• Performs both operational and long-range planning, establishing priorities and allocating human and financial resources to meet departmental objectives.
• Responsible for overseeing emergency response planning and implementation, including development of building response plans, response matrices, Standard Operating Procedures, and Mutual/Auto-aid planning.
• Identifies opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and service enhancement.

Budget (5%)

• Manages, administers, and oversees assigned budgets, including making recommendations for expenditures and resource allocation.
• Reviews and approves reports, purchases, and payments in accordance with established policies and practices.
• Prepares forecasts and makes recommendations for future funding needs to support department operations, staffing, training, and capital projects.

Department Overview

The Deputy Fire Chief is a member of the Command Staff. The Deputy Fire Chief serves as a liaison with campus leaders, community members, and allied fire, emergency medical, and public safety agencies, collaborating to advance an integrated approach to fire protection, emergency medical services, community risk reduction, and all-hazards preparedness objectives.

Position Information

• Full Salary Grade Range: $122,300.00 - $259,900.00
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: Grade 27
• UC Job Title: DEPUTY FIRE CHF MGR 2
• UC Job Code: 005997
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100
• Shift (Work Schedule): M-F 8-5
• Location: Fire & Police (FIRE&POLIC)
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Walking - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

• Must pass a pre-employment medical and physical agility test and maintain a fit-for-duty medical status.
• Employee is personally responsible for following safety guidelines/processes.
• May be required to occasionally work during hours other than normal business hours to support the Incident Command Structure established during emergency and non-emergency incidents.

Special Requirements

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks

#DNI-LI