Confidential recruitment services for this position are provided by Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA). The process allows you to safely explore this opportunity before submitting a formal and public application.
Annual Salary: $165,000 – $185,000
Click on the booklet to view the full profile.
Express interest by Friday, November 21, 2025.
Ideal Candidate
Klamath County Fire District 1 is seeking a deeply experienced fire service professional, with strong operational background and savvy administrative skills, to lead the District into its next chapter of public service excellence. KCFD1 is a sophisticated emergency services provider with strong staff, appropriate resources, and support from the Board of Directors and management. The incoming Chief will refine service provision, continue to build and strengthen relationships, seek revenue opportunities, and achieve strategic planning goals.
The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic chief officer with proven knowledge of fire and EMS best practices and a demonstrated history of building effective relationships with line staff, union representatives, command staff, department heads, and external stakeholders. The Chief will value the strong existing culture while exploring and supporting emerging trends and new ideas to strengthen the fiscal foundation of the department and bolster recruitment and retention efforts. Financial management will be key to success of the District, and experience and ability in seeking alternate revenue sources will be of particular value to the District. Creativity and aptitude in identifying innovative fire and EMS response protocols will be of interest as well. A successful candidate will recognize the increasing role of EMS in the system, will value and build upon the role, and will maximize EMS revenues as an early success.
The Fire Chief will maintain an active, appropriate, and visible presence within the department, among District leadership, and throughout the community. The Chief must effectively lead, mentor, and coach while serving as an engaged team member within the department and across the region. The Chief will have mature and effective command presence, leading from the front while allowing command staff to function with full autonomy and discretion when circumstances allow. The Fire Chief in District 1 is not a suit-and-tie Chief—occasionally needing to be hands-on in the field or interacting with crews out in the stations, but equally adept and comfortable in their administrative role.
Competitive candidates are likely to be veteran chief officers who have served in supervisory/management roles in career or combination fire and emergency operations in rural and urban municipal or special district settings, with demonstrated competence, decisive leadership, and effective labor interaction.
Long term success in the role will include genuine and enthusiastic acclimation to the Klamath area, embracing both the opportunities and challenges that come with living and working in a somewhat outlying urban island. The department is anxious for a new leader who will invest themselves in the success of District 1 and the community and advance the organization.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
· A bachelor’s degree in fire administration, public administration, or other closely related field, or a combined education and experience level commensurate with a bachelor’s degree, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion.
Experience
· A minimum of eight (8) years full-time experience with a paid or combined paid/volunteer fire department. Experience must exhibit a consistent pattern of participation, personal and professional growth, and increasing organizational responsibility.
· At least five (5) years supervisory and administrative experience in a managerial and command position of Battalion Chief or higher that demonstrates the required knowledge, abilities, behaviors, and traits to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements
· Valid drivers license (possess or obtain a valid State of Oregon drivers license.)
· Must be a Citizen of the United States of America or a Lawful Permanent Resident.
· Must establish residence within the boundaries of Klamath County Fire District 1.
