Fire Chief Recruitment Brochure
The Kirkland Fire Department is seeking to hire a Fire Chief!
Why Kirkland?
Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!
If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and innovation.
We also invest in you!
Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.
Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.
Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!
Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.
Candidate Profile:
Kirkland is seeking an experienced individual to serve as Fire Chief. The Fire Chief reports to the City Manager and is the Director of the Fire Department. The ideal candidate should bring a proven track record of success as a Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief. Knowledge of Fire suppression, EMS, Fire Prevention, Investigations, and Emergency Management and an understanding of how these services intersect with broader community safety priorities is highly desired. The candidate must have demonstrated strong collaboration with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), fostering productive labor management relationships. Highly present within the department and visible in the community, the ideal candidate will lead by engagement. They will be skilled in building relationships both internally and externally, including regional peers and community partners. Familiarity with King County regional systems, service models, and partnerships is a plus. Experience working successfully in a city environment in the Pacific Northwest or a similar region is beneficial.
As a clear and consistent communicator, the candidate will be expected to set high standards, holding the department accountable for performance and results. An active listener who thoughtfully considers varying perspectives before making timely and informed decisions, the candidate will explain the “why” behind difficult decisions. The ideal candidate will demonstrate authentic support for other department employees, which includes command, uniformed, and administrative staff. The Fire Chief should be committed to evolving public safety services and open to exploring innovations in emergency response programs, apparatus and equipment.
The Kirkland Fire Department has an excellent relationship with the Kirkland community, and this individual will be expected to maintain and advance that positive relationship. This individual should be an effective writer and presenter, and be comfortable speaking to elected officials, neighborhood and community groups, and the media. The individual should be trustworthy, credible, and personable to all stakeholders.
The City of Kirkland provides an exceptional work environment that is marked by employee excellence, outstanding customer service, and high levels of resident satisfaction. Kirkland is a livable, walkable, sustainable, and safe community.
Above all, the candidate should be trustworthy, credible, and authentic. Kirkland’s next Fire Chief will bring vision and unity to position the department to meet today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
If selected, residence within 25 miles of Kirkland is preferred.