OPEN DATE: January 9, 2026
CLOSE DATE: Until Filled

PLEASE NOTE: A first review of resumes is scheduled for the week of February 5

POSITION: Fire Chief
SALARY: Position Hiring Range: $173,518 - $190,861/year
Position Salary Range: $173,518 - $242,934/year

The City of Unalaska is accepting applications for Fire Chief in the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Located in the central Aleutian Islands, Unalaska, Alaska, is a multicultural coastal community of approximately 4,250 full-time residents and is home to the number one commercial fishing port in the United States, the International Port of Dutch Harbor.

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all employee tasks in this classification.
The duties shown are designed to provide a representative summary.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Under general administrative direction and supervision of the City Manager, serves as the principal executive officer of the Unalaska Fire/EMS Department. This position is responsible for the administrative oversight, visioning, leadership, planning, budgeting, coordinating and management of the Fire/EMS Department. This position directs and administers the overall operations, programs, maintenance, development, and promotion of the Department, its systems, resources, programs, and responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Department and Managerial Functions
• Provides overall supervision, leadership, and direction for command staff; ensures competent performance. Assigns areas of accountability and delegates authority to subordinate supervisory personnel.
• Provides professional guidance, training and policy interpretation to staff.
• Develops and administers immediate and long-range budgets. Ensures the department operates within the annual budget and directs the annual budget process for the department. Monitors expenditures and revenues. Forecasts spending, staffing and revenue levels and recommends equipment purchases. Researches, applies for and administers grants.
• Maintains productive working relationships within the department and with representatives of the community, including elected officials and staff, business, civic and agency personnel and the media.

2. Strategic Planning
• Recommends and plans long range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall direction for the Department. Monitors, reviews and communicates the implementation phases of the department's strategic plans to ensure long-range goals are met. Ensures the programs and objectives of the Department are developed and maintained in accordance with the objectives of the City Council.
• Serves as a member of the executive management team and aligns program and practices with the strategic plan, mission, vision, and goals.

3. Emergency Management Functions
• May be appointed as the Emergency Management Coordinator or required to provide support to appointee.
• Meets and plans with various agencies involved in mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from natural and manmade disasters within the community.
• Works closely and routinely to coordinate planning and response activities with the Chief of Police.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• High School Diploma or GED required, bachelor’s degree in Fire Services Management, Fire Science, Public Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a paid, full-time employee with at least three (3) of which are at the Company Officer level or higher
• Minimum five (5) years emergency medical service (EMS) experience with a paid, volunteer, or combination EMS provider.
• Current or prior experience as an Alaska State EMT III, AK-AEMT or Paramedic is preferred.
• At least three years of executive management or Fire Chief experience is preferred.

LICENSES & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• IFSAC, Pro Board, or State of Alaska Firefighter 1 certification is required.
• IFSAC, Pro Board, or State of Alaska Firefighter 2, Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator, Fire Service Instructor 1, Fire Officer 1, 2, 3 and 4 are preferred.
• IAAI Certified Fire Investigator and Limited or Special Commission as an Alaska State Municipal Fire Marshal is preferred.
• Current CPR/AED certification or ability to obtain within 90 days is required.
• State of Alaska AEMT or Paramedic certification is preferred.
• State of Alaska EMT 1 or National Registry EMT Basic certification or ability to obtain within 1 year is required.
• Federal Emergency Management IS 700, 800 and ICS 100, 200, 300, and 400 certifications are required.
• Incident Command System (ICS) Instructor certification preferred.
• Ability to pass all required pre-employment testing including but not limited to Criminal background and History, drug testing.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, an Alaska Driver’s License within 90 days of hire.
• Must be eligible to work in the US; Federal Law requires completion of the employment eligibility verification form (I-9).

SKILLS and ABILITIES
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Demonstrated success analyzing organizational issues and implementing appropriate solutions; strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees; demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior management and is viewed as a positive leader.
• Working knowledge of state, federal and local laws pertaining to fire and EMS operations
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; time management skills with a proven ability to meet multiple deadlines.
• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices and principles and ability to apply them, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, preparing performance evaluations, managing time off, and maintaining personnel records.

BENEFITS
• 100% employer-paid medical premiums (employee & dependents) and Basic life/AD&D insurance (employee & dependents)
• 100% employer-paid medevac insurance (employee)
• Up to $10,000 hiring bonus and up to $10,000 in relocation assistance
• Annual travel allowance of $2,500 after the first year of employment
• Personal Leave accrual starting at 16 hours a month and 9 holidays and 4 floating holidays per year
• Executive longevity bonus starting on 3rd year anniversary
• Eligible for Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement
• Eligible for 457 Plan with Mission Square
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - Employees can utilize the Health FSA and the Dependent Care FSA up to IRS max
• Voluntary options include Optional Term Life and Aflac plans
• Free membership for Parks, Culture, and Recreation (employee only)
• City-owned vehicle to drive for professional and personal use

TO APPLY

PLEASE NOTE: A first review of resumes is scheduled for the week of February 5

Submit the following application documents:
1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. City of Unalaska Application Form
4. Pre-employment Info. & Voluntary Identification of Disability Form (optional)

All necessary forms are available at City Hall, Administration Department, or by downloading at https://www.unalaska.gov/hr/page/employment-application-forms.

Please return the completed forms to the City of Unalaska: Administration P.O. Box 610, Unalaska, AK 99685, or email hr@unalaska.gov or fax (907) 581 4469. Questions? Please call us at (907) 581-1252.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER