Quilcene Fire Rescue is seeking an exceptional, highly collaborative, and visionary fire service executive to serve as our next Fire Chief.

This recruitment process is being launched to facilitate a smooth leadership transition following the planned retirement of our current Fire Chief in January 2027. This process is a direct position replacement to maintain executive continuity and administrative stability; it does not expand department headcount, nor does it create any new taxpayer-funded positions within the District budget.

Operating under policy direction from the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Fire Chief serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the District. This position provides strategic leadership over all operational, fiscal, and emergency service functions. The successful candidate will act as a transparent steward of public resources while guiding a progressive, combination career and volunteer department serving Quilcene and Coyle.

The ideal candidate is an ethical leader with superior communication skills who can foster cohesive relationships among staff, volunteers, Commissioners, and the community. They must be equally adept at handling public budgeting and capital planning in the office, while maintaining the physical resilience to serve as senior incident commander during major emergencies.

Applications received by October 18, 2026 will receive first consideration. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $116,000 - $155,000 Annually (Depends on Qualifications - DOQ)
• Classification: Full-time, salaaried, FLSA-Exempt, non-represented management position.
• Appointment: At-will postion operating under an employment contrct negotiated directly with the Board of Fire Commissioners. 
• Benefits: Comprehensive executive package including Full Benefits (Medical, Dental, Paid Leave, LEOFF II Retirement System enrollment, and HRA/VEBA).

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Fiscal Leadership: Formulate District strategic plans and service goals while managing the annual budget, asset lifecycles, and cost containment.
• Board Relations & Advisory: Serve as principal advisor to the Board of Fire Commissioners on all operational, financial, and policy matters.
• Personnel & Volunteer Administration: Manage employee relations, performance evaluations, collective bargaining agreements, and champion volunteer recruitment and onboarding initiatives.
• Emergency Command & Management: Assume incident command of major structural/wildland fires, EMS, and hazardous materials responses while coordinating regional mutual aid.
• Community Engagement & Relations: Serve as primary liaison to neighboring & regional agencies, civic groups, and media to build public trust and transparent communication.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of Fire/EMS experience, including at least 5 years in a command or supervisory rank (Captain, BC, Ass't. Chief, or equivalent).
• Medical Certification: Valid Washington State EMT provider certification or higher.
• Core Fire Certifications: IFSAC Firefighter II, Fire Officer I-III, Instructor I, IFSAC/NFA Incident Safety Officer, and NWCG Firefighter I.
• Incident Command: Fully compliant with NIMS and ICS standards.
• Driver Status: Valid Washington State Driver's License with an insurable driving record.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of formal education, advanced fire service certifications, and leadership experience.
• Experience working directly with elected officials, governing boards, and public meeting processes.
• Experience with labor negotiations, collective bargaining, and labor-management relations.
• Experience with public records administration, governmental transparency requirements, and records retention practices.
• Experience developing and administering long-range capital improvement programs.
• Experience with small-district budgeting, revenue forecasting, and cost containment strategies.
• Certification as a Washington State EMS Evaluator (ESE) and/or Senior EMS Instructor (SEI).
• Washington State Advanced EMT (AEMT) or Paramedic certification.
• IFSAC Fire Inspector I.
• IFSAC Fire Service Instructor II.
• Documented history of successful grant writing and grant administration.
• Primary residence within the District boundary or willingness to establish primary residence within the District boundary.

How to Apply

Applications received by October 18, 2026, will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until filled to ensure a highly qualified pool for this essential leadership transition.

Interested applicants must submit a completed employment application, a comprehensive cover letter, and a professional resume to Quilcene Fire Rescue via one of the following channels:

• By Email: Send your executive application package to: districtsecretary@qfr2.org
• By Mail:
  Quilcene Fire Rescue
  Attn: District Secretary
  PO Box 433, Quilcene, WA 98376

Download Application Materials:

Employment ApplicationFire Chief Job Flyer.pdfFire Chief Job Description.pdf

Questions regarding the transition timeline or vacancy application? Please call our district office directly at 360-765-3333.

Quilcene Fire Rescue is an Equal Opportunity Employer.