Fire Chief III - City of Mountain Brook

Target close date: 08/21/2026. Full-time position.

About the role

The City of Mountain Brook (AL) is accepting applications to fill the position of Fire Chief to serve as the head of its Fire Department. The Mountain Brook Fire Department (MBFD) has an ISO Class 2 rating and employs 67 fire professionals working within three strategically positioned fire stations throughout the City. The MBFD proudly serves and protects over 22,000 citizens within 13 square miles of residential and commercial establishments.

The Fire Chief is responsible for planning, organizing, administering and coordinating all activities of the Fire Department. Responsibilities include establishing departmental policies, procedures, and regulations including those pertaining to firefighting, medical emergencies, rescue operations, fire prevention, fire training, and safety programs within and/or above the limitation of laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines set by the State of Alabama.

Responsibilities

• Performs administrative duties (e.g., completing forms, attending meetings, updating records, writing reports) to maintain efficient operation and documentation within the department.
• Prepares, monitors, and administers departmental or organizational budget by reviewing spending trends, expenditure reports, analyzing financial data and ensuring expenditures are within annual budgetary limits.
• Coordinates the acquisition and implementation of external funding (e.g., grants) to ensure the department has the resources needed to meet goals and maintain operations.
• May assume responsibility at emergency scenes to ensure implementation of the incident command system and safe handling of the incident to preserve life and property.
• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.
• Supervises, coordinates, and participates in activities that project a positive image of the department to the public by attending off-site facilities or hosting visitors at the station to conduct trainings, tours, and other community-related activities.
• Manages operations of the department by developing, reviewing, and updating policies and procedures, evaluating programs, and researching current trends in the emergency medical and fire fields to ensure the goals and objectives of the department are accomplished.
• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.
• Prepares the annual budget for the department including making recommendations for capital improvements such as fire station maintenance and upgrades, new fire apparatus, and other specialized fire equipment.

Requirements

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

Option A

• Driver's license.
• Current State firefighter minimum standard certification.
• Current Fire Officer III Certification.
• Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Business, Public Administration, EMS or closely related field.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience at the rank of Fire Captain (or higher) responsible for overseeing the activities of an assigned fire station or division within a fire department (i.e., EMS, Fire Prevention, Safety and Training, Shift Commander).

Option B

• Driver's license.
• Current State firefighter minimum standard certification.
• Current Fire Officer III Certification.
• Graduate level degree in Fire Science, Business, Public Administration, EMS or closely related field.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience serving at the rank of Fire Lieutenant (or higher).

Preferred Qualifications

• Paramedic License.

Physical Demands

Job is both sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, and light to moderate physical exertion, including lifting, carrying, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Work may involve physical ability necessary to combat/extinguish fires, respond to emergency medical calls, and deliver patient care.

Work Environment

Work is conducted both indoors in an office setting as well as during regular field visits to external places of business, residences, and emergency medical facilities. Work involves use of standard office equipment (e.g., computer, phone, copier) as well as occasional use of firefighting/lifesaving equipment. May be exposed to hazardous weather conditions, roadway traffic, infectious diseases, and angry/irate citizens.

Pay

$123,593 - $191,734 (with an opportunity for a 5% premium depending on qualifications).

Benefits

The City of Mountain Brook provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include:

• Medical and dental insurance.
• Employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension).
• Generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave.