Staff Chief, Operations

Apply by 8/6/2026.

About the role

As Staff Chief of Operations with CAL FIRE, you'll step into an executive command role at CAL FIRE Headquarters, leading statewide operations at a moment when California is making the largest investment in fire response, resource protection, and emergency management in the state's history. This position is built for a senior executive chief officer ready to move from unit or region command into the executive tier where the decisions you make shape the entire agency for years to come.

You'll lead statewide operations strategy, guide operational doctrine and readiness at the state level, coordinate suppression operations across all CAL FIRE regions and units, contribute to executive-level decisions during major incidents and emergencies, and serve as a senior operational voice in how the agency evolves. Your work sits at the intersection of policy, budget, workforce, and mission, and it directly influences how CAL FIRE operates for the next decade.

This position is located in Sacramento, California, at CAL FIRE Headquarters, and is a permanent, full-time executive chief officer role at the Forestry and Fire Protection Administrator I classification. Medical clearance, annual fit testing for respiratory protection equipment including SCBA, and a valid driver's license are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide operations strategy
• Guide operational doctrine and readiness at the state level
• Coordinate suppression operations across all CAL FIRE regions and units
• Contribute to executive-level decisions during major incidents and emergencies
• Serve as a senior operational voice in agency evolution

Benefits

• State benefits including health, dental, and vision
• Retirement benefits

Location

This role is based in Sacramento, California, at CAL FIRE Headquarters. Sacramento County offers a strong mix of urban convenience, government employment density, and proximity to outdoor escapes. Popular nearby cities and communities include:

• Sacramento
• Folsom
• Elk Grove
• Roseville (Placer County, adjacent)
• Davis (Yolo County, adjacent)

With a lower cost of living than the Bay Area or Southern California, Sacramento provides easy access to Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, the Northern California coast, and the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma.