Deputy Fire Chief (Contract)

About the City of Welland

At the City of Welland, we're continuously rewriting our story. Not because we don't know where we're going, but because we are constantly reaching for new heights, engaging in new approaches, and pursuing what many believe to be unattainable or too ambitious. We're not satisfied with the status quo, and we're certainly not satisfied with doing things a certain way simply because that's how they were done in the past.

We expect our population to increase to over 80,000 in the next 20 years, and serving a diverse, growing community requires strategic thinkers, norm breakers, and passionate civil servants. In Niagara, Welland's growth leads every other municipality, and the City is becoming the region's heartbeat.

So, we invite you to author your chapter and contribute to the overall body of work the City of Welland is creating. At the City of Welland, your ideas are nurtured, your input is invited, a healthy work-life balance is available, and most importantly, your voice will make a difference.

About the Position

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief provides leadership and strategic direction while advancing a positive and engaged workplace. This position will primarily be responsible for the Fire Prevention Division and Administrative duties, procurement, and fleet/equipment/building maintenance. The Deputy Fire Chief is also responsible for continuously championing a safe and efficient fire service.

This is a temporary contract.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties listed do not provide a description of every task performed but those which represent the core functions of the job.

• Lead the Fire Prevention Division through extensive community growth while continuously improving fire safety in the existing inventory of complex buildings.
• Continually assess community risk and implement change to promote a healthy and safe community, while maintaining compliance with Federal and Provincial requirements.
• Lead a modern approach of cost recovery of Fire Prevention Services within the community, using software and systems thinking to optimize resources.
• Ensure an appropriate inventory equipment is available using creative and collaborative procurement methods to ensure the dutiful use of financial resources while limiting expenditures and optimizing approved funds.
• Manage regular maintenance schedule of assets and equipment to ensure all legislative and industry best practice standards are met.
• Lead people and address personnel matters including the recruitment, selection, safety, development, coaching, motivating, and performance management of people.
• Function as an Alternate Community Emergency Management Coordinator.
• Attend to emergency scenes as required, engage with the public, media, and stakeholders as needed.
• Share on-call and after-hours responsibilities on a rotational basis with the other members of the management teams, which includes responding to emergency incidents within the community, responding to media inquiries and fielding inquiries from on duty personnel.
• Perform the duties of the Fire Chief in his absence, when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision:

• All personnel of Fire and Emergency Services Department, including subordinates of the Fire Chief, as necessary.

What you need to succeed

• University Degree or an Accredited College Diploma in Fire Services Administration/Management, Public or Business Administration or another relevant discipline or equivalent.
• NFPA 1031, NFPA 1035, and experience leading people in Fire Inspections and Fire Prevention duties is required. 
• Ten (10) or more years of experience with five (5) years as a Senior Officer with relevant labour relations experience in a unionized municipal fire service or equivalent.
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 4 and EM 300 certification preferred, or the ability to achieve. Building Code Identification Number in Fire Protection, or ability to achieve within one year.
• Sound knowledge of applicable legislation (FPPA, OFC, OBC, OHSA) and industry standards (NFPA/ULC/CSA) with a demonstrated commitment to enhancing public safety.
• Demonstrated time and project management skills. An ability to find, consolidate, analyze, and apply information.
• Attention to detail with proven research, data analysis, and report writing skills.
• The ability to work independently and in a team environment, liaison with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Fire Department Records Management Systems, and OFMEM Standard Incident
• Reporting with the ability to adapt quickly to applicable software and technological equipment.
• Hold and maintain a valid Ontario driver's license.

Salary and Benefit Information

$162,805-$190,459 annual salary (2025 rate). OMERS pension is available.

Why choose Welland?

OMERS Pension: Secure your future with an OMERS pension, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans. To learn more visit https://www.omers.com/.