Fire Chief

The Position

Reporting to the elected Board of Trustees the Fire Chief serves as the chief executive officer of the Big Sky Fire Department, providing executive-level leadership across daily administration, operations, asset and risk management, finances, and regulatory compliance.

The Chief is responsible for the safe and effective delivery of all department services and leads the development of policies, strategic plans, and the annual operating and capital budgets. The role also requires cultivating strong, collaborative relationships with the Board, the Big Sky Resort Area District, mutual aid partners, federal land management agencies, IAFF Local 4732, and the broader community.

The successful candidate will bring the highest standards of integrity, ethics, accountability, and transparency, along with the judgment, innovation, and foresight required to lead a progressive all-hazards organization through continued growth, wildfire risk, and the operational complexity of a rapidly evolving mountain resort community.

Opportunities & Priorities

A Dedicated Team and a Culture of Safety: BSFD has a dedicated staff that delivers exceptional administrative and frontline services. The new Fire Chief will continue to be an advocate for firefighter safety, with particular attention to firefighter and EMS responder mental health, professional support, and a culture that values safety, accountability, and service.

Navigating a Changing Budget Landscape: Due to an unforeseen County tax calculation error, there has been a $2.3M reduction in the 2026- 2027 budget, which has created strain within the community because of an over-collection of tax funds. In response, the Department was able to renegotiate the Interlocal Agreement with the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) to help make up for part of the lost tax revenue. The next Fire Chief will need to help guide the District through this changing financial landscape with transparency, sound planning, and careful stewardship of public resources.

Strategic Capital Investments: New Fire Station 3 is nearing completion, with estimated completion in December 2026, and the fire apparatus for the new station has already been purchased. The station was funded by a Rural Improvement District to help address response times, sustain a solid ISO rating, and improve coverage for the wildland-urban interface. Additionally, property adjacent to the Training Center was purchased and was essential to securing long-term access to the training center property. The next Fire Chief will have the opportunity to support these important capital investments while continuing to plan for the District’s future facility, apparatus, training, and service delivery needs.

Excellence in Emergency Medical Services: The department operates an excellent ALS response system and completes approximately 250 emergency transports annually from the Critical Access Hospital to Bozeman. The next Fire Chief will be responsible for supporting continued excellence in EMS delivery, maintaining strong clinical and operational standards, and ensuring the department is prepared to meet the emergency medical needs of residents, visitors, employees, and the broader Big Sky community.

Strengthening Community Partnerships and Wildfire Preparedness: BSFD enjoys a strong partnership with multiple Neighborhood Ambassadors that support the Firewise program. The next Fire Chief will have the opportunity to continue strengthening these relationships while advancing community risk reduction, wildfire preparedness, home risk assessments, public education, and collaboration with residents, neighborhoods, partner agencies, and regional stakeholders.

Pursuing an Improved ISO Rating: BSFD recently completed the ISO audit process and is currently awaiting the final report. The audit was requested with the goal of securing a more favorable rating that reflects the department’s ongoing investments and improvements in service delivery. The next Fire Chief will play an important role in building on this work by continuing to strengthen operational readiness, staffing, training, apparatus, facilities, water supply coordination, prevention, and documentation practices that support effective service and long-term community protection.

Education & Experience

Required Education & Experience:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Business, or Public Administration OR a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college AND graduation from the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program or designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO).
• A minimum of five (5) years of directly related departmental or administrative management experience, and three (3) years of professional strategic planning, project management, or program development, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
• A valid Montana driver's license by time of hire.
• Must be bondable and insurable under the District's insurance carriers.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Experience working with elected governing bodies and being supervised by an elected Board of Trustees.
• Experience in collective bargaining and labor relations.
• Experience and specialized training in hazardous materials response and technical rescue skills.
• Current certification as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician.
• A master's degree in a related field. Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Thorough knowledge of department administration, financial management, fire suppression and prevention, incident command, emergency management, wildland-urban interface issues, inspections, emergency medical services, EMS transport, medical documentation, and billing.
• Knowledge of the administrative duties and responsibilities of a fire protection district, including accountability for community assets, District resources, capital expenditures, fleet, grants, strategic planning, succession planning, human resources, mentorship, and training.
• The ability to exercise independent judgment in creating and implementing policies and procedures, identifying departmental operational needs and goals, supporting strategic planning, developing and managing the District’s annual budget, implementing safety practices and training, and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws.
• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret District and Department policies and procedures, Montana state fire code, relevant NFPA, OSHA, NIOSH, and EPA standards, ordinances, and applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• The ability to serve as a present, visible, and engaged leader in the organization and community while working effectively with elected officials, organized labor, Department members, partner agencies, and the Board of Trustees.
• The skill to keep the Board of Trustees informed on issues affecting the agency, advocate for the members, the District, and the community, and balance the physical and financial needs of the District while planning for the future.
• The ability to provide vision, build internal and external relationships, engage routinely with staff and the community, and demonstrate good character, emotional intelligence, sound judgment, personal initiative, confidentiality, and flexibility.
• The ability to support a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive work environment that values all members, avoids micromanaging problem-solving processes or routine work, supports work-life balance, and provides a safe place to learn, innovate, make mistakes, and improve.
• The skill to serve as a positive role model and leader who inspires great performance, sets the pace for accountability, learns the values of the organization, nurtures its culture, and capitalizes on the knowledge and abilities of existing staff.
• The ability to apply a broad administrative background and experience to effectively manage the complexities of a modern fire department from a similar size or larger agency.
• Experience supporting mentoring, professional development, succession planning, and leadership at all levels, including decision-making at the lowest and most appropriate level based on area of responsibility.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including active listening, careful consideration of information, and clear, direct, and concise communication with members, the Board, labor representatives, and the community.
• The ability to listen, make timely and ethical decisions, pivot in a different direction when needed, serve as an honest broker during both good and bad times, share the “why” behind final decisions, and include stakeholders through transparency and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional organization and time management skills, with the ability to prepare professional reports and documents, perform data analytics, use social media, Word, and Excel, write grants, and develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Experience with recruitment, training, personnel development, coaching, mentoring, performance accountability, corrective action, and disciplinary matters, with the ability to apply programs and standard operating procedures in a firm, fair, and consistent manner.
• Experience in positive labor relations and collective bargaining, with the ability to see the Union as a partner in planning and problem-solving key issues, meet with the Union on a regular basis, foster open communication, build trust, and support effective labor-management relationships.
• Knowledge of wildland and structure suppression, operational assignments, and operational readiness gained through fire service experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• $190,000 - $205,000 DOQ
• Health insurance, dental, and vision plan paid 100% for employee, spouse, and family.
• Aflac cancer paid by employer and optional Aflac plans for employee
• 457B option (employer match frozen)
• Montana Firefighters United Retirement (FURS) Pension System.