Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.

Bernalillo County

Department of Human Resources

Job Descriptions

What does the red Zia symbol mean? The Zia sun symbol represent the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, the four period of each day (morning, noon, evening, and night), and the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and old age). The centre of the sun symbol stands for life itself. The yellow field with red symbol pays recognition to the Aragon Realm of the conquistadors and their homeland in Spain.
JCM803: Fire and Rescue Chief

Fire and Rescue Chief

Job Code
Grade
Bargaining Unit
JCM803
EX13
None
       
       
Salary
As Hourly
As Annual
145,787.00 - 218,692.00 USD Annual
$70.09 - $87.62 - $105.14
$145,787.00 - $182,250.00 - $218,692.00

POSITION SUMMARY

The Fire and Rescue Chief is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative management of fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and fire plan review. This position ensures department efficiency and adherence to local, state, and federal regulations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


1. Supervise, plan, coordinate and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD) and Emergency Management Service (EMS) operations of the department; formulate programs and/or policies to alleviate deficiencies.
2. Plan, direct and review activities of personnel performing fire inspection, fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency medical services, including the timely conduct of employee performance reviews in accordance with county policies and applicable labor agreements.
3. Review and evaluate state and federal laws/requirements regularly while ensuring departmental compliance and implementation of changes in step with any revisions or updates.
4. Participate in local, regional, state and national conferences and seminars on fire administration, prevention, emergency medical, and emergency communications to maintain a continuing level of professional and technical competence.
5. Develop, plan and implement the department's budget and establish goals and objectives, responsible for expenditure of the departmental appropriations and monitoring of financial goals and objectives.
6. Ensure activities of the department are performed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
7. Assume management responsibility of all departmental services and activities including training, fire prevention, fire inspection, fire suppression and emergency medical services.
8. Coordinate (BCFD) and (EMS) programs, services and administrative matters with County management, including attending meetings with administrative staff and keeping County management informed of key needs, issues and support requirements.

Evaluate the need for and recommend the purchase of new equipment and supplies including the use of new and innovative technology.
10. Oversee the selection, training and evaluation programs of all Fire Personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; identify and resolve staff deficiencies; execute disciple and/or termination procedures; handle grievances as needed.
11. Respond to alarms and direct activities at the scene of major emergencies, as needed.
12. Responsible for the inspection of buildings and other properties, review of building plans as appropriate and the enforcement of local fire prevention ordinances.
13. Coordinate mutual aid agreements and response plans with neighboring city, county and tribal governments.
14. Ensure the development, communication, training and implementation of the department's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). Communicate the department's (EOP) to all department staff.
15. Train all levels of department personnel on the (EOP). Ensure full participation of all employees and that roles have been established and delegated to lower management. Direct and execute the emergency management procedures for the department ensuring the safety of all residents and employees.
16. Incumbent(s) in this classification may handle sensitive and/or confidential records, plans, documents or decisions that require maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
17. Any one position may not include all duties listed. However, the allocation of positions will be determined by the amount of time spent in performing the essential duties listed above.


*The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field plus ten (10) years’ experience in a career fire/rescue services department of equal or greater size to Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue to include four (4) years in a managerial role, with three (3) or more of those years in an upper level (Chief Officer) management in a fire department.
Must have and maintain valid certifications as State of New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B) or above and hold an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Firefighter II Certification.

Supplemental Information

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid certifications as a State of New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B) or above and an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Firefighter II Certification must be obtained in the first nine (9) months following hire.

PREFERENCES

1. Master’s Degree or higher in a related field from an accredited education institution as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Professionally credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer with the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
3. IFSAC Fire Officer IV certified.
4. National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer certification.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS


1. Utilizes the following tools and equipment: telephone, computer, radio, copy machine, facsimile machine, County vehicle, all rescue and firefighting equipment.
2. Uses all safety aids related to rescue and firefighting during emergency situations.
3. Materials and products handled in the course of performing essential duties include files, forms, reports, various paperwork, and a wide variety of basic office supplies.

This position is safety sensitive. Employment is subject to a pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state rules and regulations regarding alcohol and/or drug testing.

Revision: 6/28/2025 6:19:40 PM