Fire Chief
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue
Vashon, Washington
Salary: $213,724 - $230,822
Vashon, Washington, a community located on Vashon and Maury Islands in Puget Sound, is a patchwork of pastoral and natural settings with a small unincorporated town. The Island is approximately 13 miles long by 8 miles at the widest point and covers 37 square miles with 52 miles of shoreline. The only way on and off the Island is by a beautiful ferry boat ride with views of other islands, as well as the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. The auto/passenger ferries load from the Fauntleroy ferry dock in West Seattle and from the Point Defiance ferry dock in Tacoma, each taking just 15 to 20 minutes to get to Vashon Island, along with the Southworth dock in Kitsap County that takes 10 minutes. A 35-minute crossing by a passenger-only ferry from downtown Seattle is also available Monday through Friday. The community boasts a vibrant arts scene, a farmers market, unique shops, galleries, and live performances. In the summer, you can visit one of the many farms, rent a kayak, take sailing lessons, or explore Vashon’s beaches.
Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) provides first-tier emergency response to incidents involving fire, emergency medical services, motor vehicle and boating accidents, hazardous materials and rescue, as well as other requests for service. Governed by a five-member Board of Fire Commissioners, VIFR operates on a 2025 budget of $12.8 million and employees 24 full-time Firefighters, with an additional 14 volunteer responders and 1 volunteer Chaplain. The Administrative staff includes the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Operations, a full-time Finance/HR Director, a full-time Administrative Assistant, and a full-time Program Manager/District Secretary. The district also employs a full-time mechanic and a part-time facilities manager. VIFR also has a Mobile Integrated Health program, which is overseen by the Program Manager/District Secretary. The program has three part-time nurses, a part-time social worker, and is currently in the process of hiring a Physician Assistant. VIFR staffs two full-time stations, with another station that provides access to apparatus for volunteers responding from home and/or other portions of the island. The District also has a training center and a comprehensive vehicle and facilities maintenance shop. The District protects nearly 12,000 people and responds to roughly 1,900 calls annually, where 75% are EMS-based incidents with the remaining 25% being fire and non-fire-based incidents.
Reporting directly to the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Fire Chief is the Chief Executive Officer for Vashon Island Fire & Rescue. This position is responsible for planning, organizing and managing Fire District operations and administration, and supervising all District personnel, either directly or through delegation. The Fire Chief also coordinates the services and operations of the District, including disaster preparation. With the Board of Commissioners, the Fire Chief’s work is to remain consistent with the goals, objectives, timelines and budgets set jointly with the Board.
Education and Experience: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Fire Command and Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Management or a related field, and ten (10) years of progressively responsible administrative experience is required. Candidates must also have certifications to include Blue Card Incident Commander certification; Washington State Basic Firefighter (preferred; IFSAC Firefighter I and II); current state Emergency Medical Technician; and Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention. The ideal candidate will have experience in fire and emergency medical services at a rank of Captain or higher, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and have completed, or be currently enrolled in the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program.
Benefits include: Medical, Dental, and Vision. Short- and Long-Term Disability. Group Life Insurance. Employment Assistance Program. Eleven holidays, two personal days. Sick Leave, Vacation and Executive Leave. 457 Deferred Compensation. LEOFF II Retirement. HRA/VEBA.
For a complete position profile, full job description, and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. Vashon Island Fire & Rescue is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by June 8, 2025 (first review).