Hanover Fire EMS is committed to empowering leaders who desire to make a difference. We invest in our people, develop future talent, and ensure our department remains well-trained, well-equipped, and ready to serve our community. Our culture is rooted in professionalism, integrity, and collaboration, where every team member contributes to our shared mission of excellence in service.
The Assistant Chief is an essential member of the department’s leadership team, responsible for promoting a high-performance culture that is aligned with the Department’s mission, vision, and values. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, a commitment to professional development, and the ability to encourage, mentor, and support personnel.
General Description:The Assistant Chief is a senior executive leader responsible for planning, directing, and supporting critical Fire-EMS functions across operations, administration and training, and community engagement and risk reduction. This position provides strategic leadership, command oversight, and organizational guidance within a combination career and volunteer system.
While Assistant Chiefs may be assigned functional focus areas, all incumbents are expected to demonstrate competency across all major Fire-EMS disciplines and collaborate department-wide.
Organization:The Assistant Chief provides direct leadership to Battalion Chiefs and other assigned staff, performing related human resource functions, and serve as an essential advisor to the Deputy Chief and Fire Chief. The Assistant Chief is expected to embody the Department’s values, foster a healthy and high-performing culture, and lead efforts that support a well-trained, well-equipped, and future-ready workforce.
Essential Functions:
·Provides senior leadership by modeling and reinforcing the Department’s mission, vision, and values; fosters a professional, accountable, and team-oriented culture; and supports employee engagement, wellness, and organizational resilience.
·Provides command-level response and oversight during emergency incidents; ensures safe, effective, and compliant incident management; and may assume command of the department in the absence of the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief.
·Participates in department-wide strategic planning, operational forecasting, and readiness initiatives to ensure the organization is prepared to anticipate and respond to evolving community risks and service demands.
· Leads and supports officer development, mentoring, coaching, and succession planning; evaluates performance; addresses accountability matters; and develops future leaders across all ranks.
·Assists with the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, standard operating guidelines, and administrative procedures; ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and accreditation standards.
·Collaborates with training and administrative staff to ensure effective, modern, and operationally relevant training programs; support certification maintenance; and promotes continuous improvement through evaluation and after-action review processes.
·Assists with budget development, fiscal management, and resource allocation; oversees assigned projects; and ensures responsible stewardship of personnel, equipment, and facilities.
·Supports community risk reduction initiatives, fire prevention programs, public education, and stakeholder engagement efforts; strengthens partnerships with community organizations and regional agencies.
·Promotes collaboration with volunteer members, mutual aid partners, and external agencies; supports volunteer engagement and integration within the combination system.
·Prepares reports, briefings, and presentations; represents the department professionally in meeting and public forums; and communicates effectively with staff, volunteers, county leadership, and the community.
·Performs related work as assigned.
Working Conditions:
A. Hazards
· May be exposed to all hazards associated with firefighting, EMS, and hazardous materials incidents
B. Environment
· Office
· Field--exposure to adverse weather, dust, smoke, noise, and fumes
C. Physical Effort
· Must be able to perform physically demanding tasks in all weather situations and conditions
D. Exempt
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Education, Experience and Training:A bachelor's degree in fire science, emergency management, or related field required, with a master's degree preferred. Candidates must possess a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in Fire-EMS or related public safety services, including at least four (4) years progressive supervisory experience in a career or combination department. Candidates must also hold Emergency Medical Technician-Basic certification through the National Registry or be able to obtain reciprocity through the Virginia Office of EMS; certification at an advanced level or as a National Registered Paramedic is preferred. Must be certified or achieve reciprocity through the VA Dept. of Fire Programs as Fire Officer II. Any equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities is acceptable.
Special Conditions:
· Must obtain valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver’s License within 30 days of employment to be eligible to operate a county vehicle.
·Subject to a comprehensive background investigation, including polygraph, criminal history, and fingerprinting. · Must successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination and drug screening and comply with ongoing testing as required.
·Essential personnel designation – will be required to work beyond normal hours during emergencies, special assignments, and meetings.
·Must maintain all required Fire-EMS and emergency medical certification(s) in accordance with state and department standards as a condition of employment
·You must wear a department-issued uniform and maintain professional appearance standards.
· Twelve-month probationary period
· This position is subject to the department's on-call procedures