Summary

The Assistant Fire Chief position in Loudoun County Fire and Rescue involves leading either daily emergency operations or support services like volunteer programs and facilities, while helping shape department policies and budgets.

This role suits experienced fire service leaders who thrive in a mix of career and volunteer teams, managing everything from emergency responses to administrative planning in a busy suburban area near Washington, DC.

Ideal candidates are collaborative managers passionate about public safety and team-building.

Key Requirements

Strong management and leadership experience in fire and emergency medical services
Ability to oversee operations including fire, rescue, EMS, special operations, and training
Experience managing support services such as volunteer administration, communications, logistics, facilities, and health/safety programs
Skills in executive administration, including policy development, budget management, and participatory governance
Proven ability to supervise deputy chiefs and provide interim leadership in the chief's absence
Commitment to core values of teamwork, integrity, professionalism, and service in a diverse, growing organization

Full Job Description

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) is a combination career/volunteer organization comprised of approximately 848 employees and 800+ active operational and administrative volunteers. The Department is a growing organization that serves a large and diverse population located approximately 30 miles northwest of Washington, DC. We provide a full range of emergency and non-emergency services for 440,000 residents within a 520 square mile area. Additional information about the Department can be found at www.loudoun.gov/fire. We seek to hire a highly motivated, effective, and diverse workforce to meet the needs of the County’s residents, visitors, and business community and support the Department’s core values of Teamwork, Integrity, Professionalism, and Service.

Loudoun County offers a meaningful career, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package. Additional information can be found at www.loudoun.gov/benefits.

Requirements

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue is currently seeking an energetic, collaborative, experienced professional with a strong management and leadership background in fire and emergency medical services for one position at the rank of Assistant Chief. LCFR has two Assistant Chief positions that are part of the Executive Leadership Team, which are the Assistant Chief of Operations and the Assistant Chief of Support Services and Volunteer Administration. The successful candidate may be assigned to either of these positions at the discretion of the Systemwide Fire Chief. Although one vacancy exists currently, this recruitment may be utilized to make additional appointments for future vacancies for up to six months from the date of ad closure based on position availability and departmental need.

The Assistant Chief of Operations is primarily responsible for oversight and management of fire, rescue, EMS, and special operations to include ensuring that worksites and emergency apparatus are staffed in a safe and effective manner by adequately trained career and volunteer personnel. The Assistant Chief of Operations provides programmatic management of the Operations Bureau to include Operations, Special Operations and Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Training with direct supervision of the deputy chiefs appointed to these areas, including Deputy Chief - Shift Commanders assigned to 24-hour operational shifts.

The Assistant Chief of Support Services and Volunteer Administration is primarily responsible for oversight and management of our volunteer programs, emergency communications center, information and technology, logistics, facilities, apparatus, data analytics and planning, and the health, safety and wellness programs. The Assistant Chief of the Support Services and Volunteer Administration Bureau provides programmatic management of Volunteer Administration, Communications and Support Services, Health, Safety and Asset Management, and Planning.

Assistant Chiefs provide interim coverage as the Systemwide Fire Chief, with delegated authority, as assigned in his/her absence. The Assistant Chiefs have the responsibility of assisting with the executive management and administration of the Loudoun County - Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS), which includes responsibility for the formation of system-wide rules, regulations, and policies, as well as extensive participation in the Systems’ participatory governance structure, to include serving on the System’s Executive Committee and sub-committees (as assigned).

The selected candidate will provide advice, analysis, and recommendations to the Systemwide Fire Chief on issues related to the management and implementation of public safety programs; assist in developing and managing the department’s budget; assist with administration and management of employee/labor relations matters, as well as developing the strategic direction for the division and programs under his/her supervision.

Hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Fire or Emergency Medical Services Administration, Public Administration, or related field and seven (7) years of related fire administration work experience including two (2) years of incident command level experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Previous experience should demonstrate comprehensive fire and rescue operational knowledge, including progressively responsible senior management roles in combination career and volunteer fire and rescue systems. It should also include experience managing multiple station operations in a combined career and volunteer staffed system. Additionally, administrative experience is required, involving the application of procedural knowledge and skills in planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and controlling agency activities, procedures, and practices to independently handle various assignments and problems.

Preferred Qualifications
A master’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Homeland Security, Public or Business Administration, or a similar/related field. Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Certification, Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFO) or similar endeavors are highly desirable.

Additional Information

The selected candidate must successfully complete a background check, including criminal history with fingerprinting, credit and driver's license check, and a complete Loudoun County NFPA 1580 (previously known as 1582) medical exam with drug screening. Internal candidates are also subject to background checks, including fingerprints, if selected, in accordance with County policy (unless a background check has been completed within the last five years).

Required certifications include valid driver’s license and good driving record, NFPA Fire Officer III, NFPA Fire Instructor II, OSHA Hazardous Materials Operations-Level Responder, NREMT or Virginia EMT (or equivalent from another state, but must obtain reciprocity within one year of employment), and NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800. Candidates who are selected to participate in the interview phase will be required to show proof of certification, when requested by LCFR Human Resources, by submitting either Virginia Department of Fire Programs certificates or certificates showing equivalency through the Pro-Board Fire Service Professional Qualifications System or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, or an official transcript from one of these governing agencies. Certificates may also be attached to the application.

The work schedule is highly variable, including evenings and weekends on a regular basis. Frequently requires working beyond standard work hours, including attending events and meetings in the evenings and on weekends.

Application Process
To apply, please click the “Apply” button at the top right corner of the job advertisement; applicants must attach a detailed resume including a cover letter. The first step of the process includes an extensive and thorough review of applications, resumes and cover letters, followed by the first and second round interviews.

While not an all-inclusive list of reference material, candidates may be asked questions about the following items during interviews: LC-CFRS Strategic Work Plan (2022 – 2027), LC-CFRS Emergency Operations Service Plan (Oct. 2019), Collective Bargaining Agreement between County of Loudoun, Virginia and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3756 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027), LC-CFRS Significant Incident Investigative Report – 347 Silver Ridge Drive, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Report – 347 Silver Ridge Drive, LC-CFRS Organizational Chart, LCFR Organizational Chart, and the LC-CFRS Systemwide Fire Chief Expectations For All Members. Candidates can access the reference materials by clicking here: https://bit.ly/LCFRAssistantChief2026.

All dates and locations are subject to change based on Departmental need. Process details and timelines are as follows:
• Applications are accepted until February 20, 2026, at 2359 hours.
• Application and Resume Review: March 3-4, 2026.
• In-person First Round Interviews with stakeholder panel: March 16-17, 2026.
o Located at 751 Miller Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175
• In-person Second Round Interviews with a representative of County Administration and the Systemwide Fire Chief: March 24 or 26, 2026.
• Target Hire Date is tentatively April 23, 2026. Subject to change based on departmental need.

✓ Fresh Listing

Assistant Fire Chief

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

Requirements

Qualifications

Additional Information

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