Assistant Chief, Wildfire Operations

The Municipality of North Cowichan (population 31,990) is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria. Our communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay, and the South End are home to a multitude of artistic, cultural and outdoor recreational activities. The Municipality provides a stable and varied work environment, competitive pay and benefits. We are inviting applications from candidates with proven skills, qualifications and abilities for the Exempt position of Assistant Chief, Wildfire Operations. If you are self-motivated, looking to take on a new challenge where you can make a difference, enjoy both responsibility and accountability, and are ready to join one of British Columbia's most inclusive and environmentally conscious municipalities, we look forward to receiving your application!

This is an exempt management position, excluded from union membership, and requires flexibility in hours of work. The Assistant Chief is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the strategic, operational, and emergency response requirements of the position, including evenings, weekends, and emergency call‑outs as required.

COMMUNITY SAFETY

The Assistant Chief, Wildfire Operations is a senior exempt management position responsible for providing strategic leadership, executive direction, and authoritative oversight of the Municipality's wildfire mitigation, preparedness, and response functions. Reporting directly to the Fire Chief, the position operates at a senior leadership level and exercises significant independent judgment, discretion, and accountability in matters related to organizational priorities, service delivery models, resource allocation, and risk management. The role contributes to confidential planning, advisory, and decision‑making processes, including the development of strategy, policy, and operational frameworks, and is responsible for translating Council‑approved and corporate objectives into effective operational outcomes that enhance community safety and resilience.

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

The position has delegated authority to lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of wildfire‑related strategies, operational and emergency response plans, and service delivery models in a dynamic and evolving risk environment influenced by climate conditions, legislative requirements, and community needs. The Assistant Chief is accountable for the management of complex, multi‑year programs and projects, including FireSmart initiatives, fuel management and mitigation programs, community risk‑reduction strategies, and grant‑funded activities. Responsibilities include establishing program scope, performance standards, budgets, and timelines; authorizing expenditures within approved limits; directing consultant and contractor services; preparing technical and financial reports; and ensuring fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and achievement of approved outcomes.

OPERATIONAL COMMAND & PEOPLE LEADERSHIP

The Assistant Chief provides senior operational command and organizational leadership for all phases of wildfire operations and exercises management authority over training standards, certification requirements, staffing models, deployment planning, and equipment readiness. The role includes direct supervision, recruitment, performance management, disciplinary action, and operational leadership of unionized firefighting personnel, paid‑on‑call members, and volunteer community groups, with responsibility for ensuring compliance with collective agreements, occupational health and safety legislation, and departmental policies, and for representing management interests in labour‑relations‑adjacent matters. As a member of the exempt Chief Officer team, the Assistant Chief participates in duty rotation, provides acting coverage as required, assumes command or support roles during emergency incidents in accordance with the Incident Command System, represents the Municipality in senior interagency and public forums, and contributes to post‑incident evaluation, continuous improvement initiatives, and organizational learning.

Required Skills, Qualifications, and Abilities:

1. Relevant post-secondary education augmented by completion of the following minimum certifications:
   • Accredited NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 3 level
   • BCWS Wildland Task Force Leader (or equivalent wildfire leadership qualification)
   • Local Fire Smart Representative Certificate
   • Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Designation
   • ICS 400
   • Fire and Life Safety Educator 1&2
   • Valid BC EMA -First Responder license
2. Post Secondary bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
3. The candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in a senior Fire Officer or Chief Officer role, preferably within a unionized municipal or regional fire service, with demonstrated experience in wildfire mitigation, preparedness, response, and seasonal wildfire operations.
4. The role requires proven ability to develop, implement, and evaluate municipal or regional strategies, policies, operational plans, emergency response plans, and community risk‑reduction initiatives.
5. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience managing complex, multi‑year programs and projects, including budget responsibility, grant‑funded initiatives, and contractor and consultant oversight.
6. Comprehensive knowledge of wildfire operations, emergency management, fire prevention, firefighting practices, apparatus and equipment, firefighter safety legislation, and the Incident Command System is required.
7. The position requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, along with the ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision‑making.
8. The candidate must demonstrate strong organizational, project management, and time‑management skills, with the ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and prioritize complex operational and divisional activities.
9. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills are required, including the ability to prepare technical reports, brief senior leadership, and participate in public education and outreach activities.
10. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with staff, volunteers, First Nations, community groups, partner agencies, elected officials, and the public.
11. The role requires possession and maintenance of a valid Class 3 BC Driver's License with air brake endorsement and a satisfactory driver's abstract.
12. The candidate must be able to meet the physical demands of the position, with medical clearance if required, and successfully complete a Police Information Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Check.

The ideal candidate for this position will maintain a successful police information check, including a vulnerable sector check. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package is offered. This position is excluded from union membership.

Candidates being considered will be required to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of skills, qualifications and abilities.