Fire Chief/EMS Director
State of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
Organization Local and Tribal Governments:Village of Maple Bluff
The Village of Maple Bluff is seeking a proven, community-focused leader to serve as its next Fire Chief / EMS Director. This is a full-time, exempt, appointed position reporting to the Village Administrator and confirmed by the Village Board. The Village of Maple Bluff is a small, residential suburb of Madison WI with a population of approximately 1,400. The Village's character is defined by our proximity to Lake Mendota, generous greenspaces, and recreation opportunities unique to our community. The Village of Maple Bluff is dedicated to providing responsible, high-quality municipal serves and transparent governance that protects public safety, stewards community resources, and preserves the sense of place, distinctive character, and independence of our community.
Position Summary
The Fire Chief / EMS Director serves as the senior leader of the MBFD and is responsible for the overall planning, administration, and coordination of all fire suppression, rescue, EMS, prevention, and operational training activities. The position functions under the general supervision of the Village Administrator and works in close collaboration with other department heads. The Fire Rescue Department consists of 3 additional full-time Assistant Fire Chiefs working 24-hour rotating shifts, as well as a team of part-time, student intern, and paid-on-call members. These include 7 part-time Duty Officers, 6 interns, 17 paid-on-call staff, and 1 volunteer Medical Director. This is a full-time, exempt, appointed position reporting to the Village Administrator and confirmed by the Village Board. In addition to overseeing the department’s daily operations and long-term strategic development, the Chief will be expected to provide strategic leadership aligned with the Village’s adopted Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Priorities, including long-term financial sustainability, workforce stability, and effective regional coordination. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and strengthening a community-based, high-service Fire and EMS model appropriate to a small, independent municipality where local emergency services are strongly valued by the community, while embracing professional standards, innovation, and accountability. The position is subject to annual performance evaluation consistent with Village policy. Salary Information
Competitive Salary ($100K-$106K, dependent upon qualifications) Recruitment and retention incentive package valued at up to $60,000 over five years, which includes a signing bonus and structured retention payments Relocation assistance of up to $5,000 may be offered to support candidate relocation Comprehensive health and dental insurance Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) plan with employer contributions Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays The position typically works an administrative schedule—Monday through Friday—though evenings, nights, and weekends may be required as operationally necessary. WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The Fire Chief performs work in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings in all weather conditions, including prolonged periods in extreme weather. Work is frequently performed in emergency and stressful situations. The individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, oils, communicable illnesses, and bloodborne pathogens. The employee works near moving mechanical parts and in highly precarious places, with explosives, and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in an office setting and loud in emergency situations. The Fire Chief is required to be physically capable of performing typical office, emergency medical response, and firefighting field operations. The individual should be able to wear protective clothing and carry equipment weighing up to 60 pounds. Must be able to exert force of up to 40 pounds occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently. The Fire Chief is required to respond to emergency scenes and attend meetings outside of regular office hours including Fire / EMS Committee and Village Board meetings, as well as other community meetings and events. Note: The most qualified applicants will be invited to appear before an interview panel, and finalists will be selected by Village Committee. Any selected finalist(s) will be required to participate in a comprehensive pre-employment assessment, psychological exam, drug screening, background investigation, and a medical examination before formal appointment by the Administrator and confirmation by Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An associate’s degree is required. Desired qualifications include graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in fire science, business administration, public administration, emergency management, or a closely related field; and ten years of experience as a firefighter and/or EMT in a local government fire department, with at least five years as a command officer (battalion chief, captain, assistant fire chief, or equivalent rank) or equivalent leadership role. Professional training or work experience may be considered with qualifications. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Must maintain a valid Wisconsin driver's license, Driver / Operator – Pumper, AEMT, NIMS certification 100 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 700 / 800, Emergency Services Instructor, and Desired certifications include Fire Inspector and Fire Officer II. THE VILLAGE OF MAPLE BLUFF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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The Fire Chief / EMS Director serves as the senior leader of the MBFD and is responsible for the overall planning, administration, and coordination of all fire suppression, rescue, EMS, prevention, and operational training activities. The position functions under the general supervision of the Village Administrator and works in close collaboration with other department heads. The Fire Rescue Department consists of 3 additional full-time Assistant Fire Chiefs working 24-hour rotating shifts, as well as a team of part-time, student intern, and paid-on-call members. These include 7 part-time Duty Officers, 6 interns, 17 paid-on-call staff, and 1 volunteer Medical Director. This is a full-time, exempt, appointed position reporting to the Village Administrator and confirmed by the Village Board. In addition to overseeing the department’s daily operations and long-term strategic development, the Chief will be expected to provide strategic leadership aligned with the Village’s adopted Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Priorities, including long-term financial sustainability, workforce stability, and effective regional coordination. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and strengthening a community-based, high-service Fire and EMS model appropriate to a small, independent municipality where local emergency services are strongly valued by the community, while embracing professional standards, innovation, and accountability. The position is subject to annual performance evaluation consistent with Village policy. Salary Information
Competitive Salary ($100K-$106K, dependent upon qualifications) Recruitment and retention incentive package valued at up to $60,000 over five years, which includes a signing bonus and structured retention payments Relocation assistance of up to $5,000 may be offered to support candidate relocation Comprehensive health and dental insurance Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) plan with employer contributions Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays The position typically works an administrative schedule—Monday through Friday—though evenings, nights, and weekends may be required as operationally necessary. WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The Fire Chief performs work in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings in all weather conditions, including prolonged periods in extreme weather. Work is frequently performed in emergency and stressful situations. The individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, oils, communicable illnesses, and bloodborne pathogens. The employee works near moving mechanical parts and in highly precarious places, with explosives, and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in an office setting and loud in emergency situations. The Fire Chief is required to be physically capable of performing typical office, emergency medical response, and firefighting field operations. The individual should be able to wear protective clothing and carry equipment weighing up to 60 pounds. Must be able to exert force of up to 40 pounds occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently. The Fire Chief is required to respond to emergency scenes and attend meetings outside of regular office hours including Fire / EMS Committee and Village Board meetings, as well as other community meetings and events. Note: The most qualified applicants will be invited to appear before an interview panel, and finalists will be selected by Village Committee. Any selected finalist(s) will be required to participate in a comprehensive pre-employment assessment, psychological exam, drug screening, background investigation, and a medical examination before formal appointment by the Administrator and confirmation by Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: An associate’s degree is required. Desired qualifications include graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in fire science, business administration, public administration, emergency management, or a closely related field; and ten years of experience as a firefighter and/or EMT in a local government fire department, with at least five years as a command officer (battalion chief, captain, assistant fire chief, or equivalent rank) or equivalent leadership role. Professional training or work experience may be considered with qualifications. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Must maintain a valid Wisconsin driver's license, Driver / Operator – Pumper, AEMT, NIMS certification 100 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 700 / 800, Emergency Services Instructor, and Desired certifications include Fire Inspector and Fire Officer II. THE VILLAGE OF MAPLE BLUFF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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