THE OPPORTUNITY

A distinguished opportunity to lead - the City of Yuma, Arizona, invites qualified, experienced, and visionary fire service professionals to apply to serve as the next Fire Chief. This is a critical leadership role in a dynamic, growing community that values innovation, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to public safety. The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of strategic leadership, operational excellence, and collaborative engagement to guide the Yuma Fire Department into its next chapter of service and advancement.

THE CITY OF YUMA

Nestled in the southwest corner of Arizona, where the Colorado River meets the Sonoran Desert, Yuma is a vibrant and welcoming community with a rich cultural heritage, abundant natural beauty, and a strong sense of civic pride. With a population of over 100,000 residents and growing, Yuma serves as the commercial, agricultural, and governmental hub of the region.

Yuma is known for its year-round sunshine, offering more than 300 days of sunshine annually – making it one of the sunniest places in the United States. The city’s warm, dry climate supports a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, from hiking, biking, and golf to boating and off-roading. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Yuma’s scenic desert landscapes, historic downtown, and access to the Colorado River. Whether you’re drawn to the region’s natural beauty, its strong community values, or its opportunities for professional growth and leadership, Yuma is a place where you can make a meaningful impact.

THE YUMA FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) has been serving the community for more than 100 years and has a strong tradition of providing professional, effective, and efficient fire department services to its residents and visitors. YFD is a full-service, all-hazards fire department providing fire, emergency medical and ambulance transport, hazardous materials response, technical rescue operations, and fire prevention and educational services to the community. The department is one of only 323 agencies internationally accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). The YFD is comprised of 152 staff members who are supported by a FY26 budget of approximately $26.5 million. The Yuma Fire Department serves the city’s 120 square miles through 7 strategically placed stations.

THE POSITION

Under administrative direction from the City Administrator and Deputy City Administrator, the Fire Chief directs Yuma Fire Department operations, including fire prevention and suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services. The Fire Chief additionally acts as the City’s Emergency Manager, chief planner and preparedness director, and senior incident commander for emergencies and disasters. Some key responsibilities include directing the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) through effective planning, staff management, resource allocation, and sound fiscal practices; providing leadership, direction, and guidance for YFD to meet the public safety needs of the community; representing the Fire Department and the City in public meetings and community events; investigating and resolving administrative, inter-agency, and operational inquiries and complaints; and negotiating and resolving sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.

The ideal candidate will have a team-oriented, problem-solving, collaborative leadership orientation; an approachable demeanor and be a people-centric leader; have strong communication skills and the ability to make difficult decisions when necessary; have a progressive mindset and an ability to harness the unique contributions of staff from different generations and backgrounds; and be a highly visible  leader and representative of the Yuma Fire Department, the City of Yuma leadership team, and in the community.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Medical Services, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.

• Experience: Five (5) years of Fire Department operations and administrative management experience.

• License or certification: A valid Ariona State Driver’s License is required. Certification as a Fire Fighter I and II is required, along with experience as a certified Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic. Additional technical training and certifications are preferred, including Fire Inspector I and II, Fire Instructor I and II, and Fire Officer III.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range for the Fire Chief is $154,908 to $201,380. Placement within the range is negotiable and dependent upon qualifications. In addition, the City offers a comprehensive benefits package including automatic enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Employees contribute 11.86% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 11.86% of the employee’s gross wages through automatic deduction. Contributions to the ASRS are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes). Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction to provide additional retirement income. Relocation assistance up to $7,500 may be available for the selected candidate.

For additional detailed benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé below no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Bryan Noblett | bryan@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100