THE OPPORTUNITY
Leading the Beverly Hills Fire Department is a career-defining opportunity to serve one of the most recognized communities in the world while building upon the legacy of one of America’s premier fire departments. Nationally respected for its exceptional service, culture of innovation, and unwavering commitment to organizational excellence, the Department has earned both international accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and an ISO Class 1 rating – an achievement shared by only approximately 125 fire departments nationwide. For an accomplished fire executive who is energized by high expectations, committed to servant leadership, and driven to make an already exceptional organization even stronger, there are few opportunities that offer a more rewarding professional challenge.
ABOUT BEVERLY HILLS
Located in Los Angeles County, the City of Beverly Hills has a population of 31,806 over a land mass of 5.7 square miles. Beverly Hills is a premier full-service city with an established tradition of providing a superior level of public safety services, a wide range of community and cultural programs, and a widely recognized, high-quality physical environment. Beverly Hills includes a mix of housing types, ranging from single family homes to multi-family residences, as well as a diverse and thriving business community that supports the City’s fiscal health. From rolling hillside estate homes to charming family bungalows and apartments, to a world-renowned business community, Beverly Hills provides its residents, visitors, and business partners a community often sought but rarely found in modern urban centers.
THE BEVERLY HILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Beverly Hills Fire Department is charged with the preservation of life and property within the Beverly Hills community – not only to its residents but also to the estimated 150,000 to 200,000 daily visitors. The dedicated men and women of the Beverly Hills Fire Department respond to fires, rescues, medical emergencies, chemical releases, and natural disasters. The Fire Department's reputation for exemplary service is underscored by its Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office, and International Accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Of the nearly 30,000 fire departments in the nation, the Beverly Hills Fire Department is among only 125 to carry both of these elite distinctions.
The Beverly Hills Fire Department operates the city's three fire stations and responds to over 8,600 incidents per year. The 123 firefighters and civilian personnel are organized into the following seven (7) divisions: Emergency Response Services, Community Risk Reduction, Emergency Medical Services, Human Services, Emergency Management, Fire Administration, and Community Programs.
THE POSITION
Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Fire Chief serves as the executive leader of the Beverly Hills Fire Department, providing strategic vision and operational leadership for all aspects of fire protection, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, fire prevention, emergency management, and community risk reduction. The Fire Chief is a trusted advisor to the City Manager and City Council, responsible for ensuring exceptional emergency response while advancing organizational excellence, innovation, fiscal stewardship, and outstanding public service. Working collaboratively across departments and with regional partners, the Fire Chief builds strong relationships with employees, elected officials, residents, businesses, and neighboring agencies to enhance public safety and community resilience. The Chief leads a highly professional department while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished fire executive who leads with humility and prioritizes community, city, and department goals over any personal goals; be a servant leader – existing to serve the community, the members of the Fire Department, and the broader City of Beverly Hills organization first; have strong operational experience, complimented by experience in emergency medicine, fire prevention and risk reduction, and community programs; have a tireless work ethic and is visible and accessible; be progressive and have an appetite for innovation and creativity; be open and collaborative; and must possess the judgment and emotional intelligence to balance competing interests – labor and management, the needs of Department members and the expectations of the community, operational priorities and strategic initiatives, and the many competing demands that accompany leadership in Beverly Hills.
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: Bachelor's degree in fire administration, public, or business administration or a closely related field. A Master's degree is highly desirable.
Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible management level experience in the fire service or a closely related field. At least three years of the experience must have been at or above the rank of Fire Battalion Chief.
Certifications and Advanced Training: Certification as Chief Officer, graduation from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, or CPSE Chief of Fire Officer designation is desirable.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The hiring range for the Fire Chief is $293,892 - $425,280 dependent on qualifications. In addition, an excellent executive benefit package is outlined below. Key benefits include retirement provided through CalPERS. Classic CalPERS members are eligible for the 3% @ 55 formula with an employee contribution of 9%, while PEPRA members are eligible for the 2.7% @ 57 formula. The City also provides Management Incentive Pay, an additional $625 monthly in recognition of the unique nature and demands of the position.
For additional benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
We encourage interested candidates to confidentially express interest as early as possible, allowing us to answer questions, discuss fit, and ensure applicants have sufficient time to prepare competitive materials. Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letter below no later than Monday, September 7, 2026.
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
This recruitment has closed and is no longer accepting applications.
