How to hire a battalion chief

How to hire a battalion chief, step by step

Here's a step-by-step battalion chief hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a battalion chief job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new battalion chief
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your battalion chief job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a battalion chief for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A battalion chief's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, battalion chiefs from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of battalion chiefs.

   Type of Battalion Chief	Description	Hourly rate
   Battalion Chief		$18-46
   Company Commander	In the military, a company commander serves as the commanding officer to a unit of soldiers. They are primarily in charge of overseeing every soldiers' performance and the overall company's daily progress, taking responsibility for every activity and outcome... Show more	$37-73
   Fire Chief	A Fire Chief's responsibility is to maintain the fire station's efficient response, the working order of all equipment, and all staff's readiness. They meet with the fire board to discuss the safety directives for the community... Show more	$19-58

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Emergency Response
   • Fire Suppression
   • Incident Command System
   • EMS
   • Fire Protection
   • Fire Service
   • Firefighting
   • NFPA
   • Medical Care
   • Incident Management
   • Emergency Operations
   • Hazmat
   • Emergency Situations
   • EMT

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the handling and disposal of over 2,000 pounds of hazmat and the disposal of over 5,000 pounds of hazardous waste.
   • Manage the combat logistics operations center's daily operations and ensure efficient information flow between internal and external organizations.
   • Participate in the administration and planning of a comprehensive fire prevention and firefighting rescue program.
   • Demonstrate expert knowledge of firefighting preparedness, suppression operations, incident management, fuels management, fire use and resource management.
   • Assist in teaching classes at the fire academy to new recruits and teach EMT to high school students.
   • Coordinate training with grind combat elements enablers in support of battalion operations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your battalion chief job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A battalion chief salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, battalion chiefs' average salary in hawaii is 55% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level battalion chiefs earn 59% less than senior-level battalion chiefs.
   • Certifications. A battalion chief with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a battalion chief's salary.

   Average battalion chief salary

   $61,652yearly

   $29.64 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level battalion chief salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 10, 2025

4. Writing a battalion chief job description

   A battalion chief job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a battalion chief job description:

   Battalion chief job description example

   **Summary**
   
   The **Battalion Chief of Operations & Training** reports to the Assistant Chief of Operations and is responsible for effective management of daily work assignments, training, and leadership of all subordinate Firefighters, Drivers, Paramedics and Lieutenants while on duty. This position operates as the initial Incident Commander and is responsible to mitigate emergency situations utilizing the Incident Command System following department standard operating procedures and established industry standards. Additionally, this position delivers and properly documents training for assigned personnel as required by the Annual Training Plan and supplemental training requirements as published by the Assistant Chief of Training. This position will be required to deliver training to department personnel through lecture and a hands-on approach as directed. This position must also have the knowledge to operate all department vehicles and equipment to include hydraulic pumps, power units, generators, etc. Physical fitness to perform these duties is essential and the individual filling this position must always remain in full duty status to perform these functions. This position may be required to work 24-hours on/48-hours off shift schedule or 40-hour Monday-Friday 8-hour shifts to meet the operational needs of the department. When assigned to the 40-hour schedule, this position will report to the Assistant Chief of Training, who will assign duties within the Training section.
   
   **Responsibilities**
   
   + Required to follow all company, personnel, and safety policies while performing all assigned duties in a safe work manner.
   
   + Responsible for protection of life and property at Kennedy Space Center and direction of fire and rescue crews in the performance of routine and emergency work assignments.
   
   + Responds to emergency calls and establishes Incident Command until replaced by higher ranking authority if necessary. Directs the activities of the firefighters providing fire suppression, medical aid, rescue activities and hazardous materials mitigation using the Incident Command System.
   
   + As the Incident Commander at the scene of an emergency, rapidly assesses problems and hazards and directs/controls combat forces to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
   
   + Possesses knowledge of size-up, rescue procedures and fire suppression techniques and their application in buildings, facilities, and aircraft related materials and systems.
   
   + Responds to vehicle accidents scenes and ensures approved extrication techniques are used utilizing specialized heavy hydraulic equipment during emergency situations.
   
   + Possesses extensive knowledge of streets, building addresses, suppression systems, fire alarm panel locations and hydrant locations.
   
   + Must train and direct the activities of subordinate personnel.
   
   + Conducts recurring and specialized training classes for fire department personnel.
   
   + Develops and maintains lesson plans as needed for training.
   
   + Maintains accurate and timely training reports for all training conducted.
   
   + Possesses knowledge of all fire apparatus, equipment, and their operation.
   
   + Must professionally interface with the customer and other contractors as necessary.
   
   + Must communicate effectively through verbal, written, or electronic methods.
   
   + Actively participate in Continuous Process Improvement by evaluating processes and programs for effectiveness and efficiency. Develops optimized solutions for approval.
   
   + Must review and evaluate job performance of subordinates as well as assess response crews for efficiency and effectiveness.
   
   + Participates in daily physical fitness program and conducts training activities to include training in fire suppression, hazardous material responsible, search and rescue, and other related areas.
   
   + Ensures certification testing procedures are completed in accordance with requirements.
   
   + Attends training courses, reads and understands assigned material related to emergency medical care, firefighting and fire prevention.
   
   + Possesses extensive knowledge about motor vehicle laws and regulations of the State of Florida, regarding emergency vehicular responsibilities.
   
   + Complies and enforces department policies, rules and regulations.
   
   + Personnel assigned to this classification may be subject to perform at the Technical Rescue and HazMat Operational level and may be required to obtain Technician level certification in these areas if required to support a specialty function.
   
   + Receive training and support the Pad Rescue function as directed.
   
   + Participate in certification training classes when offered and pass such classes per the certification criteria.
   
   + Other duties as assigned
   
   + Diversity: Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
   
   + Ethics: Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
   
   + Supervisory Responsibilities: This position supervises Lieutenants, Drivers, Paramedics, and Firefighters
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   + Required Certifications:
   
   + DoD (IFSAC) or Pro Board or Florida State Fire Officer II
   
   + DoD (IFSAC) or Pro Board or Florida State Fire Instructor I
   
   + DoD (IFSAC) or Pro Board or Florida State Hazardous Materials Operations
   
   + NIMS ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800
   
   + Within 1-year of hire:
   
   + DoD (IFSAC) or Pro Board or Florida State Airport Firefighter
   
   + Must possess a high school diploma or GED. Must be at least 21 years of age.
   
   + Must possess and maintain a valid Class E Florida state driver's license.
   
   + Must meet all standards as required by Performance Work Statement.
   
   + Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
   
   + Must possess effective oral and written communication skills.
   
   + Honorably discharged from the Armed Services (If Applicable)
   
   + Successfully completed all training and obtained all required licenses, certifications and security/medical clearances for the site.
   
   + Have no record or history of illegal drug use, sale, possession, or manufacture.
   
   + Have no felony convictions and no convictions that reflect on the individual's reliability.
   
   + Must be able to meet and maintain NASA Physical Certifications.
   
   + Must be able to successfully pass all required Psychological examinations.
   
   + Must be able to meet drug testing and alcohol-free workforce requirements to include random drug and/or alcohol testing.
   
   + Must speak, read, write, and understand the English language, apply written rules, detailed orders, instructions and training material.
   
   _Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:_
   
   + Skill in operating a personal computer and standard office equipment.
   
   + Must have knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, (MSWord, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), and Outlook.
   
   _Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)_
   
   + While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee may use repeated motions that include the arms, wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 170 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
   
   + Must successfully complete a pre-employment Combat Task Test (CTT) and annually thereafter as prescribed by the government. The CTT must be completed wearing full NFPA approved protective clothing to include full structural firefighting bunker gear (coat, pants, boots, gloves, hood and helmet). A KSC supplied self-contained breathing apparatus with composite bottle shall be worn and personnel shall wear the face mask, maintain adequate respiratory seal and breathe bottled air while performing all elements of the test.
   
   + The CTT must be completed within 7 minutes.
   
   + Ascend and descend 75 feet of stairway while carrying a 14-pound simulated high rise pack.
   
   + Hoist a 50' roll of 1-3/4" hose with nozzle, using a 1/2" to 5/8" rope, to a height of 50 feet.
   
   + Simulate forcible entry by hitting 150 lb. beam with 9 lb. sledgehammer to move the beam a distance of 5 ft. (Keiser Force Machine). Firefighters must keep both hands below a tape-marked line on the sledgehammer which is 1 foot down from the head of the sledgehammer, and only contact the beam with the head of the sledgehammer.
   
   + Lift, drag or carry a 170 lb. mannequin a distance of 85 ft.
   
   _Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.)_
   
   + The employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment.
   
   + The employee will be required to adjust to a controlled environment during normal daily activities to the extremely hot and possibly cold environments associated with firefighting duties at a moment's notice.
   
   + During visits to areas of operations, may be exposed to extreme cold or hot weather conditions. Is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noise
   
   Chenega Corporation and family of companies is an EOE.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
   
   Native preference under PL 93-638.
   
   We participate in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program

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5. Post your job

   To find battalion chiefs for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any battalion chiefs they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level battalion chiefs with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your battalion chief job on Zippia to find and recruit battalion chief candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with battalion chief candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new battalion chief

   Once you've found the battalion chief candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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