Oberlin, Ohio is seeking a customer-focused Fire Chief, with a broad background in all aspects of service delivery including strategic planning, fire prevention and inspection, emergency medical, technical rescue, training and suppression. The Fire Chief provides leadership and administration to the Fire Department and serves as the Emergency Management Director. Oberlin Fire is a combination department with five full-time positions and 27 part-time on-call personnel operating from a single fire station with a complement of ten fire/rescue apparatus. It provides fire-rescue services to an area spanning 25 square miles encompassing the City of Oberlin and adjacent New Russia Township. This position requires a visionary leader with exceptional character and integrity, strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships. The Fire Chief works under the supervision of the City Manager. The position is open due to a retirement of a long-serving Fire Chief.

Oberlin is a community of 4.92 square miles with 8,286 residents, just 35 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio. The City is conveniently located 10 miles south of Lake Erie, 23 miles southwest of the City of Cleveland and less than 10 miles from the cities of Elyria and Lorain. The community is home to Oberlin College, which is its top employer and is an independent coeducational institution. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the second largest employer in the City. The Oberlin Industrial Park is home to high tech renewable energy and biomedical firms while its vibrant downtown district is home to unique shops and restaurants. The downtown is immediately adjacent to Oberlin College's campus featuring acts and cultural amenities such as Allen Memorial Art Museum, Hall Auditorium, and the historic Apollo Theater.

Minimum requirements are graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in fire science, management, public or business administration or a related field; ten (10) years of increasingly responsible command and management experience in a comparable size municipal or combination fire department; and three (3) years of management responsibility preferably as Training Officer, Battalion or Assistant Fire Chief, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduation from Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) or Ohio Fire Executive (OFE) Program strongly preferred. Successful completion within one year of hire may be required. Master’s degree in a fire service related field preferred.

The salary range is $66,359 – $107,527, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefit package.

All applicant materials are subject to Ohio’s Sunshine Law and are subject to open records requests.

Applications will be accepted electronically by The Novak Consulting Group. Apply online at www.thenovakconsultinggroup.com/jobs and include cover letter, resume with salary history, and 3-5 professional references. Apply Immediately.

Open until filled with first review of applications May 11.