Fire Chief

Overview

The City of Valdosta is seeking applications for a new Fire Chief. The City of Valdosta is a unique community blending its historic past with a dynamic and high growth environment, with a diverse community that supports economic vitality. The Fire Chief is an important part of the management team and reports to the City Manager.

The Valdosta Fire Department is entering its next phase of growth with multiple initiatives underway. The Chief will be a dedicated and ethical team player who can quickly gain the confidence of staff, the community, and business owners. The Chief will communicate effectively with the Mayor and Council, work collaboratively with the City Manager, and provide consistent directions to department staff.

The Chief will act as the primary spokesperson for the department, keeping the community informed and encouraging engagement with the department.

The ideal candidate will have a robust background in fire service leadership and public safety, with the ability to guide a diverse team in delivering exceptional emergency response and fire prevention programs, and demonstrate a culture of leadership and accountability from the top.

Lead response efforts during emergencies with clear and decisive leadership in high-pressure situations. Build and maintain strong working relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as with public, city, and county officials. Communicate transparently and align what is communicated with what is executed. Serve as the department’s primary spokesperson and engage with the community to encourage involvement with the department.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Completion of advanced fire service leadership, command, and management training through state-certified programs, national fire service organizations, or comparable professional development pathways is expected. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE);
  National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program; upper-level NIMS training are highly desired.
• Minimum of five (5) years of executive experience in a command-level or senior leadership role in a fire department with similar complexities to the Valdosta department is expected. Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that meet the requirements of the job will be considered.
• Must possess or be able to acquire a valid Georgia driver’s license within 3 months of employment.

The expected starting salary range for this position is DOQ (depending on qualifications) and ranges from $125,000 to $140,000, with a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; no-cost Medical Clinic – Premise Health;
Basic Life and AD&D provided by the city at no cost;
Long-term disability paid by the city;
Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
Pension benefit with employee contributions of 3% vested in 10 years;
Deferred Compensation 457 offered through Empower;
Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.

Interested candidates must submit by email a cover letter, resume, a list of at least five job-related references (with email and phone numbers), as well as salary history no later than February 13, 2026 to  Please direct any questions to Lisa Ward, Senior Associate, Mercer Group Associates, at ; or Alan Reddish at . Alan Reddish, Senior Associate, 107 Indigo Lane, Athens, GA 30606, Cell: .