Dayton Fire District - Fire Chief
Posted: 3/14/25
Salary: $88,000-$105,000
Location: Dayton, OR
Application Deadline: April 11th, 2025
POSITION DETAILS
Full Time FLSA Exempt
Salary: $88,000 - $105,000 per year (exact placement within the salary range dependent on qualifications)
Benefits: Benefits include District contribution to health insurance; vacation, holiday, personal and sick leave; District provided uniforms, training, and educational opportunities; take home staff vehicle
THE AREA
The Dayton Fire District (DFD) is located in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, nestled between the Pacific coast and Mt. Hood— both just over an hour’s drive. Dayton is a historic, small-town gem of Yamhill County and is a wonderful place to live with a safe, vibrant, and diverse community at its core. Approximately 28 miles southwest of Portland, and 20 miles north of Salem—the state’s capital—growing tourism and interest in the area have recently launched many revitalization efforts, strengthening Dayton’s charm and community assets. Within the DFD are many rural communities rich in history and agricultural enterprises vital to the local economy, including hazelnuts, grass seed, dairy, poultry, and parts of the world- renowned Oregon wine industry. DFD protects a combined city and rural area of 80 square miles and approximately 6,500 residents and is proud to serve all communities and industries within the district.
THE DISTRICT
Dayton City Fire and the Dayton Rural Fire Protection District were both founded in the late 1890s. In 1990—after years of mutual support—the two merged to become the Dayton Fire District. The district is a combination fire department currently consisting of a full-time Fire Chief, full- time Administrative Assistant, 35 volunteer Firefighters/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, junior volunteer Firefighters, and a Chaplin. DFD responds from three fire stations: the main, in-town station which houses the administrative offices and training areas, and two rural substations—one currently being rebuilt. Living quarters are also being completed at the main station to assist in providing round-the-clock coverage to the community. The district utilizes a variety of modern fire apparatus and provides structural and wildland fire suppression, technical rescue services to the operational level, HAZMAT to the operational level, and EMS to the BLS level. DFD and its team of volunteers also support the community with various programs and outreach with the goal of emergency prevention.
The Dayton Fire District takes great pride in serving the community.
THE POSITION
The Fire Chief is the chief executive officer for the Dayton Fire District, responsible for directing
and coordinating the effective management and efficient functioning of the Fire District.
The Fire Chief performs a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory work and responds to fires, rescues, EMS, and other emergencies as necessary.
The Fire Chief reports to a five-member elected Board of Directors but is required to exercise independent judgement to carry out the policies established by the Board.
The normal work schedule is 40 hours per week however, it is generally understood that the Fire Chief will dedicate as much time as needed to assure the needs of the District are met.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will possess the following core skills and abilities at a minimum:
- Able to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and leadership and must possess keen judgment, innovation, and foresight.
- Ability to analyze strengths and weaknesses of volunteer and paid personnel and programs to implement necessary strategies to maintain and improve the District’s level of service.
- Ability to provide effective leadership which builds trust and confidence.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working and interpersonal relationships with the community, other public safety and political entities, mutual aid partners, subordinates, and superiors.
- Able to develop and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency medical services.
- Must show past and continuing involvement in the community and a dedication to community service outside of emergency response activities.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the fire service with at least three (3) years in an officer position (Lieutenant/Captain).
- Experience in the management of an EMS delivery system.
- Experience in wildland/urban interface firefighting.
- Experience and training in NIMS and the willingness to work towards higher levels of training and certification in all applicable areas.
- Oregon State certified EMT or higher - or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
- NFPA Firefighter II - or equivalent
- NFPA Fire & Emergency Services Instructor II (or Instructor I w/ Instructor II within 1year of hire) – or equivalent
- NFPA Fire Apparatus Equipped with Fire Pump – or equivalent
- NFPA Fire Officer II (or Officer I w/ Officer II in 1 year of hire) – or equivalent
- NWCG Single Resource: Engine Boss or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire.
-OR-
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must have a valid Oregon Driver’s License or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
- Must be bondable and insurable under the District’s insurance carriers.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
- Must reside within the District’s boundary within 6 months of hire, extension or exemption of this is at the sole discretion of the DFD Board of Directors.
- Background check and verifications which will include a detailed background investigation upon job offer.
- Must pass medical and work capacity requirements, and drug screen.
See position description for full position details and requirements.
RECRUITMENT AND HIRING TIMELINE
(Dates subject to change)
Recruitment Period Opens: March 14, 2025
Recruitment Period Closes: April 11, 2025
Assessment Center (onsite): April 28, 2025
Tentative Start Date: July 1, 2025
*Candidates invited to the onsite interview process will be eligible for travel and lodging reimbursement to a maximum of $500.
To review the job announcement and job description, and to complete the application, please see this link: https://www.sdao.com/classifieds. To be considered as a candidate, please submit a completed and signed
application, resume, and cover letter to the address and/ or email listed below. Electronic submission is preferred.
Attn. Shanta Carter
Dayton Fire District – Fire Chief Special Districts Association of Oregon PO Box 23879, Tigard, Oregon 97281 Email: scarter@sdao.com
Questions regarding the position or the selection process can be directed to Senior Consultant Gordon Sletmoe at gsletmoe@sdao.com