• Graduation from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business or a related field, plus eight (8) years municipal firefighting experience, or equivalent, one (1) year of which must be as a chief officer; or
• Possession of an Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Science, plus nine (9) years municipal firefighting experience, or equivalent, one (1) yearof which must be as a chiefofficer; or
• Graduation from high school or its equivalent and completion of either thirty (30) semester units of fire science or possession of a certificate in Fire Science; and completion of 30 additional semester units in Public Administration, Political Science, or Business; plus ten (10) years municipal firefighting experience, or equivalent, one (1) yearof which must be as a chiefofficer.
• A chiefofficer is defined as a Fire Marshal, Assistant Training Officer, or Battalion Chief.  Experience as a chiefofficer within the Santa Clara Fire Department preferred.

This is a professional managerial position in the unclassified service responsible for the management of one or more divisions of the Fire Department.  An incumbent in this classification exercises independent judgment and discretion; manages, controls, and directs employees; and formulates administrative policies for the effective use of assigned personnel.

• Supervises and coordinates the administration of one or more divisions in the Fire Department including Administrative, Fire Protection (including Training and Emergency Operations), Emergency Medical Services, Fire Prevention, and Hazardous Materials;
• Directs and supports the division heads in the operation of their assigned division;
• Organizes and directs the Volunteer/Reserve Division;
• Formulates and makes recommendations on revisions to Fire Chief's Directives and related policies and procedures;
• Researches and analyzes operations and makes recommendations relative to operating procedures, methods, and all phases of fire protection and fire prevention activities;
• Participates in the preparation of the Fire Department's capital and operating budgets and monitors financial transactions;
• May act in the capacity of Fire Chief in his/her absence;
• Responds to emergency calls and assumes emergency command as necessary;
• Maintains standards and enforces all applicable rules and regulations;
• Evaluates division head performance and reviews employee evaluations;
• Confers with officers and supervisors in regard to departmental working relationships;
• Assists in the assignment of personnel;
• Establishes and maintains effective public, inter-City departmental, and employee relations;
• Completes reports and initiates correspondence; 
• Makes public presentations representing the Fire Department; 
• Handles complex assignments; and
• Performs other duties as required.

• Fire administration; fire protection emergency operations; and the principles and techniques of firefighting and other emergency activities directed toward the saving of lives and property;
• Fire administration; fire protection emergency operations; and the principles and techniques of firefighting and other emergency activities directed toward the saving of lives and property;
• Fire administration; fire protection emergency operations; and the principles and techniques of firefighting and other emergency activities directed toward the saving of lives and property;preparation and control; and apparatus and equipment specifications; and
• Hazardous materials functions

• Effectively manage and administer various functions of the Fire Department utilizing planning, organizational and control techniques;
• Effectively lead and direct employees and volunteers under routine and emergency conditions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees, City departments and divisions, other agencies, and the general public;
• Analyze situations and provide logical conclusions;
• Effectively represent the Fire Department at various professional functions;
• Prepare clear and concise reports; and
• Deal fairly, objectively and impartially with others;
• Use good judgment; and demonstrate a broad awareness and understanding of the interrelationships between departmental operations, programs, and activities.

Supervises the Division Heads in Administrative, Fire Protection (including Training and Emergency Operations), Emergency Medical Services, Fire Prevention, Hazardous Materials, and Volunteer/Reserve divisions.