Assistant Fire Chief
City of Rhinelander
Job Description
City of Rhinelander
Job Title: Assistant Fire Chief
Department: Fire Department
Immediate Supervisor: Fire Chief
SUMMARY:
Under limited supervision, this position assists the Fire Chief in the overall leadership,
management, and administration of the Fire Department. Responsible for developing and
administering programs and systems to support and promote high performance strategies to
meet the organizational needs, vision, and values in an assigned area, which may include
Support Services, Operations/EMS, and Professional Development. Reports directly to the Fire
Chief.
All letters of intent and resumes must be submitted by Friday, May 15, 2026 at 3:00pm.
Resumes and letters of intent may be sent to:
City of Rhinelander
Attn: Human Resources
135 S. Stevens St.
Rhinelander, WI 54501
mgeorge@rhinelanderwi.us
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participate in planning, developing policy, and resolving departmental problems and issues.
Assist the Fire Chief in the planning, direction, and implementation of policies, operating
procedures, philosophies, directives, and guidelines. Assist in the identification and
development of priorities, goals, and objectives for the department and the community; and
participate in solving complex fire and rescue issues.
Responsible for the overall supervision, administration, management, and coordination of fire
suppression and prevention, departmental training, and EMS activities. Assists with risk
management, debt collection, facility maintenance and construction; supervise and manage
operational and administrative functions to include performance management, employee
relations, prioritizing and assigning work, and related activities, human resources, and payroll.
Responds to incidents as necessary.
Assists with the formation of new programs and procedures; researches and provides
recommendations of new programs and procedures; and reviews reports, plans, and records
prior to submission to the Fire Chief.
May serve as a liaison between the Fire Department and other City Departments; and respond
to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during local emergencies or disaster activations.
May serve as an advisor to the Fire Chief in matters of selection of equipment, technology
systems, and personnel assignments; may update the Fire Chief regarding investigations, status
of projects, and personnel matters. The Assistant Fire Chief reports to and executes his/her
duties under the direction of the Fire Chief. This rank functions as second in command within
the Rhinelander Fire Department. The Assistant Fire Chief serves as acting Fire Chief and
assumes full command of the department in his absence. This rank is also responsible for
performing duties as assigned.
Assist with the preparation and coordination of the development of the Department’s annual
budget, perform periodic review of departmental purchases and financial transactions, monitor
all fund account balances and ensure expenditures are in compliance with city, state, and
federal guidelines; may prepare detailed reports to include expenditure analysis, accurate
revenue projections and have the ability to anticipate abnormal increases in raw materials costs
into the future; may manage contractual services and approve expenditure and appropriation
transfers.
May resolve questions, conflicts, and problems pertaining to the department; investigate and
respond to community inquiries and concerns.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum requirements include associate’s degree in Fire Science or related field (preferred) or
such other education or experience reflective of the ability to successfully perform the Assistant
Chief’s duties; ten years firefighting or emergency medical service work experience with
supervising capacity; Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification; Fire Officer I; valid Wisconsin
Paramedic Certification. Possession or ability to obtain a valid Wisconsin motor vehicle
operator’s license.
The City of Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission has the right to alter or modify these
requirements and standards, as necessary.
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Must have knowledge of apparatus, building construction, fire prevention, tactics and
strategy, hydraulics, supervisory training, hazardous materials, fire fighter safety, and
report writing.
• Must have knowledge of principals, practices, and procedures of modern firefighting.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and operational procedures of the fire department in
modern firefighting activities.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Knowledge of local geography includes the location of fire hydrants and the major fire
hazards in the community.
• Knowledge of current uniform fire code and modern investigation methods.
• Ability to conduct preliminary fact-finding inspections and investigations while gathering
evidence.
• Ability to operate apparatus and equipment used in modern firefighting activities.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Ability to instruct and lead fire training sessions and courses.
• The ability to frequently lift and/or move a minimum of (100) pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral
vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
SALARY:
$39.84 - $44.15/hr ($82,867 - $91,832)
Job Title: Assistant Fire Chief
Department: Fire Department
Immediate Supervisor: Fire Chief
SUMMARY:
Under limited supervision, this position assists the Fire Chief in the overall leadership,
management, and administration of the Fire Department. Responsible for developing and
administering programs and systems to support and promote high performance strategies to
meet the organizational needs, vision, and values in an assigned area, which may include
Support Services, Operations/EMS, and Professional Development. Reports directly to the Fire
Chief.
All letters of intent and resumes must be submitted by Friday, May 15, 2026 at 3:00pm.
Resumes and letters of intent may be sent to:
City of Rhinelander
Attn: Human Resources
135 S. Stevens St.
Rhinelander, WI 54501
mgeorge@rhinelanderwi.us
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participate in planning, developing policy, and resolving departmental problems and issues.
Assist the Fire Chief in the planning, direction, and implementation of policies, operating
procedures, philosophies, directives, and guidelines. Assist in the identification and
development of priorities, goals, and objectives for the department and the community; and
participate in solving complex fire and rescue issues.
Responsible for the overall supervision, administration, management, and coordination of fire
suppression and prevention, departmental training, and EMS activities. Assists with risk
management, debt collection, facility maintenance and construction; supervise and manage
operational and administrative functions to include performance management, employee
relations, prioritizing and assigning work, and related activities, human resources, and payroll.
Responds to incidents as necessary.
Assists with the formation of new programs and procedures; researches and provides
recommendations of new programs and procedures; and reviews reports, plans, and records
prior to submission to the Fire Chief.
May serve as a liaison between the Fire Department and other City Departments; and respond
to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during local emergencies or disaster activations.
May serve as an advisor to the Fire Chief in matters of selection of equipment, technology
systems, and personnel assignments; may update the Fire Chief regarding investigations, status
of projects, and personnel matters. The Assistant Fire Chief reports to and executes his/her
duties under the direction of the Fire Chief. This rank functions as second in command within
the Rhinelander Fire Department. The Assistant Fire Chief serves as acting Fire Chief and
assumes full command of the department in his absence. This rank is also responsible for
performing duties as assigned.
Assist with the preparation and coordination of the development of the Department’s annual
budget, perform periodic review of departmental purchases and financial transactions, monitor
all fund account balances and ensure expenditures are in compliance with city, state, and
federal guidelines; may prepare detailed reports to include expenditure analysis, accurate
revenue projections and have the ability to anticipate abnormal increases in raw materials costs
into the future; may manage contractual services and approve expenditure and appropriation
transfers.
May resolve questions, conflicts, and problems pertaining to the department; investigate and
respond to community inquiries and concerns.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum requirements include associate’s degree in Fire Science or related field (preferred) or
such other education or experience reflective of the ability to successfully perform the Assistant
Chief’s duties; ten years firefighting or emergency medical service work experience with
supervising capacity; Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification; Fire Officer I; valid Wisconsin
Paramedic Certification. Possession or ability to obtain a valid Wisconsin motor vehicle
operator’s license.
The City of Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission has the right to alter or modify these
requirements and standards, as necessary.
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Must have knowledge of apparatus, building construction, fire prevention, tactics and
strategy, hydraulics, supervisory training, hazardous materials, fire fighter safety, and
report writing.
• Must have knowledge of principals, practices, and procedures of modern firefighting.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and operational procedures of the fire department in
modern firefighting activities.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Knowledge of local geography includes the location of fire hydrants and the major fire
hazards in the community.
• Knowledge of current uniform fire code and modern investigation methods.
• Ability to conduct preliminary fact-finding inspections and investigations while gathering
evidence.
• Ability to operate apparatus and equipment used in modern firefighting activities.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Ability to instruct and lead fire training sessions and courses.
• The ability to frequently lift and/or move a minimum of (100) pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral
vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
SALARY:
$39.84 - $44.15/hr ($82,867 - $91,832)
