The Community
Gilroy is situated in south Santa Clara County at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay Area, which is a dynamic urban area of 7,000 square miles, nine counties, 100 cities, and a population of 8.8 million, making it the fifth most populous metropolitan area in the United States. The City is part of the enterprising and technologically advanced San Jose/Silicon Valley sub-region and is within an hour’s drive of the scenic beauty of both the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas. Gilroy lies at the crossing of US Highway 101 and State Highway 152, giving it direct access to the San Francisco Bay Area, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties, and the Central Valley.
Gilroy enjoys a unique and beautiful location within this valley setting, situated in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Range, and bordered by the Llagas and Uvas creeks that flow southward into the Pajaro River. Despite its growth, Gilroy continues to harbor a rural and historic character, especially in the older neighborhoods where buildings dating back to the mid-1800s can be found. There is a sense of abundant open space, due to the wide, tree-lined streets in the older neighborhoods, the large areas of undeveloped land surrounding the newer sections of town, and the City’s pristine mountain backdrop.
The town of Gilroy got its start in 1850 as a stage stop along the San Jose to Monterey Road. By the time it was incorporated in 1870, it was the third largest community in Santa Clara County. Today, the City spans 16 square miles and has a population of over 60,000.
In its first hundred years, Gilroy’s economy was dominated by agriculture and agricultural processing. With the completion of the US Highway 101 by-pass in the early 1970’s, Gilroy became more accessible, and its growth rates rose sharply. While the agricultural sector began to slow, manufacturing, retail, and service sectors began to grow at a faster rate. Today, Gilroy’s economy is diversified into non-agricultural commercial and industrial activities such as light manufacturing, wholesale operations, automobile sales, and large retail centers.
The Organization
The City of Gilroy was incorporated as a Charter City in 1870. The City has a Council-Administrator form of government. The Mayor is directly elected, and they and the Council members serve staggered four-year terms. The Council appointed City Administrator is responsible for financial and operational management of the City’s 298 full-time employees.
City Departments include City Administration, Finance/Information Technology, Public Works, Fire, Police, Community Development, Utilities, and Administrative Services/Human Resources. The FY2026 General Fund Operating Budget for the City of Gilroy is $75.6 million.
The Department
The Gilroy Fire Department is an all-risk community service provider with three divisions, Emergency Medical Services, Training and Education, and Operations. The Department has 47 FTE and works out of four stations, responding to over 6,880 calls for service in FY2024-25. The Department is led by the Fire Chief who is supported by four Fire Division Chiefs. The FY2026 adopted budget is $15.7 million. The Department is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Department. The Department has an ISO Rating of 2.
Our Mission
Protecting People and Property
The Gilroy Fire Department protects the safety of Gilroy residents and businesses by responding to structural and wildland fires, as well as motor vehicle accidents, medical calls, search and rescue, and other critical emergencies.
We are dedicated to protecting the lives, property, and environment of the Gilroy community by employing the latest fire, rescue, emergency medical service, and prevention practices and technologies.
The Position
The City of Gilroy is seeking two experienced fire service professionals to help lead its well-regarded Fire Department. The new Fire Division Chiefs will support a department that is well thought of by its community. Under the general direction of the Fire Chief, a Fire Division Chief manages a Division and supervises one of three emergency response platoons with the fourth Division Chief serving in an Administration role, working a 40-hour workweek, and providing relief coverage for the other Division Chiefs when needed. A Division Chief performs Battalion Chief functions as the 24-hour duty chief of an assigned platoon/shift. They may also serve as the acting Fire Chief.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate must be a dynamic leader, teacher, mentor, and fire service innovator who is approachable, open, and experienced at developing relationships in a team environment. They must have shown the ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making both in an emergency response environment and in administrative and management situations. They must be an excellent communicator and be able to express themselves clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Strong emotional and social intelligence skills are necessary. The ability to interact with different personalities and work styles successfully is important.
The new Division Chiefs must have the ability to assimilate into a new work environment and hit the ground running. The ability to establish positive work relationships and develop trust will aid in the candidate’s success. Ideal candidates must be comfortable ensuring employee accountability and not shy away from difficult conversations. The must be fair, and deal with small things before they become big things.
A Fire Division Chief must have experience as a Duty Chief or Battalion Chief, experience handing citizen inquiries/complaints, disputes, MOU issues, and disciplinary matters. Experience working in an ALS delivery system, strong knowledge of EMS service delivery, a solid understanding of the Incident Command System, and hands-on experience developing and managing a budget for a division or workgroup are expected.
- Manage programs and personnel associated with one of three divisions: Fire Operations Division, Fire Training Division or Emergency Medical Services Division
- Develop and direct the implementation of Division goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
- Develop recommendations and participate in the budget development and administration on a divisional level.
- Draft and submit accurate, concise and complete reports within appropriately established timelines.
- Propose amendments and/or adoption of Standard Operating Procedures, rules, regulations, and directives.
- Skillfully and tactfully represent the interests of the City and the Fire Department when working with the media and making public presentations.MaintainBe receptive and open to staff's ideas and suggestions.
- Maintain open and effective communications with staff through regularly scheduled meetings. Be receptive and open to staff's ideas and suggestions.
- Comply with City and Department policies, including MOU between Firefighters Local 2805 and the City.
- Establish appropriate performance targets and objectives for staff and conduct timely, objective and impartial employee performance appraisals.
- Maintain a friendly and professional relationship with peers and members of the community.
- Train and direct staff and be available to them for guidance.
- Mentor individuals and motivate them to achieve maximum performance.
- Plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate pre-fire planning and inspection programs.
- Plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate the Fire Department safety program; investigates accidents and recommends appropriate action; instructs fire officers and personnel in safety practices.
- On a rotational basis, perform Battalion Chief functions, having responsibility for a 24 hour platoon/shift on an average of 10 shifts per month.
- Exercise direct supervision over assigned Fire Department personnel. When performing Battalion Chief functions, exercise direct supervision over all platoon/shift supervisors (i.e., Fire Captains).
- Investigate and/or oversee the investigation of fires for cause, origin and circumstances.
- May assume command of the Fire Department in the absence of the Fire Chief.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- May fill a position in the EOC.
Requirements, Training, Experience And Qualifications
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to:
Education
A bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, fire science, fire technology, other fire service-related program, or other related field of study.
Experience: Six (6) years of full-time paid experience in an organized Fire Department which includes a minimum of three (3) years as a Fire Captain or higher. Further, the three (3) years of Captain experience must include structural and wildland firefighting work experience.
License or Certificate
State of California Office of the Fire Marshal Officer Certification or equivalent educational certification from another jurisdiction.
ICS-300 Certificate or equivalent certification.
Possess and maintain a valid California Driver License and a safe driving record necessary to operate assigned vehicle(s) by the time of employment.
Possess and maintain a valid CPR/AED and First Aid certification.
Pass a comprehensive background investigation for employment, including a Department of Justice criminal records check and a polygraph examination.
Pass a post-offer psychological and medical examination, which includes a drug test which includes testing for psycho-active marijuana metabolites.
Sign a no tobacco use contract.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly desirable.
Must reside within a 90-minute travel time to any Gilroy fire station. When on 24-hour duty coverage, a 15-minute response time is required. A dorm is provided for on-duty Division Chief response should the Division Chief reside beyond the required 15-minute response time.
The Compensation
The annual salary range for this opportunity is from $160,738 to $220,767. Council has approved a 2.5% salary increase on 7/1/26, and on 7/1/27. It is expected that the new Fire Division Chiefs will start at the front half of the range and move to the top through performance. Candidates with prior full-time Division Chief or Battalion Chief experience may be an exception. Fire Division Chiefs receive an additional 5% of base salary as shift differential pay for the hours of work required of a Fire Division Chief, which includes evening, weekend, and rotating hours on a regular basis. The base work schedule (repeats every six days) consists of two 12-hour workdays with 24-hour duty coverage (assigned shift) and one 10-hour administrative day.
The City Also Offers An Attractive Benefits Package Including
Retirement – CalPERS retirement plan for “Classic” members (consistent CalPERS membership before January 1, 2013) is 2% @ 55, employee pays 7% pre-tax deduction. Fire Safety Employees hired on/after January 1, 2013, are categorized as “New” CalPERS members with a plan of 2% @ 57, employee pays 11% pre-tax deduction.
Medical/Dental – The City pays up to $2,480 per month for core health benefits including medical and dental coverage as core benefits. Option to waive medical and receive $500 cash benefit in lieu.
Holidays – 11 paid holidays per year (88 hours).
Vacation Leave – Ranges from two to four weeks per year, based on years of service with the City of Gilroy.
Sick Leave – 96 hours accrued annually
Administrative Leave – Employee receives 56 hours of administrative leave time per fiscal year.
Personal Leave- Employee receives 44 hours of personal leave time per fiscal year.
Leave Cashout- 1x election of up to 40 hours vacation time paid out @ January 2 of each year.
Straight Time Overtime- 12 hours of straight time overtime is paid for assigned Division Chief shift coverage on regular day off due to vacation or sick leave.
Tuition/Education Reimbursement- $1000 per fiscal year
Uniform Allowance- $1,100 annually
Bilingual pay (Spanish/English)- 5% of base salary
Take home vehicle- 30 minutes from City
Gilroy Management Association MOU- https://www.cityofgilroy.org/160/Memorandums-of-Understanding
The Recruitment Process
To apply for this exciting career opportunity, please apply directly to the City of Gilroy at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofgilroy The City will contact candidates for next steps.
Open until filled
Please do not hesitate to contact Diana Bishop at Peckham & McKenney at 408-800-7653 for questions about this position or the recruitment process.
