The Chief is responsible for leading the integration of the former Wauwatosa and West Allis Fire Departments into a unified organization, Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue (MMFR), aligning operations, policies, and culture to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery across both communities.

The Fire Chief will provide overall visioning, leadership, direction, and general administrative oversight of the Fire Department, fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS).

The pay range for this position is $153,753 - $196,477 with the starting salary commensurate of experience and qualifications. Further increases are based on cost of living adjustments and performance step increases. This is complemented by an excellent benefits package, a robust wellness program, an on-site fitness center, a free workplace clinic, paid parental leave, generous paid holidays and vacation, a pension plan and the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals who have a passion for public service. Relocation assistance is also available.

This position will be the first position of the department. While details of the merged department's benefits package are being finalized, the selected candidate will receive the City of Wauwatosa's comprehensive benefits. Upon finalization, the Fire Chief will transition to the MMFR benefits package.

To view more details on this position, please follow this link to the recruitment brochure: https://www.wauwatosa.net/home/showdocument?id=6755

To be considered for this exciting and challenging opportunity, qualified applicants must complete an online application and submit a comprehensive resume and cover letter. Questions? Please contact Human Resources at hr@wauwatosa.net.

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Personnel Management:

Fiscal Management:

Strategic Planning:

Emergency Management:

Public Relations/Community Outreach:

Policy Development:

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, twist and reach. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is also regularly required to talk and hear in a noisy atmosphere, in person, in meetings and by telephone. They will need to interact with city management, employees, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment, in different fire stations, and sometimes in a field environment including a Fire/EMS response area. The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet and usually moderate in the field environment, except during certain emergency response or fire activities when noise levels may be high. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, bio-hazardous materials, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

Other Information

Per Wisconsin State Law, the Fire Chief will be interviewed and selected by the MMFR Fire Commission. The Commission will screen initial candidates and reach out to qualified candidates with next steps by July 29th, 2026. Virtual interviews are planned for the week of August 3rd, the in-person assessment center is planned for August 10th, and in-person interviews for final candidates are planned for August 19th.

The MMFR is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, age, marital or veterans’ status, sex, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities.