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Fire Chief

Battelle Energy Alliance
paid time off, tuition assistance, 401(k)
United States, Idaho, Idaho Falls
2525 Fremont Avenue (Show on map)
Feb 24, 2026

Immerse yourself in cutting-edge energy innovation as the Fire Chief at Idaho National Laboratory, where your leadership will shape the future of nuclear technology and critical national infrastructure. You'll spearhead high-impact initiatives, from pioneering nuclear energy solutions to advancing cybersecurity and space systems, driving breakthroughs that secure America's energy and technological leadership. With a legacy of firsts under your guidance, you'll accelerate discoveries that redefine energy security and scientific advancements, leaving an indelible mark on global progress. Join a team of elite researchers and experts who are rewriting the future of energy and technology at the heart of America's scientific frontier.

Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) Facilities is seeking forward-thinking professionals interested in exploring a career as a Fire Chief! Our team works a 4/10 schedule located at Central Facilities, Idaho with every other Friday off.

Key Responsibilities
  • Emergency Response Leadership: Direct all fire department operations to ensure safe, secure, cost-effective, and compliant emergency response services.
  • Strategic Planning: Maintain a forward-looking strategic vision that positions the INL Fire Department for continued excellence and innovation. Develop and execute fire department strategic objectives that support INL's mission, while actively working towards and updating the comprehensive 5-year strategic plan. Ensure alignment of goals and initiatives within the plan to drive operational improvements, enhance emergency readiness, and foster collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Personnel Development: Hire, train, and mentor staff; establish clear performance expectations; implement succession planning and professional growth opportunities.
  • Risk Evaluation and Reporting: Develop and implement a structured process for evaluating and measuring departmental risks using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Ensure that risk assessments are continuously monitored, addressed through corrective actions, and documented for accountability. Prepare comprehensive risk reports and present findings during the Management Review Meetings (MRM) to maintain transparency and alignment with INL's strategic objectives.
  • Budget Management and Stewardship: With the assistance of the assigned financial analyst, plan, develop, manage, and oversee the fire department's operating budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with INL's mission.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain effective relationships with DOE-ID, INL leadership, contractors, and regional emergency response agencies.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Fulfill roles and responsibilities as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for codes and standards related to fire service, including wildland fire management per DOE-ID delegation.
  • Culture Improvement: Champion a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture within the fire department.
  • Fire Service Accreditation: Lead efforts to achieve and maintain fire service accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).
  • Risk Identification and Management: Define and implement risk management strategies to minimize hazards to personnel and operations.
  • Mission Support: Align fire department objectives and operations with INL's institutional mission and strategic goals.
Fire Chief Responsibilities & Duties
  • Lead and manage fire department personnel and operations.
  • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal codes and standards.
  • Coordinate response to emergency incidents and provide effective disaster management.
  • Participate in community outreach and fire safety education initiatives.
  • Prepare and manage the department's budget and resource allocation.
  • Conduct performance evaluations and provide training for fire department staff.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with other emergency services and organizations.
  • Oversee the maintenance and operation of firefighting equipment and facilities.
  • Prepare reports for governmental bodies and stakeholders regarding emergency incidents and departmental performance.
  • Organize and direct the activities of staff engaged in providing emergency services.
  • Plan, direct, and control department activities such as recruitment of personnel; purchase of equipment; assignment of personnel and equipment; and the budgeting and control of expenditures.
  • Analyze and resolve operational, procedural, and personnel problems.
  • Analyze emergency service needs, as well as the availability of resources, existing programs, and other related factors in developing programs to meet needs required to enable INL mission support.
  • Maintain a cooperative and collective labor/management relationship with leadership of the International Association of Firefighter, Local I-83.
  • Serve as a senior advisor to the incident commander or assume Incident command on challenging or complex incidents.
Fire Chief Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration, or a related field.
  • Eight (8) years of experience in an all-hazard fire department.
  • Minimim (5) years of leadership experience with a minimum of (2) years in a fire service leadership role.
  • Certification as a Fire Officer.
  • Emergency Medical Technician.
  • Must be able to obtain a DOE "Q" level security clearance.
  • Must be able to perform the NFPA-1580 essential job functions, 2,3,5,10, and 14.
Desired Skills and Qualifications
  • Master's degree preferred
  • Certification as an Incident Commander (IC).
  • IFSAC Fire Office II, III, IV.
  • Advanced leadership training.
  • Experience in community engagement and public relations.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven decision making ability in high pressure situations.
  • Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws codes and standards.
Physical Requirements:
  • While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job Information:
  • The target pay range for this position is ($171,530 - $248,949) annually. The full pay range is ($127,596 - $331,752). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials

Benefits and Relocation




  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
  • Paid time off (personal leave)
  • Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
  • Comprehensive Relocation Package
  • Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.



At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.


INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.
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