Fire Chief
Fire Chief
Lewis County Fire District 5
Napavine, Washington
Salary: $117,000 - $130,000
Nestled in the lush, evergreen forests of southwestern Washington, the City of Napavine is a vibrant and welcoming community in Lewis County. Napavine offers stunning views and a serene small-town atmosphere. With a population of approximately 2,200 residents, the city blends its rich history with modern amenities and an exceptional quality of life. Napavine serves as a bedroom community for the nearby Centralia, Chehalis, and Olympia areas, offering convenient access to regional hubs while retaining its close-knit, rural charm. Napavine boasts a rich natural environment, offering residents and visitors opportunities to explore the surrounding landscapes through hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Lewis County Fire District No. 5 serves over 74 square miles in and around the community of Napavine, Washington. The District is governed by an elected Board of Commissioners, and operates as an all-hazards response agency, providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) transporting services, as well as structure fire, wildland fire, and other emergency responses. The District responded to 1,258 incidents in 2024. The District’s workforce includes 10 full-time employees, 1 half-time secretary (budgeted for full-time), and 10 dedicated volunteers. The District’s annual budget is $3,829,952, with the General Fund including $2,442,380 from a fire levy and $1,387,572 from an EMS levy, while the Capital Program is supported by a $1,950,000 Station Improvement Grant.
Reporting directly to the Board of Commissioners, the Fire Chief oversees all aspects of the department, including personnel management, fire investigations and inspections, fire safety education, fire protection, fire suppression, emergency medical services, and administrative functions. Key responsibilities include supervising and regulating department activities, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and maintaining a strong working knowledge of RCWs to collaborate effectively with the Board in managing the department’s budget. The Fire Chief is expected to take command of major incidents at any time and must be prepared to respond promptly to emergencies. To meet this requirement, the successful candidate will be required to reside within 15 minutes of the district line within six (6) months of hire.
Education & Experience: An associate degree with major coursework in Fire Science or a closely related field is required. A bachelor’s degree in fire science or a related field is desirable. The ideal candidate will have ten (10) years of fire service experience, with five (5) years at the Captain or Chief Officer rank, including administrative duties, experience in wildland fires and fires in Urban Growth areas, and experience in formulating and maintaining a budget. Candidates must have EMT B certification (all levels) at the time of hire or within one year, IFSAC Fire Officer II, IFSAC Instructor I, and IFSAC Safety Officer Certification (or equivalent). Any combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted as long as it provides the desired skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to perform the job.
Benefits include: Generous medical, dental, and vision package. Washington State LEOFF Retirement. Deferred compensation available. 13 annual paid holidays. Negotiable vacation and sick leave. 80 hours of sick leave, and 80 hours of management time off frontloaded.
For a complete position profile and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. Lewis County Fire District 5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. First review of applications:
April 13, 2025 (open until filled).
