Hoodland Fire District - Fire Chief
Posted: 6/24/26
HOODL AND FIRE DISTRICT # 74 FIRE CHIEF
$150,000 - $180,000
Includes a competitive benefit package
APPLICATION DEADLINE
JULY 22, 2026
Position Details
Full Time | FLSA Exempt
Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 per year *
Benefits
- Health Insurance - 95% employer-paid Life and AD&D Insurance
- Oregon PERS Retirement
- HRA VEBA Contribution
- Life Insurance Policy
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Oregon Family Leave Insurance
- Incentive pay
- Vacation, executive leave, sick leave
- Staff vehicle
*Exact salary and benefits dependent on qualifications and negotiations with Board of Directors
At A Glance
- Scenic mountain community in the foothills of Mount Hood
- Four-season recreation and easy access to the outdoors
- Serves approximately 6,000 residents
- 45 square miles along U.S. Route 26
- Established in 1966
The Area:
Hoodland Fire District #74 is set in the scenic foothills of Mount Hood, where mountain living, natural beauty, and a strong sense of community come together. Surrounded by the Mt. Hood National Forest, the area offers four-season appeal, mild summers, and winters shaped by elevation. Terrain ranges from approximately 1,300 to 4,000 feet, with average annual snowfall of about 30 inches at lower elevations and 235 inches at higher elevations. Just over 40 inches of annual rainfall helps keep the landscape lush, green, and inviting throughout the year.
Life in the Hoodland area offers exceptional year-round recreation and easy access to the outdoors. Winter brings nearby skiing and snowboarding, while the warmer months invite hiking, fishing, swimming, and mountain biking throughout the surrounding forests, rivers, and lakes. Local amenities include the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort’s 27-hole golf course and the Wild-wood Recreation Site, a 550-acre park featuring old-growth forest, trails, playgrounds, and access to the Salmon River.
The District
Located in east Clackamas County, Hoodland Fire District #74 offers the opportu-nity to live and work in a rural mountain community while remaining within reach of the Portland metropolitan area. It is a place where people know one another, value service, and take pride in their community. Seasonal tourism adds both energy and complexity to the District’s service environment.
Established in 1966, the District serves 45 square miles, primarily along U.S. Route 26, and provides fire suppression, rescue services, and Advanced Life Support EMS to residents and visitors alike. Leadership in this role carries a visible and meaningful impact on the people and communities served every day.
Hoodland Fire is a combination agency serving approximately 6,000 residents. The organization includes a Fire Chief, two Division Chiefs, eight full-time Fire-fighter/Paramedics, two administrative staff members, five elected Board members, and numerous volunteers who help strengthen the District’s close connection to the community.
The District is also investing in the future through construction of a new main station, planned as a shared facility with Mt. Hood National Forest fire resources, with occupancy anticipated in summer 2027.
The District is stable, forward-looking, and deeply supported by the community it proudly serves.
KEY DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Adoption of an updated strategic plan in 2025
- Voter approval of a $19.145 million General Obligation Bond in 2025 for construction of a new main fire station
- Renewal of the Local Option Operating Levy in 2023 supporting emergency operations
- Strong fiscal management with reserve accounts dedicated to apparatus replacement and facility and equipment upgrades
- Consistently strong community support and engagement
Short-Term Challenger & Opportunities:
- SHARED STATION INTEGRATION & GOVERNANCE — Leading the transition into a new, shared f ire station and establishing effective coordination, governance, and daily operational alignment with Mt. Hood National Forest f ire personnel.
- VOLUNTEER WORKFORCE SUSTAINABILITY — Addressing ongoing challenges in volunteer recruitment and retention while supporting an active Volunteer and Student Firefighter Program in a shifting workforce environment.
- LABOR RELATIONS & COLLECTIVE BARGAINING — Maintaining strong labor relations with IAFF Local 1660, with contract negotiations beginning in early 2027.
- ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT — Strengthening and sustaining productive working relationships with the Hoodland Volunteer Firefighter Association.
- FISCAL STEWARDSHIP & LONG‑TERM STABILITY — Ensuring long-term financial stability, strengthening reserves, and providing steady, responsible fiscal leadership.
- STRATEGIC STAFFING & DEPLOYMENT PLANNING — Evaluating future staffing needs, including the potential addition of a career firefighter to achieve three-person staff ing per shift.
- WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS & WUI READINESS — Continuing to enhance wildfire preparedness and response capabilities in a high-risk wildland-urban interface environment.
The Fire Chief serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Budget Officer of the Fire
District, providing overall leadership and administrative direction for the organization. This position is responsible for budgeting, strategic planning, policy implementation, and the coordination of all District functions in alignment with the Board of Directors’ directives.
The Fire Chief ensures effective collaboration with local fire protection agencies and other governmental partners, supporting regional coordination and operational consistency. The role also oversees organizational readiness for fire, rescue, and emergency medical response and may serve as a Duty Officer, assuming command at emergency incidents when necessary.
Within the limits established by the Board of Directors and state and federal law, the Fire Chief has complete authority over the organization, its governance and discipline and is the final authority in the assignment of personnel.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING CORE ATTRIBUTES AT A MINIMUM:
- COMPREHENSIVE FIRE SERVICE EXPERTISE — Thorough knowledge of fire prevention, public education, fireground operations, fire cause and origin investigations, emergency medical services, human resources, budget preparation and management, public meeting laws, community relations, apparatus and equipment testing and maintenance, firefighter safety, training program management, and volunteer recruitment and retention.
- LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE — Demonstrated skill and ability to display a high level of leadership, communication, and motivation.
- INDEPENDENT OPERATIONAL JUDGMENT — Ability to perform all aspects of the position with minimal instruction, f requently exercising sound personal judgment.
- PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION — Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, including conf ident and capable public speaking.
- TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROFICIENCY — Ability to create and manage documents, spreadsheets, and databases using computers and modern off ice software.
- ETHICAL AND STRATEGIC MINDSET — Ability to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and ethics, supported by keen judgment, innovation, and strategic foresight.
Required Education and Experience
- Associate’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, Public Administration or related field.
- Oregon licensed Emergency Medical Technician (or current certif ication with ability to obtain Oregon license within 6-months of hire).
- NFPA Fire Officer 1 (or equivalent)
- NFPA Firefighter 2 (or equivalent)
- NFPA HazMat Operations (or equivalent)
- NFPA Fire Instructor 1 (or equivalent)
- ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible structural f iref ighting experience; including a minimum of three (3) years at or above the rank of Battalion Chief (or comparable rank) with administrative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilities.
- Demonstrable experience in interagency coordination with wildland f ire protection agencies.
- OR -
- Any combination of education, training, and/or experience that demonstrates equivalent requirements may be considered at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
See job description for full position details and requirements
RECRUITMENT AND HIRING TIMELINE
(Dates subject to change)
Recruitment Period Opens: June 24, 2026
Recruitment Period Closes: July 22, 2026
Assessment Center (onsite): August 24, 2026
Tentative Start Date: October 1, 2026
*Candidates invited to the onsite assessment process will be eligible for travel and lodging reimbursement to a maximum of $500.
To review the full job announcement and description, and to complete the application, please see this link: https://www.sdao.com/classifieds. To be considered as a candidate, please submit a completed and signed application, resume, and cover letter to the address and/or email listed below. Electronic submission is preferred.
ATTN. SHANTA CARTER
Hoodland Fire District #74 – Fire Chief
Special Districts Association of Oregon
PO Box 23879, Tigard, Oregon 97281
Email: consultingservices@sdao.com
Questions regarding the position or the selection process can be directed to Senior Consultant Gordon Sletmoe at gsletmoe@sdao.com.