<p>The Village of Maple Bluff, Wisconsin, is seeking an experienced and community-focused leader to serve as our next Fire Chief / EMS Director. Nestled along the shores of Lake Mendota, Maple Bluff is a small, independent municipality of approximately 1,400 residents known for its high quality of life, strong sense of community, and commitment to exceptional public services.</p> <p>This position leads the Maple Bluff Fire Rescue Department, a combination Fire/EMS agency dedicated to delivering responsive, professional, and compassionate service. The Fire Chief / EMS Director will guide the department during a strategic evaluation period, helping the Village assess the long-term sustainability of its current service model while ensuring operational readiness and maintaining our tradition of service excellence. We are seeking a proven leader with the operational expertise, strategic vision, and communication skills to work collaboratively with Village leadership, department members, and residents. The ideal candidate will be able to objectively evaluate service models while advocating for solutions that best serve our community's needs and values.</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <ul> <li>Leadership & Management - Directs and oversees all Fire and EMS operations for the Village; sets goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; supervises, trains, and evaluates personnel. </li><li>Operational Oversight - Responds to major incidents and assumes command as needed; ensures effective emergency response operations, mutual aid coordination, and readiness of apparatus, equipment, and facilities. </li><li>Budget & Resource Management - Develops and manages the department budget; oversees expenditures; seeks grant funding and alternative resources. </li><li>Community Engagement - Represents the department at Village Board meetings, community events, and intergovernmental settings; fosters strong relationships with residents, partners, and agencies. </li><li>Regulatory Compliance - Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations; maintains certifications, reporting systems, and documentation. </li><li>Training & Professional Development - Oversees fire, rescue, EMS, and special operations training; supports ongoing professional development. </li></ul> <p>Other Job Functions</p> <ul> <li>Participates on the Village management team, contributing to broader planning and policy development. </li><li>Engages in emergency management planning, drills, and disaster response. </li><li>Implements public safety education initiatives, including fire prevention and CPR. </li><li>Coordinates projects with other Village departments. </li><li>Performs related duties as assigned by the Village Administrator. </li></ul> <p>Note: The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.</p> <p>Salary Information</p> <ul> <li>Competitive Salary ($90K-$103K, dependent upon qualifications) </li><li>Comprehensive health and dental insurance </li><li>Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) plan with employer contributions </li><li>Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays </li><li>Professional development opportunities </li></ul> <p>The Fire Chief is an exempt and appointed position that reports to the Village Administrator. Upon appointment, the position must be approved by the Village Board.</p> <p>Job Details</p> <p>This is a contract position through January 31, 2027, with the opportunity for continuation based on successful completion of a probationary period and alignment with the future needs of the Village. This is a full-time exempt position that typically works an administrative schedule-Monday through Friday-and provides other service coverage as operationally necessary.</p> <p>The Fire Chief performs work in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings in all weather conditions, including prolonged periods in extreme weather. Work is frequently performed in emergency and stressful situations. The individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, oils, communicable illnesses, and bloodborne pathogens.</p> <p>The employee works near moving mechanical parts and in highly precarious places, with explosives, and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in an office setting and loud in emergency situations.</p> <p>The most qualified applicants will be invited to appear before an interview panel, and finalists will be selected by Village Committee. Any selected finalist(s) will be required to participate in a comprehensive pre-employment assessment, psychological exam, drug screening, background investigation, and a medical examination before formal appointment by the Administrator and confirmation by the Village Board.</p> <p>Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>An associate's degree is required. </li><li>Desired qualifications include graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in fire science, business administration, public administration, emergency management, or a closely related field; and ten years of experience as a firefighter and/or EMT in a local government fire department, with at least five years as a command officer (battalion chief, captain, assistant fire chief, or equivalent rank) or equivalent leadership role. </li><li>Professional training or work experience may be considered with qualifications. </li><li>Must maintain a valid Wisconsin driver's license, Wisconsin Certified Firefighter II (or equivalent), Driver / Operator - Pumper, AEMT, NIMS certification 100 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 700 / 800, Emergency Services Instructor, and Wisconsin Fire Officer I (or equivalent). </li><li>Desired certifications include Fire Inspector and Fire Officer II. </li></ul> <p>How To Apply</p> <p>To view the job description, please visit the employment page of the Village of Maple Bluff website at https://villageofmaplebluff.com/employment/, and direct any questions to us by email at info@villageofmaplebluff.com.</p> <p>To Apply: Submit a completed application, resume, and cover letter to tnystrom@villageofmaplebluff.com.</p> <p>Deadline to Apply</p> <p>Applications and resumes will be accepted through September 3, 2026.</p>