
Fire Chief
Job Description
The City of Greater Sudbury has evolved into a dynamic and diverse regional capital that functions as the service hub for all northeastern Ontario and is composed of a rich mix of urban, suburban, rural and wilderness environments. While mining remains a major influence on the local economy, the City has diversified significantly in recent years to establish itself as a major centre of financial and business services, tourism, health care and research, education and government. One of the geographically largest municipalities in Canada, with a population of over 162,000, and a booming economy, Greater Sudbury is a warm and welcoming community.
Reporting directly to the General Manager of Community Services, the Fire Chief serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, providing visionary and strategic direction for the Fire Services Division. This executive role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, responsive emergency services and advancing the Department’s Business Plan in alignment with Council’s strategic priorities.
The Fire Chief leads the Division in delivering safe, timely, and effective responses to a broad spectrum of emergency incidents, including fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials, technical rescues, and large-scale disasters—while also driving innovation in fire prevention, public education, inspection, and enforcement. The role encompasses oversight of operational and capital budgets, development of performance metrics, and implementation of evidence-based strategies to enhance service delivery and organizational resilience. As a statutory officer under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, the Fire Chief ensures compliance with all applicable legislation, including fire codes, municipal by-laws, and occupational health and safety standards. The incumbent plays a critical leadership role in labour relations, workforce planning, succession development, and maintaining 24/7 emergency readiness, including active participation in Incident Command.
The ideal candidate will possess a university degree—preferably in Business or Public Administration—from a recognized Canadian-accredited institution, along with NFPA 1021 Fire Officer IV certification (or the ability to obtain it within one year), and IMS300 training. A minimum of 10 years of progressive senior leadership experience in large, unionized, and complex organizations—eight of which include operational command—is required. The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of municipal governance, intergovernmental relations, and relevant legislation. They will bring a proven track record in strategic planning, policy development, and budgetary oversight, along with exceptional political acuity, communication, and decision-making skills. A commitment to professional integrity, continuous improvement, and fostering a high-performance, inclusive workplace culture is essential. This is an opportunity for a transformational leader to shape the future of fire services, champion innovation, and make a lasting impact on community safety and well-being.
Contact Details
For more information, please contact Diana Rucchin of Odgers or submit your resume and letter of interest online to https://en-careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/30569/ by August 6, 2025.
We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.