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Durham Fire Department - Job Opportunity - Deputy Chief of Safety & Risk
Job Status:
Open - open and accepting applications
Durham Fire Department
Deputy Chief of Safety and Risk
The Town of Durham, New Hampshire is located within Strafford County and is comprised of 22.4 square miles of land and 2.4 square miles of water. According to 2024 United States Census data, Durham has a population of 15,270, ranking Durham 22nd in size compared to New Hampshire’s cities and towns (NH Employment Security, 2025). Durham is also home to the University of New Hampshire which boasts a 2025 student enrollment of over 13,000 students on the Durham campus and approximately 3,000 employees.
The Durham Fire Department is an all-hazards organization that is jointly funded by, and services, the Town of Durham and campus of the University of New Hampshire, providing fire prevention, public education, first responder non-transport EMS, fire, and rescue services. Our dedicated, customer service-oriented team is comprised of a Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Marshal, four Captains, eighteen Firefighters, two Administrative Assistants, and thirteen Call Firefighters. The department responds to approximately 2,300 calls for service annually and is a key team player in a robust mutual aid system comprised of surrounding communities across two counties.
The Deputy Chief of Safety and Risk manages and advances the Fire Department’s Safety Management System (SMS) and Community Risk Reduction (CRR) components, including policy development, records management, information technology, data management, reporting, and analytics. This role may serve as the third-in-command of the department, reporting directly to the Fire Chief.
The Deputy Chief may serve as Acting Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief, respond to emergency incidents as necessary, and is empowered to act within the spirit of the department’s mission and strategic goals. This posting is not meant to be inclusive of all job duties or qualification requirements. Please see job description for further details.
Applicants must successfully complete and pass all written, practical, and oral assessments prescribed by the Durham Fire Department and hiring requirements for the State of New Hampshire. Candidates must successfully complete psychological, medical, and background pre-employment screening.
Experience: Applicant must have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience as a full-time firefighter/EMT or equivalent professional experience. Experience as a chief officer, company officer, or training officer strongly preferred.
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field preferred.
Residency Requirement: Preferred residency within twenty (20) miles or thirty (30) minutes from Durham within six (6) months of appointment.
Preferred Certifications: Possession of a valid commercial driver’s license along with certifications as a New Hampshire Certified Fire Officer II (or Pro Board equivalent), and Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician.
The salary range for the position is $93,874 to $119,476. This is a full-time, non-union, position and includes a competitive benefits package.
For consideration, please email a cover letter, resume, and completed Town of Durham job application to durham.fire@unh.edu to the attention of:
Chief David F. Emanuel
Durham Fire Department
51 College Rd
Durham, NH 03824
Application deadline is Friday, November 7, 2025, at 4:00 pm. Position will remain open until filled.
Please do not include copies of your firefighting & EMS certificates.
The Town of Durham ("Town") is an equal opportunity employer.
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