Walton County Fire Rescue — Defuniak Springs, FL
Battalion Chief
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Walton County Fire Rescue — Defuniak Springs, FL
Listing verified today
Create a free account to apply directly with the department.
Walton County Fire Rescue in Defuniak Springs, Florida is hiring for Battalion Chief. The posted pay is $91,000 a year. Applications close November 6, 2026 — 3 days from now. Stated requirements: Paramedic certification (at application); Firefighter I/II (at application); Driver's license (at application); Associate's degree (required). Veterans preference applies.
Among 73 current Florida postings on Driftsmoke with a listed salary, this top-of-range pay is higher than 82% of them; the median among them is $61,996/yr.
Walton County Fire Rescue is a combination (career and volunteer) department with 22 stations, about 100 personnel. Operational crews work a 24-hour shifts. ISO rating 04/4X.
A full-service, sheriff-operated fire rescue agency covering unincorporated Walton County north of Choctawhatchee Bay plus the City of Freeport, staffed by over 100 professionals across 12 fire districts and running its own air rescue program.
Walton County Fire Rescue has 5 other current openings on Driftsmoke. Department page, openings and history →
Summary by Driftsmoke from the official bulletin and department records; the full posting follows below.
| Paramedic certification | At application |
| Firefighter I/II | At application |
| Driver's license | At application |
| Associate's degree | Required |
| Veterans preference | Yes |
The Battalion Chief is responsible for directing, administering, and managing the day-to-day operations of a designated technical support operation within the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Division of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. This position ensures the highest standards of response by overseeing regulatory compliance, resource management, and personnel development, all while maintaining a commitment to safety and continuous improvement.
Education – Associate degree in related field
Experience – Ten (10) years’ experience as a firefighter, with a minimum of three (3) years in a supervisory rank
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required competencies to perform the job.
Currently in a supervisory rank and serving in an active supervisory role within a Fire Rescue agency at the time of application
Certifications:
Florida Firefighter II Certification
Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic License
Florida Fire Officer II Certification
Florida Fire Service Instructor I Certification or higher
Florida Pump Operator Certification
G300, Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents
G400, Advanced Incident Command System Command & General Staff: Complex Incidents
Must possess a Florida Incident Safety Officer Certification within twelve (12) months of hire to maintain employment as a Battalion Chief
Valid Driver License
Most recent annual performance evaluation must be satisfactory
Tasks include a criticality component in responding to fire, medical, emergency scene or other critical incidents, whereby incumbents are required to maintain physical abilities and must be able to pass the Physical Abilities Test
Preferred – Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, or relevant field
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.
Regular and prompt job attendance.
Manages and directs day-to-day operations of an assigned technical support operation within the Division of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services.
Develops and presents departmental goals and objectives, policies, procedures and priorities for approval.
Conducts operational inspections ensuring compliance with regulations and policies; submits recommendations for improvements.
Reviews and provides recommendations for personnel management functions, e.g., transfers, promotions, disciplinary actions, recruitment and selection, performance management; participates in the resolution of grievances, arbitration and litigation involving the department.
Prepares, presents for approval and monitors operational budgets; initiates purchase orders; reviews grant reports.
Develops scheduling and coordinates staffing allocation for responsibilities; ensures efficient allocation of agency resources.
Disseminates communications regarding directives, general orders, special orders, and standard operating procedures; ensures implementation of and adherence to all directives, general orders, special orders, and standard operating procedures.
Participates in administrative activities, e.g., management meetings, policy development, budget administration, establishing short- and long-term goals and objectives.
Prepares, reviews, and evaluates all administrative and operational records and reports including budget administration, response calls, incident reports, inspection logs, statistical detail reports, resource allocation records; ensures content validity and compliance with agency policy and procedures and post-incident analyses reports.
Ensures professional development of employees within the department.
Maintains current knowledge of trends and developments in the field of fire rescue for application to functions under charge.
Accounts for all equipment, materials, supplies and vehicles assigned to the specific operating unit to ensure proper inventory and operational readiness.
May be required to respond to emergencies during and after normal business hours; may be assigned tasks on scene as determined by the Incident Commander.
Maintains authority to establish Incident Command for all fire ground operations and multi-casualty incidents.
Provides strategic and tactical command by organizing the most effective utilization of equipment and personnel.
Strategic placement of apparatus/equipment to best address an emergency incident or fire attack.
Ensures perimeter security and directs scene activities of subordinates.
Evaluates incident conditions and requests additional resources as needed; coordinating unit's activities with other responder units; and ensuring the safety of crews under charge.
Other duties as assigned.
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
Proven experience in developing and leading personnel.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to safety and continuous improvement.
Must have working knowledge of all rules, regulations, and information necessary for successful job performance.
Tasks involve the intermittent performance of extremely physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, climbing, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of extremely heavy objects (150+ pounds), such as in the event of rescuing or transporting a victim/patient in the performance of rescue operations.
When performing fire services and/or rescue operations, tasks are performed with potential for intermittent exposure to occupational health hazards including, but not limited to, fire, extreme temperatures, wetness, humidity, inclement weather, loud noise, toxic/chemical agents, electrical currents, pathogens, fumes, gases, odors, erratic or unpredictable human behavior, weapons, and explosives.
Tasks include working around moving parts, vehicles, equipment, carts, and materials handling, where extremely heightened awareness of surroundings and environment is essential in the preservation of life and property.
Personal protection equipment applies in the preservation of life and property, as does special equipment including, but not limited to, various types of containment suits, self-contained breathing apparatus equipment (SCBA) and safety gear, is essential.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff's Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
**Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for a waiver of post-secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes. **
Please direct questions regarding this position to work@waltonso.org
Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.
Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PublicSafetyApp account to monitor for updates.
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