COMMANDER (Special Operations)

Job Description - COMMANDER (Special Operations) (419074-1)

Job Description

COMMANDER (Special Operations)

Job Number:

419074-1

Description

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

COMMANDER (Special Operations)

CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT

Bureau of Operations

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $138,612 annually

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 05/28/2026

THIS POSITION IS OPEN ONLY TO CAREER SERVICE UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT

Under direction, the class functions as a uniformed technical specialist performing a variety of high-level administrative and operational functions to assist in the management of a major division or bureau within the Chicago Fire Department and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assists in planning and directing activities for special events, hazardous material, air and water search, and rescue incidents. Prepares Special Operations Incident Action Plans for major public events (e.g., festivals, conferences, VIP, and Presidential visits)
• Assists in coordinating aerial surveillance of extra alarm fires and aerial support for large area searches
• Schedules and maintains training and fitness physical records to ensure physical requirements and professional certifications are maintained for helicopter pilots, divers, and hazardous materials personnel
• Assists in managing budget and purchases for respective Division
• Coordinates and schedules mandatory in-service training within respective Division
• Manage all vehicles and tools in respective Division and coordinates all maintenance and repairs
• Coordinates classes with third party training organizations. Liaise with organization to ensure courses meet operational requirements
• Tracks and monitors budget allocations and expenditures, and participates in the preparation of grant applications
• Conducts research and prepares reports for management to remain abreast of best practices and new technologies and developments in specified specialty areas
• Represents the Chicago Fire Department at local, state, and federal task forces, conferences and planning meetings

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: Chicago Public Safely Headquarters - 3510 S. Michigan

Days: Varies according to operational needs

Hours: Variable

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Career Service status as a uniformed member of the Chicago Fire Department is required. Ten (10) years as a uniformed member of the Chicago Fire Department with a minimum career service rank Lieutenant or Captain

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor''s degree or higher supplemented by one (1) year of specialized/technical work experience OR three (3) years of specialized/technical work experience

• A valid State of Illinois driver''s license is required

• Endorsed diver of the Chicago Fire Department

• Office of the State Fire Marshal Instructor II certification.

• Office of the State Fire Marshal certified HAZMAT Technician B or 80-hour Technician

• Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire Officer I and/or completion of the Company Officer Fire Officer (COFO) class

• Office of the State Fire Marshal certified Rope Operations or Rigging

• Office of the State Fire Marshal certified Trench Operations

• Office of the State Fire Marshal certified Structural Collapse Operations

• Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire Service Vehicle Operator (FSVO) certification

• Office of the State Fire Marshal Confined Space Rescue Operations

NOTE: Only uniformed career service employees of the Chicago Fire Department who meet the selected criteria will be considered.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Job Posting

: May 13, 2026, 8:31:30 PM |

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External

: May 29, 2026, 10:29:00 AM

Salary: $138,612 Annually

Pay Basis

:Yearly