Now Hiring: Fire Chief

The Oak Creek Fire Protection District (OCFPD) is seeking a proven, ethical, and dynamic chief executive officer to lead it into an exciting new chapter that sets a national standard in emergency medical services, community fire safety, education, mitigation, response, and recovery and wildland firefighting in one of the country’s most beautiful and compelling fire environments – and one of the most desirable communities in Colorado. 

This is a unique opportunity to make your mark on a growing community in an increasingly important part of the world that presents unique management and firefighting opportunities. The right leader can build a legacy that will forever shape both this region and your future in the fire service, given our position at the forefront of wildland firefighting and wildland-urban-interface population growth.

OFCPD Fire Chief Feb 2026.pdf
Image announces hiring for Fire Chief at Oak Creek Fire Protection District. Contact: join@oakcreekfire.org.

For the full job announcement and job description, click here. 

SALARY RANGE: $135,000 - $145,000 annually. Possibility for assignment differential during incident response.

BENEFITS: OCFPD pays for 100% of medical, dental, vision, disability, and death insurance benefits for employees. This position qualifies for Colorado Fire & Police Pension Association retirement benefits: Employees contribute 12% and OCFPD matches 9%. 

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 9, 2026

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: Apply by March 2, 2026 (First review; open until filled).

TO APPLY: Submit a resume and letter briefly outlining your qualifications and interest to join@oakcreekfire.org.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA Exempt.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: At-will, full-time.

REPORTS TO: OCFPD Board of Directors.

PLEASE NOTE: Except for letters of reference and medical, psychological, and sociological data concerning them, all records submitted by or on behalf of an applicant who becomes a finalist shall be available for public inspection or copying, as required by C.R.S. § 24-72-204(3)(XI).

QUESTIONS: Contact OCFPD Vice President Skyler McKinley.

Firefighters in yellow uniforms marching in a parade, holding the American and Colorado flags, with a crowd watching nearby.
A group of ten firefighters in gear poses outside a training facility on a sunny day.
A fire rescue truck parading under a huge American flag with spectators on a sunny day.
A scenic view of a valley with autumn-colored trees, hills, and a winding road, under a clear blue sky.
A serene lake surrounded by rolling hills and mountains under a cloudy sky, showcasing nature’s beauty and calmness.
A serene landscape featuring a calm lake surrounded by hills and greenery under a clear blue sky with some clouds.
A quiet street scene at dusk with buildings, a sidewalk, and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
A quiet street in a small town, surrounded by hills, with shops and buildings, under a cloudy sky.
A red fire truck is parked on a road under a blue sky, with a large American flag displayed from a ladder and a crowd nearby.
Upside-down image of a fire rescue vehicle on rocky terrain with clear skies, image flipped, looks like reflection in water.
An upside-down image of a fire rescue truck amidst trees with a clear blue sky.
A group of people in work attire gathered around a table, possibly discussing work plans or strategies.
A person inside a helicopter with scenic landscape visible through the window.
A person wearing a safety jacket is driving a vehicle, possibly in a snowy environment, with controls and equipment visible inside.
A fire station with emergency vehicles parked outside, featuring a large American flag and mountains in the background.
Photograph of a person posing in front of a fire station and vehicles
A fire truck with a raised ladder and firefighters wearing gear, under a cloudy sky.
A firefighter in gear works on a fire truck in a smoky environment, assisting in firefighting efforts in Colorado.
Firefighters with truck in a forest at sunset.
A firefighter in protective gear uses an axe amidst smoke and trees, actively combating a wildfire in a forested area.
A fire rescue truck parked in front of a large rock formation, with a person standing proudly on top, surrounded by nature.
The image shows a red and white firetruck from Oak Creek, Colorado, parked near a wooden building in a mountainous area.
Firefighters in yellow gear discuss operations near a red fire truck in a smoky forest area affected by wildfires.
Firefighters stand by a tall redwood tree in a forest, with smoke visible in the background, showcasing nature's resilience.
Firefighters, a wood chipper, and a fire rescue vehicle in a grassy area with trees under a blue sky.
A pile of cut logs, a fire rescue truck, and a person in a forest clearing with autumn foliage.
A group of firefighters in blue shirts sits around a wooden table in a rustic cabin, discussing plans or training.
Three individuals in forest attire stand on a large fallen tree trunk, surrounded by trees and smoke in a wooded area.
Firefighters in yellow uniforms marching in a parade, holding the American and Colorado flags, with a crowd watching nearby.
A group of ten firefighters in gear poses outside a training facility on a sunny day.
A fire rescue truck parading under a huge American flag with spectators on a sunny day.
A scenic view of a valley with autumn-colored trees, hills, and a winding road, under a clear blue sky.
A serene lake surrounded by rolling hills and mountains under a cloudy sky, showcasing nature’s beauty and calmness.
A serene landscape featuring a calm lake surrounded by hills and greenery under a clear blue sky with some clouds.
A quiet street scene at dusk with buildings, a sidewalk, and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
A quiet street in a small town, surrounded by hills, with shops and buildings, under a cloudy sky.
A red fire truck is parked on a road under a blue sky, with a large American flag displayed from a ladder and a crowd nearby.
Upside-down image of a fire rescue vehicle on rocky terrain with clear skies, image flipped, looks like reflection in water.
An upside-down image of a fire rescue truck amidst trees with a clear blue sky.
A group of people in work attire gathered around a table, possibly discussing work plans or strategies.
A person inside a helicopter with scenic landscape visible through the window.
A person wearing a safety jacket is driving a vehicle, possibly in a snowy environment, with controls and equipment visible inside.
A fire station with emergency vehicles parked outside, featuring a large American flag and mountains in the background.
Photograph of a person posing in front of a fire station and vehicles
A fire truck with a raised ladder and firefighters wearing gear, under a cloudy sky.
A firefighter in gear works on a fire truck in a smoky environment, assisting in firefighting efforts in Colorado.
Firefighters with truck in a forest at sunset.
A firefighter in protective gear uses an axe amidst smoke and trees, actively combating a wildfire in a forested area.
A fire rescue truck parked in front of a large rock formation, with a person standing proudly on top, surrounded by nature.
The image shows a red and white firetruck from Oak Creek, Colorado, parked near a wooden building in a mountainous area.
Firefighters in yellow gear discuss operations near a red fire truck in a smoky forest area affected by wildfires.
Firefighters stand by a tall redwood tree in a forest, with smoke visible in the background, showcasing nature's resilience.
Firefighters, a wood chipper, and a fire rescue vehicle in a grassy area with trees under a blue sky.
A pile of cut logs, a fire rescue truck, and a person in a forest clearing with autumn foliage.
A group of firefighters in blue shirts sits around a wooden table in a rustic cabin, discussing plans or training.
Three individuals in forest attire stand on a large fallen tree trunk, surrounded by trees and smoke in a wooded area.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Nestled neatly in Colorado’s rich and fertile Yampa Valley, OCFPD is based in rural Routt County on CO-131, seventeen miles south of the ranching and winter resort community of Steamboat Springs. OCFPD serves a population of just under 2,700 – a lively collection of Coloradans of all stripes, from local ranchers to part-time homeowners to working families who live, work, and play across the district and the Yampa Valley. With year-round activities and attractions – from skiing to boating to hunting to hiking and horseback riding – we also serve visitors from all over the world.

OCFPD covers approximately 278 square miles in both Routt and Rio Blanco counties, with two primary population and structure concentrations: The Town of Oak Creek and the neighborhoods of Stagecoach.

The Town of Oak Creek was incorporated in in 1907 as a major coal mining community. Today, its population is just shy of 1,000, many of whom commute to work in Steamboat Springs. The primary housing stock is single-family residential, with a vibrant and award-winning commercial district at its core featuring multiple bars, restaurants, shops and a town hall, a library, and a town-run ice rink, town-run mountain park for hiking and biking, and town-run meadow for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The neighborhoods of Stagecoach are located along Routt County Road 16 stretching from Stagecoach State Park to Lynx Pass. This is a major growth corridor attracting new residents looking for vast views and mountain living.

In addition to Stagecoach State Park, a 780-acre reservoir with a full-service marina, OCFPD also borders the Sarvis Creek Wilderness and the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.

ABOUT OCFPD

We are a growing, all-hazard 911 organization. With an annual budget of approximately $2.4 million and a team of up to 20, we are unique in that we are visible, life-saving first responders in close-knit communities close to home while also responding to wildland fires within an expansive, remote district – and providing mutual aid support to Routt County, the state of Colorado, and to national fire incidents.

Under the general direction of the Board, the Fire Chief serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Commander in Chief of OCFPD.

Our community uniquely values a meaningful life-work balance; it’s why people choose to live here. Our firefighters are our most valuable resource and supporting employee growth and ambitions both personally and within the fire service is a top priority.

For the full job announcement and job description, click here.