Job Opportunity- Fire Chief

The towns of Charlemont and Rowe are joining together to hire a fulltime shared Fire Chief

The Towns of Charlemont and Rowe Massachusetts with a combined population of 1,600 are seeking the first fulltime, shared Fire Chief as the Towns endeavor to create a new fire district. Charlemont and Rowe are scenic, rural communities in Franklin County, northwestern Massachusetts, located along the Deerfield River and the Mohawk Trail. Charlemont is known for its recreational opportunities, including Berkshire East Mountain Resort, while neighboring Rowe offers Pelham Lake Park, hiking trails, various power companies, and Yankee Atomic, where spent nuclear fuel is still stored.

The Fire Chief also serves as the Emergency Manager and will assume the leadership of emergency medical services within the communities. The Departments respond to approximately 300 fire and EMS calls per year. The current annual operating budget of the Fire and EMS Departments is $413,789.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to be an integral part of the leadership team in both communities and will lead the transition toward the development of a new fire district. Applicants must have or obtain Basic EMT certification and have a minimum of ten years fire service experience, five of which are in a responsible command position. An associates degree in Fire Science or a related field and Fire Officer Training and ProBoard certification is preferred or must be obtained within a timeframe agreeable to the Town Administrators.

Applicants must possess strong interpersonal skills, have a demonstrated history of both positive leadership and internal communication. The chief is expected to be a visible and vibrant participant in each community and have a strong background in fire service operations and administration. Excellent benefit package, salary is negotiable depending upon experience, qualifications and education. Salary range to $70,000 to $80,000. Starting salary commensurate with qualifications.

A resume and cover letter formatted as a PDF file can be sent to recruitment@mrigov.com. Applications will be accepted until 5PM on Friday May 8, 2026. The Towns of Charlemont and Rowe are equal opportunity employers.

Additional Information: www.mrigov.com/career

Posted: to General News on Thu, Mar 19, 2026
Updated: Thu, Mar 19, 2026