The Pinetop Fire District is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide services for the recruitment of its next Fire Chief. The chosen candidate is scheduled to assume the Pinetop Fire Chief position by December 1, 2025.
Chief Jim Morgan has served as the Pinetop Fire Chief since 2015, and the Pinetop Fire District Board of Directors has been seeking the services of a qualified executive search firm to assist in selecting a new Fire Chief.
The goal of the recruitment will be to have an appointment by December 1, 2025
You can read the proposal here.
Submittals were slated to be received before 3:00 p.m. Arizona time on May 30, 2025. Proposals received after that time and date will not be considered unless the Board of Directors determines that ALL other timely-received proposals are insufficient. In that case, all late proposals shall be opened and considered. It is the responsibility of the responding firm to ensure the proposal arrives before the time and date stated above.
The award date for the recruiting firm was set for Monday, June 16, 2025.
The successful consulting firm will be expected to perform the following:
• Develop the ideal candidate profile, including knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position of Fire Chief to be used in a screening rubric for candidates.
• Develop and administer a search for appropriate candidates.
• Answer questions from candidates and collect application materials.
• Review the applications received, comparing them to the candidate profile, performing screening interviews as needed.
• Prioritize applicants for the Board, including a written summary of highly qualified candidates for the position. 2 Pinetop Fire District Request for Proposal Fire Chief Recruitment Services
• Maintain the confidentiality of the applicant pool.
• Advise the Board on interview strategies and appropriate questions to ask candidates; attend the interview sessions and provide assistance to narrow the candidate pool to finalists.
• Conduct complete background checks on finalist candidates and advise the Board of the results.
• Facilitate the final interview process; assist with contract negotiation as needed.
The Pinetop Fire District (PFD) was formed on May 10, 1958, with the effective date of May 15, 1958, for recording such action. PFD staffs two full-time stations and one in the design phase, covering approximately 12 square miles of Navajo County. They are nestled in the White Mountains with elevations that range from 6,800 ft. on the west end of the district to 7,200 ft. on the east end of Pinetop Country Club.
Their coverage area encompasses approximately 9,800 residents, including those in the communities of Pinetop/Lakeside and unincorporated Navajo County. The Pinetop Fire District is governed by a five-member non-partisan board selected from resident members of the community.
Board members for the fire district are elected to alternate four-year terms, so there are at least two members elected every two years. The Board establishes policy, sets tax rates, and approves the annual budget. As special districts of the State, each agency must comply with all applicable Arizona Revised Statutes, including Open Meeting Laws.