Deputy Chiefs: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of deputy chiefs about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.

That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.

The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for deputy chiefs to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of deputy chiefs expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.

Keep reading to learn more about career steps for deputy chiefs.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Deputy Chiefs?

Do deputy chiefs need a degree? What kind of experience do deputy chiefs typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for deputy chiefs to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Deputy Chiefs

A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of deputy chiefs. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 34% of positions. In 29% of job listings no education level was listed and in 27% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Deputy Chiefs

While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for deputy chiefs. In 34% of job postings for Deputy Chiefs, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 24% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 10+ years of experience was sought in 24% of job postings for deputy chiefs.

What Kind of Degree Do Deputy Chiefs Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for deputy chiefs, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?

According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 11 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective deputy chiefs, and in 2023 a total of 50,041 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.

Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective deputy chiefs.

Top Degree Programs for Deputy Chiefs

Top Online College For Working Adults

Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.

Degree Options for Deputy Chiefs

What Skills Do Deputy Chiefs Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by deputy chiefs to secure a job?

A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for deputy chiefs, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Deputy Chiefs
Based on 2,266 job postings

Based on 2,266 job postings related to deputy chiefs, fire prevention was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 45% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for firefighting, fire suppression systems, fire service, fire science and emergency medical services were also highly sought.

As for common skills, operations was the most desired skill found in job postings for deputy chiefs, followed by management, communication, planning, leadership and investigation.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about deputy chiefs? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for deputy chiefs.

What do deputy chiefs do?
How much do deputy chiefs make?

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