Fire Chief

DEFINITION
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the Fire Department including fire suppression, emergency medical, hazardous materials, fire prevention and public education activities; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Mayor and City Administrator.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES --Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

1. Assume full management responsibility for all services and activities of the Fire Department including the Public Safety Answering Point (Dispatch Center), fire suppression, emergency medical, hazardous materials, fire prevention and public education and other community risk reduction programs; maintain inventory of apparatus and equipment; oversee fire investigation and code enforcement functions.
2. Manage the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area; recommend future fire station designs and locations; propose and revise fire and disaster plans; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
3. Establish, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
4. Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Fire department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
5. Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
6. Select, train, motivate and evaluate Fire Department personnel; provide or coordinate personnel training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; administers disciplinary procedures per City Civil Service Code.
7. Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
8. Explain, justify and defend department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
9. Represent the Fire Department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
10. Provide staff assistance to the Mayor and City Administrator; participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.
11. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
12. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge: Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive fire suppression, prevention and emergency medical response program; Principles and practices of fire department administration, organization and operation; Principles and practices of program development and administration; Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration; Principles and practices of fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical response and hazardous materials mitigation; Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation; Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities; Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others.

Abilities: Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of fire department personnel; Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff; Delegate authority and responsibility; Critically analyze large-scale emergency operations; Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs; Develop and administer department goals, objectives and procedures; Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports; Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals; Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques; Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.

Supervisory Controls:
The supervisor assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

Guidelines:
Guidelines include relevant state and federal law, the City Civil Service Code, adopted International Fire Codes, NFPA guidelines, OSHA regulations, city and fire department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops department guidelines.

Complexity/Scope of Work:
The work consists of varied management, administrative, supervisory, and professional fire service functions. The necessity of managing the department’s preparation for and response to dangerous fire and other emergency incidents contributes to the complexity of the position.

The purpose of this position is to plan, direct, and manage the activities and operations of Fire Department. Success in this position contributes to the effective provision of emergency services in responses to fires and other incidents.

Contacts:
Contacts are typically with co workers, other city personnel, health care providers, elected and appointed officials other Fire Chiefs, business owners, community service groups, university employees, and members of the general public.

Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to motivate or influence persons, or to justify, defend, or negotiate matters.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:
Office and field environment; travel from site to site; Essential and marginal functions required maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position has direct supervision over all department personnel.


Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
Eight (8) Years of increasingly responsible fire department experience including four years of administrative and management responsibility.

Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree with major course work in fire protection engineering, public administration or a related field.

License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.