Fire Chief

BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of the City Manager, plans, organizes and directs fire department operations, services, budget and personnel; oversees fire suppression, emergency medical services, fire prevention, fire investigation, hazardous materials management, disaster preparedness services and general administration functions; performs related responsibilities as required.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.  Successful completion of California State Training Institute (CSTI) courses in emergency scene management or equivalent certification by a recognized professional fire association.  Ability to work on a stand-by or on-call basis and at the time of appointment, and thereafter, must reside in Brawley or within a 25 mile radius to be available to respond to a major emergency of disaster.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities qualifies.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
EXPERIENCE
Eight years of command experience involving supervisory and administrative work in an organized fire department.
TRAINING
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire science, public administration, or a closely related field.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of or the ability to obtain within one year of appointment, a valid California State Chief Officer Certificate.REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develops, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of departmental goals, programs, services, policies, practices and administrative systems in providing fire protection services to the community.
• Directs, plans, and oversees fire prevention operations to proactively reduce property losses and personal injuries or deaths through effective fire safety codes and fire inspection and investigation practices.
• Directs, plans and oversees emergency medical service programs to ensure cost effective and quality delivery of community aid.
• Directs, plans and oversees hazardous materials management programs to minimize the probability of hazardous materials incidents and associated City liability; ensures effective communications, storage, training and technical assistance programs are implemented departmentally and in the community.
• Directs, plans, participates in and implements disaster preparedness and emergency planning programs for the City in conjunction with other state, federal and county agencies.
• Directs, plans and oversees fire investigation activities to ensure the accurate and timely determination of the origin and causes of fires.
• Evaluates departmental compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, rules and professional fire protection standards.
• Plans, develops and oversees implementation of departmental budget, operations, staffing, training and capital improvement plans.
• Directs the selection, training, supervision, development, evaluation and disciplining of departmental personnel.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City management, City Council, civic and community groups, fire agencies, professional associations, fire management and staff, contractors, vendors and consultants.
• Participates as a member of the City’s executive management team in establishing strategic and development goals and resolving operational issues.

OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
The preceding activities have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by positions assigned to this job classification.  The City reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Local agency fire protocols
• State, Federal, and local fire prevention codes and laws
• The methods, equipment, and materials used in providing fire and life safety services
• The principles and practices of effective public administration
• Fire Department policies, personnel policies, and budget administration
• Modern management techniques, supervisory practices, and evaluation methods
• The principles and methods of budget preparation and monitoring
• The activities, objectives, and ideals of fire and life safety services and operations
• Progressive approaches to employee-employer relations

ABILITY TO:

• To train, maintain, and motivate an effective department. 
• To review current operational procedures and be able to offer and implement improvements.
• To pass a medical examination and agility test. 
• Plan, prepare, and administer an annual departmental budget;
• Effectively analyze and resolve operational and procedural problems;
• Develop and maintain formal agreements and contracts with other agencies and communities;
• Prepare effective oral and written presentations; and 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, City officials, community organizations, other agencies and City departments, and the general public.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
ENVIRONMENT:
The Fire Chief will be exposed to noxious smoke and fumes as a result of fire.  The Fire Chief will have to manage a number of people and projects at one time, and may be interrupted frequently to meet the needs and requests of residents.  The Fire Chief will be exposed to environments that are dangerous, busy, noisy, and will need excellent organizational, time, and stress management skills to complete the required tasks.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The Fire Chief may be involved in physically draining and exhausting activities which may include taking command of a fire scene, participating in emergency response situations and being involved in physically dangerous situations.  The Fire Chief will have to carry heavy fire equipment while climbing ladders and going through buildings.  The Fire Chief will regularly be exposed to water and extreme weather conditions.