Fire Chief

Fire Chief

The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and manage all staff and operations of the Fire Department to provide all municipal fire and emergency services operations and preparedness for fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical, natural disasters, air emergencies, search and rescue, and emergency management programs. Under the supervision of the Assistant Municipal Administrator, the Fire Chief exercises independent judgment and discretion in the leadership and management of the Fire Department's staff, operations, and compliance. The Fire Chief directly supervises two or more employees and is responsible for the supervision of all department staff if delegated to other managers or supervisors. The Fire Chief is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Assistant Municipal Administrator, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, Municipal Attorney, and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.

Essential duties and responsibilities include assigning, prioritizing, supervising, motivating, and evaluating the work of staff directly supervised; overseeing the work and performance by all other department staff supervised by others who report directly to the Fire Chief; maintaining final authority, subject to review by the Municipal Administrator, on all department staff personnel actions and disciplinary decisions; preparing, recommending, and providing operational justification for the department's annual budget to the Municipal Administrator and Assembly; approving and monitoring the expenditure of funds within the parameters of the budget; planning, organizing, coordinating, and overseeing all emergency services within the Fire Department; ensuring the enforcement of relevant codes and supervising equipment operation, maintenance, and procurement; coordinating Sitka Fire Department activities with outside agencies, such as State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard; responding to emergency situations, providing necessary leadership, and tactical command; investigating the causes, origins, and circumstances of fires within the CBS; organizing departmental training programs and schedules for both volunteer and paid staff; developing and providing policy direction to department employees to ensure financial, technical or operational, and legal compliance; advising the Municipal Administrator and the Assembly regarding the status of the department's obligations, ongoing activities, and accomplishments; and performing other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of fire and emergency medical services operations, including the management of employees and volunteers performing such operations; current fire suppression and firefighting techniques, including all related equipment; fire and emergency medical services recordkeeping requirements and systems; fire and emergency medical services vehicles and equipment; safety practices involved in fire suppression, firefighting, and emergency medical services; operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other customized software for fire and emergency medical services operations; communicating and dealing with a variety of people with various, and sometimes competing interests, calmly and professionally, and maintaining a positive working relationship; de-escalating potential or actual conflict; conducting public outreach and engagement; researching current best policies, procedures, and practices related to fire and emergency medical services to prepare analysis and proposals; presenting and public speaking, explaining complex and sometimes controversial topics to a wide audience; analyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutions; investigating fires and fire-related situations and preparing required reports of such investigations; decision making as a manager in a diverse operation; supervising a diverse team of professional, technical, and support staff; recognizing and maintaining confidential information; working effectively with elected officials, department heads, representatives of other agencies, employees, and the general public; communicating well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language; working under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property; making determinations as to the best course of action for fighting fires or responding to other related emergency situations under pressure; working within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders; understanding and following oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions; preparing and presenting accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations; using logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions; performing a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines; and quickly learning and putting to use new skills and knowledge.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED; preferably supplemented by a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Sciences, Public Administration, or a closely related field; extensive experience in fire department operations, with management and supervisory experience; possession of upon hire ICS 100 and ICS 700 from FEMA; possession of upon hire EMT I license from the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred; possession of, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire, Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Council or Proboard; and ICC Fire Inspector I and II certifications; or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work. Applicants must complete the physical agility course set out by the department in two (2) attempts and pass a drug test before being hired.

Other job requirements or expectations include maintaining EMT I certification in the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred, and ability to maintain an active certification on an ongoing basis; maintaining Firefighter certifications while employed with the department; possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Alaska; must be available to be on-call 24/7 on rotation with the Assistant Fire Chief; must use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment ("PPE"); must remain physically fit and able to perform the physical requirements of a firefighter or EMT; and attendance at relevant committee and commission meetings as well as Assembly meetings which may occur after regular work hours.

Working conditions include general office environment and meeting rooms for about 80% of the time; works outside, often in inclement weather and subject to potential personal danger, about 20% of the time; outdoor work exposes employee to environmental factors such as loud noises, vibrations of handheld equipment, small and confined spaces, and known hazards involving water, chemicals, electrical, mechanical, physical substances, and fumes; when rendering medical aid to others, employee may be exposed to blood and bodily fluids. Specific physical requirements include frequent standing and walking; occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; occasional reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, and feeling; occasional repetitive arm and hand motions; must have excellent visual acuity, both up close and at a distance including the ability to visualize depth perception; operating office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard on a daily basis; sitting at desk for prolonged periods of time while using a computer, in meetings, and performing other tasks during the workday; must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds on a regular basis; must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis with or without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another; must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 180 pounds of force occasionally with or without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another; basic swimming skills to perform ice, water, and swift water rescue. General physical requirements include sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively; sufficient vision which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written correspondence, reports, and related material in both electronic and hardcopy form; sufficient manual dexterity, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard and produce hand-written materials and notations; and sufficient personal mobility, which permits the employee to visit various and other workstations and attend a wide variety of meetings within CBS and out-of-area.