Fire Chief

Job Description

The Fire Chief directs, manages, and oversees all activities of the Fire Department in order to ensure 24-hour emergency service to the citizens of Pocatello and Bannock County. Activities of the department include, but are not limited to, fire & EMS response, community risk reduction, code enforcement, fire investigation, training, maintenance of facilities and apparatus, and general public safety.


As an Appointed Position under general direction from the Mayor and City Council, work is performed within policies and administrative regulations with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The incumbent is responsible for establishing major departmental policies, implementing strategic planning, and making executive-level decision in alignment with the direction of the organization as defined by the Mayor and City Council. The incumbent also serves as the Chief Administrator of the Bannock County Ambulance District and reports to the Bannock County Board of Commissioners. The incumbent serves as a member of the Mayor's Executive Management Team addressing issues of concern to the department and City as a whole. The incumbent may also serve as incident commander, Emergency Operations Center Officer and/or in the emergency Management System as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, leads, and manages the work of Fire Department staff through subordinate chain-of-command, including hiring, performance evaluations, transferring, promoting, assigning duties, rewarding, disciplining and terminating employment in conjunction with the City's Human Resources Department. Provides leadership to develop and retain highly competent, mission-driven staff, and participates in programs and activities that promote workplace diversity and a positive employee relations environment. Demonstrates continued efforts to improve operations and serve the needs of the public.
• Maintains a visible appearance in the community, both personally and though fire department staff. Ensures that the department offers and maintains an effective and positive relationship with the citizens of Pocatello and Bannock County. Develops and maintains long-range public safety goals, policies, and work place practices consistent with nationally accepted best practices. Monitors and ensures laws, codes, and best practices are followed to ensure public and responder safety.
• Administers, directs, and participates in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and practices. Develops goals, objectives, and strategies of the department. Coordinates activities and services with other city departments and governmental agencies. Establishes and maintains good public relations through respectful service, effective conflict resolution, and visionary leadership. Represents the City and County at speaking engagements, through intergovernmental relationships and agreements, and at public events.
• Participates in labor negotiations, administers labor agreements, addresses grievances, and maintains a good working relationship with union leadership.
• Meets regularly and maintains open communications with senior staff in analysis of daily activities and resolution of issues related to response, labor relations, personnel issues, community needs, and other situations.
• May assume command at large scale incidents or serve in the city's emergency operations center as needed. Responsible for developing and maintaining the city's emergency operations plan.
• Administers and supports programs to ensure employee health and wellness. Supports efforts associated with the IAFF/IAFC Fitness Wellness Initiative as adopted by the department. Maintains a relationship with the department's physician to address fitness for duty and employee health and wellness issues.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern fire & EMS response systems. Understands and has knowledge of principles of public administration with reference to personnel administration, budget preparation and administration, and overall management concepts. Ensures compliance with approved budgets through clear guidelines and coordination with fire department and city staff.
• Demonstrates integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, ownership, loyalty, and ethical behavior. Supports and promotes change and demonstrates flexibility.
• Function as an integral component of a mission-driven team in high-risk environments.
• Perform other related job duties / tasks as assigned through the chain of command.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position.

Knowledge of:

• Fire Department tactics and strategies; department standard operating procedures; fire-fighting equipment types and their most appropriate and effective use; fire-fighting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of state and city codes, laws, regulations, and ordinances related to fire prevention; fire vehicle equipment; emergency medical techniques, protocols, and procedures; interpersonal communication skills.
• Principles of leadership and supervision
• Incident Command System, rules and regulations related to mutual aid, joint use agreements, union contracts, general orders, special orders and memorandums issued by the Mayor's office.
• Knowledge of fire investigation and inspection techniques.
• Understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations; perform all duties in accordance with City policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.
• Working knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) rules and regulations as applied to fire service and rescue organizations.
• Fire administration principles and practices, rules, regulations, procedures, culture, and traditions.
• Principles and practices in administration of an organizational training program; effective instructional techniques.
• Political dynamics involved in administration of Fire Department programs, collaboration with other agencies, departments, and application to strategic planning;
• Public sector budget administration, purchasing, legal notification and bid requirements; property acquisition and management practices.

Skill and Ability to:

• Lead and manage the fire department's personnel and operations.
• Solve critical, time-sensitive, complex problems during physical exertion in hazardous environments.
• Inspire and influence others; develop staff; act as a catalyst for change; effectively manage conflict; work collaboratively with a variety of teams.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports; present ideas effectively verbally and in writing; effectively handle controversial situations; effectively use emergency response and management computer hardware and software applications; use word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
• Maintain composure and work proficiently under intense stress and other adverse conditions.
• Analyze administrative and operational problems and develop viable solutions; delegate authority and tasks as appropriate.
• Demonstrate self-control, transparency, adaptability, and achievement.
• Demonstrate empathy, organizational awareness, and service; display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of city employees, the general public and other organizations.
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
• Understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

• Must be EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) or Paramedic Certified if applicable;
• Must possess ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, and IS 700, 800;
• HazMat Operations Certification;
• Bachelor's degree or an acceptable combination of education and experience as determined by the Mayor and hiring board required;
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Graduate of Executive Fire Office Program or FSEDI Program preferred.
• Must maintain a current and valid driver's license.
• The Department provides annual:
  • Medical evaluation;
  • Mental health wellness visit.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• The incumbent works primarily in an office environment where exposure to hazards is minimal, however, there is a possibility for exposure to unpredictable hazards and extremes of weather when serving as incident commander at a major emergency.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision, and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound
• While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard and type, operate a motor vehicle, reach with hands and arms, and operate job-related equipment.
• Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with the public is required. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.
• The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids and chemicals. May occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Considerable exposure to stressful situations as a result of human behavior while responding to emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Unconventional working hours. During prolonged emergency operations, may be required to work without sleep for extended periods. May be required to respond to fire stations or scenes during evolving or prolonged incidents outside of scheduled shifts.

EQUIPMENT (including, but not limited to)

• Two-way radios
• Computers and peripheral equipment
• Firefighting and EMS apparatus, tools, and equipment
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

DISCLAIMER
The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, through an interactive ADA process. The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Any and all changes to job descriptions and/or working conditions shall be negotiated and agreed upon prior to implementation.