Fire Chief

Job Details: Job Location: Belmont, NC 28012, Salary Range: $90,401.00 - $144,642.00 Salary/year, General Statement of Duties

Performs difficult management public safety and administrative work in directing the activities and staff of the City's Fire Department in emergency response, fire prevention and education.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class plans, organizes, and leads a variety of departmental activities to include firefighting, rescue, fire inspection, training, public education, emergency medical response, hazardous materials response, emergency management response, and fire prevention in protecting the lives and property of the citizens. Work includes establishing a vision of excellence in customer service and emergency response readiness and long range planning for programming, facilities, staff, and equipment needs. The Chief manages the department staff, prepares and monitors the budget, plans and evaluates work operations, and directs the hiring, training and performance of personnel. The Chief evaluates the need for new equipment, technology, apparatus, stations, water supply, and programs, and ensures a program of fire prevention, inspections, and fire investigations. The employee may attend major incident response and may take command at the site; consequently, skills must be maintained in the use of firefighting and fire equipment operation. The employee is subject to hazards associated with firefighting including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as exposure to high heat, exposure to chemicals, and in the proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and working in high places. Employee may be exposed to atmospheric conditions and blood borne pathogens, may be required to wear a respirator, and may be required to work in close quarters. Considerable judgment and expertise is required in directing departmental activities especially in training and in setting and monitoring work standards. Work is performed under the general administrative supervision of the City Manager and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and written reports concerning the quality and effectiveness of fire and rescue work.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Plans, organizes, and directs departmental operations and establishes overall departmental policies on fire prevention and suppression, rescue, emergency medical response and related matters; develops short and long-range goals for the department.
• Manages full and part-time staff to assure effective firefighting operations and to maintain sufficient level of preparedness, operational readiness and training.
• Analyzes personnel, property, and operations of the department; implements action on such information in order to improve departmental operations; regulates and balances workload; reviews work objectives and expectations.
• Prepares budget projections of anticipated expenditures and needs; assigns personnel and equipment; evaluates the need for the repair of existing or the purchase of new apparatus and requisitions equipment and supplies; ensures proper maintenance of facilities and equipment.
• Participates with City Management and other federal, state, and local officials in planning for long range needs for stations, apparatus, equipment and staffing and in planning for all types of emergency response; may coordinate construction of facilities with architects, contractors and others.
• Ensures the development of new or the modification of existing policies, standard operating procedures, and/or guidelines.
• Performs the hiring, promotion, discipline, and evaluation of departmental employees; ensures high levels of training, motivation, performance, and effective supervisory practices of subordinates.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships, agreements and protocol for administering contract and mutual aid agreements.
• Works with local and state officials in emergency operations planning, emergency medical response coordination, hazard mitigation planning, and related programs; participates with other agencies in various training and security activities; prepares and maintains City emergency management and response plans.
• Prepares and reviews a variety of operational and administrative reports.
• Performs or oversees emergency management planning for response, mitigation, and recovery.
• Ensures necessary and accurate records and data are established and maintained for reporting and management decision making.
• Develops intergovernmental relationships with local, county, state, and federal agencies; attends meetings to represent the City.

Additional Job Duties

• Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications: Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of fire service management and skill in their application.
• Thorough knowledge of modern firefighting and emergency response principles, practices and methods and of the equipment use.
• Thorough knowledge of National Fire Protection Association Codes and references as well as all applicable standards and guides.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws and ordinances which pertain to fire prevention and control.
• Thorough knowledge of City personnel, purchasing and budgeting policies and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of modern and effective supervisory principles and practices including motivation, leadership, communications, conflict resolution, discipline, and performance coaching and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the application of information technology to fire service and fire management.
• Knowledge of the types of industrial and commercial operations in the City and the potential fire hazards; knowledge of the hazards common to the various types of construction and the storage of flammable materials and explosives.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety practices and accident prevention principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of emergency management planning and execution.
• Skill in collaborative conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports analyzing departmental operations and to develop and manage a departmental budget.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively supervise and evaluate the work of staff, and to motivate, communicate, counsel, and otherwise establish high morale and productivity.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and react effectively in emergency situations, and to maintain good physical condition.
• Ability to speak effectively before a group, to deal tactfully and firmly with the public, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and perform repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to perform accounting, computer work, and extensive reading in addition to ability to distinguish people and objects at emergency scenes.

Desirable Education and Experience

• Graduation from a college or university with a degree in fire science, public administration or related field, completion of advanced courses and seminars in fire administration and management, and considerable experience in fire service management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Possession of Fire Officer and other certifications as required by the City.
• Other certifications as required by the City.