Assistant Fire Chief

Job Description

Assistant Fire Chief - Operations

Responsible for performing difficult professional, technical and management work assisting the Fire Chief with planning, directing and coordinating the operational activities of the City's Fire Department. An employee in this class provides leadership, guidance, administrative, supervisory and managerial direction assistance for the City's Fire Department. Work includes assisting with organizing and directing all fire tactical operations, emergency response to non-fire related calls, and. Work involves considerable public contact to provide information, answer questions, resolve complaints, and provide public education. Work is performed under the general direction of the Deputy Fire Chief and is evaluated on the basis of attainment of individual and department goals and objectives, periodic conferences, activity reports, feedback from employees, other fire agencies, and public support.

Essential Job Functions
• Responds to fires, fire alarms, medical emergencies, rescues, hazardous material situations and any major incident; acts as incident commander and directs multiple companies and both mutual and automatic aid departments.
• Reviews incident reports, complaints, investigation reports and related operational reports to determine adherence of operation personnel to departmental standard operational guidelines; investigates complaints on department personnel and administrative matters and take appropriate action as required.
• Determines fire and rescue training and other specialized training needs; develops appropriate programs and conducts necessary training for multiple shifts; maintains training records to enable monitoring of training status; provides necessary training to ensure work proficiency and to ensure that qualification and call certifications are current. Training programs include, but are not limited to, fire safety, suppression, hazardous materials, technical rescue operations, emergency preparedness and emergency medical practice. Oversees required recertification of certificates including EMT, Child Passenger Safety Seat, and any other required recertification. • Assists in the development and implementation of short, mid and long-range plans for the City's fire and rescue services; prepares a variety of ordinances and information for approval and implementation by the Fire Chief, City Council and City Manager; attends and participates in meetings, conferences and makes presentations when necessary and required; assists with development and maintains the fire department strategic plan.
• Oversees and maintains a specialized inventory of firefighting equipment, gear, supplies for apparatus and fire station including all EMS hard and soft supplies.
• Assists in the preparation of department's budget; submits to City officials for review; implements and assists in the management of the approved fiscal year budget.
• Appears before public and news media, as appropriate, to explain emergency response operations or activities; promotes and maintains positive community relations.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen complaints and inquiries.
• Remains abreast of changes in laws, ordinances and policies; ensures changes are communicated and documented for future reference.
• Develops a succession plan for department officers; assists firefighters with career planning; conducts and supervises fire and emergency pre-plans.
• Attends training classes to remain current in knowledge of related codes, laws and policies and to improve personal competence and instructional ability.
• Conducts studies and reports on anticipated needs for new and expanded fire facilities and more efficient utilization of existing facilities.
• Evaluates fire insurance rating with a view towards the fullest possible implementation to achieve improved fire classification for the City.
• Works with local educational institutions to coordinate and develop fire service-related programs and courses.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in fire science, business administration or related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in a municipal fire department; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications: Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.
• Possession of a valid Class B driver's license to operate a motor vehicle.


The following requirements must be IFSAC or Pro-Board certifications:
• Firefighter Level II
• Certification at Hazmat Operations Level
• Emergency Vehicle Driver Certification
• Driver Operator Pumps
• Driver Operator Aerials
• Fire Instructor Level II
• Fire Officer Level III

Additional requirements:
• NC Fire Inspector Level I
• NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800
• NC Emergency Medical Technician EMT-Basic (or National Registry)
• NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Certified Technician

Preferred Qualifications:
• Master's degree
• Executive Fire Officer
• Chief Fire Officer Designation
• Fire & Life Safety Educator Level I

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of the principles and practices in municipal fire management and administration.
• Knowledge of fire suppression techniques and prevention practices.
• Knowledge of modern fire investigative and inspection processes including extensive knowledge of state and national fire codes.
• Knowledge of the principals and practices of personnel management sufficient to build teamwork and obtain positive results.
• Knowledge of the principals and operational practices of fire department organizational planning and budgeting.
• Knowledge of fire codes, building construction and fire investigations.
• Knowledge of the City's geography and location of streets, schools, businesses and other structures.
• Ability to plan, organize, and administer a large fire department budget.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, fire personnel, and elected officials.
• Ability to make presentations to the news media, civic groups, school groups, and other organizations to promote citizen cooperation and understanding with fire service programs.
• Ability to manage and direct subordinates sufficient to build teamwork and administer personnel policies equitably.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other City and County officials, employees and the general public.
• Ability to prepare and administer an annual operating and capital budget.

Physical Demands:
Work in this classification is defined as heavy work requiring the physical exertion of up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands require climbing, crouching, crawling, standing, walking and lifting. Vocal communication is required for responding to inquiries, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for extensive reading, to prepare and analyze written or computer data, determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observe general surroundings and activities.

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions, subject to noise and other workplace hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to extreme heat and cold, or exposure to chemicals or contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids and be able to function in narrow aisles or passageways. The employee will also be subjected to the potential for varied atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin such as fumes, odors, mists, gases, or poor ventilation and the employee may be required to wear a respirator.

About Us

The City of Hendersonville is located in Henderson County, North Carolina. Hendersonville consisting of six square miles and multiple historic districts, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sits between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, 22 miles south of Asheville, NC. With an altitude of 2200 feet above sea level, the region provides wonderful year-round recreational opportunities. The City is home to over 14,000 residents and operates under a Council- Manager form of government. A thriving Hendersonville Historic Downtown district, and member of the NC Main Street Program, Hendersonville is host to a variety of businesses, festivals and activities throughout the year. This beautiful mountain community strives to maintain its quality of life for year-round residents as well as the seasonal influx of tourists in Fall and Summer.

About the Team

The mission of the Hendersonville Fire Department is to provide excellent customer service by minimizing risk to life, property, and the environment while creating a strong bond with our community through public education and prevention.