Description

POSITION TITLE: Fire Chief

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SALARY: $141,003.20 ($67.79/hr.) or D.O.Q

DEPARTMENT: Fire Department 

General Description:

This is a Department Director position requiring the judgment and skills of a professional chief executive officer. The position requires independent judgment in managing, planning, directing, organizing, staffing and providing the total fire service delivery system for the City. This position is responsible for emergency preparedness for civil disorders and natural disasters.  Work is performed under the general direction of the City Manager and is reviewed through results achieved.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides a fire safe environment for the citizens as effectively and economically as practical.
• Develops, communicates and monitors policies, procedures and standards for the department and implements improvements when necessary.
• Implement directives from the City Manager.
• Serves as a member of the City’s top management team.
• Leads and directs all professional, clerical, and uniformed personnel within the Department, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and excellence. Exercises sound judgment in the selection, development, counseling, and discipline of staff to ensure effective performance and alignment with the City’s mission and values.
• Provides direction and supervises the activities of the fire department and community risk reduction, including fire suppression, ALS medical services, rescue, fire loss management, employee development, public education etc.
• Develops, implements, and continuously refines the department’s long-range goals, objectives, and strategic priorities to ensure alignment with the City’s mission, public safety standards, and community needs.
• Manages and coordinates the preparation of an annual budget for the Fire Department; directs the implementation of the department’s budget; plans for and reviews specifications for new or replaced equipment. Controls the expenditure of departmental appropriations in accordance with Finance procedures.
• Manages departmental operation with respect to equipment, apparatus and personnel; supervises the implementation of such plans.
• Prepares and submits reports to the City Manager regarding the Departments’ activities and prepares a variety of other reports as appropriate. 
• Responds to alarms and may direct activities at the scene of major emergencies, as required. 
• Attends meetings with other Fire/EMS officials, community and business representatives and the public. Represents the department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings.
• Ensures department complies with federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations. 
• Serves as liaison with other fire and emergency medical agencies, especially those within the Seminole County First
• Response System. 
• Follows and enforces safe working practices and has a working knowledge of safety practices and procedures in accordance with the City’s Safety Plan. 

This position is responsible for coordination in the City’s disaster preparation and/or disaster recovery efforts, under the direction of the City’s Emergency Manager (City Manager). 

Performs other duties as required and other work as may be assigned.

NOTE: THE LISTED DUTIES ARE ONLY ILLUSTRATIVE AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DESCRIBE EVERY FUNCTION THAT MAY BE PERFORMED BY THIS JOB CLASS. THE OMISSION OF SPECIFIC STATEMENTS DOES NOT PRECLUDE MANAGEMENT FROM ASSIGNING SPECIFIC DUTIES NOT LISTED IF SUCH DUTIES ARE A LOGICAL ASSIGNMENT TO THE POSITION. 

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of fire suppression, advanced life support emergency medical responses, hazardous materials incident  management, fire loss management, code enforcement, plans review, annual budget preparation, fire department risk management, and long-range planning.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with both the public and employees.
• Ability to plan, layout and review the activities of a fire department and to maintain discipline.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergencies.
• Ability to prepare and review reports.
• Must be able to read, write and communicate in English.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to the control and prevention of fire.

Education, Training and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field, seven (7) years of experience in a career fire department at a Division Chief level or above and at least ten (10) years of supervisory experience.
• Successful completion of National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program desired, however, not required. 
• Applicant must have an understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response
• Plan (NRP), as well as the Incident Command System (ICS) qualified through the completion of recognized training and education courses. Must have completed ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800 courses.  A combination of training and/or experience may qualify an applicant for consideration. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.

Other Requirements (New Hires):

• Must be a non-user of tobacco products for at least one year, as evidenced by a sworn affidavit.
• Must meet all moral and criminal background requirements.
• Must meet medical and physical agility standards.
• Must maintain current certifications for the position as hired.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations Required:    

• Florida Certification of Compliance by the State of Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training
• Current State of Florida Paramedic
• Current State of Florida Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record  

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations Desired:

• Florida Fire Officer I
• Incident Safety Officer (ISO)
• Current EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) certificate or to be completed within six (6) months of hiring    

Essential Physical Skills:

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).
• Driving heavy vehicles and equipment.
• 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.
• Must endure sustained acts of physical exhaustion and endure periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations.
• Must be able to work wearing a respirator.
• Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) and carrying.

Meet all physical requirements as indicated for State certification, including but not limited to:

reaching

pulling

pushing

kneeling

walking

standing

crawling

bending

stooping

jumping

running

balancing and throwing

smelling

climbing (including ladders)

driving

Environmental Conditions:

Works inside and outside in various weather conditions.

Responds to emergency alarms and assumes risks found in emergency situations, including but not limited to: fires, hazardous materials situations,

auto accidents, and medical alarms.

Stressful situations.

Traffic, heights, confined spaces, dusty and dirty environments.

Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with disability.

The City of Lake Mary is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).