Assistant Fire Chief

Overview

Under general direction, assists the Fire Chief in managing and directing the Fire Department; assists in the development and implementation of Fire Department goals, objectives, guidelines, and priorities; directs, manages, coordinates, and supervises personnel and activities of the Operations, Training, Administration, or Prevention Divisions; commands and coordinates emergency incidents including fire suppression, rescue, basic emergency medical services, and hazardous material response; provides responsible administrative support to the Fire Chief and others; and performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Assists the Fire Chief in managing and directing the Fire Department
• Assists in planning, organizing and supervising all services and activities of the Operations, Training, Administration or Prevention Divisions of the Fire Department, including fire suppression, emergency preparedness, community risk reduction, fire investigation, public services, programs, training and administration
• Manages the development and implementation of goals, objectives, administrative/standard operating guidelines and standards of safety to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Participates in the development and administration of the department budget
• Interprets and applies provisions of laws, rules and regulations related to Fire Department matters
• Trains employees in work procedures, standards, and safety practices and reviews work in progress or upon completion for compliance with standards
• Interviews and recommends selection of job applications appraises employee performance, conducts informal counseling on work issues, prepares documentation and improvement plans for deficiencies, and recommends disciplinary action
• Reviews and approves employee work schedules, overtime, vacation, sick leave, and timecards
• Conducts staff and safety meetings
• Coordinates the department’s work plan; meets with other management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; assists with division scheduling as needed
• Confers with citizens and City officials on fire-related problems; assists in the development of innovative fire-related programs, policies and practices
• Supervises the delivery of emergency services; responds to alarms as necessary, makes technical decisions as to the best methods of extinguishing fires, and assumes command of emergency operations
• Supervises and conducts preliminary fact-finding inspections and investigations, including evidence gathering and documentation
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; recommends and directs the implementation of changes
• Oversees the maintenance and repair of department vehicles, apparatus, equipment and facilities; coordinates annual apparatus service testing; ensures equipment is maintained in a constant state of readiness for emergency operations; conducts safety inspections; selects, recommends, and purchases equipment and vehicles as needed
• Attends and/or makes presentations at city council, interagency, committee, and other meetings and conferences
• Represents the Fire Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explains and supports Fire Department programs, policies, and activities
• Coordinates department activities with other divisions, departments, governmental agencies and outside organizations
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records, reports and correspondence related to program activities
• Participates in various professional organizations, and serves on various boards, commissions and committees; attends civic and other community organizations to explain and promote the activities and functions of the department and to establish favorable public relations
• Attends required training courses and seminars to stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire prevention and suppression, and emergency preparedness
• Responds to difficult or sensitive complaints and requests for information from the public, news media, and City staff
• Acts on behalf of the Fire Chief in his/her absence
• Performs related duties as assigned.  

Knowledge Required by the Position

·         Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development and implementation, personnel management and supervision

·         City organization and functions; laws, rules and regulations governing Fire Department activities

·         Pertinent federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and ordinances

·         Principles, practices, and procedures of modern fire suppression and prevention, hazardous materials containment, rescue, clean-up, and salvage

·         Principles and practices of employee supervision, including deployment, work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures

·         Operation and maintenance of various apparatus and equipment used in modern firefighting activities

·         Medical aid, rescue, and resuscitation practices

·         Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal fire protection program

·         Modern principles, practices, techniques, and equipment of fire science, operations and training

·         Equipment procurement and maintenance

·         Techniques for dealing effectively with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often in emergency or stressful situations

·         Area topography, physical conditions, street names, numbers, water mains and hydrant locations, and target areas of the City

·         Principles and practices of basic report writing

·         Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to fire science and safety

·         Modern office practices and technology including personal computer hardware and software

·         English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

·         Safety practices and equipment related to the work. 

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, assign, supervise, review, and evaluate the activities of program areas within the Fire Department
• Understand and act in accordance with the City and Fire Department policies, procedures, and rules; interpret and apply policies, procedures, and rules to assigned personnel
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate staff
• Develop, implement, and interpret goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards to ensure the provision of effective and efficient municipal code enforcement services
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques
• Coordinate department activities with other City departments and agencies as required
• Make sound decisions and direct operations at an emergency scene; react quickly and calmly in emergency situations
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations related to program activities
• Properly use fire suppression and other work-related equipment
• Interpret, analyze, apply, and enforce federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations
• Identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns, and needs
• Plan and administer a complex budget; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedure and technique
• Identify training needs and plan, implement, and evaluate programs
• Learn the geographic layout of the city and the surrounding areas and the location of various fire suppression utilities
• Participate in fire prevention and public education activities in the community
• Train and instruct firefighters in modern firefighting practices and procedures
• Coordinate and carry out special assignments
• Prepare clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to present information to Department personnel, members of the public, other City employees and the media
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Use computer technology and applications in the performance of daily activities including preparing reports, correspondence, technical records, and other documents and/or papers used by the Department
• Participate in fire suppression activities as necessary; climb ladders, advance hose lines and operate other firefighting equipment appliances including respiratory protection
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines
• Support, reinforce, and model Department organizational expectations
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties

Physical Demands

• Incumbents must possess mobility and physical strength and stamina to respond to emergency situations and use all emergency apparatus while wearing personal protective equipment; must demonstrate physical endurance, agility, strength, and stamina in the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions; think and act quickly in emergencies; lift and move individuals or objects weighing more than 100 pounds
• Ability to work in a standard office setting and to operate motor vehicles
• Vision to read gauges, documents and street maps, accurate depth perception
• Ability to communicate verbally, including projecting a voice that can be heard in a noisy environment
• Ability to hear and distinguish various sounds, such as alarms, voices of coworkers and warning horns or sirens in both quiet and noisy environments
• Ability to stand, walk, bend and reach at, above or below shoulder height for extended periods of time
• Sustained concentration and prolonged commitment to job tasks
• Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances
• Employees also work in the field and frequently may be exposed to emergency circumstances, loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibrations, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous chemical substances and fumes, criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases
• Employees may interact with upset individuals in interpreting and enforcing laws, ordinances, and departmental policies and procedures
• Must be willing to work emergencies as well as evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Incumbents are required to wear a designated uniform and personal protective equipment
• At times, this classification requires wearing respiratory protective equipment
• Candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment must pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law
• Must meet physical, psychological, and background standards established by the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council requirements pursuant to state, legislation
• Designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department and/or City.
• This class specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of each position as not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. 

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Note: education may not fully substitute for the required experience unless expressly stated herein.

 

• Preferred: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in fire science, fire administration, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field; AND Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible full-time experience in an organized fire department, including at least two (2) years of full-time experience working as a chief officer, or working in a responsible supervisory position within an organized fire department.
• Certified Firefighter I & II Certificate
• Valid Georgia Commercial, Class E or Class F driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record is required at the time of appointment
• Required to attain and maintain Hazardous Materials, First Responder, and/or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
The City of Dawson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the city of Dawson to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.
Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Position vacant until qualified applicant is identified. 

Qualified applicants should email their resumes to sherell.quimbley@cityofdawson.org.