Job Description - Fire Chief

281 Job Description - Fire Chief

Effective Date:

Revision Date:

SUMMARY The Fire Chief is an Executive, exempt position reporting to the Board of Directors. Directs activities of fire protection district by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Administers laws and regulations affecting the District.

Evaluates fire prevention and fire control policies by keeping abreast of new methods and conducting studies of departmental operations.

Assumes personal command at multiple alarm fires.

Supervises firefighters engaged in operation and maintenance of fire stations and equipment.

Coordinates mutual aid contracts with surrounding municipalities.

Surveys buildings, grounds, and equipment to estimate needs of department and prepare departmental budget.

Confers with officials and community groups and conducts public relations campaigns to present need for changes in laws and policies and to encourage fire prevention.

Investigates causes of fires and inspects buildings for fire hazards.

Controls issue of occupancy permits and similar licenses.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Manages subordinate supervisors who supervise employees in the executive staff, shift employees, volunteer members, and administrative staff. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, making recommendations for hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Individuals attaining this position after the date of adoption shall be required to meet the specific educational and licensure requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Shall have earned a minimum of an Associate's degree in a field of study directly related to the mission of the District (e.g., Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, Public Administration) from a recognized university or college.

Shall possess a thorough working knowledge of the Incident Management System utilized by the Heart Of America Fire Chief's Association.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Shall possess certification according to NFPA 1001 Standard at no less than the Firefighter I level.

Shall hold licensure from the State of Missouri at no less than the EMT-B level.

Shall hold hazardous materials certification at no less than the Operations level.

Shall possess a valid Operator's driver's license from the State of Missouri.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; explosives; risk of radiation; and vibration. The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet.

Policy No.  281  Issued  6/29/2000  Applicable  10/3/2002