Battalion Chief

Webster Groves Fire Department Mission

“Proudly serving our community with compassion, courage, commitment, and care for over 100 years”

The Webster Groves Fire Department is a vibrant divisionwithin the “City” of talented firefighters who serve ourcommunity of 24,000 citizens with compassion, competence, and professionalism, as well as shareinternally, the importance of comradery and care as one team.The WGFD has 2 firehouses, 36-line personnel, an Asst. FireChief and a Fire Chief.As a department, we respond to approximately 3,200Fire/EMS/Rescue calls per year while covering just under 6 square miles. We staff an Aerial, Engine, ALS Ambulance, and one Battalion each day on a 48/96 schedule with a rotation between the fireapparatus and the medic unit. As a fire department, we are part of the Central Core Training Division, Washington University for Medical Control, and have Swift Water Technicians and a Rescue Boat for deployment. Our core values are service, inclusivity, passion, progressiveness, and accountability. Come lead as our next Battalion Chief andjoin our team as we lean in, lean on, and lead forward as one team!

Posting:

The City of Webster Groves is seeking highly motivated, positive leaders who are qualified candidates for the position of Battalion Chief (BC) to serve in Operations for the Webster Groves Fire Department. The Fire Battalion Chief assists with managing the day-to-day operations of City fire companies and are assigned management of specific programs and/or administrative duties. The Battalion Chief is distinguished from Fire Captain in that incumbents of the latter are first line supervisors and typically supervise one fire company. A Battalion Chief assumes full command responsibility for fire suppression and emergency response, addresses personnel issues, accordingly, works closely with the Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chief for projects and new initiatives, and leads their shift by modeling character, integrity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Battalion Chiefs are responsible for ensuring that their firefighters are properly trained and equipped to handle all types of emergency situations, from fires and rescues to hazardous materials incidents and natural disasters. Battalion Chiefs also work closely with other fire department leaders to develop and implement plans for emergency preparedness and response. The Battalion Chief is part of the Command Staff (Chiefs) and will take part as a leader in strategic planning, developing of personnel, budget preparation and justification, compliance, facilities, apparatus, equipment, training, and operational efficiency. The Battalion Chief is a formal leader who is expected to model character, resolute leadership, problem-solving, decisiveness, and emotional intelligence (EQ) while moving our team forward.

Examples of Duties:

• Promotes a high level of efficiency, professionalism and customer service.
• Manages the day-to-day operations of City fire companies and confers with Company Officers in regard to administration of personnel.
• Attend Command Staff Meetings as scheduled and directed by Asst. Fire Chief or Fire Chief.
• Works to build relationships throughout the fire department, City, and community as expected by the Fire Chief.
• Manages the day-to-day operations of City fire companies and confers with Company Officers in regard to administration of personnel.
• Exercises independent judgment and professional decision-making following policies and department goals as guidelines.
• Mentors Captains through Leadership Initiatives to include training Captains to ride as Battalion Chief.
• Responsible for the effective application of policy, regulations, practices and procedures of the city and department.
• Responds to alarms and emergency situations to assume the duties of Incident Commander.
• Addresses customer service issues, investigates and resolves citizen complaints in a prompt courteous manner.
• Assumes responsibility for the readiness of Fire Department personnel, apparatus and equipment.
• Maintains an accurate and up to date log on daily activities and pertinent information and places proper information in the FD Master Calendar.
• Transfers information to the on-coming Officer in charge.
• Meets with Chief or Assistant Chief/Fire Marshall for exchange of information.
• Maintains awareness and makes recommendations regarding of the condition and status of equipment and apparatus.
• Reviews EMS, fire and other reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Organizes implements and supervises all activities of a Fire Department work crew to assure quality of performance and operations.
• Participates in personnel management in the areas of employee coaching, performance evaluations, transfers, promotions, disciplinary issues, and selection of new hires.
• Prepares specifications and evaluations on apparatus, equipment, tactical operations, inspections, training and other technical and administrative matters.
• Initiates action to determine cause and origin of fires and other incidents. Insures the preservation and protection of evidence at fire scenes.
• Assists the Fire Chief in the planning and monitoring of the departmental budget.
• Manages projects or programs as assigned.
• Makes preliminary reviews of internal or external concerns.
• Conducts fire safety inspections and creates pre-plan records.
• Encourages and make recommendations for efficiencies, processes, etc. which will deliver enhanced service quality or cost savings.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Must Possess the ability to supervise and evaluate subordinates while working as a trusted, reliable team member. Working knowledge of City/Fire Department rules and fire department standard operating guidelines. Ability to command at the scene of a fire or other emergency, utilizing the Incident Command System. Knowledge in operating all fire vehicles, equipment, and apparatus. Prior work experience exhibiting reliability and dependability. Maintains a thorough knowledge of current firefighting and prevention practices, HAZMAT operational skills, and logistic of the response area. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively speak with members of the department and community and prepare concise and accurate reports. Ability to comprehend and implement oral and written instructions quickly and effectively. Reasoning and decision-making skills required to make discretionary judgments quickly and with results that minimize harm to other firefighters, individuals and property. Ability to operate office equipment, copy/fax machines, phone and basic computer applications. Ability to develop effective operational strategies and objectives.

Typical Qualifications:

Experience: 7 years firefighting in the Fire Service (for external posting) or 7 years of firefighting with the City of Webster Groves with a minimum of 2 years at the rank of Captain/Lieutenant (Company Officer) or equivalent to the level of a Webster Groves Company Officer. For Acting Battalion Chief designation, a minimum of 6 months as a promoted Captain is required.

Education and Certifications for Performing Essential Functions:

Must possess and maintain the following:

• Associate’s degree in,
• Fire Protection Technology, Paramedic Technology, General Studies, Leadership, Business, or related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Protection, Fire Administration, Business, Leadership, Organization Movement, or related field is preferred, not required, but highly encouraged.
• Graduation from St. Louis County Fire Academy Certified Firefighter I and II
• Valid MO Driver’s License
• Licensed Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic in the State of MO.
• Certified Fire Officer I, meeting NFPA standard 1021
• Missouri State Certified Fire Service Instructor I, meeting NFPA standard 1041
• Current BlueCard Incident Command Certification
• Missouri State NFPA 1403 certification, preferred, not required Must obtain within by the end of year two from promotion/hire date:

(Both certifications will be paid for by the FD/City)

• Missouri State Certified Fire Inspector, meeting NFPA Standard 1033
• Missouri State Certified Fire Investigator, meeting NFPA Standard 1033

Process and Dates:

Application Deadline: December 20th by 5pm online or in person @ 4 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO 63119. Contact Kris Hines, HR Manager, with Application Questions

Battalion Chief Questionnaire Deadline: January 3rd, 2025- email ellisb@webstergrovesmo.gov

Invitation Letters: Sent by January 17th, 2024, which will include all Assessment Center Details

Assessment Center Dates: February 10th & 11th, 2025 (location TBD)

Interview Dates: February 12th & 13th, 2025 (if needed)

Anticipated Start Date: March-April 2025

Interested candidates should prepare a resume, letter of intent and completed application for the City of Webster Groves. Once completed and submitted, Human Resources will email the Battalion Chief questionnaire to the email that you provided on your resume. After completion of typing your BC questionnaire responses, please email them to myself, Chief Ellis at, ellisb@webstergrovesmo.gov for review. Application, Resume, and Letter of Intent should be returned to the City of Webster Groves no later than December 20th, 2024, by 5pm to Human Resources to be considered. Contact Ms. Kris Hines (HR Manager) for any questions as she can be reached via phone (314) 963-5305 and/or email hinesk@webstergrovesmo.gov.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $103,596.73 - $145,026.34 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift
• Night shift
• Overnight shift

Ability to Commute:

• St. Louis, MO 63119 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• St. Louis, MO 63119: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $103,597 - $145,026