Fire Chief

Description

Nestled on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe and Reno, Carson City is seeking a candidate with strong leadership and management capabilities to be its next Fire Chief.

The Carson City Fire Chief is responsible for planning, organizing and administering a comprehensive City fire protection and prevention system, emergency management program and emergency medical services program; provides expert professional assistance to City management in areas of expertise. The Fire Chief serves as an advocate on behalf of the Fire Department while balancing the Department’s needs with the overall goals and priorities of the City, as established by the Board of Supervisors.

For more information about the Carson City area, please visit https://visitcarsoncity.com.

** This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made. **

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the department; directs the preparation and administration of the department's budget.
• Plans, organizes, administers, reviews and evaluates the activities of operational, technical and office support staff through subordinate managers and supervisors.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service provision by developing and coordinating work teams and by reviewing, recommending and implementing improved policies and procedures.
• Confers with City management regarding major departmental activities or problems.
• Assumes personal command of fire suppression, or disaster control activities at major incident scenes.
• Administers the planning and implementation of such broad-based response programs as the Incident Command System; ensures that such programs comply with OSHA and other regulatory agency requirements.
• Administers all fire prevention activities, from public education and information programs to ensuring that fire codes and ordinances are appropriately enforced.
• Provides for mutual aid and contract services to various agencies throughout the region.
• Directs the selection of staff and provides for their training and professional development; interprets City policies and procedures to employees; ensures effective morale, productivity and discipline of department staff.
• Directs the conduct of analytical studies; develops and reviews reports of findings, alternatives and recommendations; directs the maintenance of accurate records and files.
• Represents the City in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional and business organizations, employee organizations, and the public; makes presentations to the Board of Supervisors and others.
• Monitors developments and legislation related to departmental matters, evaluates their impact upon City operations, recommends, and implements policy and procedural improvements.
• Uses standard office equipment, including a computer.
• Drives a personal or City motor vehicle to various work or incident sites.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with elected officials, public, and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment
• At times may be required to work outside normal business hours and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.

Typical Qualifications

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.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field; AND seven (7) years of fire administrative or command experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Nevada State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Principles of fire management, suppression, prevention and education in an urban area.
• Principles and practices of a comprehensive emergency medical services program.
• Principles and practices of technical rescue and emergency response.
• Principles and practices of a comprehensive city-wide emergency management program.
• Principles and practices of hazardous materials control, containment and response.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and the management of employees through multiple levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of developing teams, motivating employees and managing in a team environment.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Record management principles and practices.
• Principles of labor negotiations
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, often in situations which may be stressful.
• Principles and practices of conflict resolution and fostering a collaborative work environment and maintaining high morale among staff.

Skill in:

• Planning, organizing and administering a comprehensive fire suppression and prevention, and hazardous materials control system.
• Administering programs and staff through subordinate supervision.
• Training others in policies and procedures related to the work.
• Developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
• Developing effective work teams and motivating individuals to meet goals and objectives and provide customer services in the most cost effective and efficient manner.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining complex federal, state and local laws related to the areas of responsibility.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Taking effective action in emergency situations.
• Using tact, discretion and prudence in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Making effective oral presentations to large and small groups.
• Establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with staff, coworkers, elected officials and the public.
• Must demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills, including clear and effective communication, integrity, confidentiality and judgement that inspires trust, creates vision, executes strategy, and improves efficiency.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Under Administrative Direction - Incumbents at this level are responsible for unusual, technical, complex, highly sensitive, political, and far reaching work related issues and for policy recommendations to political oversight groups. They plan, organize, and determine work methods, implementation mechanisms, and operating procedures used to achieve goals and objectives set forth by general plans, broad policies, budgetary limitations, and legal and professional standards. The incumbents have responsibility for planning and organizing work, as well as considerable latitude interpreting and applying broad policies, rules, and regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting and an emergency scene, use standard office equipment, sit for extended periods of time, and serve as emergency incident commander; strength to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; exposure to traffic conditions, smoke, inclement weather conditions and human body fluids.

Supplemental Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• 
  Unclassified employees are “At Will” and as such, may be terminated at any time for any reason, or no reason.
• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
• Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.
• New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation which cost the new employee $47.00 and a drug screen which costs $36.50. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
• Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
• Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• All employees covered by this job description are subject to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the Carson City Fire Department’s Drug and Alcohol Policy which mandates drug and alcohol testing and includes pre-employment, random, post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees in violation of the policy are subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

Fire Chief