Fire Battalion Chief

The Awendaw McClellanville Fire Department is seeking a skilled leader with technical expertise, communication and interpersonal skills, and experience in project and time management for their new Battalion Chief. A successful candidate will be an inspirational and engaged leader who creates a sense of unity through a shared common vision and by way of trust, credibility, collaboration, and teamwork. An involved, supportive, and progressive management style with excellent strategy and tactical skills are necessary. Additionally an inclusive and modern approach to leadership, which incorporates training, development, and mentorship within the organizational culture, is also a requirement. Strong administrative, finance, and budget management skills are highly desirable. The ideal candidate will possess a good knowledge of fire services including: suppression, prevention, training, emergency management, and emergency medical services.

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $56,742 - $74,318  (Estimated Annual Salary)

The Awendaw District Fire Department and Charleston County offers an exceptional benefits package. The fire district works a 24/48 shift rotation.         OPEN UNTIL FILLED – APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT:

The Awendaw McClellanville Fire Department's responsibilities include fire suppression, emergency medical services, emergency preparedness, public education, fire inspections, Urban Search & Rescue, Wildland Interface responses and code enforcement. The Awendaw McClellanville Fire Department (AMFD) consists of seven fire stations and thirty sworn fire members (including the Battalion Chiefs and Fire Chief) who are trained to provide the highest level of fire, medical and rescue assistance across 363 square miles of the Northern part of Charleston County.

All fire suppression personnel work a 48/96 work schedule, which includes two 24-hours shifts or days worked in a row followed by 96-hours (four days) off. Each shift begins at 7:00 AM and end at 7:00 AM the following day. This schedule averages a 56-hour workweek. We are a three-platoon department, and each firefighter is assigned to one of three shifts, A, B, or C Shift. The stations are staffed 365 days a year.

The Awendaw McClellanville Fire Department typically staffs nine suppression personnel per shift, which includes; a Battalion Chief, a Fire Captain, five Fire Engineers, and two Firefighters. All personnel are required to have a South Carolina Driver’s license and minimum Emergency Medical First Response certified.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION: GUIDELINES   Education/Training/Experience:

• Associates Degree from an accredited college in Business Administration, Management Science, Emergency Management, Fire Science or a related field is required. Bachelor’s Degree is highly desirable.
• Experience in the management of a combination fire department with both full time and volunteer employees
• Completion of Fire Officer II from the South Carolina Fire Academy or other accredited educational institutions. Fire Officer III Certification is required within 12 months of appointment.
• Extensive knowledge in the Incident Command System and the National Incident Management System (NIMS); NFA Type III All-Hazards Incident Management course required within 24 months of appointment.
• Five (5) years of experience as a Firefighter and four (4) years as a Fire Engineer and/or nine (9) years total in fire suppression.
• Must possess two (2) years of full-time experience at the rank of Fire Captain, Chief Officer or above and be currently employed in that position.
• Thorough knowledge of effective methods of planning, training, assigning, and directing personnel and equipment for the most efficient use for fighting fires and responding to other emergency situations such as hazardous materials incidents, emergency medical response and technical rescue.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 training are required. Other EMI courses such as IS-201, IS-230, IS-235, I-393, IS-775 can be completed within six months of appointment. 
• Valid Class E South Carolina driver’s license with acceptable driving record and proof of auto insurance in compliance with the County’s Vehicle Insurance Policy standards is required.

• Be available to work extended hours and shifts and be available for call-back status for and during emergencies.

• As a condition of appointment, candidates appointed to this classification who do not possess a Bachelor’s degree will agree to a career development plan set by the Fire Chief prior to appointment.

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 (includes functions as described in NFPA 1582 & 1021). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, an employee is regularly required to talk and hear; use hands or fingers to handle and feel; occasional use of the telephone and computer; requires manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate firefighting equipment frequently and a computer or other standard office equipment occasionally.   Employee may sit occasionally but will also need mobility and ability to stand and walk continuously for long periods of time. 

This position will require the employee to be able to perform strenuous work for extended periods of time, while performing some or all of the following:

• Wear a respirator (SCBA); 
• Climb six (6) or more flights of stairs while wearing fire protective ensemble weighing at least 50 lbs. or more while carrying equipment/tools, typically weighing an additional 20lbs. To 40 lbs.
• Perform expected duties while wearing fire protective ensemble that is encapsulating and insulated and will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration which can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2°F (39°C);  
• Search, locate, rescue-drag, and carry victims ranging from newborn to adult weighing over 200 lbs. to safety despite hazardous conditions and low visibility; 
• Work in unpredictable emergency situations for prolonged periods of physical exertion without benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration; 
• Work in dark, confined, disorienting spaces; work in overheated environments; work under adverse and stressful conditions.

WORK ENVIROMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  
• The work area will encompass a wide variety of settings including: administrative duties in an office settings; regular exposure to outside weather conditions and could include emergency locations above or underground and in and/or around water, hazardous traffic areas and under unfavorable or unsanitary conditions which may include burning debris, falling structures, biohazards, air and blood-borne pathogens; confined spaces; commercial and residential structures, etc.  Employees are regularly exposed to wet and humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat and risk of electrical shock.   Employees may find themselves in hostile or psychologically demanding environments, involving emotional or psychological stress.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may reach extremes where hearing protection is required.  Work is usually performed during 48-hour shifts and work may be assigned to a standard 40-hour work week.  

Salary : $56,742 - $74,318