What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Chief position at City of De Pere?
JOB
Whether you are joining our team for three years or twenty, you will have the opportunity to grow your career with us! Our employees are offered the opportunity to enhance their skill set by attending training courses, working on special projects, and becoming a member of one of our many City Teams. De Pere, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, is a safe, warm, and friendly community located right along the Fox River less than ten minutes from Green Bay and 25 minutes from Appleton and the Fox Valley. De Pere is an integral part of the Green Bay metro area, which was ranked as the #1 place to live in the United States for 2023. As an employer, the City of De Pere is a positive, team-oriented organization with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to its community. The City of De Pere provides an engaging work environment focused on collaboration and team building. De Pere strives to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent by promoting a diversity of thought, valuing differing perspectives, and empowering employees to share their authentic viewpoints at all levels and functions within the City. The City of De Pere seeks to hire an experienced, decisive, forward thinking, approachable, creative, and team-oriented visionary Fire Chief to direct and administer the overall operations, programs, maintenance, development, and promotion of the Fire Rescue Department. See the Fire Chief Brochure for additional information.About the department: The typical work schedule is Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. plus additional hours for emergencies and meetings. However, the City of De Pere recognizes the importance of its employees having a proper work-life balance and supports alternative work arrangements which include alternative work schedules, flexible scheduling, and remote work to help meet your lifestyle needs. In addition, new employees receive three weeks of vacation and four floating holidays per year beginning on the first day of work (prorated the first year).Compensation: The anticipated starting salary is $113,360 - $136,011, depending on qualifications, plus an excellent benefits package. The full salary range for this position is $113,360 - $161,928. The City of De Pere rewards employees for exceptional work performance with a pay for performance incentive program. Employees may be awarded a salary increase, bonus, or paid time off for exceptional work performance. Employees will be automatically enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a pension plan to help provide for financial security during retirement, which consists of employer and employee required contributions.The City of De Pere is a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed as they are received and a formal review of applications will start on approximately March 10, 2025. This announcement will remain posted, and we will continue to accept applications until the City reaches an agreement with one finalist. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with state and federal law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.Provide overall supervision, leadership, and direction for command staff; ensure competent performance. Assign areas of accountability and delegate authority to subordinate supervisory personnel.Provide professional guidance, training and policy interpretation for all divisions. Provide guidance in resolving/improving performance standards. Maintain knowledge of all department activity.Exercise authority over all department staff including hiring, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination of individual employees within established City policies.Provide input to labor negotiations and participate in collective bargaining and grievance resolution. Prepare performance appraisals for persons reporting directly to the Chief.Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the Fire Department directly, and through the efforts of the Battalion Chief.Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department. Establishes and reviews operating guidelines and policies to develop improvements in department operations.Evaluate department training needs, staffing needs, budget resources, and management of personnel to achieve department wide program objectives.Approve training plans and programs for the Department and maintains departmental fire fighter efficiency.Develop and administer immediate and long-range budgets. Ensure the department operates within the annual budget and directs the annual budget process for the department. Monitor expenditures and revenues. Forecast spending, staffing and revenue levels and recommend equipment purchases. Research, apply for and administer grants.Recommend and plan long range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall direction for the Department. Monitor, review and communicate the implementation phases of the department's strategic plans to ensure long-range goals are met. Ensure the programs and objectives of the Department are developed and maintained in accordance with the objectives of the City Council.Analyze fire problems and develop plans and techniques to provide fire protection, rescue, emergency medical and hazardous materials response services.Give general supervision to the enforcement of fire prevention laws and ordinances including safety regulations for commercial and public occupancies including places of assembly, business, educational and institutional facilities, industrial (hazardous) occupancies, residential properties and structures which could pose a fire or life safety risk.Develop and maintain liaison with various governmental agencies, community groups and the general public.Coordinate automatic aid and mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities.Serve as spokesperson for the department to media sources. Approve news releases specific to the Department.Address civic organizations and other groups regarding the activities and programs of the Fire Department to explain and promote public understanding of its work and to promote good community relations.Serve as the Emergency Management Director for the City and maintain the City EOP, EOC, and coordination with County Emergency Management.Prepare and disseminate Incident Action Plans and situational status reports to internal stakeholders that describe operational activities ongoing, planning for future operational activities, resource needs, damage assessments, and recovery planning.Attend City Council meetings and workshops as necessary.Attend meetings representing the City and Fire Department including association and community meetings.Represent the Department in major initiatives or as assigned.Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or related field.Minimum Experience: Ten years of fire service experience performing fire and/or EMS service responsibilities with six or more years of progressively responsible experience in fire department leadership. Work history should show a progression of increased responsibility culminating in a role equivalent to a Fire Officer.A combination of education and experience may be considered.Minimum Certifications: Firefighter I and Firefighter II CertificationsDriver/Operator Pumper and Aerial CertificationsCurrent National Registry or State of Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Certification or higher.Graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy is desired.Chief Fire Officer Designation is desired.Other Requirements: National Incident Management System (NIMS) training is required, including ICS 100. ICS 200, ICS 300, and ICS 400.Residency within 15 miles of the corporate city limits of the City of De Pere within 12 months of hire.Valid unencumbered Wisconsin driver's license and safe driving record.PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor settings.Work is performed in dangerous situations under an inordinate amount of stress.Work is performed in an environment in which the employee is subject to potential personal danger.This work requires the continuous exertion of up to 100 pounds of lifting/moving or force and continuous push/pull of up to 100 pounds or more while performing essential functions of the job.Work regularly requires the ability to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and speak and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others in English.Ability to read and write English and interpret documents such as safety rules, material safety data sheets, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.Work may include outdoors in seasonal weather extremes.Exposures could include toxic chemicals, seasonal temperature extremes, and other possible unknown hazardous materials.Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and following directions. May require interactions with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.All of the above is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Nothing in this position description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Employer and Employee and is subject to changes as the needs of the Employer and requirements of the position change.
Whether you are joining our team for three years or twenty, you will have the opportunity to grow your career with us! Our employees are offered the opportunity to enhance their skill set by attending training courses, working on special projects, and becoming a member of one of our many City Teams. De Pere, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, is a safe, warm, and friendly community located right along the Fox River less than ten minutes from Green Bay and 25 minutes from Appleton and the Fox Valley. De Pere is an integral part of the Green Bay metro area, which was ranked as the #1 place to live in the United States for 2023. As an employer, the City of De Pere is a positive, team-oriented organization with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to its community. The City of De Pere provides an engaging work environment focused on collaboration and team building. De Pere strives to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent by promoting a diversity of thought, valuing differing perspectives, and empowering employees to share their authentic viewpoints at all levels and functions within the City. The City of De Pere seeks to hire an experienced, decisive, forward thinking, approachable, creative, and team-oriented visionary Fire Chief to direct and administer the overall operations, programs, maintenance, development, and promotion of the Fire Rescue Department. See the Fire Chief Brochure for additional information.About the department: The typical work schedule is Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. plus additional hours for emergencies and meetings. However, the City of De Pere recognizes the importance of its employees having a proper work-life balance and supports alternative work arrangements which include alternative work schedules, flexible scheduling, and remote work to help meet your lifestyle needs. In addition, new employees receive three weeks of vacation and four floating holidays per year beginning on the first day of work (prorated the first year).Compensation: The anticipated starting salary is $113,360 - $136,011, depending on qualifications, plus an excellent benefits package. The full salary range for this position is $113,360 - $161,928. The City of De Pere rewards employees for exceptional work performance with a pay for performance incentive program. Employees may be awarded a salary increase, bonus, or paid time off for exceptional work performance. Employees will be automatically enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a pension plan to help provide for financial security during retirement, which consists of employer and employee required contributions.The City of De Pere is a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed as they are received and a formal review of applications will start on approximately March 10, 2025. This announcement will remain posted, and we will continue to accept applications until the City reaches an agreement with one finalist. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with state and federal law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.Provide overall supervision, leadership, and direction for command staff; ensure competent performance. Assign areas of accountability and delegate authority to subordinate supervisory personnel.Provide professional guidance, training and policy interpretation for all divisions. Provide guidance in resolving/improving performance standards. Maintain knowledge of all department activity.Exercise authority over all department staff including hiring, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination of individual employees within established City policies.Provide input to labor negotiations and participate in collective bargaining and grievance resolution. Prepare performance appraisals for persons reporting directly to the Chief.Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the Fire Department directly, and through the efforts of the Battalion Chief.Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department. Establishes and reviews operating guidelines and policies to develop improvements in department operations.Evaluate department training needs, staffing needs, budget resources, and management of personnel to achieve department wide program objectives.Approve training plans and programs for the Department and maintains departmental fire fighter efficiency.Develop and administer immediate and long-range budgets. Ensure the department operates within the annual budget and directs the annual budget process for the department. Monitor expenditures and revenues. Forecast spending, staffing and revenue levels and recommend equipment purchases. Research, apply for and administer grants.Recommend and plan long range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall direction for the Department. Monitor, review and communicate the implementation phases of the department's strategic plans to ensure long-range goals are met. Ensure the programs and objectives of the Department are developed and maintained in accordance with the objectives of the City Council.Analyze fire problems and develop plans and techniques to provide fire protection, rescue, emergency medical and hazardous materials response services.Give general supervision to the enforcement of fire prevention laws and ordinances including safety regulations for commercial and public occupancies including places of assembly, business, educational and institutional facilities, industrial (hazardous) occupancies, residential properties and structures which could pose a fire or life safety risk.Develop and maintain liaison with various governmental agencies, community groups and the general public.Coordinate automatic aid and mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities.Serve as spokesperson for the department to media sources. Approve news releases specific to the Department.Address civic organizations and other groups regarding the activities and programs of the Fire Department to explain and promote public understanding of its work and to promote good community relations.Serve as the Emergency Management Director for the City and maintain the City EOP, EOC, and coordination with County Emergency Management.Prepare and disseminate Incident Action Plans and situational status reports to internal stakeholders that describe operational activities ongoing, planning for future operational activities, resource needs, damage assessments, and recovery planning.Attend City Council meetings and workshops as necessary.Attend meetings representing the City and Fire Department including association and community meetings.Represent the Department in major initiatives or as assigned.Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or related field.Minimum Experience: Ten years of fire service experience performing fire and/or EMS service responsibilities with six or more years of progressively responsible experience in fire department leadership. Work history should show a progression of increased responsibility culminating in a role equivalent to a Fire Officer.A combination of education and experience may be considered.Minimum Certifications: Firefighter I and Firefighter II CertificationsDriver/Operator Pumper and Aerial CertificationsCurrent National Registry or State of Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Certification or higher.Graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy is desired.Chief Fire Officer Designation is desired.Other Requirements: National Incident Management System (NIMS) training is required, including ICS 100. ICS 200, ICS 300, and ICS 400.Residency within 15 miles of the corporate city limits of the City of De Pere within 12 months of hire.Valid unencumbered Wisconsin driver's license and safe driving record.PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor settings.Work is performed in dangerous situations under an inordinate amount of stress.Work is performed in an environment in which the employee is subject to potential personal danger.This work requires the continuous exertion of up to 100 pounds of lifting/moving or force and continuous push/pull of up to 100 pounds or more while performing essential functions of the job.Work regularly requires the ability to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and speak and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others in English.Ability to read and write English and interpret documents such as safety rules, material safety data sheets, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.Work may include outdoors in seasonal weather extremes.Exposures could include toxic chemicals, seasonal temperature extremes, and other possible unknown hazardous materials.Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and following directions. May require interactions with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.All of the above is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Nothing in this position description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Employer and Employee and is subject to changes as the needs of the Employer and requirements of the position change.
Salary : $113,360 - $136,011
