Fire Chief

Position Description

Under the general administrative direction of the City Administrator serves as the department head for the Fire Department. The incumbent is responsible for providing leadership and direction to all Fire Department operations/services within the City by establishing goals and objectives within the policy directives set by the City Commission and assisting subordinate managers in developing and implementing procedures to accomplish departmental goals and objectives.

The fire Chief of the Fargo Fire Department (FFD) serves as the executive leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of fire and emergency services within the City of Fargo. This includes strategic planning, operational management and coordination of fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services. The Fire Chief develops and implements policies, manages a multi-million dollar departmental budget, ensures compliance with local, state and federal regulations, and fosters interagency collaboration. Additionally, the Fire Chief works closely with City Administration to develop the annual operating budget, establish long-term capital plans, enhance community risk reduction efforts and promote firefighter training, safety and professional development. As the operational leader for the department, the Chief engages with the public, city officials and stakeholders to advance fire prevention, emergency preparedness and overall public safety initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Establishes and manages to the goals and objectives for the department to ensure compliance with City Commission policy directives and all applicable local, state or federal laws, rules and regulations. Provides guidance to assistant chiefs an civilian staff in the development and implementation of operating policies and procedures to accomplish department goals and objectives.

  • Working closely with the City Administrator, gathers City Commission and community input to guide the development of goals and objectives;

  • Maintains active engagement in state, regional, and national policy development and best practice enhancement activities;

  • Plans, coordinates, and evaluates the department’s activities, programs, and services to ensure its effective and efficient operation and quality service to the community;

  • Serves as a liaison to civic and special interest groups, local service organizations, and other fire protection agencies to coordinate activities and to arrange and coordinate the use of City services and/or resources;

  • Maintains a high level of awareness, directly and through delegation of responsibility to subordinates, of legal and compliance issues and trends at all levels of government that may impact department operations directly or indirectly.

• Leads communications for the department by preparing comprehensive reports and correspondence relating to departmental activities, direction, accomplishments, etc. in order to inform the City Commission and City Administration, to comply with inter-jurisdictional reporting requirements, and to inform the public.

  • Represents the department at City Commission meetings to present the department's plans, accomplishments and to discuss the development and implementation of programs, policies, etc.;

  • Maintains positive community and employee relations for the department and the City, including exchanging information; receiving and responding to concerns and issues and determining appropriate resolutions;

  • Serves as the principal spokesperson for the department in critical situations, in public settings or when communicating with the public and media;

  • Plans and carries out communications at a level that can impact the morale and performance of a major work unit;

  • Serves a principal role in guiding or executing communications and establishing working relationships that affect the overall city work environment.

• Directs the preparation of the line-item budget for the department, working closely with the City Administrator to integrate the budget into the overall City budget, and manages department operations to comply with the budget.

  • Using independent judgment develops and directs others in development of department operating budgets for the next cycle and capital budgets for longer-term cycles, including the incorporation of individual division budgets; Analyzes past expenditures, expected needs, future cost projections and sources of funding in order to develop detailed budgets; Reviews past expenditures; analyzes future needs and makes determinations regarding the necessary resources to accomplish departmental goals and meet community needs;

    • Works to ensure the most cost-effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures;

    • Prepares requests for annual funding and presents requests to decision makers for approval;

    • Approves expenditures for purposes and amounts that are within the budget and within the authorized approval limits of the job;

  • Reviews year-to-date spending reports and monitors performance against department plans during the entire budget cycle, making or recommending adjustments as necessary to achieve a desired balance at the end of the cycle;

  • Approves major expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary guidelines;

  • Works closely with Finance Department staff to identify sources and uses of funds for capital improvement projects;

  • Seeks state, federal, and other grant funding opportunities for department purposes and works with the Finance Department to account for grant fund uses and provide for grant compliance reporting.

• Using independent judgment, provides overall supervision and leadership to all Fire Department personnel directly or through subordinate supervisors.

  • Makes decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, lay off, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under the span of control, engaging City Administration when applicable;

  • Sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance;

  • Participates in recruiting and selection activities;

  • Leads unit management in creating and maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance of staff;

  • Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely formal reviews of performance for assigned employees;

  • Encourages employee growth and development by providing or encouraging learning and professional development opportunities;

  • Ensures departmental and individual compliance with statutes, rules and regulations, including but not limited to City policy, FLSA, ADA, Affirmative Action, EEOC, Drug and Alcohol Testing, COBRA, FMLA and HIPAA.

    • Ensures that all department staff know and follow department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;

    • Wears and ensures others in the department wear proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;

    • When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the City Administrator or safety representative in a timely manner.

• The Fire Chief supervises the Emergency Manager and assists in coordinating with internal city departments, regional partners, and external agencies while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations to enhance the city's overall emergency readiness posture. The Fire Chief provides leadership and strategic oversight of the city's Emergency Management Program, including guiding the development, implementation, and evaluation of emergency plans, policies, and training to ensure effective preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.

  • Provide direction to the Emergency Manager, ensuring effective emergency management planning, response, and coordination with internal and external partners;

  • Provide oversight to the Emergency Manager in assessment and enhancement of the Emergency Management Program’s effectiveness, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations;

  • Support the Emergency Manager in resource acquisition, grant management, and crisis communication while serving as a key leader during major emergency incidents.

• Performs other duties and projects as assigned by the Fire Chief or department staff.

Minimum Qualifications

The job requires a Master’s Degree in fire service, fire service administration, public administration, or a related field and ten or more years of progressively responsible fire service experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Graduate of Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program and Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing preferred. A valid driver’s license is also required.

Physical Demands

Most work is performed in a normal office environment. Work is generally light with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms. Occasional driving is required to attend meetings. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines. At times there may be a requirement to actively participate in field activities, such as major events, natural or man-made disasters or events with a high public profile. At these times there may be intermittent exposure to very disagreeable working conditions.

Activities include standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing.

Light Work: Physical demands are normally those associated with light work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.