This position, under the supervision of Fire Chief, is responsible for supervising and coordinating assigned administrative activities within the Fire Department including participation in various programs and internal controls. May be assigned administrative, support services, and/or operational responsibilities. Assists in planning, organizing, and coordinating projects and activities to ensure the efficient and effective provision of life safety services to the community. The Assistant Chief is responsible for the supervision of employees in his/her assigned work group. Assists other supervisors/officers as necessary to facilitate Department initiatives.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises personnel as needed or assigned, including the Fire Marshal and Shift Captains.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Take personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive City image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.

Complying with all City safety policies, practices, and procedures and ensures compliance with and enforcement of all City and Fire Department rules, regulations, policies, and procedure. Conducts internal investigations into department personnel and complaints of members of the public. Maintains appropriate liaison with Human Resources and reports results to Fire Chief.

Prepares and reviews forms, reports, schedules, and other administrative records and documents,

In addition, oversees preparation of fire departments monthly reports related to areas of responsibility.

Relieves company officers as appropriate and assumes command upon arrival at an emergency incident and oversees incident operations. Determines and directs proper deployment of emergency response personnel, resources, and special response units at the scene of an emergency until relieved by the Fire Chief.

Participates in the Fire Department’s medium and long-range planning processes as they pertain to individual areas of responsibility.

May assume the duties and responsibilities of the position of Fire Chief in the event of absence.

Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.

Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire and emergency services.

Provides staff assistance to the Fire Chief; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; participates in providing technical presentations to the City Administrator, City Council, and various groups.

Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to Fire Department programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.

Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.

Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommends, within Departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.

Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Fire Chief; directs the implementation of improvements and activities of divisions and programs assigned to his/her supervision.

Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the business plan for the Fire Department; meets with assigned staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns work activities, projects and programs; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures.

Performs a variety of administrative and technical work in various fire service duties, such as planning, organizing, directing and implementing fire and building code inspections, along with fire prevention and suppression. Evaluates and improves operations; streamlines work processes.

Recommend and/or perform the full range of management duties (with appropriate executive review) including performance evaluations, transferring, promoting, recruitment and disciplining. Ensure the success of the firefighter recruitment and retention process.

Conducts publicity and informational activities; serves as the primary spokesperson for the department on behalf of the Fire Chief.

Regularly communicates with and updates the Fire Chief regarding public information issues and responsibilities. Evaluates needs and makes recommendations of the purchase of publicity and information materials and equipment.

Oversees and coordination and implementation of Fire Code Compliance within the Fire District, including but not limited to inspections of buildings and other properties for fire hazards and enforces fire prevention ordinances; submits a Fire Inspection Report to the State Fire Marshal concerning the same.

Assist Fire Marshal with reviews of construction plans for fire, building and other related code compliance as appropriate. Consults with architects, engineers, contractors, citizens, business owners, etc., to provide technical advice and explanation of code provisions.

Responds to and assist with fires investigates to determine the cause and origin of all suspicious or undetermined fires, and fire related deaths; testifies in court when required. Works with other local and state agencies as necessary.

Attends regular meetings and activities involving local, regional, state and federal agencies, especially regional planning and emergency preparedness meetings on behalf of the Fire Chief.

Assists with budget preparation and department planning, including strategic, long range, short term, emergency, pre-incident or other types of planning.

Remains on 24-hour emergency call; responds to fires as directed.

Participate in safety training, make suggestions as necessary; serve on committees or inspection teams when appropriate. Works according to good safety practices as posted, instructed, and/or discussed.

Reports unsafe conditions or defects in equipment. Refrain from any unsafe behavior or act that might endanger self or fellow worker(s). Reports all accidents and incidents (including near misses) as soon as they occur. Follows safety rules and regulations and uses personal protective equipment.

Maintains prompt and regular attendance; adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness.

Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.

Required to report to the City’s Emergency Operations Center for emergency duty anytime the Emergency Operations Plan when activated.

Coordinates training events for the department while monitoring training progress for each member of the department. Provides feedback and implements training goals/plans for all members.

Acts as the liaison between the South Carolina Fire Academy, National Fire Academy and other relevant training organizations.

Assists with and monitors functions at the Hartsville Fire Department training grounds to ensure the facility is always functional and in acceptable condition.

Performs post incident analyses as required in conjunction with the Fire Chief and Captains.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Serves as the Fire Department ISO Compliance Officer. Liaison to other City Departments and outside agencies.

Assists in strategic planning for the Fire Department

Assists in the development, training, and evaluation of personnel.

Performs the duties of subordinate personnel as needed; assists other departments as assigned. Serves on various City committees as assigned.

Performs related duties as assigned by the Fire Chief.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

1. Associate’s degree in fire Administration, communications, public relations or related field; AND,
2. Five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory command experience and training in fire service programs and operations; AND
3. Successful completion of Fire Officer II (or ability to obtain with 12 months of hire), in addition to completion of qualifying certification(s) for all other position(s) in the fire department. 

OR

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

communicate effectively orally and in writing; exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be 18 years or older.
2. No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history within the past 10 years.
3. Must possess a valid Class E South Carolina driver’s license.
4. Must obtain and maintain EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) certification.
5. Must meet department’s physical and medical standards, as well as physical standards of the National Fire Protection Association.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Vehicle, fire apparatus, personal protective equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, calculator, phone, fax, copier, measurement tools, first aid equipment, and other related equipment.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; walk; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, crawl, kneel, or crouch and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 165 pounds in certain situations. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Requires the ability to climb stairs and ladders, to be on one’s feet for long periods of time, to move heavy objects weighing 50 lbs. or more for distances of more than 20 feet, and to work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others. Requires pulling of 50 lbs. or more, repeated bending or stooping over time, and use of protective clothing to include self-contained breathing apparatus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environmental characteristics here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in outdoor settings, in all weather conditions and occasionally in an office setting. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals risk of electrical shock and vibration.

The noise level in the field is usually loud in the office work usually moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, review of education and experience; oral interviews and reference check; other job-related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. 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.