Fire Chief

• Manages the activities, operations and functions of the Fire Rescue and Beach Safety Department.
• Develop and communicate long-term vision for the Fire Rescue and Beach Safety department, including embracing new strategies, improving safety standards and addressing community needs.
• Lead, mentor and empower fire rescue and beach/marine safety personnel in accomplishing the department’s strategic plan and promoting leadership continuity and ensuring personnel are well-prepared for mental health challenges and the stress associated with emergency response work.
• Investigate, pilot, and integrate new technologies to improve response times, enhance safety, assess risk and optimize operations.
• Oversee the department's budget, ensuring funds are allocated effectively for training, equipment, staffing, and technology upgrades; advocate for resources while ensuring financial responsibility.
• Respond to emergency incidents and assumes direct command of large-scale operations ensuring swift and decisive execution of clear communication, effective decision making and resource allocation.
• Acts as liaison with City Manager, City Commissioner, and other City departments, outside agencies, the media, and the general public.
• Serve as the department’s public face, engaging with residents, government officials, and businesses to ensure the fire department’s role in the community is understood and valued.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders such as local municipalities, non-profit organizations, and community groups to secure support for departmental initiatives.
• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; enforce state, county, and city codes.
• Lead efforts to continuously refine emergency response plans, incorporating best practices and new innovative technologies.
• Coordinate with local, regional, and state agencies (e.g., emergency management, law enforcement, medical services) for unified and efficient disaster response, particularly in hurricane-prone regions.
• Lead community outreach programs to improve relationships with residents, educate the public on fire safety, and ensure trust and transparency.
• Oversee Emergency Medical Services for quality assurance, medical control, and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as a member of the City Manager's Executive Management Team for collective bargaining; reviewing and/or providing analysis and recommendations of collective bargaining proposals.
• Administer the Union contract and civil service rules and regulations; Assists the Director of Public Safety with negotiating the conditions of employment for the firefighters bargaining unit agreement.
• Serves as Vice-Chair of the firefighter’s pension board.
• Represent the fire department’s interests in local government meetings, advocating for policies that enhance community safety, improve firefighter working conditions, and address local fire safety needs.
• Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.
• Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.
• Performs related work as required. 

REQUIRED:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Management, Public Administration, or Fire Science or an equivalent combination of training and experience supplemented by fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in fire service, including five (5) years at the administrative and supervisory level and three (3) years at the rank of Assistant/Deputy Chief or higher. 

Preferred:

Master’s Degree and one or more extended professional developmental courses, such as Management, Public Administration, or Fire Science.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

• Certified State Firefighter and Paramedic
• Valid Driver’s License: With proof of automobile insurance 
• Background Check: Must have an acceptable background record
• Driving Abstract: Must have an acceptable driving record

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of modern principles, methods and equipment for an efficient, effective Fire and Emergency Medical Service.
• Knowledge of the development, management, and practices of Fire and EMS Administration.
• Knowledge of the laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, standards, rules and regulations pertaining to fire prevention and investigation, and the operation of a Fire Department.
• Knowledge of effective methods of planning, training, assigning and directing personnel and equipment for the most efficient use during small as well as large or complex and dangerous fires.
• Knowledge of budgeting procedures.
• Knowledge of modern lifesaving techniques, procedures and equipment.
• Knowledge of marine weather conditions that may affect the public and determine safe swimming areas.
• Knowledge of correct procedures affecting lifeguard operations.
• Skill in the operation of radio communications equipment and in the safe operation of a light motor vehicle.
• Ability to train, supervise employees and recommend disciplinary action when necessary.
• Skill in learning and interpreting the rules and regulations of the Fire Department, geography of the City, location of streets, water mains, and fire hydrants.
• Skill in planning, organizing and directing the work of subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
• Ability to function and make decisions effectively and efficiently during emergency situations and large-scale crises.
• Ability to design and implement programs of departmental operations and activities.
• Ability to prepare and present effectively, oral and written information relating to the activities of the department.
• Ability to stay informed and prepare for emerging risks, including climate-related challenges (e.g. hurricane preparedness, cyber security threats, and evolving fire and emergency medical technology risks).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, civic and official groups and the general public as well.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.

The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May require the use of fingers or hands to manipulate objects such as picking, gripping, or pressing. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception.   Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment that requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. The employee regularly makes decisions that could lead to major community or organizational consequences if they fail to make the appropriate decision at the time.

• The relative must have competed in an appropriate examination process as determined by Human Resources and be placed on a civil service eligibility list;
• The relative must be among the top three ranked candidates available on the certified eligibility list unless expanded by the Civil Service Board;
• The Department or Office Director and the Director, Human Resources must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of the City of Hollywood to hire the relative of a public officer or employee.

Salary : $190,512 - $207,908