What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Chief position at City of Kingsport, TN?

Location : Kingsport, TN

Job Type : Full Time Regular

Job Number : 2025-2-13

Department : Fire

Opening Date : 02 / 13 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Purpose

Performs complex professional and administrative work in directing the full activities of the Fire Department, which is comprised of career staff, including emergency and non-emergency services. This position involves advanced protective services work in planning, organizing, and directing the overall operations of the department and emergency services, handling personnel and public information matters, ensuring that all laws, regulations, and procedures are followed, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the City Manager.

Salary Depends On Qualifications

Essential Functions

Leadership & Management :

Demonstrates strong leadership, personnel management, decision-making, and crisis management abilities.

Plans, directs, supervises, and evaluates all fire service functions and activities for the City of Kingsport including Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Haz-Mat, Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Assistance, and Emergency Rescue to ensure adherence with all applicable city, state and federal laws, statutes, ordinances and regulations.

Develops and implements the Fire Department's strategic goals, policies, and operational plans.

Manages and evaluates department personnel, ensuring ongoing training, professional development, and high-performance standards.

Selects, supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; handles employee concerns and problems; assigns work; administers discipline; oversees recruitment and retention strategies.

Stays current on industry trends and best practices through workshops, professional literature, and affiliations.

Represents the department on various boards including 911, Pre-Hospital Care, and the Community Advisory Panel;

Participates in management staff meetings to review current city operations and develop both short and long-term strategic plans and objectives;

Attends BMA related meetings.

Operational Oversight :

Responds to major fire / emergency / disaster incident scenes to direct fire suppression, emergency response, and rescue operations to ensure community safety.

Directs, manages, and supervises the delivery of Haz-Mat & Tactical response activities as the designated responsible agency for Sullivan County.

Regularly evaluate and refine departmental policies to enhance performance, safety, and service delivery.

Evaluate department readiness, resources, facilities, and equipment to maintain operational effectiveness.

Ensures that applicable codes and ordinances are enforced.

Works closely and cooperatively with local industries, provides back-up support and assistance (ie : Eastman's fire / emergency department; performs site visits of industries).

Participates in a variety of meetings with other city department personnel, area business and industrial leaders, area legislators, and Fire Department staff to discuss departmental functions / services / activities and programs.

Oversees preparation and review of department records, reports, and special projects.

Delegates and assigns a variety of special projects / programs to subordinate staff.

Attends a variety of national, regional, state, and local meetings, educational programs, seminars, and conferences to stay up-to-date on firefighting innovations and industry changes.

Research current and emerging fire department programs, products and / or problems, and presents recommendations to the City Manager for approval.

Develops, implements, and evaluates Fire Department policies, procedures, goals, and objectives in accordance with overall city strategies.

Responds to Emergency Operational Center (EOC), when operational;

Budget & Resource Management :

Demonstrates proficiency in budget management, resource allocation, and strategic planning.

Develops and manages the department's annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and resource optimization.

Monitors expenditures, seeks and secures grants, and recommends funding strategies for equipment and facilities; implements cost-saving measures.

Exercises control and fiscal responsibility over expenditures and budget recommendations.

Prepares and submits annual operational, budgetary and capital budgets to meet established service needs and regulatory requirements;

Community Engagement :

Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and public relations skills.

Represents the Fire Department as the public face of the organization, building trust within the community and responding to inquiries and concerns.

Leads public education campaigns on fire prevention, safety, and disaster preparedness.

Participates in and assists in city-sponsored community events;

Compliance & Reporting :

Ensures departmental compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards.

Prepares and presents reports to the City Manager, Board of Mayer and Aldermen (BMA), and other key stakeholders.

Utilizes data-driven insights to continuously improve operational efficiency and resource allocation.

Streamlines reporting processes to ensure timely, accurate submissions of required documentation.

Present actionable reports to the City Manager, BMA, and key stakeholders, focusing on continuous improvement and fiscal responsibility;

Qualifications

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of budget preparation, program / project evaluation and policy / procedure development.

Knowledge of all applicable State and Federal laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations and standards including Fire Prevention & Building Codes, NFPA, EPA and OSHA (TOSHA) regulations.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques and methods of fire suppression, emergency response / rescue and emergency / fire incident management.

Knowledge of the safe and proper use and purpose of a variety of specialized equipment, tools and apparatus used in fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical assistance and hazardous material containment.

Knowledge of basic and / or advanced emergency medical assistance techniques.

Skill in understanding and interpreting complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.

Strong problem solving and judgment skills, particularly in complex situations affecting the welfare of the city and community.

Effective training and public speaking skills for educational purposes.

Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, other fire suppression departments, city personnel, and the general public.

Experience in evaluating subordinates' work to ensure compliance with established policies, practices, and procedures;

Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree (preferred) in Fire Science, Business Administration, or Public Administration with experience equivalent to ten years full-time in fire service with six years of supervisory / administrative responsibilities.

Proven track record of successful fire department management, including operations, personnel, facilities, and budget oversight.

Certification as a Firefighter II, Fire Officer II.

ISC 100, 200, 300, and 400 certifications (preferred).

Candidates who do not meet all listed qualifications, but possess a combination of relevant education, experience, and training that demonstrates their ability to perform the job may be considered;

Other :

Must meet and maintain all department, state, and federal training and education requirements for the position.

Valid Driver's License is required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

RETIREMENT- TCRS Hybrid Plan : Participation is mandatory. No waiting period. Plan is a combination of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. The defined benefit plan consists of a 5% mandatory contribution from the employee and a 4% employer contribution. Employee is also auto-enrolled at 2 % in the defined contribution plan with the City contributing 5%. Employee has the option to increase or decrease his / her defined contribution percentage.

VACATION : Vacation accrual is based upon your length of service with the Ctiy Of Kingsport. New employees will receive upon hire date one (1) week vacation, and will accrue 6.67 hours per month with the exception of Firefighters who accrue 12 hours per month. Vacation is available for use as it is earned.

HOLIDAYS : The City of Kingsport offers 12 paid Holidays per year : New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Floating Holiday (1 day). There is no eligibility period to qualify for Holiday pay.

SICK HOURS : Employees accrue eight (8) sick hours at the end of each month worked. Sick hours may be used for personal or immediate family illness up to a maximum of 1040 hours per calendar year. In addition, sick hours may also be applied toward early retirement (see TCRS rules for retirement for further information).

LIFE INSURANCE : The City of Kingsport provides all full time employees Term Life Insurance at no cost. The coverage amount is equal to one (1) times your annual base salary.

SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE (optional) : - Full time employees also have the option to elect Supplemental Life Insurance coverage at an additional one (1) times their annual base salary. Rates are based upon your age and annual salary.

DEPENDENT LIFE INSURANCE (optional) : Full time employees can elect Term Life insurance for their dependents at either $5,000 or $10,000 amounts. The cost elect coverage for their dependents at $.64 per pay period for $5000; $1.28 per pay period for $10,000.

LONG TERM DISABILITY (optional) : Carrier is MetLife. Monthly premium cost is shared 50 / 50 by employee / City. Eligible after 90 days of employment. Covers 60% of your monthly earnings up to a maximum of $7,500.00. Pays until you are approved for social security disability or until you return to work. Benefits begin after 120 days of consecutive disability

HEALTH INSURANCE (optional) : Carrier is BCBST, network S.Full time employees have the option to select from two (2) plans (Standard Plan and Basic Plan). Premium cost is shared by employee / City.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH CLINIC : Provider is Premise Health. Confidential. Available to employees / dependents who are covered under the City's health care plans (BCBST). Clinic treats both acute and chronic conditions and can prescribe medications, provide annual physicals, health coaching, lab work, and much more. No co-pays, no deductibles, and no cost for select generic medications dispensed on-site.

DENTAL INSURANCE (optional) : Carrier is Delta Dental. Premium cost is paid by employee. Annual maximum coverage of $1,000 per member which increases by $100 per year up to a maximum of $1,500 provided member has at least one preventative procedure performed each plan year.

VISION INSURANCE (optional) : Carrier is Davis Vision. Premium cost is paid by employee. Annual eye exams, lenses and lens upgrades, frames, contacts.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (optional) : Carrier is Flores. Contribution amounts are pre-tax. Healthcare and Dependent Care options. Employees can contribute up to the allowed IRS maximum amounts. Healthcare rollover of up to $610 for plan year 2024.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM : 2 programs : Ballad Health and Ulliance, Inc. Available to Full time employees. Provides confidential mental health and substance abuse services and much more.

EMPLOYEE PHYSICAL WELLNESS PROGRAM : Provider is Cora. Available to all regular full time and part time employees at no cost. Provides a regiment of treatment when employees experience minor musculoskeletal disorders due to life's everyday stresses and strains.

KINGSPORT AQUATIC CENTER : Free membership for full time employees elected in the City's medical plan. Discounted rates for employees and their family.

GYM MEMBERSHIPS (optional) : City will reimburse 50% of individual membership rate each quarter. Reimbursement is based on an attendance requirement.

AIR MED (optional) : Provider is AirMed. Memberships can be elected in 1, 3, 5, or 10 year increments. Provides air ambulance services for a life or limb threatening emergency to an emergency medical treatment facility.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE (optional) : Provider is Trustmark. Supplemental accident insurance that pays you cash directly to help pay for treatment for covered accidents.

CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE (optional) : Provider is The Standard. Insurance that helps cover out of pocket expenses associated with a serious illness. Helps fill the gaps caused by these out of pocket costs. Pays you for completing certain health screenings.

UNIVERSAL LIFE / LONG TERM CARE : (optional) : Provider is Trustmark. Whole Life Insurance policy that includes a long-term care benefit that can help you pay for services at any age. Benefit never reduces due to age.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT : Full-time, non-probationary employees are eligible to request tuition reimbursement for courses that are work-related and improve the skills required by employees in their employment. Reimbursement will be provided after eligible expenses remaining are unpaid from other financial aid / assistance (scholarships / grants).

Undergraduate Courses : up to $1,000 per employee per semester / $3,600 in a fiscal year

Graduate Courses : up to $1,200 per employee per semester / $3,600 in a fiscal year

Salary : $100 - $3,600

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