What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Chief position at City of Kingsport?
JOB
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*.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
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;
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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.
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*.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
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;
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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.
