Fire Chief

Nature of Work

Provides administrative direction and leadership to the Fire Department's operation consisting of Administration, Operations, and Prevention through effective planning, staff management, resource allocation, and sound fiscal practices to ensure coordination of programs, initiatives, and strategies required to meet the City's goals and objectives.

Work is performed in internal (office) and external environments with exposure to all types of weather and traffic conditions; potential exposure to dangerous and/or hazardous environments, materials, and machinery when responding to emergencies.

Mostly desk work; moderate physical demands; potential for physical exertion and/or harm when responding to fire and rescue emergencies. Must be able to lift and carry up to seventy-five (75) pounds. Sufficient clarity of speech, hearing, or other communication capabilities, vision or other powers of observation, manual dexterity, and personal mobility and physical reflexes sufficient to effectively and efficiently perform essential job functions.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-time, regular, exempt.

This position is a grade DR35.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies, develops, implements, and monitors strategies to meet established objectives; reviews program goals and deliverables to ensure appropriate allocation of resources; collaborates with various officials to coordinate fire operations; determines scope and priorities of projects and develops programs and policies to support present and future needs.
• Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates and analyzes issues, and recommends and implements solutions; identifies and monitors department performance, productivity, progress on goals and performance targets to ensure achievement; directs the continuous improvement of work product to assure the overall integrity of the support and functionality of services.
• Manages and coordinates assigned staff through appropriate delegation and work supervision; develops goals and priorities, and assigns tasks and projects; meets regularly with staff to anticipate, discuss and resolve administrative, workload, and technical issues; provides for proper training and development of staff; hears appeals and grievances to recommend and implement corrective actions; provides counseling, coaching, and conducts performance appraisals; provides leadership, direction and guidance in program management, technical strategies and priorities; ensures staff compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Works with other agencies, management, union and labor management team, and elected officials to provide accurate and timely information related to issues and areas of political interest or concern; keeps current on industry trends, regulations, and legislative issues to identify areas of concern for management and City Council for review and potential action.
• Monitors program trends, and recommends operational improvements; reviews and directs regular updates on projects to ensure conformance with local, state, and federal standards and regulations and to ensure project management goals and objectives are met and within fiscal requirements.
• Develops, implements, and monitors department budget, approves budget expenditures; prepares and presents special and recurring reports; reviews operational analyses of program costs, revenue streams, fees, and revenue enhancement opportunities; designates funds to meet service and facility needs and provide for system modernization; reviews financial reports to determine program effectiveness; coordinates with state and federal agencies to obtain funding assistance and to ensure compliance with the monitoring and handling of funds.
• Serves as a member of the City’s Management Team to coordinate with other Departments/Sections and to implement and manage assigned projects; provides input to the management team and participates in formulating fiscal policy on behalf of the City Manager and City Council to improve the level and quality of City services.
• Serves as advisor and liaison between the City and various regional organizations, state and federal agencies; participates on various boards and in meetings with government officials, civic organizations, and community groups.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or Technology, Business or Public Administration or related field AND ten (10) years of fire service experience, including three (3) years of management/supervisory experience in fire/emergency services at a chief officer level, or rank with similar responsibilities. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)
Valid Class D driver's license required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy. New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician certification is required within twelve (12) months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Comprehensive Knowledge of: principles, practices, and processes for planning, coordinating and executing fire service and administrative management, including personnel rules, resource allocation, budgeting, records management, strategic planning, leadership, and effective employee supervision; pertinent local, state, and federal regulations, laws, codes, rules and regulations; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; relevant equipment, systems, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective operations for the protection of people, data, property, and the organization; current trends in strategy and tactics for deployment of personnel and equipment in fire and emergency situations; modern emergency response principles, practices, methods, techniques and equipment; principles and practices of project planning and management, and legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct; effective customer service, communication, and problem resolution techniques and methods; business and personal computers and standard software applications; City organization, operations, policies and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.
Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; read, understand, interpret, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; firmly and impartially supervise, coach, counsel, mentor, lead and direct the activities of assigned functions and staff; remain calm, rational, and tactful in carrying out duties and responsibilities; maintain composure and respond effectively to stressful and/or emergency situations; pass an annual physical performance assessment; safely operate associated tools, equipment, and motor vehicles and navigate across even and uneven surfaces; ensure appropriate levels of service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; research, analyze, and compile applicable information and data; maintain accurate records and confidentiality of sensitive information; communicate effectively in verbal and written forms; prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, officials, and the public; operate a personal computer with basic and specialized software applications; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.
Skills in: developing and implementing plans for improvement of the quality of services and for cost effective management of allocated resources; evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting issues, developing alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings; assuming command level responsibilities and making appropriate decisions; effectively supervising, managing, and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority; using initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines; communicating and working effectively with a diverse community; reading and interpreting rules and regulations; preparing, presenting, and supporting program information and initiatives to the public in meetings and public hearings; working collaboratively with other agencies; investigating and resolving conflicts, issues, inquires and complaints; working cooperatively with labor union leadership and employees and effectively managing in a union environment.

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