What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Chief / Fire Services Director position at City of Richfield, MN?
Department Director level position reporting directly to the City Manager. Leads fire prevention and firefighting activities of a paid full-time Fire Department with two stations and staff of 31. Position is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all Fire Department operations to provide rapid and effective responses to all emergency fire and rescue incidents, proper fire training of fire personnel, effective fire prevention work, investigations and inspections. This position is subject to the Richfield Response Time Residency Requirement.
- Responsible for all fire and emergency operations.
- Develop long-range strategic plans and programs that will retain Richfield’s high standard of excellence in all areas.
- Plan, direct, and organize Department operations. Determine priorities and objectives subject to review by the City Manager. Ensure proper staffing alignments and work scheduling of Fire Department personnel.
- Supervise, assist and evaluate operations to ensure that all assignments are properly performed in line with established procedures and departmental regulations. Review reports and work with subordinates to stay abreast of needs and solve problems.
- Oversee the proper supervision and development of all subordinates. Conduct and review performance evaluations, utilize effective training opportunities to provide flexibility, broaden expertise, and overall career growth and development.
- Provide effective leadership, promote communications and Department morale.
- Work closely with the department directors to ensure safety and responsiveness to the community.
- Direct fire-training programs and establish minimum training standards and safety practices.
- Direct fire prevention efforts. Guide the development of fire inspection programs, community fire education programs, fire investigation and code enforcement.
- Prepare and administer the annual Department budget and authorize purchases within budget.
- Review and analyze information about fire operations, fire-related laws, regulations, and developments. Compile data and develop recommendations as appropriate for long-term department objectives.
- Supervise fire investigations/inspection activities to ensure appropriate and timely results.
- Prepares and occasionally presents staff reports to the City Council.
- Attend meetings/conferences, address interested groups regarding fire prevention and fire operations.
- Other duties as assigned by the City Manager.
COMPETENCIES
- Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of current fire administration methodologies.
- Experience and knowledge of the principles and practices of fire suppression, prevention, inspection EMS, hazardous materials, technical rescue, incident command and emergency management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state and local laws and ordinances pertaining to fire prevention and control.
- Demonstrated skills in leadership, innovation, problem solving, and decision making.
- Skill in listening to the community and staff.
- Ability to promote morale and maintain discipline among Fire Department personnel; to accept input and constructive criticism from Fire Department personnel; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Fire Department personnel, Department Directors, and the City Manager.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City personnel, staff or other agencies, as well as the general public and special interest groups.
- Ability to respond back to work while off-duty for emergencies.
- Ability to communicate the Department’s vision for the future.
- Ability to build trust both within the community and with staff.
- Ability to plan, initiate and carry out long range programs in Department administration, employee training and fire prevention.
- Ability to prepare and forecast budget impacts.
- Ability to make clear, concise and effective presentations to City Council.
The RFD has a residency requirement of 20 minutes to one of our 2 fire stations, using Google Maps. Residency is required within 12 months of hire.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum of seven years progressively responsible experience in fire service
- Minimum of five years management/supervisory experience in fire service
- Certified Blue Card incident commander
- NREMT Certification as an EMT-B
- Must possess a valid Class D driver’s license.
- Must hold a current MN Firefighter License (or obtain within 60 days of hire)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field.
- Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Certification
- Greater than five years management/supervisory experience in fire service
Physical Requirements
- NFPA 1582 medical standards apply.
Lifting and Carrying Requirements (while wearing SCBA & PPE) May be required to lift very heavy loads
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Pushing/Pulling Requirement (while wearing SCBA & PPE)
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Walking and/or Mobility Requirements (while wearing SCBA & PPE)
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Work Environment
- Works both inside where there may be protection from the weather conditions and outside where there may be no effective protection from the weather. May encounter extreme fluctuations of temperature.
- May work in extreme cold where the temperature is sufficiently low to cause marked bodily discomfort and variations in temperature, which accompany extreme cold and are sufficiently marked and abrupt to cause marked bodily reaction.
- May be required to work in extremes of heat where temperatures are sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort and variations in temperature which accompany extreme heat and are sufficiently marked and abrupt to cause marked bodily reaction.
- Encounters wet conditions and high humidity where atmospheric conditions have a moisture content sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort.
- Will frequently encounter noise and/or vibration exceeding 80 decibels, constant or intermittent, to cause marked distraction.
- Will encounter a variety of physical hazards, including but not limited to, moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, working on high places, bodies of water, confined spaces, exposure to radiant energy, explosives, toxic chemicals and biological agents.
- Will work in above conditions while wearing various levels of personal protective equipment causing mobility impairments and high temperatures.
- May be required to make critical, time-sensitive, complex problem-solving decisions during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments, including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces, that is further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions.
Salary : $138,320 - $181,418
