Fire Chief

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

This department head position is responsible for the overall management, administrative, and oversight responsibilities for the Starkville Fire Department.  The role involves fiscal, operations, and administrative management of the department and personnel to include: all aspects of fire (prevention, fighting, and rescue), emergency response, hazardous materials incidents, inspections, and training activities. The position ensures compliance with city, state, and federal laws, regulations, and codes to protect public safety and welfare.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Enforce, ensure compliance, and maintain current knowledge with fire codes; city, state, and federal laws; and safety regulations to ensure department operations safeguard life and property.
• Supervise and evaluate staff performance. Provide guidance, and administer discipline as necessary.
• Plan, organize, and manage departmental functions, ensuring effective allocation of resources and personnel.
• Direct company officers on operational matters and enforce department regulations.
• Manage administrative tasks and approve requests for supplies and equipment.
• Develop and implement long-term management and operational plans based on data, trends, and departmental goals.
• Assess fire services, identify areas for improvement, and implement action plans.
• Coordinate with other agencies and municipalities for mutual fire and rescue services, and manage special programs and projects.
• Respond to alarms and emergencies, evaluating conditions, setting strategies, and directing firefighting and rescue operations.
• Build and maintain positive community relations, responding to public inquiries, giving presentations, and promoting fire prevention and safety.
• Prepare press releases, public statements, and represent the department in media appearances.
• Represent the city in legal matters.
• Develop the department’s budget and ensure fiscal compliance; submit recommendations for any adjustments.
• Oversee staffing quantity and skills/certification gaps and make recommendations for new hires and department reorganization.
• Lead meetings with staff to address goals, challenges, operational focus, and planning.
• Attend conferences and seminars for continuous education, improvement and policy updates.
• Prepare and maintain documentation of daily operations via written reports, logs, charts or diagrams, and other documentation.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies on investigations related to fire and safety matters.
• Oversee departmental inspections of equipment and facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations and applicability to the procurement process.
• Recommend policies and procedures to enhance service quality and operational efficiency.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Modern tactics, procedures, equipment, and techniques in all phases and aspects of firefighting.
• Departmental rules and regulations.
• Computer operations.
• The City’s geography, including principal buildings and hydrants.
• Fire-based emergency medical programs, training methodology, and techniques.
• Applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• New trends and advances in the fire service profession.

Skill and Ability to:

• Incorporate continuous quality improvement principles in daily activities.
• Command large scale operation under emergency conditions involving danger to life and property.
• Demonstrate and provide instruction of a variety of medical techniques common to emergency and medical situations.
• Enforce departmental rules firmly, tactfully, and impartially.
• Work independently, using good judgment, and initiative to make sound decisions.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with various individuals and groups.
• Comply with all safety rules and requirements, including the wearing of all required protective clothing and safety and respiratory protection equipment.
• Manage projects and assignments with frequent changes in priorities and interruptions while still meeting specific deadlines and goals.
• Perceive and discriminate colors, sounds, odors, and depth.
• Maintain attention to tasks regardless of distractions.
• Utilize effective decision-making.
• Manage stress in high-pressure situations.

MININUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in fire science, emergency management, public policy administration, or a related field.

 Experience:

• Requires 10 years of management experience in fire service, fire safety, prevention, suppression methods, equipment, and supplies, or a related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s degree in fire science, emergency management, public policy administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) years’ experience as a Fire Chief

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must hold an active certification as a Firefighter.
• Must possess and maintain an Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and acceptable MVR.
• Must possess and maintain valid Mississippi Firefighter and Fire Leadership certifications.
• Must possess and maintain valid, Emergency Medical Technician certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Subject to a one-year probationary period.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is generally performed in an office setting or outdoor training environment.
• Work is performed in and around fire stations, training facilities, fire apparatus, fire rescue vehicles, fire scenes, and emergency medical scenes, both indoors and outdoors.
• Work may expose the employee to fumes, odors, smoke, gases, chemicals, mechanics, toxic substances, radiation, communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, moving traffic, electrical hazards, explosions, dangerous animals, extreme heights, and life-threatening conditions.
• Work may involve irregular or extended work hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work requires frequent standing, walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, climbing, balancing on ladders, and working at heights.
• Frequent lifting and carrying objects weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Requires physical dexterity and continuous use of hand-eye coordination and manipulative skills in operating vehicles, equipment, and tools.
• Work involves the ability to push and pull fire hoses and ladders over rough surfaces and inclines.