What are the responsibilities and job description for the County Fire Chief position at Kings County?
The County of Kings is seeking a highly experienced fire executive to serve as the County Fire Chief. The incumbent will provide oversight and direction to the various divisions and organizational units of the Fire department, while operating within state and federal legal requirements and regulations, County ordinances, and policies and procedural guidelines.
For further information about the position, please click here.
For more information about the Kings County Fire Department and benefits, please click here.SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the County Administrative Officer. Exercises supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a department head classification that oversees, leads, and participates in all activities of the County Fire Department, including short- and long-term fire prevention and suppression program planning as well as development and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the County Administrative Officer in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, County functions and activities, including the role of the Board of Supervisors, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement interdisciplinary projects and programs. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives and serves as an advisor and contributor to executive management and Board of Supervisors on policies, procedures, and major County initiatives.
The County Fire Chief, a department head, is an “at-will” position, which is not included in the County’s classified service and is exempt from merit system status. As an at-will employee, the incumbent may be terminated with or without cause or notice at any time by the Board of Supervisors as the appointing authority.
BENEFITS
This position includes management level I benefits which includes CalPERS retirement (see benefits selection to determine plan/tier placement); fully paid PPO health, dental, vision, and chiropractic health insurance premiums for employee and eligible dependents; Deferred Compensation Plan for every three dollars contributed by the employee, the County shall contribute one dollar to a maximum of $3,500 per year; 12 to 20 days of accrued vacation, based on years of service. The County Administrative Officer may authorize a vacation accrual rate for management employees hired from outside the County at an amount equivalent to what their accrual would be if their service time with other public agencies was earned in Kings County; this position receives an additional 64 hours of management leave of which 48 hours can be cashed out at employee's option. Effective July 1, 2025, this amount will be increased to 80 hours and can be fully be cashed out; 11.5 scheduled paid holidays per year and an additional 3.5 days when the County participates in the holiday closure; 10 to 12 days of accrued sick leave, based on years of service with unlimited accrual; $50,000 term life insurance; onsite health center open Monday through Friday, available to employees and their eligible dependents on County Health Insurance plans. Employees will not be required to use sick or other leave to go to the Health Center during their working hours for their own medical issues.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Assumes full management responsibility for all Fire Department programs, services, and activities including operations, prevention, training and administration.
- Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Department; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
- Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments as necessary.
- Selects, trains, motivates, and directs Department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
- Monitors and implements legal, regulatory, technology and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner.
- Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine County needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
- Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and County needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
- Directs multi-unit emergency operations; may serve as Incident Commander; conducts pre-incident planning and deploys assigned resources consistent with incident need; directs firefighting operations to ensure all response activities are conducted in a manner consistent with prescribed policies and procedures.
- Directs and oversees the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) including County-wide emergency management training, operations, and plan development and implementation.
- Manages the Hazardous Materials Planning and Emergency Response program.
- Represents the department to other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
- Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
- Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Supervisors and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire suppression and emergency response.
- Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the County Administrative Officer.
- Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; serves as a spokesperson for the Department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
- Ensures staff observe and comply with all County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Experience:
- Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in fire suppression and administration, including at least three years as a Battalion Chief or higher in a paid position of an organized fire department.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licenses:
- Possession of a valid California driver’s license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
Certifications:
- Possession of a valid California State Fire Marshal’s Office (CSFM) Chief Officer Certification is highly desirable.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check, which includes a credit check. Ability to work irregular hours including emergencies, evenings, weekends and holidays, varying shifts, and on-call as necessary. Ability to travel within and outside of the County, including out of state as needed to complete job duties.
Effective June 18, 2007, incumbents must not smoke or chew tobacco, or otherwise use tobacco products, on or off duty. (Persons already working in a Fire safety classification in the Kings County Fire Department prior to effective date are not subject to the off-duty tobacco prohibition.)
In addition to the application, applicants are required to submit a professional resume outlining relevant education and experience. This resume must be attached to your application. You must scan and attach your resume to your online application prior to submitting your application (or your application may be rejected). For more information on how to add attachments to your application, click here.
All application materials submitted will be evaluated and screened. Final candidates will be interviewed by the Kings County Board of Supervisors. Finalists will be expected to provide three professional references. A background investigation will be required for all final candidates. Job offers will be conditional upon passing a drug screening test as well as DOJ Live Scan fingerprinting.
All application materials submitted will be evaluated and screened. Final candidates will be interviewed by the Kings County Board of Supervisors. Finalists will be expected to provide three professional references. A background investigation will be required for all final candidates. Job offers will be conditional upon passing a drug screening test as well as DOJ Live Scan fingerprinting.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Final Date to Apply: April 7, 2025 (5:00 p.m.)
Human Resources Interview: April 21, 2025
Board of Supervisors Interview: May 8, 2025
Salary : $144,000 - $204,000
