Battalion Chief

The Smithfield Fire Department is seeking applicants for the position of Battalion Chief. This position will be on a 40 hour a week schedule and be a FLSA partial overtime exempt position (80 hours per two-week period).

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Required: Minimum seven (7) years progressively responsible experience in fire department operations including two (2) years in a Supervisory position.

Minimum Education Requirements: Associate degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration or related field or an equivalent of education and experience. 

Those interested in participating in this promotional opportunity must submit a completed employment application, resume and copies of the required certifications to Smithfield City by 5pm on Monday May 12th, 2025 @ 7am.  You can fill out an application with attachments at the City’s website BambooHR

DESCRIPTION

The Battalion Chief serves the community by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen requests for information or assistance. The successful candidate performs within the scope of the policies and procedures of Smithfield Fire & EMS, in the following general categories: fire suppression, emergency medical aid, rescue or ambulance transport, hazardous material responses, training, building inspections and public education. The successful candidate may be required to perform their duties under adverse physical and/or environmental conditions that may pose a high risk of personal injury or exposure to hazardous conditions or infectious diseases.

The successful candidate responds to emergency incidents as the Incident Commander or part of the Command Team as assigned, determines appropriate action and response to incidents and directs operations to assure the safe, efficient, and effective deployment of personnel, equipment, and resources. The Battalion Chief is a member of the Department management team and assists or is responsible for the development of assigned personnel and programs, works closely and coordinates with other Staff Officers in the accomplishment of Department goals and objectives. The successful candidate is required to attend regularly scheduled training and staff meetings to maintain the high level of knowledge, skill, and ability necessary to function safely and effectively as a firefighter and EMS provider in accordance with state law, county protocols, and standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Exercises considerable independent judgment under guidance of City and Department policies and procedures, and City, State, and Federal applicable laws and regulations.
2. This classification functions between the Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief and the Captains in the management or supervision line of command.
3. Emergency incident reporting, pre-incident planning, fire facility repair and maintenance, fire station supplies, emergency apparatus and equipment, support officers, critical incident stress debriefing.
4. Inclusive of these assignments are, program development/oversight, writing technical specifications; supervising the maintenance, operation and regular replacement of all emergency apparatus and equipment; equipment inventory, service, and performance records per established industry standards; annual or regular testing of fire hose, ladders, aerials, pumpers and breathing apparatus.
5. Initiates or recommends personnel actions such as transfers, discipline, promotions, and discharges.
6. Conducts, assists, and coordinates training of new officers.
7. Initiates or recommends new methods, procedures, or equipment to improve working conditions and overall departmental operations.
8. Assists and trains supervisors on their duties. Assists personnel in solving work problems, such as scheduling conflicts and emergencies.
9. Reviews reports written by supervised personnel for content and accuracy. Monitors personnel performance and does performance appraisals, as required.
10. Coordinates with other Battalion Chiefs and Officers to provide consistency in department programs, goals, and objectives.
11. Interprets and enforces City policies and departmental rules and regulations.
12.  Assists with and/or is responsible for development of performance standards, departmental policies, and procedures for areas of assigned responsibility.
13. Conducts inspections of company personnel, quarters, equipment and records, reviews and reports on drills.
14. Performs budget and financial administration, assigns work, sets priorities, prepares reports, plans, inspects for quality control and trains, coordinates with other agencies, acts as the liaison for community relations/education; may work with confidential information.
15. Has frequent contact with the public, City staff, public officials, and emergency response providers for the purpose of problem resolution, providing information and coordinating mutual efforts.
16. Attends meetings, seminars, schools and/or training sessions to keep abreast of modern fire service training and techniques.
17. Conducts training and drills.
18. May assume command of the Department in the absence of the Chief or Assistant Chief.
19. When necessary, performs the tasks and duties of a firefighter.
20. Drives or rides an emergency vehicle in response to fire, rescue and emergency medical events, hazardous materials response/mitigation and routine requests for help or assistance.
21. Places equipment, lays and connects hose.
22. Operates high capacity pumps and directs water streams.
23.  Raises and climbs ladders.
24.  Uses chemical extinguishers, safety belts, lines and hooks and uses self-contained breathing apparatus.
25.  May enter burning buildings as part of a fire suppression team, perform ventilation tasks above ground, carry heavy objects and equipment and rescue injured or trapped victims.  
26. Participates in fire prevention programs including public education events and fire code enforcement inspections. 
27. Responds to requests for emergency medical care, evaluates patient's condition and administers aid and interventions as per protocol.
28.  Monitors patient's vital signs, administering medications, establishing, and maintaining adequate airways, controlling bleeding, and splinting broken bones and provides advanced life support at the scene and during transported to hospital.
29. Performs daily preventative inspection and maintenance on the station and its contents, various fire apparatus, equipment, ambulances, and EMS equipment.
30. Cleans exterior and interior of vehicle.
31.  Assures fire apparatus and ambulances are properly stocked with necessary supplies.
32.  Apprises supervisor as needed to purchase replacement materials or schedule complex repairs.
33. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid State of Utah Driver's license

• NREMT Paramedic
• Utah Paramedic
• Certified Training Officer
• IFSAC and Pro Board Firefighter II
  • Fire Officer I
  • Fire Instructor I
  • Apparatus Driver Operator (ADO) Pumper
  • ADO Aerial
  • Hazardous Materials Operations
  • *Preferred Fire Inspector I
  • *Preferred Fire Investigator
• National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Courses:
  • 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800
  • *Preferred - NIMS Professional Development Series
• Healthcare Provider CPR Certification; Healthcare Provider CPR Instructor Certificate within 6 months of hire date.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) CPR Certification; ACLS Instructor Certificate within 6 months of hire date.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) CPR Certification; PALS Instructor Certificate within 6 months of hire date.
• Wildland Red Card

KNOWLEDGE

• Basic, and advanced life support techniques, procedures, and practices.
• Modern Strategy and tactics for fire suppression and related activities.
• Purposes, uses and operating characteristics of apparatus, equipment, and tools used in firefighting, rescue, emergency medical services, and hazardous materials operations.
• Principles of mechanics, hydraulics and mathematics related to firefighting.
• Comprehensive safety and risk management systems.
• Fire hazards and related prevention/abatement methods.
• Fire codes and regulations including building construction and plans review.
• Effective supervisory practices and techniques.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Local geography including city streets, major hazards, and water systems.
• Pertinent Federal, State, Local, and City functions, protocols, procedures, codes, regulations, and laws.

SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal skills in order to interact with other City employees, public safety agencies, and the general public.
• Strong written and oral communications and relational skills.
• Public relations and customer service.
• Operations and maintenance of various types of apparatus and equipment used in firefighting activities and medical emergencies.
• Follow and/or respectfully relay complex oral and written instructions, policies and procedures.
• Operate proficiently and effectively in records management systems such as ImageTrend, ImageTrend Slate, Target Solutions, and iSpy, etc.
• Operate a variety of office equipment.

ABILITIES

• Ability to perform all tasks, duties and responsibilities associated with the certifications, licenses and essential tasks identified herein.
• Perform many and varied firefighting techniques and emergency medical procedures as incident requires.
• Work with a high degree of independent judgment while working under pressure.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with a diverse group of associates including other professionals at the local, state, and national level and those providing services to the City and the Public.
• Interact successfully, to promote respect and harmony, in a team-oriented organization.
• Respond to and exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in changing situations and needs.
• Support in the planning, training, scheduling, supervision, and evaluation of personnel.
• Prepare oral and written reports to department standards.
• Effectively convey information through clear and concise communication, both orally and in writing.
• Occasionally assumes risks inherent in fire service.
• Perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.
• Work under extreme mental tension and pressures.
• Effectively deal with demanding and traumatic situations.
• Work may occur at heights.
• Work outside in extreme weather conditions.
• Operate heavy apparatus safely under emergency conditions and qualify for Emergency Vehicle Operator's certificate.
• Must be able to work in hazardous conditions including flames, fire, chemicals, smoke, heat, gases, moving vehicles, falling structures and debris, electricity, poor ventilation, poor lighting, biohazards and other related hazards. 

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

Must be able to: 

The work is heavy work which requires exerting up 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing 1: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. 
• Hearing 2: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers respectfully, accurately and concisely.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Talking 1: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Talking 2: Shouting in order to be heard above ambient noise level.
• Visual Acuity 1: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2: Including color, depth perception, and field vision.
• Visual Acuity 3: Visual Acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.
• Visual Acuity 4: Have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines; using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.
• Walking 1: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Walking 2: Moving about on foot to complete/pass the arduous Red-card Pack Test annually without accommodations (aside from those listed in the Pack test Guidelines).

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
Physical hazard from fire, equipment, traffic, smoke inhalation, and falling objects at emergency scenes, and exposure to health risks may occur.  Performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion under such handicaps as limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperatures, cramped surroundings, and contact with death, emotional stress, contagious diseases, and terminal illness.   
 
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description is subject to change by the employer.

BENEFITS

• Medical- City covers 100% of premiums for medical plans
• Dental-City covers 70% of all dental premiums
• Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability covered by the City
•  Life Insurance Benefits
• HSA
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (per personnel manual accrual rates)
• Family and Medical Leave
• Utah Retirement System (URS)
• Smithfield Recreation Center Pass
• Birch Creek Golf Course Pass

Job closes May 12, 2025, at 7:00 a.m.