Fire Battalion Chief

COMMENTS: The City of Coos Bay is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Battalion Chief. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, fire department supplemental application, resume, and letter of interest to the Human Resources Office in person, by mail, or email to jspencer@coosbayor.gov. All applications submitted via email must be in PDF or Word format. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov or on the City’s website: https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/job-openings/.

The deadline for receiving completed applications is March 21, 2025. Any application received after the March 21st deadline will not be considered. Coos Bay Fire Department will select the most qualified applicants to proceed to an assessment center on Thursday, April 17, 2025. All applicants moving forward to the assessment center, will be required to complete an online Management Aptitude Test between April 3-9, 2025, and a physical abilities test on April 16, 2025. A tentative start date has been set for June 2, 2025 after successful completion of a background check and NFPA 1582 medical physical.

The City of Coos Bay is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, handicap or any other non-merit factor. If reasonable accommodation is required to complete the application process, please contact Human Resources at 541-269-1181 ext. 3104 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Plans, organizes, directs and controls activities within the organization during assigned tour of duty. Is responsible for a variety of complex administrative duties within the Fire Department. Recommends, administers and evaluates programs, policies and procedures. Coordinates programs and promotes employee participation. Acts as liaison with other fire departments, private agencies, and the public. Functions as a command officer at emergency scenes. This is a chief officer position with senior supervisory authority within the department over subordinate staff.

Coordinates the effective and efficient delivery of emergency and non-emergency services to the public. Work shall be conducted in a participatory environment with other department members. Key administrative responsibilities include coordination of training, fire and life safety, volunteer programs, emergency medical services, maintenance, budgetary support functions within the department, and other related duties as assigned by the fire chief. Key emergency response functions include command and control functions, coordination with other agencies, and development of operational support capabilities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Work is conducted under the general supervision of the fire chief who will review work for conformance with the department’s mission, goals and objectives, and assigned duties.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Exercises supervision and coordination of assigned personnel within the department. Has authority to hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, commend or discipline and to direct subordinates, or to adjust their grievances, or effectively to recommend such action while using substantial independent judgment. Supervision is exercised in accordance with department policies, regulations and guidelines.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK: An employee in this classification may perform any of the following duties in accordance with the Fire Department’s Standard Operating Guidelines and City Policies. These examples do not include all the specific tasks which an employee may be expected to perform:

1. Hires and supervises subordinates and directs technical and general operations within the department.

2. Suspends and disciplines subordinate personnel as necessary for effective and efficient operations of the department.

3. Acts as the City representative at the first step in the grievance process.

4. Transfers subordinates when necessary to accomplish department staffing levels.

5. Analyzes training, emergency medical, maintenance and support activities. Implements problem solving activities to correct and improve systems as necessary.

6. Monitors and evaluates training programs, response patterns and procedures, and operational record keeping.

7. Assumes command or other supervisory positions at various types of emergency incidents. Coordinates and directs station move-up and coverage.

8. Participates in department planning, organization, development, directing and control functions.

9. Practices and promotes safe working habits and corrects any unsafe conditions.

10. Conducts performance appraisals, sets goals and objectives, initiates disciplinary procedures as required.

11. Plans, coordinates, and monitors special projects and special activities.

12. Coordinates programs and activities between shifts. Works with and fosters effective utilization of employee work groups.

13. Authorizes vacations, exchanges of time; monitors daily staffing levels; implements call back procedures and station assignments as necessary.

14. Manages an assigned division; i.e., Training, Fire Prevention, EMS/Specialized Rescue, Administration.

15. Works closely with other shift commanders to coordinate the effective delivery of services, programs, and activities across all divisions.

16. Drives a motor vehicle legally and safely.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY: Knowledge of Fire Department rules, regulations, procedures, and labor agreement; department administration procedures and philosophy, organization, training, and emergency medical procedure; geography and conditions which affect operations; federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to fire protection, firefighting, and employee safety principles and practices of adult vocational training and education.

Knowledge and skills needed to be an effective supervisor, including, but not limited to, visioning, planning, organizing, delegating, accountability follow-up, budget preparation and administration, purchasing and conflict resolution. Ability to establish effective working relationships with other personnel and agencies; counsel personnel and conduct performance appraisals; prepare written and oral reports; administer provisions of the labor agreement, department Standard Operating Guidelines, and City Policies; operate in a teamwork environment; formulate goals and objectives, plan, implement, and control projects, programs, and activities within budget and personnel resources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The employee must have the ability to physically perform the duties and responsibilities of emergency medical and firefighting services. Must have the ability to multi-task and function well in emergency situations; the ability to read and understand department and city procedures and policies; and have the ability to work well with members of the public, the fire department, other government agencies, and other city departments. Must be able to drive a motor vehicle safely and legally. Must be able to develop and maintain positive cooperative team-oriented relationships with coworkers, supervisors, managers, and others you may come in contact with.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Must have a minimum of five (5) years of emergency response experience exhibiting a consistent pattern of participation, personal and professional growth, increasing organizational responsibility, and with at least two (2) years of supervisory level experience and responsibility. Must possess an Oregon EMT certificate, NFPA Instructor I, and NFPA Fire Officer II or equivalent. Must have Associate Degree in related field, or the equivalent in experience and training. Bachelors Degree is desirable, but not required.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: Must possess or have the ability to secure within an agreed upon time frame a valid Oregon drivers license and NFPA Fire Officer III certification. Full-time Fire Department employees must reside within thirty-five (35) road miles of city hall.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Emergency medical/rescue equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, telephone.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations.

Employees are exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. Employees occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an emergency scene.

GUIDELINES: 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 does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

UNION STATUS: Non-represented

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SCHEDULE: Rotating 48/96, 48 hours on duty, followed by 96 hours off duty, subject to change for operational requirements.

HIRING PROCESS: Applicants must complete and return the City of Coos Bay Employment Application to the Human Resource Coordinator by 5:00 p.m. March 21, 2025 as specified in this job announcement. All applicants will be notified by email of the final status of their application.

• February 12 – March 21st …Application acceptance period
• April 3 – April 9, 2025 ….... Online Management Aptitude Test, Candidate will be sent link.
• April 16, 2025 ..................... Physical Abilities Test - Applicants will be notified of time
• April 17, 2025 ..................... Assessment Center – Selected Applicants will be notified of time.
• April 18, 2025 ………………Chief’s Interview – Selected applicants will be notified of time.
• June 01, 2025……………… Anticipated Start Date

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: Employees work in a strong team-oriented environment and receive a generous employee benefit package which includes time off in lieu of holidays accruing at the rate of twelve hours per full month of service, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long term disability, medical, dental and vision insurance, and retirement through the Public Employees Retirement System. The City pays 90% of the medical and dental insurance premium for the employee and their family.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMUNITY: Information about the City of Coos Bay and the Bay Area is available at http://www.coosbayor.gov.