Fire Chief

Fire Chief

The Town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island (estimated population 14,300) covering 16.7 square miles is seeking qualified fire professionals for the position of Fire Chief. The department currently employs 36 full-time Fire/EMS personnel from 2 fire stations, 1-Fire Marshal, 1- Director of Communications, and 1- Chief’s clerk. The current annual operating budget for the Fire Department is approximately $8.6 Million dollars. East Greenwich is a Town Council-Manager form of government with the position reporting to the Town Manager.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for the protection of life and property from multi hazards by the direction of all Fire Department incident response activity;
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, manages, directs and commands the fire protection and inspection, firefighting, emergency medical services, fire equipment, HAZMAT response, and fire facilities maintenance activities of the Fire Department;
• Highly responsible administrative duties include oversight of payroll function, purchasing of supplies and equipment, preparation of budget estimates, rescue billing, management of the department fleet with the support of the command staff as assigned, and effecting efficient policy formulation and recommendation in the use of personnel and equipment in carrying out Fire Department emergency response activities;
• Plans, organizes, assigns and directs departmental operations with respect to equipment, apparatus, and personnel; Develops fire service policies and strategic plans, recommends policy to the Town Manager and/or Town Council, and implements approved Fire Department policy, including rescue, fire suppression and life safety policies;
• Directs the operations of the Fire Department through supervision of all personnel. Participates in personnel actions such as hiring, termination, assignment, evaluation, and labor relations; promotes equal opportunity in hiring; oversees and ensures integrity of Department promotion processes; involved in labor contract processes, including grievance procedures, and provides discipline as necessary; Plans for short and long-term personnel, including creation and maintenance of hiring and promotional lists; material resources and scheduling requirements to meet objectives;
• Administers, oversees and evaluates the effectiveness of such functions as: personnel management, budget expenditures and budget development, maintenance and repair of equipment, apparatus and fire stations, maintenance of public and departmental records, oversees all department administrative personnel and processes and implements policies and procedures to alleviate any deficiencies;
• Provides for professional research in support of the development of grants at the local, state, regional and federal level in support of department operations, equipment and infrastructure improvements and acquisition.
• Directs the preparation and analysis of fire records and reports to secure efficient operations, to meet service demands and to comply with authorized requests for information regarding activities and personnel of the Fire Department;
• The Fire Chief shall be available 24 hours a day, unless excused by the Town Manager;
• Supervises and coordinates the preparation and presentation of a proposed annual budget for the Fire Department to the Town Manager; directs and controls the implementation of the Fire Department's adopted budget; analyzes and recommends improvements to equipment and facilities as needed;
• Prepares a comprehensive annual plan of specific goals and objectives to the Town Manager and Town Council;
• Reports to the Town Manager on a regular basis;
• Attends meeting of Town boards, commissions and other community organizations to represent the Department, answer questions and present reports, plans and recommendations;
• Maintains a current knowledge of developments in the field of emergency services, fire prevention, firefighting operations and administration;
• Oversees department training and safety officer to assure that all safety, loss control and injury protection programs are emphasized to all department personnel. Responsible for taking corrective action regarding training and safety needs;
• Performs related duties as required;
• Serve on committees, boards and task forces as assigned.

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressive fire service experience with a minimum of five (5) years in Fire Department senior command position at the rank of Captain or above in similarly-sized Fire Department, with experience managing career firefighters.
• Associate’s degree in Fire Science, Management, Public Administration or any equivalent combination of education, training and work experience.
• Fire Instructor I certification.
• Fire Department Safety Officer certified within one (1) year of appointment. The ability to drive a motor vehicle in Rhode Island, operate specialized fire control equipment and standard office equipment. Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license as a condition of employment.
• All certifications must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Preferred experience and training:

• Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Fire Science, Management, Public Administration or related fields.
• Fire Officer I certification.
• Fire Instructor II certification.
• Rhode Island EMT-Cardiac certified.
• State of Rhode Island Fire Marshal certified.
• Enrollment in or completion of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

Non-Union

EOE M/F/V/H

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 457(b)
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Uniform allowance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $120,000