Fire Chief

Job Summary

The Fire Chief, under the general supervision of the Beaufort County Administrator and the indirect supervision of the Beaufort County Council appointed Board of Directors, is responsible for supervising, planning, directing, and coordinating Administrative and Operational activities of the Bluffton Township Fire District for the prevention and mitigation of emergencies and disasters through proper planning, public education, and code enforcement.

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty
satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and/or assigned.

• Develops and directs the strategic direction of the fire and EMS services for the community served by the District.·
• Provides oversight for developing, conducting, and updating the risk analysis of the District, and correlates these results to identify needs and priorities for the delivery of fire, medical, and related emergency services.
• Plans, coordinates, and organizes the activities necessary to provide command and control of Fire District operations.
• Develops and administers immediate and long-range budgets. Ensures the department operates within the annual budget and directs the annual budget process for the department subject to the approval by the county council. Monitors expenditures and revenues. Forecasts spending, staffing, and revenue levels, and equipment purchases. Researches, applies for, and provides for the proper administration of grants.
• Recommends and plans long range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall direction for the department. Monitor, review and communicate the implementation phases of the department's strategic plans to ensure long-range goals are met. Ensure the programs and objectives of the department are developed and maintained in accordance with the objectives of the Bluffton Township Fire District Board of Directors.
• Provides overall supervision, leadership, and direction for department managers; ensures they are performing their duties competently. Assigns areas of accountability and delegates authority to subordinate supervisory personnel.
• Provides guidance and direction as needed with respect to all department staff including hiring, promotion, professional development, discipline, and termination of individual employees within established District policies.
• Investigates, or directs internal investigations, including citizen complaints and inquiries.
• Plans, develops, and coordinates the utilization of technologies to assist in the monitoring, record keeping, and communication of the Fire District to assure its inter-relationship with other agencies, Beaufort County, and other state and federal agencies.
• Develops and maintains liaison with various governmental agencies, community groups and the public.
• Oversees preparation for and response of natural disaster events to include coordinating with regional and local command authorities and directing local emergency assets in support of established objectives.
• Provides professional guidance, training, and policy interpretation for all divisions. Provides guidance to company officers and managers in resolving/improving performance standards.
• Reviews and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the District. Reviews procedures and policies to develop improvements in operations.
• Participates in professional development in the areas of fire/EMS/prevention, technology, leadership, personnel, and other programs associated with this position.
• Gives general supervision to the enforcement of fire prevention laws and ordinances including safety regulations for commercial and public occupancies including places of assembly, business, educational and institutional facilities, industrial (hazardous) occupancies, residential properties and structures which could pose a fire or life safety risk.
• Address civic organizations and other groups regarding the activities and programs of the Fire Department to explain and promote public understanding of its work and to promote good community relations.
• Represents the District in major initiatives or as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and/or statutes;
• District functions, policies, and procedures;
• Customer service principles both internal and external;
• District rules and regulations, National Fire Protection Association Standards and Standard Fire Prevention code in addition to other federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and standards;
• Computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications consistent for this position;
• Basic emergency medical functions, if required, to level of training;

Skills In:

• Facilitating the development of the strategic direction and master growth plan of the organization; thus, understanding the global vision of the fire/EMS service;
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority;
• Researching, compiling, development, discussion, and implementation of the District's budget and may serve as a project manager during a capital improvement venture;
• Delivering presentations to in-house personnel, Fire Board, County Council, and other groups/agencies both one on one and in group settings;
• Performing complex mathematical calculations;
• Researching and understanding complex written materials;
• Incident command; oversight of a command at an incident; and/or assist residents, clients affected by the emergency incident – displaying authority, empathy, compassion and ensuring the event comes to a ‘successful’ conclusion;
• Communicating, using proper protocol and codes, when using two-way radios, and other modes of communication;

Ability to:

• Understand and effectively carry out verbal and written direction from the County Administrator and/or Fire Board;
• Define problems, exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provisions of Freedom of Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations. Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations;
• Work accurately with attention to detail while implementing exceptional organizational and time management skills;
• Analyze data and prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports;
• Handle coaching/counseling and performance evaluations and complete all levels of documentation and discussions with HR, and/or legal counsel;
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively with a wide variety of audiences both in written and verbal form;
• Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision;
• Hold subordinate officers accountable for handling personnel issues, completion of performance evaluations, handling and/or assisting in coaching/counseling matters;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Read and understand District policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence, SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, specialized maps/compass, etc.
• Work the allocated hours of the position.
   

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration, EMS Administration, Business, Management, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of firefighting, emergency medical service, or fire prevention experience with progressively increasing responsibilities in administrative or supervisory experience, including at least eight (8) years administrative or supervisory experience as a chief officer in a paid fire department.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License.
• NIMS ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800.
• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Officer II

Preferred Qualifications (the following qualifications are preferred but not required)

• Master’s degree in Fire Administration, EMS Administration, Business, Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience with the accreditation process through the Commission for Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).
• National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer completion certificate.
• Credentialed Fire Officer (FO), Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO), or Fire Marshal (FM) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).
• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Officer IV

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description 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 or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable
accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.
 

• Work is predominately sedentary, requiring sitting, standing, speaking, seeing, hearing, hand dexterity, repetitive motion and requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching.
• Occasionally required to participate at an emergency scene which could include smoke, extreme heat, and exposure to the elements and may require the use of personal protective equipment.
• May be subject to extended periods of intense concentration.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
• May be exposed to individuals having infectious and/or communicable diseases.
• Withstand the effects of repeated exposure to traumatic situations.