Fire Chief

SUMMARY:

The Fire Chief is responsible for the direction of all Fire Department functions, operations, and personnel through supervision of subordinate staff and review of their activities. Responsibilities include reviewing the general operation of the department to determine efficiency, providing direction on major projects or problem areas, developing, and implementing policies and procedures, administration of training program and providing policy guidance. Through study and consultation with community leaders for developing recommendations for the protection of life and property within the City. The individual will furthermore exercise strategic and visionary thinking that will have long-term organization-wide application and impact, including the development and implementation of critical programs, and supervision of multiple assigned functions, divisions and significant resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position of this class may not include all duties listed, nor do listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class.)

Administrative:

· Establishes policies and procedures for the Fire Department to implement directives from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.

· Plans and implements Fire programs for the City to better carry out the policies and goal of the City; reviews department performance and effectiveness; formulates programs or policies to alleviate deficiencies.

· Supervises and coordinates the preparation and presentation of an annual budget for the Moss Point Fire Department; directs the implementation of the department’s budgets; plans for and reviews specifications for new or replaced equipment.

· Controls the expenditure of departmental appropriations.

· Handles grievances, maintains departmental discipline and the conduct and general behavior of assigned personnel.

· Prepares and submits monthly reports to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen regarding the department’s activities and prepares a variety of other reports as appropriate including the annual report of activities.

· Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.

· Plans departmental operation with respect to equipment, apparatus, and personnel; supervises the implementation of such plans.

· Assigns personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires; evaluates the need for and recommends the purchase of new equipment and supplies.

· Schedule and attend meetings with fire department staff to ensure continued communications.

· Attend or assign a designee to attend various departmental or city meetings to represent the fire department.

· Prepare reports regarding departmental activities, programs, and projects to necessary agencies.

· Attend trainings, conferences, and seminars for continued education and to stay updated on any new information or ideas dealing with emergency services and responses.

· Respond courteously and tactfully to a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, explaining department policies and handling complaints.

· Research and evaluate new firefighting, rescue, EMS, or other products on the market that could potentially upgrade and/or improve the fire departments’ emergency response capabilities.

· Meets with elected or appointed officials, other Fire officials, community and business representatives and the public on all aspects of the department’s activities.

· Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

City Emergency/Disaster Management:

Ø Prepare the city for any threats whether natural or manmade.

Ø Assists with coordination of evacuation sites.

Ø Maintain record for manpower and equipment use.

Ø Help direct cleanup after incident.

Ø Assists other departments and agencies as needed.

Ø Promote fire safety and emergency preparedness.

Emergency Situations:

Ø Respond to fire alarms, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies, and other emergency calls.

Ø Assists, oversee and/or command on scene operations when needed.

Ø Monitor emergency scenes for safety, accountability and other possible hazards to personnel, civilians, property and the environment.

Ø Gather appropriate information from dispatchers of emergencies and determine appropriate response.

Ø Determine and follow the appropriate and established procedures while assisting with the mitigation of hazardous situations.

Ø Operate all fire/rescue equipment.

Ø Communicate with other emergency personnel during fire and other emergencies via two-way radio, hand signals or other audible devices.

Ø Maintain confidentiality of patients.

Ø Maintain and preserve, to the best of your ability, the integrity of any crime scene which you may be working within.

Ø Work with departmental and other agency personnel to investigate and determine fire cause and origin.

Ø Work with Building Official, Mississippi State Rating Bureau, Insurance adjusters and investigators, State Fire Marshalls Office, Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco and Firearms, Health Department, Police Department, private citizens, and others when necessary.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

(Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodation, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.)

Comprehensive knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention and emergency service principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; working knowledge of first aid and considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures, and regulations.

• Computer proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel is required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the use and operation of a wide variety of fire motor and auxiliary apparatus.
• Thorough knowledge of laws, rules and regulations relating to fire control and prevention
• Thorough knowledge of the geography of the City including the location of principal buildings.
• Ability to maintain discipline and the respect of subordinates, to lead and command personnel effectively, and to instruct them in proper work methods and techniques and in the use of fire apparatus and equipment.
• Ability to plan, initiate and carry out long term programs in Fire Department administration, employee training and fire prevention.
• Ability to plan, assign and coordinate activities performed by a large group of employees in varied firefighting work.
• Ability to understand written or oral instructions; read, analyze, and interpret complex documents, instruction manuals, policies and procedures is essential.
• Excellent communication skills are required to effectively present information in a one-on-one and small group setting.
• Work prolonged periods of time in complex combinations of extreme weather conditions, extreme and sudden change of temperature, panic inducing atmospheres, blindness in unknown surroundings and unnatural atmospheres.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties.
• Ability to maintain longevity of full-time fire service with the City.
• The ability to work effectively and efficiently, under stressful conditions, to ensure deadlines are met is essential.
• Must have demonstrated, through prior work experience, the ability to identify and resolve complex issues or problems, in a professional manner, while adhering to an appropriate policy and procedure.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, co-workers, and public officials.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:The Fire Chief provides administrative direction for all Fire Department functions, operations, and personnel through the supervision of subordinate staff and review of their activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the Fire Chief encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position is exposed to outdoor weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, wet conditions, extreme cold or heat, risk of electrical shock, explosives, risk of radiation, and vibration and is occasionally exposed to high precarious places. The noise level for this position is usually low to moderate but may be occasionally loud on fire scenes.

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

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to or more than 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. Must be able to operate or use emergency equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, phone, and computer.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a closely related field with eight (8) years’ experience in full-time fire service, with increasingly responsible supervisory experience including seven (5) years which must have been equivalent to Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Battalion Chief, Fire Captain, or higher.

High School diploma or equivalent and ten (10) years of experience in full-time fire service, with increasingly responsible supervisory experience including ten (7) years of which must have been equivalent to Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Battalion Chief, Fire Captain or higher.

Completion of the Fire Basic Training Academy or equivalent; and completion of Fire Officer Course at the State Fire Academy or equivalent, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Ø Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older at time of hire.

Ø Must maintain a valid Mississippi driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any state.

Ø Be of high moral character with no felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories.

Ø Must provide proof of voter registration, proof of high school diploma or equivalent or higher education)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,500.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• 457(b)
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Uniform allowance
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Fire Service: 10 years (Required)
• Fire Officer (Supervisor): 7 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Moss Point, MS 39563 (Required)

Work Location: In person