Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION
Direct, manage, supervise and coordinate the activities of the Administration or Operations Division within the Fire Department; supervise the day-to-day activities and operations of a division of a modern full service fire department; manage resources, development and review policies and procedures; prepare special studies and reports and participate in the ongoing strategic planning and visioning for the Fire Department; coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Chief.
JOB CLASSIFICATION
Exempt, Safety Sensitive.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives administrative direction from the Fire Chief.
Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.
PRIMARY DUTIES--The following are examples of primary duties assigned to positions in this classification. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Manage the day-to-day operation of the Fire Department through subordinate division managers and supervisors. Administer and implement Department standards and policies. Interact with community and governmental agencies. Maintain effective public relations in the field or in the office. Foster and initiate high standards of performance, training and ethics of subordinates.
2. Review personnel actions; investigate serious personnel matters as necessary. Coordinate with Human Resources with respect to disciplinary actions. Recommend personnel actions to the Fire Chief. Assign and coordinate transitional duty responsibilities for employees recovering from injury or illness.
3. Participate in departmental administration by assisting in the development of departmental goals, strategic and operational plans, budget, administrative policies and operational procedures. Develop and implement internal and external customer service improvements and program proposals. Prepare administrative reports and performance reviews.
4. Coordinate communications with other divisions in the Department and the City. Participate in City committees or task forces as a representative of the Fire Department.
5. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
6. Plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan for assigned division staff; assign work activities, projects and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
7. Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
8. Oversee and manage the development and administration of the division’s budget.
9. Serve as the liaison with other divisions, departments, outside agencies and contracted service providers; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
10. Provide assistance to the Fire Chief; prepare and make presentations to City Council, City Administration and community groups as required. Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
11. Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations and operational studies; recommend modifications to assigned programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.
12. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire science by attending conferences, routinely researching, reading and analyzing field literature.
13. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
14. Respond to major emergencies and assume command, as necessary.
15. Serve as Fire Chief as assigned.
When assigned as Deputy Chief of Administration:
1. Manage and oversee the development and administration of the department budget including: participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments; and manage cost recovery programs.
2. Coordinate the development, application, implementation and record keeping for departmental grants at the local, state and federal levels.
3. Oversee special projects and new construction for the Department. Direct consultants, architects and contractors in the design and construction of fire stations. Inspect and monitor Department facilities to ensure proper operation and maintenance.
4. Overview and manage the Fire Department records maintenance, storage and archiving program.
5. Review and approve apparatus and equipment specifications including reviewing issues, making recommendations, making purchases and managing contracts. Ensure that apparatus and equipment testing, maintenance and training requirements are met.
6. Oversee the Department Fire Prevention section, including preparation, updating and enforcement of City fire codes, ordinances and standards.
7. Facilitate and manage new and existing mutual aid and automatic aid agreements with public and private entities.
8. Manage contract of SARA/DERA programs.
When assigned as Deputy Chief of Operations:
1. Oversee the Department’s emergency response operations. Maintain consistent application of policies among the various shifts.
2. Develop emergency preparedness program for the City, working with City and County local emergency planning committees.
3. Oversee the City’s emergency medical services and programs. Assure compliance with local, state and federal regulations, including ambulance licensing. Work with EMS billing section to assure as high a collection rate for billings as possible. Monitor follow-up on billing and/or customer complaints.
4. Monitor the status of equipment, fire apparatus and operations division staffing; conduct staffing utilization analysis and recommend effective utilization policies and procedures in conjunction with the budget process; evaluate the need for and recommend the purchase of equipment, fire and EMS apparatus and operating supplies in conjunction with budget preparation.
5. Oversee the operations and maintenance of station facilities and fleet vehicles.
6. Provide management oversight of departmental recruitment, testing and training programs.
7. Oversee department training and safety programs to ensure compliance with recommended standards and regulations.
8. Oversee dispatch/communications policies and procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operational characteristics, services and activities of modern fire fighting, prevention and suppression programs;
Fire prevention theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of situations and activities;
Principles and practices of providing emergency response;
Operational characteristics of fire suppression apparatus and equipment;
Training methods and instructional techniques;
Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational issues;
Principles and practices of program development and administration;
Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration;
Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation;
Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability to:
Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive Fire Department division;
Oversee, direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff;
Assess emergency incidents to develop and direct appropriate response strategies;
Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff; supervise subordinates under normal and emergency conditions;
Develop and implement effective training programs;
Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures;
Prepare and administer large program budgets;
Prepare clear, concise and complete oral and written reports and maintain accurate and complete records;
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals;
Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques;
Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations;
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
Assume command of the Department in the absence of the Fire Chief.
Speak, read, comprehend, and write the English language fluently.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Minimum Requirements:
Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible fire suppression, prevention and EMS experience including two (2) years of supervisory experience at the rank of Battalion Chief.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire science, fire administration, public administration, business or a related field supplemented with related training from the National Fire Academy or other courses in fire and emergency services.
Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado driver's license;
Fire Officer I (Fire Officer III preferred);
Hazardous Materials Operations, ICS-300 (ICS-400 preferred).
Possession of, or ability to obtain, the City of Grand Junction Leadership Track certification within two (2) years of appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Office environment; exposure to computer screens.
Emergency fire fighting environment.
Physical Conditions:
The job is characterized by:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
The following physical activities are very or extremely important in accomplishing the job’s purpose and are performed on a daily basis:
Primary functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; directing activities in a major emergency situation; operating motorized equipment and vehicles.