GENERAL PURPOSE:  Under the administrative supervision of the City Manager and/or the assistant City Manager, directs and coordinates Fire Department activities and employees; assures Department’s compliance with state and Federal laws and City policies and procedures.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provides leadership, direction and guidance in Fire Department strategies and priorities; evaluates City needs, determines emergency services requirements and goals, and assures that citizens receive the highest quality of Fire Department services.
• Plans, coordinates, and directs all Fire Department operations; and assures program objectives and standards are defined, attained, communicated, and congruent with the overall goals of the City.
• Develops and directs Fire Department strategies to meet City goals and objectives; interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, determines scope and priorities of programs and special projects; develops and manages budget and expenditures.
• Directs the activities of the Fire Department officers and staff; plans, prioritizes and assigns tasks and projects; instructs staff, monitors work, develops staff skills, and evaluates performance; analyzes workload trends and implements staffing and assignment adjustments.
• Conducts research, analysis and strategic planning functions; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve workload and technical issues; develops goals and priorities; monitors operations to identify and resolve problems.
• Maintains discipline, and assures compliance to Fire Department policies; Standard Operating Guidelines investigates, resolves and mediates administrative, inter-agency, and operational inquiries and complaints; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
• Evaluates Department operations and activities, and recommends changes and improvements to existing programs, priorities, policies and procedures.
• Directs coordination with Federal, state and local emergency services organizations, City departments, outside organizations and businesses; manages community relations and resolves community issues; prepares and presents reports for internal and external audiences.
• Reviews trends in emergency services operations, and implements procedural improvements.
• Assures effective communication of Fire Department directives and changes in protocols; maintains discipline, and assures compliance to Fire Department policies, Standard Operating Guidelines, state and Federal laws, regulations and mandates.
• Responds to major emergency incident scenes, and takes command when appropriate.
• Oversees and directs the fire prevention, fire training, fire operations, fire administration, and emergency medical services of the department.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Business or Public Administration, or related field; AND fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience, with at least five (5) years of Chief level experience, or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree
• Experience as a paramedic

   

  Required Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Certifications for Firefighter Master, Fire Officer and Fire Instructor from Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) and Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate from Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are required; or ability to obtain within one year of appointment.

   

  Required Knowledge of:

• Modern emergency services management principles, and techniques and practices for effective, efficient and cost effective management of allocated resources.
• Fire Department general orders, guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing fire safety and buildings.
• Strategy and tactics for management and deployment of personnel, equipment and other resources in emergency situations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation, presentation, implementation and administration.
• National Incident Management System

   

  Required Skill in:

• Analyzing Fire Department issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines, while assuring compliance with Department goals and objectives.
• Making independent decisions, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Assuming command-level responsibilities, and coordinating firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services under complex emergency conditions.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks and projects, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, and working as a team member with other city departments and other emergency services agencies.
• Exercising controlled discretion and mediating difficult situations.
• Operating and maintaining computer and communications equipment.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Media relations

   

   

  Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Majority of Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.
• May be required to work immediately before, during or after an emergency or disaster.
• NOTE:  This position is designated safety and/or security sensitive.

Salary depends on experience and qualifications. Benefits include Texas Municipal Retirement System; paid vacation and sick leave accrual; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. EOE