SALARY: Commensurate with experience
Baltimore County, Maryland, seeks an accomplished fire service professional to lead the Baltimore County Fire Department. The position offers an opportunity to lead efforts to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency rescue to more than 800,000 residents and visitors. The department includes more than 1,000 paid emergency response personnel, housed at 25 career stations. Career personnel work alongside volunteer firefighters from the County's 29 volunteer companies. The department responds to approximately 150,000 incidents annually.
A successful candidate has a proven track record of leadership in a fire/emergency response agency, with demonstrated success in improving public safety and emergency response. Strong organizational management skills and an ability to bolster morale among firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The ideal candidate will possess an ability to build trust and respect with the community and will embrace transparency and modern emergency response and preparedness principles. A collaborative and inclusive leadership style is a must. The Fire Chief reports directly to the County Executive and the Deputy County Administrative Officer, or other senior staff designee.
NOTE: Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume, directly to: recruitment@baltimorecountymd.gov Please state in the subject line, the title of the position for which you are applying.

Examples of Duties

Under the direction of the County Executive,

• Provides strong leadership that will earn the confidence of department members and inspire them to achieve organizational goals.
• Creates a shared vision, articulates the department’s priorities, and develops processes to benchmark success.
• Oversees the safe, efficient, and effective provision of fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical operations of the department.
• Provides oversight and management of administrative functions, such as logistics, safety, staffing, fire prevention, and training.
• Gathers, evaluates, and utilizes data to improve department operations. Assesses, develops, designs, implements, and evaluates existing systems; implements strategic and innovative ideas as needed.
• Directs the development of Standard Operating Procedures for the department.
• Participates in union contract negotiations and maintains a productive labor/management process.
• Ensures departmental compliance with Federal and State requirements and other applicable standards and regulations.
• Appropriately delegates assignments and manages duties and activities of both sworn and civilian personnel.
• Develops long and short-term objectives for the department. Implement departmental strategic plan.
• Formulates fire protection, fire prevention, emergency medical, and emergency preparedness strategies for the department.
• Utilizes statistics and data driven techniques to evaluate performance of the Department and to promote change.
• Develops strategies and partnerships with key stakeholders to combat the growing epidemic of opioid overdose.
• Possesses a participative leadership style in working with labor and volunteer organizations.
• In partnership with the Office of Budget and Finance, manages the fire department budget, ensuring strong expenditure controls and financial management policies are in place.
• Fosters effective communication and positive relationships with the County Executive, Senior Staff, County Council, and other officials regarding fire department matters.
• Attends frequent public meetings with community members and elected officials.
• Ensures a fair and effective system of discipline and strong accountability mechanisms throughout the department.
• Builds a department that embraces inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace.
• Coordinates with partner departments on emergency preparedness and public safety operations.
• Performs other related duties as directed by the County Executive.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Management, Fire Science, Fire Protection Engineering, or related field, plusa minimum of ten years of progressively responsible fire and emergency response experience; five years in a supervisory capacity. Additional progressive fire and emergency response experience may substitute for the required education. Additional fire and emergency response experience may not substitute for the required supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Management, or related field. Additional specialized certifications, such as completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program.

Conditions of Employment

Persons appointed to this classification may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime when scheduled.
Physical and Environmental Conditions
The work of this classification includes travel to various investigation sites.
Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination and drug screen and an employment background investigation, including, but not limited to a criminal background, education, and fingerprint check.

Employment Benefits for Full-Time, Merit or Classified Employees
Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to full-time,merit or classified employees. Some benefits vary for sworn employees of the Police and Fire Departments. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.
Smoke free workplace
All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.
Drug free workplace
Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.
Salary
Annual Salary review - Step increases may be granted on anniversary date based on satisfactory job performance
General Increases - Cost of living increases and adjustments may be granted as legislated.
Longevity Increases - In accordance with the specific pay schedule, a full-time merit or classified employee may receive a longevity increase, equivalent to one step, upon completion of a certain number of years of classified service with the County.
Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:
Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.
Life Insurance
Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.
Retirement
Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System (ERS), with very limited exceptions.
Paid Leave
Paid benefits listed below vary depending upon the Classification.
Sick Leave
Vacation Leave
Personal Leave
Holidays
Bereavement Leave
Jury Leave
Military Leave
Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union
Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.
Direct Deposit
Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.
Educational Assistance
70 to 80 percent tuition reimbursement following successful completion of pre-approved courses related to position. Amount of reimbursement and fiscal year dollar limitations vary with bargaining group.
Deferred Compensation
Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.
Disclaimer
This is only a summary of benefits and policies in Baltimore County. Any benefit or policy may be changed at any time at the discretion of the administration. This summary does not constitute an express or implied contract, nor does it constitute a guarantee that your employment relationship will continue for any specified period of time or end only under certain conditions.