Are you an experienced fire services manager who possesses the "courage to lead" a high-energy, creative, and professional team? The City of Richmond is a diverse, welcoming community, and we are looking for our next Fire Chief! The successful candidate will join a results-driven organization with a proud history of providing excellent service to our community through the building of strong, cohesive relationships and an unblemished record of ethical and professional conduct. With the assistance of 88 sworn and five non-sworn full-time employees, the new Fire Chief will oversee Fire and Emergency Services operations with an FY 2023/2024 operating budget of over $28 million while working collaboratively with other City, County, Regional, and State agencies. Ideal candidates must be able to formulate long-range plans with vision and leadership, manage people and constructive change, mentor and develop staff, continue positive labor/management relations, and ensure prudent fiscal management of the Department's budget.

• Monitors and evaluates the agency’s key performance indicators while identifying opportunities for improvement and increased coordination with other city agencies.
• Serves in a leadership role to provide direction and vision to the department and its command staff.
• Develops and administers the departmental budget.
• Oversees the development and implementation of agency programs to comply with legislative mandates and policy directives.
• Collaborates with City Manager and City Council members and advises stakeholders on important agency issues.
• Participates with various community, civic, and media organizations to advance agency strategies and promote public awareness of fire safety.

Knowledge of:

• The principles of modern fire and emergency management
• Public Relations practices and techniques
• The policies and technical issues associated with fire prevention, emergency management, and hazardous materials programs
• The laws, codes, rules, and regulations that govern the provision of emergency management, fire inspection, and hazardous materials programs
• Public Administration
• Budget Management
• Modern office practices and equipment, including applicable software

Skill in:

• Problem-solving
• Analytical thinking
• Negotiation and consensus decision-making
• Leadership and team building
• Verbal and written communication, including public speaking

Ability to:

• Oversee the operations of a large and complex fire prevention and suppression agency
• Develop and prioritize agency objectives and policies 
• Analyze complex technical and administrative issues and develop solutions
• Supervise, motivate, and develop staff 
• Interpret and apply laws and administrative policies
• Establish and maintain both effective public relations and working relationships
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Social Science, Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field is preferred. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Nine (9) years of experience in fire suppression, four (4) of which were at the command or supervisory level
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities

• California Driver’s License is an ongoing requirement.
• Chief Fire Officer Certification from the State Fire Marshal is preferred 

 TO APPLY: Please submit a resume (resumes should reflect years and months of positions held), cover letter, and five work-related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to:HR_Staff@ci.richmond.ca.us *Please place in the subject line of the email FIRE CHIEF RECRUITMENT 2023. RESUME APPRAISAL: Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this announcement. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will screened and invited to participate in panel interviews. 

Job Summary