About the Department

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), an accredited agency, is a full spectrum life safety agency protecting about 500 square miles and over one million people who live and work in Maryland’s most populous jurisdiction. MCFRS is a combination system (volunteer/career) in the suburban Washington, D.C. area. MCFRS Responds annually to over 120,000 emergency calls for service and is staffed by nearly 2,700 career and volunteer responders.

What You Will Be Doing

MCFRS is seeking to fill the position of Program Manager II in the Division of Volunteer Services. This position manages the activities of the volunteer services program in MCFRS. This position serves as the focal point for the coordination, establishment, and operation of a regular communication system with Local Fire and Rescue Departments (LFRDs), the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, and other appropriate volunteer organizations.

This position supervises four positions: Administrative Specialist II (LOSAP), Grade 21. Administrative Specialist II (CERT), Grade 21. Administrative Specialist II (PIMS Administrator), Grade 21 and the Office Services Coordinator, Grade 16.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Direct, manage, and plan programs to support and enhance volunteer participation in MCFRS.
• Serve as Executive Officer for the Division Chief.
• Coordinate, plan, research and implement programs with the LFRDs to improve risk management, apparatus maintenance, and volunteer training.
• Provide technical, operational, budgetary, and administrative support and assistance to LFRDs.
• Research, collate, evaluate, and summarize information collected on volunteer issues and proposals.
• Investigate and mediate matters of conflict that come to the attention of or are reported to the Division Chief.
• Assist in periodic update of the Master Plan for Fire and Rescue Services and ensure the participation of the Division of Volunteer Services in this process.
• Assist with periodic Accreditation updates and renewals.
• Liaison with Local Fire Rescue Departments and other Organizations.
• Assist in formulating consensus positions between MCFRS and LFRDs on operational or procedural matters of concern to the LFRDs and MCFRS.
• Coordinate with other volunteer organizations in the state of Maryland and in other parts of the United States to determine trends, concerns, issues, programs, policies, and legislation of interest to the LFRDs, Fire and Emergency Services Commission (FESC) and the Fire Chief involving volunteer recruitment, retention and/or participation in combination systems.
• Represent the volunteer perspective on various MCFRS committees and workgroups and provide frequent updates to LFRDs and other volunteer groups on the products of these groups.

Who We Are Seeking

• Skilled in investigating and mediating matters of conflict.
• Experience in planning and managing programs.
• Knowledge Local Fire and Rescue Departments and MCFRS operations.
• Experience in supervising personnel.

As a manager of unionized employees, this position has a responsibility for fostering a positive labor relations environment based on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.

The selected candidate will be required to complete a background check and a medical history review with a drug and alcohol screening.

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Experience: Thorough five (5) years professional experience in program management in a public safety environment of which at least two (2) years include supervision of staff.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent of experience in the following areas:

• Thorough knowledge of the operation and structure of combination fire and rescue service delivery systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of group dynamics, team-building skills, mediation techniques, interpersonal skills to build consensus, motivate action, and develop public-private partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Demonstrated experience in presenting information through effective oral and written communications.