Fire Chief

The Fire Chief manages and directs the programs and activities of the Fire Department responsible for providing effective and professional leadership to position the Fire Department to meet the community's current and future needs through appropriate technologies and services.  As Department Director this position establishes and implements department programs, policies and processes and serves as a member of the City's Executive Management team. Although the position directly reports to the City Administrator, work is performed within policies and administrative regulations with wide latitude for exercise of independent judgment. The Fire Chief directly supervises subordinate Division Managers who carry out Operations, Logistics and Fire Prevention management.  The position requires a Bachelor's Degree in fire science, public administration or a related field and six years of progressively responsible firefighting experience in all aspects of fire operations, with at least three years of management experience.  The principal duties of this class are performed in an office and field work environment that may include indoor/outdoor exposure, hazardous conditions and atmosphere and potential personal danger.

(illustrative only and may vary by assignment)

• Plans, organizes and directs the financial management, training and direction of command staff, administration and delivery of fire suppression and prevention, hazardous materials response, rescue and emergency services;
• Provides leadership and works with fire staff to develop and retain highly competent staff through management practices that support the City's and the department's mission, objectives and service expectations;
• Develops, evaluates and implements department policies, programs and procedures;
• Ensures department compliance with fire codes, regulations and fire related statues;
• Participates as a member of the City's Executive Management Team taking part in Citywide strategic planning;
• Confers regularly with command staff in analysis of daily activities and in resolution of problems;
• Ensures staff receives appropriate training, guidance and mentoring in all aspects of fire service;
• Monitors internal operations and procedures to ensure compliance with rules, regulations and policies;
• Remains active in State and Local initiatives and legislation to evaluate the impact on fire service;
• Directs implementation of the Fire Department Master Plan;
• Prepares, administers and monitors the department budget;
• Coordinates department activities with other city departments and/or interested parties;
• Responds to and commands large, complex emergency incidents to include but not limited to, structure fires, Wildland fires, large vehicle fires, hazardous material incidents, weapons of mass destruction incidents, multi-vehicle incidents, mass casualty incidents, all special rescue incidents;
• Assists in negotiations with collective labor agreement as needed;
• Operates personal computer and associated applications software;
• Responds to management's, supervisor's, co-workers' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous, thorough and timely manner;
• Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities;
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all matters;
• Assists other department and City employees as needed or requested;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.

 Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves on local and State Fire Chief's Associations;
• Participates in classroom and field training activities;
• Responds to calls on off-duty hours as needed;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position.
Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles and practices of fire administration, operations, prevention, training and logistics;
• Principles, practices and procedures of fire science, fire service organization and operations;
• Current and pending laws and regulations that impact fire-related services;
• Principles and practices of public administration including staffing and leadership, planning, budgeting, purchasing and maintenance of public records;
• Effective community relations techniques;
• Effective management and supervisory practices and principles;
• Public sector budget administration;
• Public relations and conflict management techniques;
• Organized labor contract requirements;
• Emergency operations command procedures;
• The geography of the City of Coeur d'Alene including the streets system, hydrant locations, layout and location of public utilities and potentially hazardous materials or substances;
• Effective teaching and communication techniques for large and small groups;
• Comprehensive use of the English language for report writing and training sessions.

 Skill and Ability to:

• Demonstrate effective leadership capability by motivating and enabling individuals to contribute to the successes of the department;
• Delegate authority;
• Analyze the effectiveness of the department and make changes as necessary;
• Lead and command the work of a large staff involved in fire and emergency medical services;
• Represent the city effectively in union negotiations;
• Quickly analyze information, identify alternatives and develop conclusions;
• Compile, develop and organize data into clear and concise written and oral reports;
• Establish and implement long and short-term goals in support of the City's and Department's vision, mission, goals and objectives;
• Effectively handle controversial situations;
• Communicate ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of organizations, officials and individuals in potentially controversial situations involving public safety;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Operate a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Perform all duties in accordance with City policies and procedures with regard for personal safety and that of other employees and the public.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis. 
 
While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to keyboard or type, handle materials, operate heavy equipment or manipulate tools used in performing the essential functions of the classification, and to reach with hands and arms.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus to effectively manage a fire or related emergency scene. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities required by this classification includes those which permit the employee to hear alarms, discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person, by telephone. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an indoor and outdoor setting, in an IDLH (Immediately Dangerous Life Hazards) atmosphere, which may involve a high degree of noise and exposure to hazardous conditions.