Division Director - Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits
 
This uniformed leadership role oversees the Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, serving as the primary liaison between Frederick County Government and the individual volunteer fire/rescue corporations, through the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (FCVFRA). The position works in close coordination with the Director/Chief of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) to ensure smooth integration of operational and administrative functions across the County’s fire and rescue system. Supervision is given to administrative support or office staff. Supervision is received from the Chief Administrative Officer, with some direction from the Director/Chief of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services. This position is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the County Executive. 

For best consideration, submit your application by 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 19th.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Serve as liaison between Frederick County Government and the individual volunteer fire/rescue corporations
• Ensure coordination between the Division of Fire and Rescue Services and the Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services
• Ensure volunteer operations are in compliance with State and County code as well as County-wide DFRS operational policies and procedures
• Perform analyses of recommendations and proposals of the FCVFRA
• Assist corporations with annual budgeting of revenue from fund raising activities, AMOSS funding, ambulance billing and county funding as calculated by the Funding Matrix
• Assist corporations with short term and long-term financial planning for the purchase of but not limited to equipment, apparatus, land and buildings
• Assist county staff with administration of the volunteer fire service worker's compensation program, to include program modifications for cost savings and enhancements as well as compliance
• Review accident and injury reports involving volunteer personnel; work directly with Risk Management in areas involving safety, insurance, and liability on behalf of volunteer corporations
• Ensure maintenance of tracking systems for volunteer corporation apparatus, gear and other equipment as well as operational member lists to include certifications, LOSAP, annual physicals, and other operational member qualifications and requirements
• Respond to and implement recommendations from the Division of Internal Audit and the Division of Finance
• Develop, plan and implement division short and long-range goals and strategies
• Attend and provide relevant reporting at all regular and special meetings of the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association executive committee as well as the general membership meeting
• Attend and provide relevant reporting at the monthly Fire and Rescue Advisory Board meetings; provide monthly update to the County Executive on volunteer association activity and issues (this does not include call related statistics)
• Monitor the State legislative session annually and update the County Executive, FCVFRA, DFRS and corporations on proposed legislation and when necessary, testify on behalf of Frederick County Fire and Rescue Services
• Represent the Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services and the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association to committees; boards; organizations; federal, state, and local agencies; and other groups
• Assist in development and execution of volunteer retention and recruitment programs; oversee the work of the Volunteer Recruiter
• Communicate with the press on behalf of volunteer fire and rescue services-related issues throughout County; may serve as the DFRS public information officer as needed
• May be assigned to serve as the DFRS Staff Duty Officer and is subject to emergency recall, evening and weekend work hours and on-call status. Extended duty periods may be experienced during times of major emergency or disaster response
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The essential duties do not cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  
 

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration or a related field
• Minimum 10 years work experience in one or more areas of fire and rescue services management that must include the following (experience items may be concurrent):
  • Minimum 2 years supervisory work experience 
  • Minimum 2 years budget preparation and fiscal work experience
• Experience providing emergency, fire and rescue services in a combined career and volunteer environment
• Experience in Fire-Rescue operations, command and control of emergency incidents using the National Incident Management System and at least 5 years as an operationally certified Chief Officer
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license
• Nationally certified Fire Officer IV
• Current Maryland or National Registry certification as an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic, or the ability to obtain the specified certification within 6 months of employment
• Successful completion of the National Incident Management System – ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 & 800 level courses
• NOTE: A combination of education, training and work experience evaluated as an equivalent to a Bachelor's degree may be considered

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Extensive knowledge of fire, rescue and EMS services policy and administration, including applicable legislation, authority, governing bodies, regulatory agencies, and advisory organizations
• Extensive knowledge of management practices and procedures, including those related to planning, budgeting, personnel, purchasing and acquisitions, contracts and capital improvement expenditures, and general administration
• Working knowledge of current technologies, equipment, codes, certification requirements, fire and rescue tactics and techniques, electronics and other areas pertinent to operations
• Ability to effectively analyze technical data and statistics, and to write and maintain complex and thorough reports and financial documentation
• Knowledge of organizational and personnel management, with ability to effectively supervise and direct the work of others
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with advisory groups, volunteers, boards and commissions, elected officials, media representatives, co-workers and the general public and provide quality customer service
• Ability to effectively access and utilize Microsoft 365 and other systems and equipment, and to learn new software as it is required
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and resolve complex issues
• Ability to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, and streamline work processes
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including public speaking skills

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience as a volunteer or career member within Frederick County (Md.) Fire and Rescue Services

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, reach and perform repetitive motions, climb, stoop/kneel/crouch, crawl; lift a minimum of 100 pounds and drive, push and pull over 40 pounds, with the ability to effectively listen and hear surrounding noises and acceptable vision to maintain the safety of yourself and others per the DFRS physical standards
• While working in this position the employee is working indoors and outdoors, walking on uneven terrain, working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) and cold temperatures (below 32 degrees), in a dirty and dusty environment, at heights, in a noisy environment, near machinery, chemicals and fumes; with potential exposure to infectious diseases and are required to wear protective equipment; work in confined spaces and limited visibility and below ground level
• Physical requirements necessitate that facial hair is maintained to properly wear SCBA full-and half-piece air purifying respirators and other job-specific safety equipment and pass SCBA fit test throughout employment
• Physical requirements include the ability to successfully complete an annual physical examination in accordance with DFRS standards

• Flexibility in routine work schedule to accommodate meetings at various times, including nights and weekends
• Available on-call 24/7 to respond to significant events and/or emergencies, as required
• Abstinence from all tobacco use for the term of employment
• This position is subject to random drug (with marijuana) and tobacco testing
• This is a County Executive appointed, at will position. Appointment to this position is subject to confirmation by the County Council. The selection process for this position is outside of the established competitive promotional process for current DFRS uniformed employees

 
 EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews
3. A pre-employment background investigation to be conducted by the Division of Fire and Rescue Services
4. A pre-employment physical examination and drug test, with marijuana, (NFPA standards) with determination of tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarette and vaporizer device use (disqualifier)

Salary : $123,205 - $227,929