Fire Chief

POSITION SUMMARY

The Fire Chief serves as the chief executive and operational officer of the Tusayan Fire District and is responsible for directing and managing all firefighting, fire prevention, emergency response, and fire service activities of the District. The Fire Chief is responsible for protecting life and property through effective planning, administration, personnel management, emergency operations, training, budgeting, and management of District resources.

The Fire Chief develops recommendations for the protection of life and property through study, evaluation, and consultation with the Board of Directors. The Fire Chief is responsible for recruitment and supervision of personnel, assignment of personnel and equipment, purchasing, expenditure control, budget preparation, operational readiness, and implementation of Board-approved policies and directives.

The Board of Directors establishes District policy, budget, and overall direction. Within those policies and directives, the Fire Chief exercises independent professional judgment and authority in managing the District's day-to-day administrative, technical, and emergency operations and is accountable to the Board for the effective operation of the Fire District.

Compensation is Open for Discussion and highly based on experience. Free housing (3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single family housing) is included as an additional benefit to the compensation package!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership and Administration

· Directs and oversees the activities and operations of the Fire District.

· Plans, implements, and evaluates short- and long-range district goals and objectives.

· Develops administrative procedures and operational guidelines consistent with Board-approved policies.

· Establishes operational standards and maintains effective delivery of fire and emergency services.

· Provides professional recommendations to the Board.

· Represents the District with other agencies, partner organizations, businesses, residents, visitors, and the public.

Emergency Operations

· Directs fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, hazardous materials, wildland fire, and other emergency services and operations.

· Responds to alarms and assumes Incident Command or other appropriate command responsibilities at significant incidents, as needed.

· Determines the appropriate deployment of personnel, apparatus, and resources.

· Requests and coordinates mutual aid and other resources when necessary.

· Maintains operational readiness and evaluates operations to improve safety and effectiveness.

Personnel and Training

· Directs personnel administration, including recruitment, selection, hiring, assignment, supervision, performance evaluation, discipline, and termination of District employees, consistent with applicable law and Board-approved policies.

· Establishes staffing schedules and operational assignments.

· Promotes employee accountability, professional and leadership development, and succession planning.

· Establishes and maintains training programs and ensures personnel maintain required certifications, qualifications, and competencies.

· Promotes a professional workplace based on safety, teamwork, respect, accountability, and integrity.

Budget, Equipment, and Facilities

· Prepares annual budget recommendations and administers the approved budget.

· Controls expenditures within authorized limits and monitors the District's financial condition.

· Evaluates needs and makes recommendations regarding capital improvements.

· Develops long-range apparatus, equipment, and facility replacement plans.

· Oversees purchasing and ensures resources are maintained and utilized effectively.

· Identifies and administers grant opportunities consistent with District needs and Board direction.

Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction

· Directs fire prevention, inspection, public education, and community risk-reduction activities.

· Develops recommendations and programs for the protection of life and property within the Fire District.

· Promotes wildfire preparedness, fire safety, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.

· Identifies community hazards and recommends appropriate mitigation measures.

Emergency Preparedness and Interagency Coordination

· Develops and maintains emergency response, disaster preparedness, and continuity-of-operations plans.

· Coordinates emergency planning and response with neighboring fire agencies, Coconino County, Grand Canyon National Park, state and federal agencies, law enforcement, EMS providers, and others as appropriate.

· Maintains effective mutual-aid relationships and participates in emergency planning and training.

· Prepares the District to respond to wildfires, severe weather, hazardous materials incidents, mass-casualty events, infrastructure failures, and other emergencies.

Board Relations, Communication, and Continuous Improvement

· Consults with the Board of Directors, District administrative staff, and command personnel regarding firefighting, emergency medical services, and other District operations.

· Attends Board meetings and provides timely reports, recommendations, and information necessary for Board decision-making.

· Implements lawful decisions and directives of the Board.

· Communicates professionally with employees, residents, businesses, visitors, and partner agencies.

· Continuously evaluates District operations to improve efficiency, streamline processes, utilize resources effectively, and provide high-quality, responsive service to the community.

· Attends appropriate conferences, seminars, and professional development opportunities to remain current with developments in fire administration and emergency services.

Safety, Compliance, and Records

· Ensures District operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and Board policies.

· Promotes a strong organizational culture of firefighter, employee, and public safety.

· Ensures appropriate operational, training, personnel, financial, and administrative records are maintained.

· Investigates or oversees significant accidents, injuries, and safety incidents and implements appropriate corrective measures.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

· Principles, practices, methods, and equipment employed in modern firefighting.

· Fire hazards, fire prevention, and community risk-reduction practices.

· Emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials response, and wildland fire operations

· Incident Command System principles and emergency management practices.

· Fire records, reporting systems for fire prevention, fire protection, and administrative management.

· Personnel administration, supervision, training, and employee development.

· Public-sector budgeting, purchasing, financial management, and grant administration.

· Fire apparatus, equipment, facilities, and communications systems.

· Occupational safety, risk management, and firefighter safety practices.

· Rules, regulations, policies, laws, and standards applicable to the Fire District and its operations.

· Mutual-aid agreements and multi-agency emergency response operations.

Ability to:

· Direct and coordinate a multidisciplinary staff in firefighting, fire prevention, emergency medical services, and related fire service activities.

· Maintain appropriate employee discipline, accountability, and professional conduct.

· Lead and command effectively during emergencies and make sound, timely decisions under pressure.

· Plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate District programs, services, and operations.

· Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate personnel.

· Prepare and administer budgets, control expenditures, and effectively manage District resources.

· Observe, monitor, and evaluate information and data to determine compliance with operating standards.

· Review the work of others for accuracy, quality, and conformance with established standards.

· Develop and implement procedures, operational guidelines, and programs consistent with Board-approved policies and directives.

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

· Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, in individual and group settings.

· Comprehend, interpret, and draw appropriate conclusions from written materials and information.

· Prepare clear, organized, and grammatically correct reports, correspondence, and written documents.

· Analyze organizational and community needs and develop practical solutions.

· Work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, and remain accountable to the Board.

· Maintain composure, professionalism, and effectiveness during emergencies and stressful situations.

· Maintain confidentiality of sensitive personnel, medical, operational, and administrative information.

· Represent the Tusayan Fire District professionally and positively.

· Perform assigned duties safely and in a manner that does not create an unreasonable risk to self, coworkers, or the public.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Qualified candidates shall be experienced Fire/EMS professionals with demonstrated strong leadership, management, and operational experience.

· Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Fire Service Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

· Minimum of ten (10) years of Fire/EMS experience at an Officer level, ideally with a focus on rural firefighting.

· Demonstrated experience in Wildland Urban Interface operations, personnel management, labor/management relations, and management of both sworn and civilian employees.

· Current certifications appropriate to the position, including Structure Fire, Driver Operator, Fire Instructor, Fire Officer, Wildland Fire, Incident Command, Hazardous Materials, and Paramedic or EMT through NREMT or an Arizona equivalent.

· Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license.

· Must successfully complete required background, fingerprinting, drug screening, driving record review, and pre-employment physical.

· Must complete required ARS 48-803.i training within one year of hire, or as otherwise required by law.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

· This position requires the use of personal or Fire District vehicles on Fire District business. Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and be physically capable of safely operating Fire District vehicles and apparatus as required.

· Performs other related duties as assigned.

· The Fire Chief must reside within the boundaries of Tusayan Fire District. The Fire District provides free housing with the position. Utilities are not included.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by the Fire Chief to perform the essential functions of the position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

While performing the duties of this position, the Fire Chief may be required to:

· Frequently stand, sit, walk, talk, and hear.

· Use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, controls, communications equipment, and other devices.

· Reach with hands and arms.

· Climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as required.

· Use the senses of sight, hearing, and smell to identify hazards and conditions.

· Frequently lift and/or move equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds as needed.

· Operate emergency vehicles and apparatus as authorized.

· Wear required personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection when required.

· Respond to emergency scenes and work in physically demanding environments.

· Work in smoke, heat, cold, dust, darkness, noise, uneven terrain, and other hazardous conditions.

· Remain on their feet and perform physical activities for extended periods during emergency incidents.

· Perform emergency response and command functions during stressful or rapidly changing incidents.

· Demonstrate sufficient physical and mental capacity to safely perform assigned duties.

· Possess the visual abilities necessary to perform assigned duties, including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those the Fire Chief may encounter while performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Fire Chief may work in:

· Office, fire station, vehicle, outdoor, field, and emergency-response settings.

· Emergency scenes, incident command locations, and other operational environments.

· Structure or wildland fires, vehicle accidents, rescue incidents, medical or mass-casualty incidents.

· All weather conditions and other environmental conditions.

· Areas with high levels of noise, including sirens, emergency apparatus, firefighting and EMS activities.

· Environments involving smoke, noxious odors, fumes, and other hazardous substances.

· Environments involving infectious substances and other occupational health hazards.

· Areas near moving mechanical equipment and vehicles.

· Elevated, confined, wet, humid, slippery, or otherwise precarious locations.

· Environments with potential exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, electrical hazards, radiation, vibration, and other emergency-response hazards.

· Physically demanding and stressful conditions for extended periods during emergency incidents.

The position may require:

· Work outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays during major incidents.

· Responding to significant emergencies, incidents, issues, and matters requiring executive-level attention.

· Maintaining availability and responding to emergencies outside normal working hours as needed.

DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the Fire Chief and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position.

The Tusayan Fire District reserves the right to modify this job description subject to applicable law and Board approval where required.

Nothing in this job description supersedes applicable law, Board-adopted policy, employment agreements, or other legally binding District documents.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• 403(b)
• 457(b)
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Uniform allowance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience in rural firefighting?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Firefighting : 10 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Firefighter Certification (Required)
• EMT or Paramedic (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tusayan, AZ 86023: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $95,000