Description

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

In addition, the Fire Chief is responsible, through study and consultation with County officials, for developing recommendations for the protection of life and property in Whitfield County.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Carries out managerial responsibility in accordance with County and state policies, procedures, and applicable laws; manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; interviews, hires, and trains employees; plans, coordinates, assigns, and monitors performance and coaches, councils, mentors, trains, and advises employees for meeting department goals and employee career development; plans, organizes, assigns, reviews, and controls work production and activities, to include procedures, allocation of resources, problem resolution, and training of employees.

Plans, directs, and controls department activities such as: the recruitment of personnel; purchase of equipment; assignment of personnel and equipment; accreditation requirements, and budgeting and control of expenditures. Coordinates Fire Department activities with other County departments.

Manages incident scenes involving structure fire, hazardous material, multi-company rescues, and natural or man-made disasters; responds to incident and commands scene to ensure that appropriate techniques are utilized; supervises, conducts, and monitors fire investigations to determine cause and origin;

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, County officials, community organizations, other fire departments, other agencies, County departments, and the general public.

Makes effective verbal and written presentations. Speaks before public groups on the plans, programs, and goals of the Fire Department. Participates in meeting with influential people within the community, developers, officials, citizens, and news media to establish goodwill, resolve and respond to issues, and for the dissemination of information.

Advises the County Administrator and the Board of Commissioners of Fire Department progress. Responds courteously and tactfully to a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, explaining department policies, and handling complaints. Responds to all major citizen complaints involving the department.

Develops, communicates, and monitors policies, procedures, and standards; implements improvements when necessary; monitors and communicates policies, procedures and standards to identify and correct problems and deficiencies.

Conducts staff meetings to review progress, accomplishments, budgets, strategies, and plans for the department; confers with upper management to keep them informed on key issues and progress toward objectives, and to gain their support and approval; makes recommendations to assist upper management in making needed improvements.

Ensures quality standards and compliance with regulations are maintained; signs official and other documents to approve or ensure information adequacy, accuracy, and legitimacy.

Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs, and reading trade and professional journals and publications.

Directs fire safety education, pre-fire planning, and emergency preparedness programs, as well as the regulatory responsibilities of the department.

Performs special assignments as requested to research and prepare reports and projects, to develop and implement programs, and to present technical data to management, elected officials, and others.

Writes detailed or technical reports of findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on thorough analysis of data for presentation to others.

Plans, organizes, coordinates, prepares, administers, and monitors the Department budget. Analyzes and resolves operational and procedural problems. Secures, justifies, and monitors the use of budgetary monies and capital; identifies and develops potential sources of supplies, materials, equipment, and services that are capable of providing appropriate quality at appropriate prices; creates and designs plans and specifications using all available sources of information for a project or program to meet the needs of the County and Department.

Operates a computer, office equipment, fire apparatus, firefighting equipment, maintenance tools, gas detector, weapon, projector, carpentry tools, radio, pager, cellular telephone, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Vocational/Technical degree with training emphasis in firefighting and emergency preparedness; ten years of experience in business operation, firefighting, emergency preparedness, media relations, administration, and building construction; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. Must possess and maintain the following State of Georgia certifications: Firefighter, Fire Investigator, and Fire Instructor. Must be certified in CPR and as a First Responder.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Fire Science, Public Administration, Management, Business or a related field.

Previous experience managing a combination Fire Department (volunteers and employees).

Supplemental Information

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

ADA COMPLIANCE