INTERIM FIRE CHIEF: Job Description and Selection Guidelines

Job Summary: Performs a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory work in planning, organizing directing and implementing fire prevention, suppression and emergency medical services to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property by fire and emergency medical conditions.

Supervision Received: Works under the general guidance and direction of the Bastrop/Travis Counties Emergency Services District No. 1 Board of Directors. (THE DISTRICT)

Supervision Exercised: Directly supervises the volunteer officers, firefighters, first responders and paid medical first responders of the district with assistance from subordinate officers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plans, coordinates, supervise and evaluates Fire and EMS operations.
• Develop, review and implement all firefighting policies and procedures in accordance with municipal ordinances, state law, and federal laws and regulations.
  • Establish appropriate firefighting techniques
  • Plan firefighting strategies
  • Liaise with the Emergency Service District board
  • Ensure firefighting policies and procedures are strictly adhered to
  • Make recommendations on changes to the firefighting SOG’s and Employee handbook.
• Reviews departmental performance and effectiveness.
• Reviews and recommends the implementation of new and innovative technology.
• Plans and reviews specifications for new or replacement equipment.
• Assists Commissioners in the development of annual District budget, including making recommendations on contracted service providers’ budgets, capital purchases, and other major budget related items.
• Responsible for day-to-day District operations, including working closely with the heads of the district’s contracted service providers; assessing fire threats; coordinating operations during severe weather; coordinating response to natural disasters; makingstaffing adjustments as conditions dictate; and ensure District’s operational goals andstatutory duties are met.
• Recruit, train and direct the activities of the volunteer firefighters in order to ensure that trained fire fighters are available in the event of a fire.
  • Recruit and orient volunteer firefighters.
  • Ensure a high level of morale among firefighters.o Facilitate the training of volunteer firefighters.
  • Evaluate the performance of firefighters.
  • Discipline and/or dismiss fire fighters if necessary.
• Complete administrative tasks as required.
  • Maintain records.
  • Prepare reports on all areas.
• Responsible for coordinating maintenance of District’s facilities, vehicles and equipment.
• Assigns personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires.
• Meets with elected or appointed officials, other Fire/EMS officials, community and business representatives and the public on all aspects of the department’s activities.
• Works with the planning board, zoning board of adjustment and building officials on local projects and development proposals coming into the district.
• Assist contracted service providers with annual public events at schools, public meeting, etc. with the goal of providing public outreach and to increase District name recognition.
• Work with volunteers from other organizations.

Peripheral Duties:

• Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field.
• Represents the District in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings.
• Performs the duties of command personnel as needed and fulfills associated obligations.
• Serves as a member of various employee committees.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in fire science, or a closely related field.
• Possess current Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Basic Structural Firefighter, Driver Operator, Fire Officer I & II, and Fire Instructor Certifications.
• Possess or ability to obtain within six months of start date, TCFP Head of Department- Suppression Certification.
• Successful completion of Basic Wildland Firefighting Certification.
• Possess CPR with AED Certification. Possess or ability to obtain within one year of hire date, Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Care Attendant (or higher) certification.
• A minimum of ten years of experience in fire operations including a minimum of five years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• All required certifications must be maintained throughout employment.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention and emergency medical services, principles, procedures, techniques and equipment.
• Thorough knowledge of emergency medicine techniques and their application as demonstrated through EMT Certification.
• Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations.
• Skill in the operation of fire and EMS tools and equipment.
• Ability to train, supervise and lead subordinate personnel.
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to effectively give and received verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other volunteers, employees, fire departments, supervisors and the public.
• Knowledge of all aspects of emergency management and hazard mitigation methods.
• Ability to meet the following special requirements.

Special Requirements:

• Must possess the ability to lead and motivate on-call personnel and career personnel, recognizing their differences and the management styles required.
• Must attend all required meetings and training sessions.
• Expected to be available and/or reachable twenty-four hours per day, 365 days per year, with the exception of scheduled leaves of absence and/or scheduled vacation time.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State Driver’s License (CDL-B) without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories.
• Ability to read and write the English language, proficiently.
• Must have computer skills.
• An ability to meet department physical demands.
• Must possess or acquire within the first six (6) months of employment
  • NIMS Certifications for current versions of 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 and ICS System
• Must be able to obtain Head of Department Certification within twelve (6) months of employment.
• It is preferred that the selected candidate be available for full time duty within thirty (30) days of notification of hire.
• Must reside within the district’s boundaries.

Tools and Equipment Used:

Emergency medical equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard fire fighting equipment. Ladders, first aid equipment, radio pager and ESD issued computer.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities require by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles and outdoor setting in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and loud In emergency situations.

Selection Guidelines

Cover letter and resume, review of education and experience, appropriate testing and interviews, oral interviews, background check, physical ability, drug screening, final selection and pre-employment medical examination and consideration of proximity to the Fire Station, response time or residency are all required integral parts of the selection process. Please be aware that appointees will be subject to a twelve- month probationary period.

Compensation

Wages will commensurate with experience. The proposed starting salary is $75,000 with raises up to $95,000 depending on performance and evaluation by the Districts Board. Insurance and pension plans are also included.

Email resumes to: jbenitezbtcesd1@gmail.com and asanchezbtcesd1@yahoo.com