Chief Fire/EMS

JOB SUMMARY
 
This position is responsible for directing the city’s Fire and EMS (emergency medical services) operations for the City of Mitchell.
 
MAJOR DUTIES
 

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and oversees department activities in order to ensure effective performance.

 

• Hires, trains, assigns, directs, schedules, supervises, evaluates, and disciplines personnel:  ensures the maintenance of adequate staffing levels.

 

• Develops annual budget requests and manages approved funds; reviews and approves expenditures.

 

• Develops, updates, and implements department policies and procedures to ensure compliance with industry standards.

 

• Schedules trainings for department personnel to ensure compliance with state and industry standards.

 

• Directs the maintenance of department vehicles and equipment.

 

• Processes department payroll.

 

• Attends City Council meetings and serves as a liaison between the department, city management, and general public.

 

• Prepares and makes presentations to community organizations.

 

• Communicates with the news media; develops press releases and holds press conferences.

 

• Attends conferences and continuing education.

 

• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other city departments, staff, city officials, community organizations, and the general public.

 

• Works with the Chief of Police to accomplish public safety goals and strategic planning for the City of Mitchell.

 

• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with county, state, and federal agencies.

 

• Prepares and reviews statistics and reports on departmental activities in order to determine service needs, availability of resources, and whether or not existing programs meet the needs of the public.

 

• Responds to after hours emergencies.

 

• Performs related duties.

 
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
 

• Knowledge of all facets of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, standards, practices, strategies, tactics, and apparatus.

 

• Knowledge of local, state, and national fire codes; local ordinances; and departmental rule and regulations.

 

• Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and practices.

 

• Knowledge of personnel management.

 

• Knowledge of open meeting laws.

 

• Knowledge of budget management principles.

 

• Knowledge of fire and EMS records management systems.

 

• Skill in management and supervision under both routine and emergency situations. 

 

• Skill in planning, organizing, analyzing, decision making and problem solving.

 

• Skill in reading maps and blueprints.

 

• Skill in operating emergency vehicles and equipment.

 

• Skill in developing and implementing long-term operations plans.

 

• Skill in the use of office equipment, including a computer and calculator.

 

• Skill in conducting open meetings.

 

• Skill in the interpretation of union contracts.

 

• Skill in public and interpersonal relations.

 

• Skill in oral and written communication.

 
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
 
The Mayor assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The supervisor reviews the work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.
 
GUIDELINES
 
Guidelines include city ordinances, NFPA guidelines, federal and state laws, accreditation standards, and city and department policies and procedures.  These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.  This position develops department guidelines. 
 
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
 

• The work consists of varied administrative, managerial, supervisory, and technical duties.  The broad range of decision-making activities required and Emergency and life-threatening situations contribute to the complexity of the work.

 

• The purpose of this position is to plan, direct, and manage the operations of the Fire/EMS Department.  Successful performance helps ensure the safety of life and property in the community,  and the enforcement of local, state, and federal law.

 
CONTACTS
                                                                     

• Contacts are typically with departmental personnel, other city employees elected and other local government officials, other department heads, other emergency service officials community and business leaders, representatives of other law enforcement and fire agencies, and the general public.

 

• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, provide services, motivate personnel, and educate the public.

 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
 

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending or crouching.  The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.

 

• The work is typically performed in an office, except while at fire or other emergency scenes.  The employee may be exposed to machinery with moving parts, irritating chemicals, extreme temperatures, hazardous situations, and inclement weather.  The work requires the use of protective clothing and devices.

 
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
 
This position has direct supervision over departmental personnel.
 
 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.

 

• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the department in order to direct and coordinate work within the department, usually interpreted to require three to five years of related experience.

 

• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of South Dakota for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.