Assistant Fire Chief - Fire Services - Full Time

The Town of Waterford Fire Services is searching for an Assistant Fire Chief. This position is full time with excellent benefits and is open until filled. Applications must be returned to the Human Resources Office at the Waterford Town Hall.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Assistant Fire Chief position requires a variety of administrative and supervisory skills to assist the Director of Fire Services in training of all emergency responses and operational functions of the fire service activities of the town. Duties include assisting in directing the activities of the fire department, responding to multi-alarm fires, hazardous materials, mass casualty, technical rescue and confined space emergencies or in any other capacity at the discretion of the Director of Fire Services during emergencies. The work requires thorough knowledge, skill and ability in every phase of modern firefighting methods, training programs, fire investigation and prevention, fire department administration, communication, records maintenance, and firefighting equipment. This position is a professional and managerial position involving the direction of a combination volunteer, paid and career services. The Assistant Fire Chief assists in the supervision of the personnel assigned to the fire service.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Assists in the supervision and direction of fire service members and staff toward the goals and objectives of the department and coordination of fire and non-fire ground operations of the fire service.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assists in the preparation and administration of the Department budget.
• Assists in the direction of all aspects of training of the department personnel and the public, and evaluates effectiveness of training. Maintains all records of training and certification on all members.
• Oversees building pre-plan system, assists in the development of building pre-plans, and maintains building pre-plan system.
• Assists in performing pre-plan inspections of buildings for fire hazards as directed by the Director of Fire Services.
• Acts as an integral part of the Incident Command System at emergency scenes. This may include structure fires, hazardous materials, mass casualty, technical rescue and confined space emergencies and/or any special operations. Participates in post-incident critiques. Investigates all injuries.
• Participates in the evaluation of fire suppression and fire prevention programs and policies. Maintains an awareness of new methods and assists in conducting studies of departmental operations.
• Supervises and counsels employees, directs training, and conducts employee performance evaluations.
• Assists in the development of specifications and documents for new equipment and capital purchases in accordance with purchasing procedures and programs.
• Acts as chair of the department’s Health and Safety Committee
• Maintains collaborative working relations with volunteer and paid firefighters, town, county, and state agencies and local partner organizations.
• Assists in coordinating fire service activities with other departments, town and state agencies and the public.
• Maintains contact and works with the Director of Fire Services, Fire Marshal and other department heads in planning fire protection and other programs.
• Attends and participates in staff, department or other meetings, conferences; serves on committees and task forces.
• Maintains contacts and keeps abreast of developments and new innovative technology in field or areas of interest or expertise.
• Attends and assigns personnel to training classes, seminars, and conferences, both locally and nationally.
• Coordinates department participation in area-wide disaster response exercises and joint training with multiple agencies both within and outside of the Town of Waterford.
• Directs, instructs, assists, evaluates and trains subordinates, directly or through subordinate supervision, as to schedules, methods and procedures, standards of performance, department or government rules, regulations, policies, activities or other matters affecting their work.
• Assists in the investigation and disposition of complaints relative to fire service.  Maintains discipline and personnel relations.
• Remains flexible with work schedule, which is to be determined by the Director of Fire Services.  Position generally works a M-F work schedule, but will be required to work some weekends to accommodate training for all Waterford fire personnel.
• Performs duties on an on-call basis under the direction of the Director of Fire Services.
• Performs any and all other duties as assigned.

*The essential duties described above are the primary functions and duties of the classification. There may be other types of work that may be performed and the omission of a particular duty or function does not exclude that duty or function from the classification provided the duty or function is similar in work, related to the work or logically assigned to the classification.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Technology & Administration or a related field and a minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in fire service and/or town government, with demonstrated command and training experience. A minimum five (5) years’ experience in a supervisory/administrative role is required. Must possess Fire Officer I and Fire Instructor I certifications and the ability to get Fire Officer II, Instructor II within three years. Fire Service Safety Officer Certification or the ability to obtain within one (1) year. Must be in possession of a valid Connecticut Motor Vehicle Driver's License with Q Endorsement. A combination of education and experience, demonstrating the skill, knowledge and ability to meet the requirements of this position may be considered. Maintenance of all certifications is required throughout employment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS(Knowledge, Skills & Ability):

Knowledge of all facets of Fire Service organization and operation, including but not limited to knowledge of all codes, rules, regulations and State Laws pertaining to fire safety, prevention and protection practices.  Demonstrated supervisory and management skills.  Established ability to lead and command employees of a public safety department. Must display the ability to effectively deal with people at all levels.  Ability to carry out responsibilities under the extreme pressure of emergency situations. Considerable knowledge of community fire protection needs and requirements.   Demonstrated knowledge of firefighting apparatus and equipment maintenance practices and procedures.  Knowledge of personnel policies and procedures.   Familiar with computer system operations, capable of learning new software programs and hardware components.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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 functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak; hear; sit; walk and stand; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate equipment, objects, tools, controls, and to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  The dexterity necessary to utilize a computer keyboard on a regular basis is essential. The employee must be able to hear normal sounds with the presence of background noises in hearing/using a telephone. Employee is required to attend night meetings and respond to incidences that may occur at any time.   Environment may be stressful at times. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat, and vibration.  The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and may be exposed to wet, cold and/or humid conditions, vibration, fumes or airborne particles and works in an odorous environment. The employee must have the ability to adapt to varying work situations. The employee must be able to work harmoniously, cooperatively and courteously with others at all times, and have mental capacity to handle stressful situations.