BATTALION CHIEF (TRAINING / SAFETY OFFICER)

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the general supervision from the Deputy Chief and/or his/her designee, performs a variety of administrative, supervisory and technical work in planning, coordinating, directing and delivering training activities in the areas of Fire, EMS, Haz-Mat, ARFF, Rescue and other specialized areas.  Maintains proficiency of job knowledge and skills through training and personal/professional development. ## Essential Duties ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Regular attendance is required to perform the duties of this position.
• Reviews, evaluates, develops, implements and documents Fire and EMS training sessions, safety meetings and programs.  
• Maintains current Fire, Haz-Mat, ARFF, Safety and other specialized certification records and training session records.  Assists with maintaining EMS records and training sessions.
• Responds to emergencies as required; may assume command and/or safety officer role as needed.  
• Adheres to all applicable Federal, State, County and Local regulations in regards to safety, training and management of training programs.
• Develops preventative/corrective actions to reduce workplace incidents.
• Conducts fire and EMS related training/safety drills in order to reinforce classroom-learned skills.  
• Coordinates and instructs recruit training academies.
• Develops plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, communications, training programs, safety, firefighting, EMS, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
• Creates training plan and submits at the start of each new year.
• Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics. 
• Assists the Fire Chief with budget preparation and administration of State Fire Protection Funds.  
• Assists in the preparation of apparatus and equipment specifications, including fire and EMS apparatus.  
• Acts as Deputy Chief or Fire Chief during their absence as assigned.
• Monitors and observes activities to ensure that conduct and performance conform to department standards. 
• Directs work of Captains; supervises through subordinate officers all operational duties, including emergent and non-emergent functions. 
• Prepares a variety of reports and records regarding the department’s activities including personnel records, EMS, fire, training, and requisitions. 
• Performs performance evaluations and disciplinary actions on assigned personnel
• Assists in reviewing, evaluating, developing and implementing programs, policies and procedures for various departmental operations. 
• Cooperates with other municipal and rural fire personnel and various law enforcement officers as appropriate where activities and incidents demand.
• Assists in preparing a variety of reports and records regarding the Department's activities. 
• Assists in reviewing, evaluating, developing and implementing programs, policies and procedures for various departmental operations.   
• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• May serve on various employee committees, as required and assigned.
• Performs the duties of subordinate personnel as needed. 
• Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field. 
• Represents the City Fire/EMS Department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings. 
• Coordinates activities with other supervisors or other City departments and exchanges information with officers in other fire departments. 
• Maintains contact with general public, department officers and other City officials in the performance of fire department activities. 

WORK BEHAVIORS

A)Follow and comply with all instructions given by supervisory staff and chain of command.

B)Exhibit a positive attitude and display appropriate conduct.

C)Create positive relationships with the public, co-workers, and supervisors and treat all persons with appropriate respect.

D)Comply with work schedule and fulfill job responsibility commitments.

E)Complete job assignments in a conscientious and thorough manner.

F)Adhere to Laws, Department and Division policies and procedures, and support organization objectives.

G)Listen with comprehension and communicate accurately, clearly, and concisely to facilitate an efficient operation.

H)Comply with safety rules and appropriately maintain and use equipment and material.

I)Maintain confidentiality of matters relating to the City at all times.

J)Maintain insurability and operate city vehicles in accordance with insurance policy.

K)Demonstrate self-initiative in performing routine tasks as in accordance with standard operating procedures and standard operating guidelines.

L)Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and chain of command. ## Minimum Qualifications This position is subject to the City of Hobbs’ Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes one or more of the following: pre-employment testing, post accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing and follow-up testing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED 
• Associates in Fire Science or two years of college preferred.
• Ten years of experience in fire or emergency medical service work, two years of which must have been equivalent to the officer level or higher.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention and emergency medical services principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment. 
• Extensive knowledge of first aid and resuscitation techniques and their application as demonstrated through State EMT license.
• Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures and regulations.
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel. 
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions. 
• Ability to effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and the public; and ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

Special Requirements:

• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.   
• Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Must be able to meet Department physical standards.
• Residency requirement:  See personnel rules Sec. 2.56.1030, City of Hobbs Fire Department Administrative Policy on residency requirements
• Must be in compliance with City of Hobbs Fire Department Certification and Licensure Policy.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS 

• Must possess IFSAC Fire Officer I Certification.
• Must possess IFSAC Fire Service Instructor I Certification.

• Must possess IFSAC Fire Officer II Certification, or obtain within one year of appointment to the position

• Must possess National Registry AEMT, state equivalent or higher. Must possess or obtain HazMat Technician Certification (within one year from the date of appointment)

• Must obtain and maintain an active State Fire Academy Adjunct Instructor status within one (1) year from date of appointment.
• Must possess or obtain Blue Card Instructor Train the Trainer within one (1) year from the date of appointment. 
• Must possess or obtain BLS Instructor Certification within one year from date of appointment.  This certification must be maintained, including all updates by AHA.

•  Ability to complete Incident Safety Officer and Health and Safety Officer Certifications 

• Must possess or obtain a valid New Mexico class E driver’s license (or state equivalent upon hire.)

• Must posses or obtain IFSAC Fire Service Instructor II Certification within one year of appointment to the position. 
• TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, ladders, first aid equipment, rescue equipment, and other standard firefighting equipment, radio, phone, personal computer including word processing and data base software, mobile data terminal (MDT), computer aided dispatch (CAD) program, and various programs utilized for fire and EMS reporting. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the General Supervision of the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief  or designee. SUPERVISION EXERCISED   Supervises the position of Captain directly and other staff indirectly through subordinate officers. ## Physical Demands & Work Environment 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.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

Work is performed primarily in office, vehicle and outdoor settings, 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. 

DISCLAIMER

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work which may be performed.   The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.