TOWN OF BLACK MOUNTAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT - ** NOTICE OF POSITION VACANCY**
TITLE: Full-time Lieutenant
DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
SALARY RANGE: $63,761 to $93,142 (GRADE 15)
DATE POSITION AVAILABLE: Immediately
FIRE OFFICER – LIEUTENANT
General Statement of Duties
- An employee in this classification serves as the first-line supervisor responsible for the leadership, safety, and operational readiness of an assigned fire company during an assigned shift. The Lieutenant directs emergency operations until relieved by a higher-ranking officer and is responsible for the supervision, training, development, and performance of assigned personnel.
- Responsibilities include responding to fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescue operations, vehicle collisions, natural disasters, and other emergency situations. The Lieutenant establishes command in accordance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS), develops incident objectives, directs tactical operations, and ensures firefighter accountability and scene safety.
- In addition to emergency response duties, the Lieutenant is responsible for maintaining operational readiness through equipment inspections, apparatus maintenance, facility upkeep, personnel training, documentation, and regulatory compliance. Administrative responsibilities include incident reporting, pre-incident planning, performance evaluations, scheduling assistance, inventory management, policy implementation, and oversight of assigned specialty programs.
- Work is performed under hazardous and stressful conditions requiring independent judgment, sound decision-making, and leadership. Employees exercise considerable discretion while operating within established departmental policies, Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs), and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Battalion Chief and is evaluated through observations, reports, employee performance, and the effectiveness of emergency and administrative operations.
**Distinguishing Features of the Class **
The Lieutenant serves as the company officer responsible for supervising personnel assigned to a fire company during emergency incidents and daily station activities. The position requires balancing operational leadership with administrative responsibilities while maintaining a high level of technical proficiency.
The Lieutenant is ** ** expected to:
- Lead emergency operations until relieved by a senior officer.
- Ensure firefighter safety through risk assessment and accountability.
- Make effective decisions under pressure
- Supervise, mentor, coach, and develop assigned personnel.
- Maintain discipline and enforce departmental policies and professional standards.
- Ensure apparatus, equipment, facilities, and personnel remain operationally ready.
- Coordinate company training to meet department objectives.
- Represent the department professionally during public education and community events.
- Assume Battalion Chief responsibilities when assigned.
Work is performed in hazardous environments including structural fires, wildland fires, hazardous materials incidents, confined spaces, swift water incidents, vehicle extrications, technical rescues, and emergency medical incidents. Employees are exposed to extreme temperatures, smoke, toxic chemicals, infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, loud noise, moving machinery, confined spaces, heights, adverse weather conditions, and physically demanding environments.
Employees must maintain the physical and mental capabilities necessary to safely perform all essential job functions while wearing required personal protective equipment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are representative of the work performed. Additional duties may be assigned as operational needs require.
Emergency Operations
- Respond to fire, rescue, EMS, hazardous materials, and other emergency incidents.
- Establish and maintain Incident Command until relieved by a higher-ranking officer.
- Develop and implement tactical objectives appropriate for incident conditions.
- Supervise and direct assigned personnel during emergency operations.
- Conduct ongoing risk assessments to ensure firefighter and public safety.
- Ensure compliance with accountability, personnel accountability reports (PAR), rehabilitation, and rapid intervention procedures.
- Coordinate communications with dispatch, mutual aid agencies, law enforcement, EMS, and utility representatives.
- Perform firefighter and driver/operator duties when operationally necessary.
- Ensure emergency scenes are stabilized and properly documented.
Leadership and Supervision
- Supervise assigned personnel during emergency incidents and daily station operations.
- Maintain discipline and ensure compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Guidelines.
- Mentor and develop firefighters through coaching, counseling, and professional development.
- Conduct performance evaluations and probationary assessments.
- Recommend commendations, corrective actions, or disciplinary measures when appropriate.
- Promote a positive organizational culture emphasizing teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and safety.
Training
- Plan, coordinate, and conduct company-level training.
- Ensure personnel maintain required certifications and competencies.
- Evaluate training effectiveness and document training activities.
- Assist with department-wide training initiatives.
- Promote continual professional development.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Complete accurate and timely incident reports.
- Maintain records for inspections, equipment testing, maintenance, inventories, and training.
- Conduct pre-incident planning and building familiarization surveys.
- Assist with scheduling and staffing assignments as directed.
- Prepare written reports, recommendations, and correspondence.
- Participate in departmental committees and special projects.
Apparatus, Equipment, and Facilities
- Ensure daily inspections of apparatus and equipment.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs.
- Maintain station facilities in a clean, safe, and professional condition.
- Ensure compliance with inspection and testing schedules for fire hose, ladders, pumps, SCBA, PPE, and other equipment.
Specialty Program Management
Community Relations
- Represent the department during public education programs, community events, station tours, and civic functions.
- Promote fire prevention and community risk reduction initiatives.
- Maintain positive working relationships with partner agencies and the public.
Additional Duties
- Serve as Acting Battalion Chief when assigned.
- Participate in departmental planning and strategic initiatives.
- Assist with emergency management and disaster response operations.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Graduation from high school or equivalent required.
- Associate degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred. (Must be enrolled within the first year and completed within three years from the time of appointment. Documented extenuating circumstances will be at the discretion of the Fire Chief)
Experience
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible firefighting experience.
- Previous supervisory or acting officer experience preferred.
Required Certifications
- Possession of North Carolina Class B Driver’s License
- North Carolina Firefighter II Certification (Minimum 5 years)
- North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician
- NC Technical Rescue Certification
- Wildland Firefighter S-130, S-190, and L-180
- NC Fire Officer I
- NC Driver/Operator
- NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800
Special Requirements
- Fire Inspector I (Obtained within one year of employment) ** **
- NIMS/ICS 300 (must be obtained within one year)
- Advanced EMT (Must be willing to obtain in a reasonable time frame)
Preferred Certifications
- Fire Officer II
- NC Life Safet Educator I
- NC Fire Instructor I
- Fire Instructor II
- Incident Safety Officer
- ICS- 400
- Preferred NC D/O Aerials
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the standard operating procedures of firefighting and the hazards associated with the profession to include safety precaution as well as emergency medical treatment techniques
- Knowledge of NFPA, OSHA, NIMS, and state fire service regulations
- Knowledge of level I fire codes
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of fire suppression, prevention, and emergency medical activities
- Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of apparatus and equipment
- Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices
- Knowledge of hazardous materials and accident extrication principles and techniques
- Ability to effectively supervise others and manage fire scenes or other emergency situations with effective oral and written levels of communication methods
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other town staff, associates, and the public
- Knowledge of city geography and street locations, buildings, and hydrant locations
- Knowledge of supervisory techniques to build respect and elicit full performance potential of staff members
- Ability to coach, mentor, and evaluate personnel.
- Ability to conduct fire prevention and fire safety training to all age groups
- Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions
- Ability to perform all physical demands of expected body mechanics outlined in policies and procedures for prolonged periods wearing protective clothing and in adverse weather conditions
- Ability to locate and to estimate distances between objects and people inside or near burning structures
- Ability to demonstrate self-confidence, self-reliance, and to act when the situation requires an immediate and self-initiated response
- Ability to confront potentially dangerous situations while remaining calm, make logical decisions, and work effectively in stressful situations
- Ability to train subordinates in the proper techniques to extinguish fires, rescue trapped persons, dispose of hazardous materials, and operate firefighting equipment
Physical Requirements
This position is considered very heavy work exerting over 100 pounds occasionally, 50-100 pounds frequently, or up to 20-50 pounds constantly. Physical demands will include, but not limited to standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, foot control, visual acuity concerning the color and volume of fire on scenes, as well as hearing and talking at normal levels. The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, chemicals, and oils.
The employee must meet all applicable medical and physical requirements established by the department and NFPA 1582.
**Reports To: ** Battalion Chief
**Supervises: ** Firefighters, Firefighter/EMTs, Firefighter/AEMTs, Driver/Operators, probationary employees, and other assigned personnel
Submit application and resume by e-mail to Human Resources at: ** hr@tobm.org**
To Submit in Person:
Black Mountain Town Hall
Attn: Wesley Barker, Town Clerk
160 Midland Ave., Black Mountain, NC 28711
- ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AND MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS A PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREEN, CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND WHEN APPLICABLE A CREDIT CHECK. THE TOWN OF BLACK MOUNTAIN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
**Posting date: 8/3/2026
**Applications are due by 5:00 pm on 8/17/2026 ** **
Download Employment Application Here.
Download Job Description Here.
