Description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Summary Description

Under general administrative direction, plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the City of Merced Fire Department including fire administration, fire suppression, fire prevention, fire investigation, fire protection and measures, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, hazardous materials response, and related programs, services, and operations; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; serve as the City's Fire Marshal; and provide highly responsible and complex support to the City Manager.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the top executive management position for oversight of the Merced City Fire Department.

REPORTS TO

City Manager or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Staff assigned to the Fire Department.

Examples of Duties

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Assume full management responsibility for all Fire Department services and activities including fire suppression, fire prevention, fire investigation, fire protection and measure, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, hazardous materials response, and related programs, services, and operations.
Manage the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; and allocate resources accordingly.
Assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Fire Department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; and meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; and implement discipline and termination procedures.
Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures; and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
Oversee and control the purchasing, maintenance, and inventory of all fire related equipment, vehicles, and property including fire apparatus and related equipment; oversee the preparation and specifications for the purchase of fire and emergency service apparatus.
Direct inspection programs for enforcement of fire codes and ordinances; oversee and participate in the enforcement of applicable codes and ordinances; and oversee and participate in the development of new fire ordinances and adoption of fire life and safety codes.
Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; review and recommend modifications to codes, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to the fire services and activities.
Provide advice and consultation to the City Manager and City Council on Department operations and policies.
Respond to emergency incidents as required by departmental policy and assume command of operations as needed.
Direct the preparation and maintenance of Department records.
Develop, secure approval, and implement mutual aid agreements.
Serve as assistant emergency services director in the City's Emergency Services Civil Defense Program.
Participate in community relations including public, media, and press relations.
Provide staff assistance to the City Manager; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
Represent the Fire Department to other departments, elected officials, citizen groups, boards, commissions, and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
Explain, justify, and defend department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
Participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of Fire; and incorporate new developments as appropriate.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge Of

Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive fire program.

Advanced principles and practices of modern fire department activities including fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention, hazardous material technology, disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery and emergency medical response.

Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.

Methods and techniques of fire inspection, public education, and investigation.

Principles and practices of municipal budget development and administration.

Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Principles and practices used in the administration, organization, and management of a municipal fire operation.

Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.

OSHA standards and fire science theory.

Operation, maintenance, types and uses of firefighting and emergency response equipment used in the City of Merced.

Emergency medical systems.

Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area, including street locations, address ranges, hydrant locations, and protection systems.

Disaster and large-scale incident mitigation plans, including mutual aid, strike team, disaster mitigation and response, and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

California Office of Emergency Services (OES), National, and Fire and Rescue Departmental policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.

Building construction and relevant codes.

Current safety practices as they relate to equipment and procedures involved in the fire service.

Methods and techniques of public relations.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability To

Manage and direct a comprehensive fire program.

Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives, and procedures.

Analyze and assess programs, policies, and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.

Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.

Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the functions and operations of the department.

Delegate authority and responsibility.

Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff and maintain discipline.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.

Develop and administer a fire prevention inspection program.

Skillfully use a variety of fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, hazardous materials, and disaster mitigation methods and procedures.

Meet established standards of physical endurance and agility; work for considerable periods under adverse conditions.

Take control and maintain proper command during emergency and fire incidents.

Deal tactfully and courteously with the public; respond to requests and inquiries from the public.

Organize and coordinate City's emergency plan and Emergency Operations Center.

Maintain good interpersonal and intergovernmental relations.

Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.

Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.

Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws, regulations, fire codes, and ordinances.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and

database applications.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education/Training

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire science, fire administration, public administration, or a related field.

A Master's Degree is highly desirable.

Successful completion of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program is highly desirable.

Experience

Eight years of increasingly responsible firefighting and fire prevention experience in an organized fire department including three years of management and administrative responsibility at the level of Chief Officer.

License Or Certificate

Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.

Possession of California Chief Officer Certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 these essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed in a standard office or fire station environment and occasionally at scenes of fires and emergency incidents; frequent driving to different locations throughout the City; work may be performed in a variety of temperatures and weather conditions; may have unusual exposure to high temperatures and heat; may have exposure to constant moisture; may have unusual exposure to hazardous materials or other chemicals; above average exposure to life threatening situations; regular contact with other staff and the public; and work for considerable periods of time under adverse conditions.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; walk, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time; ability to climb stairs and exercise above average physical agility; walk on sloped, uneven, and slippery surfaces; stoop, bend over, and kneel; endurance to sustain extra physical effort for a substantial period of time; sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to work with special equipment during emergency situations; endurance to maintain awareness for a substantial period of time during emergency situations; ability to perform emergency service duties while wearing breath apparatus; operate a vehicle to travel to various locations; maintain corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; and use of office equipment, including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers, and FAX.

Health And Welfare Benefits

Up to $603.65 per pay period towards the following benefits:

Medical – Choice of Anthem Blue Cross plans

Dental – Choice of Delta Dental plans

Vision – Choice of VSP vision plans

Life – Pays amount equal to one year's salary up to $50,000

Disability – Choice of Long Term Disability coverage

Vacation

Years 1-3 earn vacation at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 192 hours

Years 4-7 earn vacation at rate of 4.616 hours per pay period up to maximum of 240 hours

Years 8-20 earn vacation at rate of 6.160 hours per pay period up to maximum of 320 hours

Years 16-20 earn vacation at a rate of 6.928 hours per pay period up to a maximum of 360 hours

Years 21-25 earn vacation at rate of 7.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 400 hours

Years 26+ earn vacation at rate of 9.232 hours per pay period up to maximum of 480 hours

Sick Leave

Sick leave is earned at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 1056 hours

Administrative Leave

10 days per calendar year (prorated first year based on date of hire)

Holidays

12 paid holidays

Vehicle Allowance

Employees required to use personal vehicle for City business shall receive a monthly vehicle allowance in lieu of using a City-provided vehicle.

Retirement

CalPERS Retirement at either 2% at 60 or 2% at 62 for Miscellaneous employees and CalPERS Retirement at either 3% at 55 or 2.7% at 57 for Public Safety employees depending on previous CalPERS or reciprocal employment.

ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan available.

Other

Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union membership.

"Healthy Life, Wealthy Life" Wellness Program.

City of Merced

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