Thank you for considering employment with the City and Borough of Sitka. The following information is provided to give potential applicants awareness regarding the job.

If a range of pay is advertised, starting pay dependent on experience and qualifications aligned with job requirements.

Primary Purpose Of Job & Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Primary Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and manage all staff and operations of the Fire Department to provide all municipal fire and emergency services operations and preparedness for fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical, natural disasters, air emergencies, search and rescue, and emergency management programs.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Municipal Administrator, the Fire Chief exercises independent judgment and discretion in the leadership and management of the Fire Department’s staff, operations, and compliance. The Fire Chief directly supervises two or more employees and is responsible for the supervision of all department staff if delegated to other managers or supervisors.

The Fire Chief is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Assistant Municipal Administrator, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, Municipal Attorney, and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of staff directly supervised
Oversees the work and performance by all other department staff supervised by others who report directly to the Fire Chief
Maintains final authority, subject to review by the Municipal Administrator, on all department staff personnel actions and disciplinary decisions
Prepares, recommends, and provides operational justification for the department’s annual budget to the Municipal Administrator and Assembly
Approves and monitors the expenditure of funds within the parameters of the budget
Plans, organizes, coordinates, and oversees all emergency services within the Fire Department
Ensures the enforcement of relevant codes and supervises equipment operation, maintenance, and procurement
Coordinates Sitka Fire Department activities with outside agencies, such as State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard
Responds to emergency situations, providing necessary leadership, and tactical command
Investigates the causes, origins, and circumstances of fires within the CBS
Organizes departmental training programs and schedules for both volunteer and paid staff
Develops and provides policy direction to department employees to ensure financial, technical or operational, and legal compliance
Advises the Municipal Administrator and the Assembly regarding the status of the department’s obligations, ongoing activities, and accomplishments
Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Fire and emergency medical services operations, including the management of employees and volunteers performing such operations
Current fire suppression and firefighting techniques, including all related equipment.
Fire and emergency medical services recordkeeping requirements and systems
Fire and emergency medical services vehicles and equipment
Safety practices involved in fire suppression, firefighting, and emergency medical services
Fire and life safety inspections

Skills In

Operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other customized software for fire and emergency medical services operations
Communicating and dealing with a variety of people with various, and sometimes competing interests, calmly and professionally, and maintaining a positive working relationship
De-escalating potential or actual conflict
Conducting public outreach and engagement
Researching current best policies, procedures, and practices related to fire and emergency medical services to prepare analysis and proposals
Presenting and public speaking, explaining complex and sometimes controversial topics to a wide audience
Analyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutions
Investigating fires and fire-related situations and preparing required reports of such investigations
Decision making as a manager in a diverse operation
Supervising a diverse team of professional, technical, and support staff

Ability To

Recognize and maintain confidential information
Work effectively with elected officials, department heads, representatives of other agencies, employees, and the general public
Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
Work under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property
Make determinations as to the best course of action for fighting fires or responding to other related emergency situations under pressure
Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders
Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions
Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations
Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions
Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications & Other Job Requirements/Expectations

High School diploma or GED; preferably supplemented by a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Sciences, Public Administration, or a closely related field; and
Extensive experience in fire department operations, with management and supervisory experience; and
Possession of upon hire ICS 100 and ICS 700 from FEMA; and
Possession of upon hire EMT I license from the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred, and
Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire,
Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Council or Proboard; and
ICC Fire Inspector I and II certifications; or
Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Applicants must complete the physical agility course set out by the department in two (2) attempts and pass a drug test before being hired.

Other Job Requirements Or Expectations

Maintain EMT I certification in the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred, and ability to maintain an active certification on an ongoing basis
Maintain Firefighter certifications while employed with the department
Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska
Must be available to be on-call 24/7 on rotation with the Assistant Fire Chief
Must use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (“PPE”)
Must remain physically fit and able to perform the physical requirements of a firefighter or EMT
Attendance at relevant committee and commission meetings as well as Assembly meetings which may occur after regular work hours

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Working Conditions

General office environment and meeting rooms for about 80% of the time
Works outside, often in inclement weather and subject to potential personal danger, about 20% of the time
Outdoor work exposes employee to environmental factors such as loud noises, vibrations of handheld equipment, small and confined spaces, and known hazards involving water, chemicals, electrical, mechanical, physical substances, and fumes
When rendering medical aid to others, employee may be exposed to blood and bodily fluids

Specific Physical Requirements

Frequent standing and walking
Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling
Occasional reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, and feeling
Occasional repetitive arm and hand motions
Must have excellent visual acuity, both up close and at a distance including the ability to visualize depth perception
Operating office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard on a daily basis
Sitting at desk for prolonged periods of time while using a computer, in meetings, and performing other tasks during the workday
Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds on a regular basis
Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis with ot without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another
Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 180 pounds of force occasionally with or without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another
Basic swimming skills to perform ice, water, and swift water rescue

General Physical Requirements

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively
Sufficient vision which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written correspondence, reports, and related material in both electronic and hardcopy form
Sufficient manual dexterity, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard and produce hand-written materials and notations
Sufficient personal mobility, which permits the employee to visit various and other workstations and attend a wide variety of meetings within CBS and out-of-area

Please reach out to the City and Borough of Sitka Human Resources Office at the below information if you have any questions or concerns.

The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees that may include:

Health / Medical Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision (90% employer, 10% employee for full-time employees)
Health Savings Account eligible plan option
Life Insurance
Dependent Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts – Health and Dependent Care

Retirement

Mandatory employee/employer contributions to State of Alaska Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
Mandatory employee/employer SBS contributions
457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Employer Paid Benefits

Employee Assistance Program
Paid Leave Plan
10 Paid Holidays
Floating Holidays

Please call the CBS Human Resources department at 907-747-1816 for any specific questions about benefits.

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