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Fire Chief

City of Manhattan Beach • Full-time • Manhattan Beach, CA, US • $247.80k - $321k / year • 1w ago

JOB TITLE: Fire Chief

AGENCY: City of Manhattan Beach

LOCATION: Manhattan Beach, CA

FILING DEADLINE: February 10, 2025

SALARY RANGE: $247,800 to $321,000 annually

THE POSITION

Reporting to the City Manager, the Fire Chief directs, plans, organizes, budgets, and controls the programs and services of the Fire Department, including fire suppression, medical rescue and emergency response, fire prevention and safety inspections, emergency planning, and administration. This includes leading and mentoring the members of the Fire Department; instilling ethical decision-making, public responsiveness, and innovation in the delivery of services; and directing departmental staffing, capital improvement project planning, and participating as a member of a collaborative Executive Management Team.

This position oversees a staff of 40 firefighters and professional administrative staff which provides an array of emergency response and support services to the community. The Manhattan Beach Fire Department is dedicated to providing a high level of community relations and the next Fire Chief will be expected to continue to foster these relations.

The Manhattan Beach Fire Department (MBFD) works to preserve life, property, and the environment through decisive action, strong leadership, teamwork, and dedicated community partnerships. Their mission statement “Always Here Serving our Community as Family,” works along their vision statement “Manhattan Beach Firefighters shall be innovative leaders in the fire service, engaged members in the community, and accountable and decisive in their actions” to highlight the character of the MBFD. Their core values include integrity, empathy, loyalty, teamwork, ownership, and doing the right thing.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plan and direct departmental operations and activities with departmental personnel, contractors, fire safety, and office staff.

• Coach and mentor subordinate staff. Consider employee development needs and establish succession plans.

• Address labor-management issues through meetings, analysis of departmental policies and agreements, and communications with human resources, and association representatives.

• Represent the City and department at community meetings, City Council meetings and planning sessions, social events, and other functions.

• Develop, evaluate, and direct internal departmental training programs as well as external training programs and exercises.

• Prepare, administer, and evaluate departmental budget and staffing plans. Evaluate revenues and expenditures, community needs, response times, call volume, and operational readiness.

• Prepare and present reports, studies, staff and activity reports, and technical information to City staff, management representatives, and elected officials.

• Create, review, maintain, and update the City’s Disaster Plan and Emergency Operations Center policies and procedures and consults with appropriate parties regarding updates as needed.

• Direct capital planning for the department. Forecast and recommend replacement or upgrading of City equipment, apparatus, and facilities by considering population, service area, community demographics, industry trends, and other needs.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an approachable leader and effective communicator with excellent managerial skills, a strong customer-service orientation, and a proven track record in creating a positive, cohesive, and productive work culture. This position requires an engaging and forward-thinking individual with solid technical skills who is able to work effectively with staff, executive leadership, and elected officials. The ideal candidate will value collaboration with fellow department heads, business leaders, and labor associations and will place an emphasis on employee training, growth opportunities, and succession planning. Successful candidates will bring a proven history of inspiring an inclusive, team-oriented working environment based on effective communication, efficiency, and accountability. The selected candidate will be a creative professional of the highest moral character and integrity, with a desire to interact with staff, welcome new ideas, and build a strong connection with the community. The ability to use good judgement in assessing, auditing, and ensuring departmental best practices, processes, and procedures including leave, contracts, purchasing, and emergency services management is ideal.

Key Attributes and Characteristics

• A solid, ethical leader and role model with a positive presence; demonstrated initiative; action-oriented; exercises wisdom in judgment; and makes sound, consistent decisions for the good of the organization.

• An active problem solver who anticipates and responds to issues in a timely manner, develops alternative solutions, and brings timely resolution, involving others as needed.

• Politically sensitive with the ability to write concise staff reports and present effectively to City Council or other elected bodies.

• Team-oriented with a track record of providing outstanding service to internal and external customers, including residents of this engaged and involved community.

• Strong administrative acumen, with the ability to carefully evaluate and improve the Department’s efficiency, effectiveness, and practices.

• A relationship builder who cultivates and provides positive and personal leadership, and creates productive partnerships with staff, management, organized labor groups, external agencies, and other stakeholders.

• Able to wisely, effectively, and sensitively address personnel issues, including performance evaluations, discipline, grievances, interpretation of personnel policies and procedures, labor contracts, and related matters.

• Understand theories of management, organization, and operations related to fire service including the Firefighters Bill of Procedural Rights, State and Federal Fire Safety, emergency medical services and equipment, hazardous materials and risk management practices, State vehicle codes, and local municipal ordinances related to fire services.

• Experience in labor management and personnel practices.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

A typical combination of education and experience to meet the minimum qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in fire safety operations management, public administration, or a related field, including a completion of at least 60 units of fire science and related coursework.

• Eight (8) years of responsible fire services management, administrative, and operations experience including three (3) years at the rank of Battalion Chief or higher.

THE COMMUNITY

The City of Manhattan Beach is a classic, casual California beach town located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, just 19 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Immortalized in the Beach Boys’ song, “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” the City offers residents a peaceful, safe, coastal-living environment with easy access to Los Angeles area amenities. Encompassing over two miles of beachfront, Manhattan Beach is an active and vibrant city, serving as host to nationally renowned volleyball tournaments, festivals, and events year-round. It is also home to a number of fine dining and shopping establishments. For more information about the City of Manhattan Beach, please visit: https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Fire-Chief-Job-Announcement-2025-3.pdf.

To be considered, please electronically submit your resume, cover letter and a list of five professional references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/manhattan-beach-fire-chief. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed.

For additional information, please contact:

Frank Rojas

Phone: (510) 495-0448

Email: Frank_Rojas@ajg.com

Website: https://koffassociates.com/