Fire Chief

Company Description

The City of Southfield is not only Michigan's premier business address, but also one of the metro area's most desirable residential communities as well. Southfield offers a complete living community, featuring a nationally recognized public school system, 10 colleges and universities, and more than 800 acres of park land.

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role for a Fire Chief located in Southfield, MI. The Fire Chief will be responsible for overseeing fire prevention, fire service operations, emergency services, emergency management, and fire investigation on a day-to-day basis.

Representative Job Duties:

Under the direction of the City Administrator Fire Chief’s duties and responsibilities are to:

• Command and other daily responsibilities of the Fire Department
• The Fire Chief has daily contact with staff for the purpose of supervising, directing, information sharing and problem resolution. 
• Manage, develop, prepare and implement specialized projects. 
• Prepare and administer department, division or special project budgets as assigned; with authorization, approve expenditures for equipment and supplies; monitor and maintain program accounts; assist with annual budget.
• Provide the direct connection between the City and the Firefighter's Union as needed including contract development, implementation, discipline and management.
• Assist with labor negotiations and participate in the grievance process.
• Frequent contacts with Administration, other City personnel, Elected officials and/or emergency response providers are for the purpose of problem resolution, providing information and/or coordination of mutual efforts.
• Liaison between the department and City Hall for Legal and Human Resources Department interactions. 
• Maintain communication with other City personnel, officials, law enforcement agencies, emergency services providers and the general public. 
• Respond to major incidents and may assume (if necessary/needed) command at fires, hazardous materials incidents, emergency medical responses and natural or man-made disasters. 
• Determine appropriate action and response to incidents and direct operations; accordingly, assure efficient and effective deployment of personnel, equipment and resources; direct evacuations and emergency medical care; request additional services and resources as needed. 
• Supervise assigned personnel, including scheduling, work assignment, performance evaluation and disciplinary actions or recommendations; Monitor overtime, sick leave (FMLA), vacation etc. 
• Assure compliance with departmental and City rules, regulations, operating guidelines, policies and procedures. 
• Identify functional goals and objectives and participate in long- and short-range departmental planning. 
• Prepare narrative reports, correspondence, interdepartmental communications, and department records and provide for records maintenance. 
• Assist with interviewing and selecting personnel for vacancies; train and develop staff members.
• Conduct employee performance evaluations.
• Participate in local fire organizations; attend conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings to keep abreast of the most up to date firefighting methods.
• Represent the City and the Southfield Fire Department at State and national conventions, with media, citizens/business groups and other municipalities.
• The Fire Chief will function as a member of the Senior Management Team, through frequent contact with other Team members for the purpose of reaching consensus on City-wide policy issues. Assure the Department's public profile is maintained through appropriate information releases, City Council visits and other documentation. 
• Attend Council and budget meetings and be prepared to answer questions from residents.
• Interact with neighborhood associations.