Fire Chief

General Description

Whether you are joining our team for three years or twenty, you will have the opportunity to grow your career with us! Our employees are offered the opportunity to enhance their skill set by attending training courses, working on special projects, and becoming a member of one of our many City Teams. De Pere, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, is a safe, warm, and friendly community located right along the Fox River less than ten minutes from Green Bay and 25 minutes from Appleton and the Fox Valley. De Pere is an integral part of the Green Bay metro area, which was ranked as the #1 place to live in the United States for 2023. As an employer, the City of De Pere is a positive, team-oriented organization with a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to its community. The City of De Pere provides an engaging work environment focused on collaboration and team building. De Pere strives to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent by promoting a diversity of thought, valuing differing perspectives, and empowering employees to share their authentic viewpoints at all levels and functions within the City.

The City of De Pere seeks to hire an experienced, decisive, forward thinking, approachable, creative, and team-oriented visionary Fire Chief to direct and administer the overall operations, programs, maintenance, development, and promotion of the Fire Rescue Department. See the Fire Chief Brochure for additional information.

About The Department

The typical work schedule is Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. plus additional hours for emergencies and meetings. However, the City of De Pere recognizes the importance of its employees having a proper work-life balance and supports alternative work arrangements which include alternative work schedules, flexible scheduling, and remote work to help meet your lifestyle needs. In addition, new employees receive three weeks of vacation and four floating holidays per year beginning on the first day of work (prorated the first year).

Compensation: The anticipated starting salary is $113,360 - $136,011, depending on qualifications, plus an excellent benefits package. The full salary range for this position is $113,360 - $161,928. The City of De Pere rewards employees for exceptional work performance with a pay for performance incentive program. Employees may be awarded a salary increase, bonus, or paid time off for exceptional work performance. Employees will be automatically enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a pension plan to help provide for financial security during retirement, which consists of employer and employee required contributions.

The City of De Pere is a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed as they are received and a formal review of applications will start on approximately March 31, 2025. This announcement will remain posted, and we will continue to accept applications until the City reaches an agreement with one finalist.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with state and federal law, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.

Essential Functions

The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Provide overall supervision, leadership, and direction for command staff; ensure competent performance. Assign areas of accountability and delegate authority to subordinate supervisory personnel.
• Provide professional guidance, training and policy interpretation for all divisions. Provide guidance in resolving/improving performance standards. Maintain knowledge of all department activity.
• Exercise authority over all department staff including hiring, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination of individual employees within established City policies.
• Provide input to labor negotiations and participate in collective bargaining and grievance resolution. Prepare performance appraisals for persons reporting directly to the Chief.
• Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the Fire Department directly, and through the efforts of the Battalion Chief.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department. Establishes and reviews operating guidelines and policies to develop improvements in department operations.
• Evaluate department training needs, staffing needs, budget resources, and management of personnel to achieve department wide program objectives.
• Approve training plans and programs for the Department and maintains departmental fire fighter efficiency.
• Develop and administer immediate and long-range budgets. Ensure the department operates within the annual budget and directs the annual budget process for the department. Monitor expenditures and revenues. Forecast spending, staffing and revenue levels and recommend equipment purchases. Research, apply for and administer grants.
• Recommend and plan long range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall direction for the Department. Monitor, review and communicate the implementation phases of the department's strategic plans to ensure long-range goals are met. Ensure the programs and objectives of the Department are developed and maintained in accordance with the objectives of the City Council.
• Analyze fire problems and develop plans and techniques to provide fire protection, rescue, emergency medical and hazardous materials response services.
• Give general supervision to the enforcement of fire prevention laws and ordinances including safety regulations for commercial and public occupancies including places of assembly, business, educational and institutional facilities, industrial (hazardous) occupancies, residential properties and structures which could pose a fire or life safety risk.
• Develop and maintain liaison with various governmental agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Coordinate automatic aid and mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities.
• Serve as spokesperson for the department to media sources. Approve news releases specific to the Department.
• Address civic organizations and other groups regarding the activities and programs of the Fire Department to explain and promote public understanding of its work and to promote good community relations.
• Serve as the Emergency Management Director for the City and maintain the City EOP, EOC, and coordination with County Emergency Management.
• Prepare and disseminate Incident Action Plans and situational status reports to internal stakeholders that describe operational activities ongoing, planning for future operational activities, resource needs, damage assessments, and recovery planning.
• Attend City Council meetings and workshops as necessary.
• Attend meetings representing the City and Fire Department including association and community meetings.
• Represent the Department in major initiatives or as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Fire administration including organization, staffing, financing, collective bargaining, equipment management and maintenance, records and reports.
• Principles and practices of effective, respectful employee supervision.
• The City, Department, and Division’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Principles and practices of fiscal and project management and techniques utilizing strategic short to long-range planning principles.
• Principles and practices of technical rescue operations, emergency medical service, hazardous materials spill and release mitigation, vehicle extrication, and disaster management.
• Principles and practices of fire prevention and suppression.
• Principles and practices of emergency medical, health, and rescue techniques and methods.
• Laws, codes, and ordinances pertaining to fire safety, building construction, electrical installation, and the storage or handling of hazardous materials.
• Care, use, and maintenance of equipment and tools utilized in the performance of department functions.
• The geography of the City, including the street system, hydrant locations and water supply, and the layout and location of public utilities.
• Strategies for all types of fire such as commercial, residential, vehicle, vegetation, and flammable/combustible liquids.
• Emergency response records management systems, communications equipment, fire computer applications, and incident reporting procedures.
• Community fire and safety education programs, design, and implementation.
• Standard office practices and procedures including business English, business document format, spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, filing and math.
• Computer software including GIS, word processing, spreadsheet, database applications, accounting and specialized software consistent for this position.
  
  

Skill In

• Presenting educational topics to diverse groups.
• The evaluation and implementation of tactical and operational requirements of situations involving large, destructive fires.
• Researching and understanding complex written materials; maintaining accurate internal records.
• Operating fire apparatus and pumping equipment; hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic rescue/stabilization equipment.
• Operating ladders, hose lines, two-way radios, cameras, atmospheric and chemical sampling equipment.
• Hazardous Materials identification and emergency response protocols, Federal, and State regulations.
• The operation of motorized vehicles under adverse conditions.
• Operation of all apparatus and equipment to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Operation of office equipment to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Developing, interpreting and implementing regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department-specific documents.
• Applying problem solving, logic and reasoning to determine solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  
  

Ability To

• Interpret and administer labor contracts and deal effectively with unions.
• Instruct, train, and mentor in methods and procedures related to the organization.
• Oversee the work of staff including coordinating, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work; hiring, training, counseling, and disciplining staff; managing time-off and maintaining personnel records.
• Prioritize and plan for efficient use of resources, and monitors progress against objectives.
• Convey complex information clearly. Anticipate the information others will need.
• Influence the behavior of others through persuasion and encouragement. Manage conflict or other sensitive issues tactfully and effectively.
• Work in extremely stressful situations, day and night, which result from fire and other emergencies.
• Work in extreme conditions, including heights, super-heated and smoke-filled buildings, toxic atmospheres, cramped and difficult to enter spaces, areas of low visibility, and extreme weather conditions, while wearing heavy protective clothing and using heavy equipment.
• Wear and use an N95 respirator and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Direct and command people in such a manner as to obtain maximum cooperation.
• Understand and obey traffic laws and regulations and statutes governing the operation of emergency vehicles.
• Provide testimony in court proceedings.
• Remain calm in a crisis.
• Think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to and take control of stressful situations.
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action.
• Make accurate and independent decisions.
• Organize, schedule, prioritize and perform duties with limited supervision.
• Observe, follow oral and written instructions, and complete assignments accurately and within deadlines.
• Use appropriate language, style and methods depending on audience and the purpose of communication.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with business representatives, elected officials, department heads, the public, and other City employees with courtesy and tact.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding information read or heard.
• Utilize a computer and required software.
• Work the required hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.
  
  

Minimum Requirements & Physical Requirements

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or related field.

Minimum Experience: Ten years of fire service experience performing fire and/or EMS service responsibilities with six or more years of progressively responsible experience in fire department leadership. Work history should show a progression of increased responsibility culminating in a role equivalent to a Fire Officer.

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Minimum Certifications

• Firefighter I and Firefighter II Certifications
• Driver/Operator Pumper and Aerial Certifications
• Current National Registry or State of Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Certification or higher.
• Graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy is desired.
• Chief Fire Officer Designation is desired.
  
  

Other Requirements:

• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training is required, including ICS 100. ICS 200, ICS 300, and ICS 400.
• Residency within 15 miles of the corporate city limits of the City of De Pere within 12 months of hire.
• Valid unencumbered Wisconsin driver's license and safe driving record.
  
  

Physical And Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Work is performed in dangerous situations under an inordinate amount of stress.
• Work is performed in an environment in which the employee is subject to potential personal danger.
• This work requires the continuous exertion of up to 100 pounds of lifting/moving or force and continuous push/pull of up to 100 pounds or more while performing essential functions of the job.
• Work regularly requires the ability to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and speak and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others in English.
• Ability to read and write English and interpret documents such as safety rules, material safety data sheets, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.
• Work may include outdoors in seasonal weather extremes.
• Exposures could include toxic chemicals, seasonal temperature extremes, and other possible unknown hazardous materials.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and following directions.
• May require interactions with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.
  
  

All of the above is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Nothing in this position description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Employer and Employee and is subject to changes as the needs of the Employer and requirements of the position change.

Learn what Northeast Wisconsin has to offer you! Life in the New North

The City of De Pere offers an attractive benefit package which includes:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
• Vacation - start at 3 weeks
• Floating Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• 'Dress For Your Day' Dresscode
• Wellness Incentive Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Friday afternoons off and Alternative Work Arrangements available
• Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
  
  

Learn more about the benefits the City offers at www.deperewi.gov/benefits.

01

Describe your most relevant supervisory experience, indicating numbers and types of employees you directly and indirectly supervised.

02

Please describe in detail your experience working in a union environment, specifically unions that can collectively bargain.

03

Please select the certifications that you currently hold.

• EMT-Basic
• EMT-Paramedic
• Firefighter I
• Firefighter II
• Driver/Operator-Pumper
• Driver/Operator-Aerial
• Fire Instructor I
• Fire Instructor II
• Fire Instructor III
• Fire Instructor IV
• Fire Officer I
• Fire Officer II
• Fire Officer III
• Fire Officer IV
• Chief Fire Officer
• Fire Inspector I
• Emergency Service Instructor
• ICS 100
• ICS 200
• ICS 300
• ICS 400
• None
• Required Question