Nature of Work
Please see attached brochure: City of Great Falls Fire Chief Brochure
This is a department head level executive leadership position that manages all aspects of the Great Falls Fire Rescue (GFFR) Department. The Fire Chief provides strategic leadership and oversight for the City’s fire, rescue, emergency medical services, fire code enforcement, prevention and disaster planning. Provides and manages emergency services that are established by the City and are consistent with national standards and best practices. Work is performed under the general direction of the City Manager.
Essential Functions Of Work
- Understands, implements, supports goals and objectives of city manager and city commission.
- Develops, implements, and enforces written GFFR administrative regulations and standard operating guides consistent with applicable laws, ordinances, and City policies.
- Evaluates and analyzes organizational performance to provide appropriate recognition or corrective actions; implements changes to improve service model, safety, and working conditions.
- Provides analysis, reports, and recommendations to the City Manager and Commission about the department’s emergency service delivery effectiveness and areas of needed improvement. Communicates regularly with the city manager on all GFFR matters.
- Establishes policies and procedures to prevent outbreaks of fires and minimize danger to persons and damage to property caused by fires.
- Establishes and maintains department training program which may use existing federal, regional, state, and local training resources. The program must include training in all areas of emergency response that GFFR provides services.
- Investigates the cause, origin, and circumstances of every fire that occurs in the jurisdiction that involves the loss of life, injury to a person, destruction of property, or damage to property. May investigate or cause an investigation of suspected or reported gas leaks or other hazardous conditions and take any action necessary to protect public health and safety and protect property or mitigate damage to property.
- Ensures that all fires are properly documented and reported to the Department of Justice using the National Fire Incident Reporting System.
- Develops and implements the department’s overall annual budget. Monitors and evaluates budget performance.
- Delegates responsibilities to subordinate staff; meets regularly with key staff on both program and human resource issues; visits all stations regularly.
- Establishes and maintains a community risk reduction program that provides for regular examination of life safety and fire hazards; and regular inspection of commercial property.
- Cultivates and maintains a positive working relationship with other city departments, elected officials, other public agencies, GFFR leadership, non-represented and represented personnel.
- Creates a work environment and organizational culture based on trust that allows honest discussions about policy, procedures, and strategic planning.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Administrative or Managerial Discipline to include Public Administration and/or Fire Science.
- National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officers Program preferred.
- Graduate degree in fire science, public administration or business administration preferred.
- Ten years of progressively responsible firefighting and administrative experience, including a minimum of five years as an upper level supervisor or higher within a comparably sized fire department.
Necessary Special Qualifications
- Possession of a valid Montana driver’s license.
- Completion of Incident Command System ICS 100, 200 & 300; National Incident Management 700 and 800.
- Residency within the City of Great Falls is encouraged and desired, but not required.
Requirements of Work
- Extensive knowledge of current firefighting/first-responder trends, developments and literature, and sources of information regarding these specialties.
- Demonstrates extensive knowledge of existing fire codes and regulations, building construction, labor laws, emergency medical services and fire behavior.
- Possesses an advanced understanding of financial principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration, including purchasing, grants, and contracts.
- Extensive knowledge of effective management principles and practices, including Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations.
- Extensive knowledge of City administrative policies, regulations and ordinances.
- Participates in various committees and task forces and meets with various city officials and the general public as required.
- Serves as the City's EMS System Administrator and advises the City’s EMS Advisory Board.
- Provides leadership the City's DES coordinator and represents the City (directly or delegated) on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Serves as the Incident Commander at the EOC when appropriate.
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, coordinate, assign and evaluate the work of subordinate employees.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish, evaluate and modify the full range of fire and emergency response programs.
- Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Serves as a member of the City Manager's Executive Team.
- Advocates for fire safety while maintaining support for other City services and programs.
Core Competencies
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills
- Effective Leader and Manager
- Ethical Conduct
- Stress Management/Composure
- Problem Solving/Analysis
- Effective Communications Skills
Supervisory Responsibility
The Fire Chief directly supervises the Assistant Chief of Operations, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention, Assistant Chief of Support Services, Community Risk Reduction Manager, and Senior Administrative Assistant.
Work Environment
The employee may be exposed to noxious fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, large pieces of equipment and vibrations and occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions involving these items. The noise level in the work environment can be loud. Employees will be provided personal protective equipment and are expected to follow standard operating guidelines to prevent exposure to hazards.
Physical Demands
Ability to perform light physical work and to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds; the ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, reach, grasp, pinch, ride, pull and perform similar body movements; possession of hand/eye coordinator sufficient to write reports, operate a keyboard, office equipment and a vehicle; ability to talk and hear in person, by telephone and two-way radio; and ability to see and read reports, codes, policies and directives.
Expected Hours of Work
The work schedule is a 40-hour work week, Sunday through Saturday. Work is typically performed Monday through Friday. There may be occasional periods where work demand requires work beyond the regular 40-hour work week. This is an exempt position and ineligible for overtime.
Travel
Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training, educational opportunities, and conferences and business meetings for federal, state and local organizations.
Full-time Employee Benefits
The City of Great Falls offers a complete benefits package to our full-time employee including medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement/pensions, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The City offers life and long term disability insurance to all full-time non-union employees. Union employees receive longevity pay. Optional plans are available for employees, flexible spending account, and 457 deferred compensation accounts.
To learn more details, visit our full-time benefits page.
