Under the direction of the City Manager, the Fire Chief plans, organizes, controls and directs the establishment, development, and ongoing operations of the Avenal Fire Department. This position is responsible for building and maintaining a comprehensive fire protection program, including fire suppression, fire prevention, hazardous materials mitigation, fire and safety code compliance, and emergency medical services to protect lives, property and the environment from human and natural disasters. The Fire Chief will recruit, train, and supervise professional firefighters while establishing departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards. This position supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel, ensures department compliance with and enforcement of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, and codes, and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a single, department head position responsible for establishing and maintaining Avenal's fire department with professional firefighting personnel. The Fire Chief's duties are administrative/managerial in nature with significant emphasis on program development, personnel management, and community outreach. The incumbent has extensive contact with public officials, State/Federal/local agencies, other fire departments, labor organizations, and the general public. The incumbent exercises a high level of independent authority and serves as the primary architect of the City's fire protection services.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Department Establishment and Development:
- Lead the comprehensive establishment of the Avenal Fire Department from initial planning through full operational capacity
- Develop foundational policies, procedures, standard operating procedures, and organizational structure for a professional fire department
- Create recruitment and retention strategies for professional firefighters and support staff
- Establish mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire departments and emergency services agencies
Strategic Planning and Administration:
- Work closely with the City Manager in setting and carrying out the City's vision, mission, and objectives for fire protection services
- Develop long-range strategic planning for fire department growth and service delivery
- Plan, organize, control and direct all activities, personnel, resources and operations of the fire department
- Create and implement comprehensive training programs for professional firefighters
Personnel Management:
- Recruit, interview, and select professional firefighters and support staff
- Supervise and evaluate the performance of Assistant Fire Chief, Battalion Chiefs, Captains, Engineers, and all other firefigting personnel
- Develop and implement employee recognition and retention programs
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities for all department personnel
- Manage collective bargaining agreements and labor relations
Budget and Financial Management:
- Develop and prepare the annual budget for the Fire Department, including personnel costs, equipment, facilities, and operational expenses
- Research and apply for grants available to fire departments
- Analyze and review budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures
- Plan for future staffing, equipment and facility needs as the department grows
Emergency Management:
- Serve on the City's Emergency Operations Team or delegate to designee
- Coordinate with county, state and federal authorities during disasters
- Plan and execute city-wide disaster preparedness training and community education
- Ensure management and delivery of services for cooling and warming centers as required
Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement:
- Organize and direct fire prevention inspections of commercial and residential buildings
- Investigate complaints from citizens regarding fire hazards
- Ensure proper enforcement of fire prevention codes and ordinances
- Review community development plans to ensure compliance with fire prevention codes
Community Engagement:
- Facilitate fire prevention through community educational activities and demonstrations
- Attend civic events and represent the Fire Department in the community
- Build strong relationships with community organizations and civic groups
- Prepare and deliver presentations to civic groups regarding departmental functions
Operations and Training:
- Plan, organize and direct training activities in fire suppression, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials, and equipment operation
- Respond to major emergency incidents as required and assume or delegate command
- Direct appropriate actions to protect life and property during emergencies
- Oversee the maintenance and repair of Fire Department equipment, apparatus and facilities
- Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards
Reporting and Communication:
- Prepare and maintain narrative and statistical reports related to personnel, incidents and operations
- Submit monthly reports to the City Manager/City Council regarding Department activities
- Communicate with other departments, agencies and community members to coordinate services
Additional Responsibilities:
- Oversight of education and outreach Fire Department services
- Drive department vehicle to conduct work and respond to emergencies as needed
- Perform related duties as assigned
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Planning, organization and direction of fire department activities, personnel, resources and operations
- Professional fire department management principles and best practices
- Principles of municipal fire department administration
- Fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency medical services principles and practices
- Fire prevention and emergency rescue laws, ordinances and codes
- Budget preparation and control
- Professional firefighter recruitment, training, and retention strategies
- Grant writing and fundraising for fire departments
- Labor relations and collective bargaining principles
- Oral and written communication skills
- Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training
- CPR and emergency medical practices and procedures
- Fire science, hydraulics and water flow capacity principles
- Building construction, hazards, and emergency rescue considerations
- Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures
- Public relations practices and techniques
- Computer operation and software applications
- Record keeping and report writing techniques
ABILITY TO:
- Establish and develop a professional fire department from inception to full operation
- Plan, organize, control and direct fire department activities and professional personnel
- Recruit, train, and retain professional firefighters effectively
- Supervise and evaluate performance of assigned personnel
- Interpret, apply, explain and enforce rules, regulations, policies and procedures
- Develop and implement comprehensive training programs for professional staff
- Organize and direct fire prevention inspections and code enforcement
- Prepare and manage departmental budgets and seek grant funding
- Participate in fire suppression and emergency activities as needed
- Perform emergency medical procedures as necessary
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and community
- Manage labor relations and collective bargaining processes
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
- Meet schedules and deadlines while managing multiple priorities
- Prepare comprehensive reports, correspondence and documentation
- Build strong community partnerships and support for the fire department
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: Bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration, emergency management or related field is preferred. At least seven years of increasingly responsible supervisory, management and/or command experience in a professional fire department is highly desirable.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid California Class "C" driver's license with acceptable driving record
- Completion of California Fire Service Training and Education System (CFSTES)
- Able to obtain Chief Fire Officer certification and/or National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program certification within 2 years
- California State Fire Marshal Certified Chief Officer desirable
- Current CPR and First Aid certification required
WORKING CONDITIONS:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Sitting, standing and walking for extended periods
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations
- Vision to read materials and computer screens
- Manual dexterity for emergency operations and equipment use
- Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects during emergency operations
- Walking and running over various surfaces during emergency response
- Bending, stooping, crawling, kneeling or crouching during operations
- Reaching in all directions
- Physical agility and stamina for emergency operations
- Climbing ladders and working at heights
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Indoor and outdoor work environment with varying noise levels
- Evening, weekend, and emergency call-out availability required
- Driving city vehicles to conduct work
- Interaction with community members, staff, and officials
- Exposure to environmental conditions including smoke, heat, weather, traffic hazards, communicable diseases, electrical currents, and hazardous materials
- Working at heights and in confined spaces
- Exposure to extreme weather conditions and various emergency hazards
ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A VALID CONTACT TELEPHONE.
EMPLOYEES SHALL WORK HARMONIOUSLY WITH ALL CITY EMPLOYEES.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.
Apply here: https://www.cityofavenal.gov/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=101&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Fire-Chief-65