The Position
This recruitment is open to current regular City of Santa Cruz employees only. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the human Resources Director.
Under direction, manages and supervises equipment and personnel on an assigned shift. Performs fire suppression duties and related staff work as assigned. Newly promoted Battalion Chiefs will be expected to serve in the position of Training Chief on a rotational basis, working a 40-hour week, for up to two years. Assignment of personnel to the Training Battalion Chief position, aside from a newly promoted Battalion Chief, will be at the discretion of the Fire Chief for terms up to two years.
Recruitment #25-022
Selection Timeline: (The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)
- On Thursday 10/03/24 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
- Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
- Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application to receive credit.
- Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Once all applications have been reviewed applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment. Qualified candidates who have successfully completed the application process will be invited to participate in the Assessment Center scheduled for October 14.
- Week of October 7, 2024: A virtual orientation will be held for qualified candidates. Candidates will be notified of the date and time of the virtual orientation and provided with a Zoom link
- Tuesday, October 14, 2024: The Assessment Center for qualified candidates is scheduled for 10/14/22. The Assessment Center may include writing exercises, presentations, role play, and simulations. There will be no pre-assigned writing assignment.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)
- Has command responsibility for all fire suppression personnel on an assigned shift.
- Supervises fire captains and shift personnel, including assignment, review, motivation, training, development and discipline.
- Plans, coordinates, schedules and reports on all activities of an assigned platoon.
- Effectively communicates, interprets and carries out City and departmental policies, procedures and directives.
- Provides emergency incident command (and related simulations) training to assigned personnel.
- Develops programs, conducts studies and prepares staff reports as assigned.
- Recommends changes in policies and procedures.
- Coordinates activities with other platoons.
- Directs on-scene fire investigations and follow-up.
- Reviews and approves reports submitted by subordinates.
- Assumes command of operations in the field in critical situations.
- Holds and facilitates post incident analysis' of significant events
- Provides input to the budget process for assigned shift.
- Conducts inspections of stations, equipment and personnel.
- Maintains inventory control of assigned tools and equipment.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
- May be required to remain available on a standby basis when off-duty.
- Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
If Assigned to Battalion Chief - Training
- Manages, develops, recommends, schedules and identifies the need for long and short range training programs for shifts, engine companies and departmental staff including, in–service training, new personnel training, proficiency and performance testing, Federal and State mandated safety training and other departmental training needs; develops and maintains training record systems, including analysis of training needs and tracking of individual and company training activities; conducts training programs; develops and prepares training materials.
- Develops and maintains a comprehensive written plan for the department's training and safety programs, including an analysis and identification of laws and standards which mandate, or significantly increase or change training requirements and safety practices.
- May serve as incident commander at emergency scenes; may be assigned as a member of the incident overhead team.
- May be required to remain available on a standby basis when off-duty.
- Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when assessing emergency situations, performing inspections and reading documents. This position requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and acute hearing to communicate in both emergency and non-emergency situations. This position requires the ability to smell in order to detect odors, such as smoke, gases and other odors that could indicate harmful or dangerous environments. The need to lift, carry, drag and push tools, equipment, supplies, victims and patients weighing up to 165 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position may be exposed to a variety of working conditions, including wet, heat and cold and may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. This position may be exposed to loud noises such as helicopters, fire engines and chainsaws. The nature of the work may require the incumbent to climb ladders, work in confined spaces and wear a breathing apparatus. The incumbent may be required to respond to after hour emergency calls. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education And Experience
- AA/AS degree from an accredited college or university; and
- Seven (7) years of full-time, paid experience in the fire service, including three years of supervisory experience at the level of Fire Captain or above.
OR
- Nine (9) years of full-time, paid experience in the fire service, including three years of supervisory experience at the level of Fire Captain or above; and
- 36 units of college courses in fire science or a related field.
Knowledge:
- Santa Cruz Fire Department Vision, Mission, Values and Expectations.
- Standard fire department policies, procedures and practices.
- Techniques, tools, equipment and materials related to fire suppression, prevention and incident command.
- Supervisory techniques and staff scheduling practices.
- Principles and practices of staff supervision, training, evaluation and development.
- Standard report writing techniques.
- Principles of program management and administration.
In addition to the above if assigned to Battalion Chief - Training
- Techniques and materials related to training;
- Course and lesson plan development.
Abilities:
- Effectively lead, motivate, train and evaluate personnel.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with others.
- Assess situations quickly and adopt effective courses of action.
- Tactfully and effectively interact with all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age or economic status.
- Maintain physical health, strength and agility to meet the physical demands of fire suppression work as determined by a pre-employment examination.
- Work under physically demanding conditions and in potentially hazardous or stressful situations.
- Read, comprehend, retain, and apply a large number of technical procedures, policies, codes and orders.
- Obtain valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification prior to completion of the first year of employment.
- Coordinate training, prevention and other fire-related activities.
- Work a 24-hour continuous shift and to be subject to recall during emergencies.
In addition to the above if assigned to Battalion Chief Training
- Acquire knowledge of applicable federal, state and local agencies, laws, codes, and regulations related to firefighter training.
Licenses and Certificates
- Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.
- California State Fire Marshal “Fire Officer” or “Company Officer” certification.
- California State Fire Marshal Fire Instructor 1A and 1B; or Training Instructor 1A and 1B; or Instructor 1; or Training Instructor certificate.
- Hazardous Materials On Scene Commander certificate.
- California Incident Command Certification System Engine Boss (CICCS ENGB) qualification.
- Within one (1) year of appointment and to successfully complete probation, California State Fire Marshal Command 2A, 2C, and 2E certificates; or Chief Fire Officer 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D certificates.
- Course equivalencies for required courses above are acceptable from recognized training organizations like, but not limited to, California State Fire Marshal, CalFire, National Fire Academy, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Institute, US Forest Service, California Specialized Training Institute, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Other Requirements
- With the Division Chief’s permission, and the shift Battalion Chiefs have turned down the overtime opportunity, the Training Battalion Chief may fill the shift Battalion Chief’s position.
- May serve as the shift Battalion Chief during the time period of their normal working hours when a shift Battalion Chief has turned down the opportunity to work. E.g., the Training Chief assumes the Battalion Chief emergency response duties during their regularly scheduled work day.
Desirable Qualifications
- BA/BS degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- ICS 400 certificate.
- S-330 Task Force/Strike Team Leader certificate.
- California State Fire Marshal S-404 Safety Officer certificate.
- Completion of the Acting Battalion Chief training program or equivalent.
- California State Fire Marshal “Chief Officer” certification or “Chief Fire Officer” open/completed task book.
- Coursework related to the principles and practices of employee development and training.
- Coursework related to the principles of fire investigation for determining cause and origin.
- Experience in Course and Lesson Plan development.
- California State Fire Marshal Training Instructor II or Instructor 2 Series certification
- P.C. 832 certificate.
Career Ladder
- Fire Chief
- Fire Division Chief
- Fire Battalion Chief
- Fire Captain/Deputy Fire Marshal
- Fire Engineer
- Firefighter/Fire Prevention Inspector II
- Fire Prevention Inspector I