Fire Chief
Classified Details
- Classified ID
- 535
- Description
FIRE CHIEF
City of Newport Fire Chief Job Description
Department: Fire
Status: Full Time
Pay Classification: Salary
FLSA Designation: Exempt
Scope of Work:
The Fire Chief has significant leadership responsibility for independently and effectively planning, directing, administering, and coordinating all Fire Department activities within the City of Newport, including the City’s fire and emergency medical/rescue operations. The Fire Chief is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Fire Chief is responsible for overseeing and directing the operations of the department and shall have primary responsibility for ensuring the equipment necessary for the prevention and extinguishment of fires and hazardous materials is serviceable and in good condition; hiring and removing firefighters, in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 1953; and enforcing the City’s bylaws and rules as it relates to fire and public safety. The Fire Chief must be able to effectively respond to emergencies, communicate effectively, and direct and supervise the work of employees, volunteers, and other companies. Fire Chief is responsible for the general management of the department, its staff, and operations.
The following is a list of the duties attributable to the position of Fire Chief. This list is not all inclusive and may be amended from time to time by the City Council.
• Plan, implement, administer, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate all functions and services of the City Fire Department, including the operating policies and procedures. Develop and modify services and systems in accordance with City needs and resources and adapt as appropriate to developing technical and technological advances.
• Exercise full supervisory authority, directly and indirectly, over all volunteer and on-call firefighters including officers, whether compensated or not. Plan, conduct and oversee training programs and staff meetings. Confer regularly with officers and staff to plan, coordinate, and evaluate activities/policies/systems; assign and evaluate work; assist with difficult or unusual tasks, attend to and resolve personnel problems. Plan master work schedules. Oversee payroll.
• Develop, request, and administer the department operating budget. Inform and advise City Council and City Manager on capital needs, including on purchases of vehicles, equipment, and staffing levels.
• Develop and carry out a variety of key department planning and evaluation functions related to staffing, training, policies and procedures, fire protection and rescue master plans, capital purchases, fire prevention programs, etc.
• Plan and oversee the administration of appropriate departmental record keeping and reporting systems.
• Monitor and evaluate all department operations on a regular basis, including regular station work, on-scene firefighting, vehicle and equipment maintenance
Page 1 of 3
and repair, fire inspections, and educational activities. Responsible for dealing with and resolving as appropriate a variety of problems that may arise on a daily basis. Ensure that all department operations comply with established professional and technical standards, as well as local ordinances and state laws.
• Direct and be in charge of any fires, hazardous chemical or substance incidents and direct all fire apparatus and companies and persons attending the fire or incident for the purpose of containing, controlling, or extinguishing same.
• Conduct investigations of cause of fires in collaboration with Police Department or other jurisdictional personnel as appropriate and prepare reports of findings. • Confer regularly with City Manager and other City personnel as part of the City’s management team to plan, coordinate, and evaluate activities/systems/policies, exchange information, and investigate and resolve problems related to Fire Department and City operations.
• Serve on various City committees as directed and authorized by the City Council. • Serve a variety of liaison functions with outside individuals and organizations, including other fire/rescue operations, the media, schools, community organizations, individual residents, and business owners as it relates to the work of the Fire Department.
• Prepare administrative/operations reports.
• Keep abreast of and advise the Council regarding current developments in the field.
• Serve as the Emergency Management Director for the City and update the Emergency Operations Plan as needed.
• May serve as the City Forest Fire Warden and Health Officer.
• Oversee and coordinate with the American Red Cross on Emergency Shelters. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
• Broad and in-depth technical knowledge and skills related to fire suppression and hazardous materials training, and prevention, search and rescue, and emergency medical treatment.
• Excellent planning, organizational, administrative, personnel and budget management skills, with considerable previous supervisory experience. • Extensive experience with the full range of municipal fire department operations. • Extensive knowledge of laws, regulations, and standards applicable to fire prevention, control, and fire cause investigations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with and represent the department to outside fire/rescue agencies, local, state, and federal officials.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the City Council, City officials and staff, residents, businesses, and community organizations. • Ability to perform physical requirements of job.
Minimum Qualifications Required
Bachelor’s degree in fire protection, fire administration or fire engineering, or related field and extensive supervisory and management experience in the administration of fire protection, hazard control, and technical rescue services; or any equivalent combination of education and experience providing the knowledge, abilities and skills cited above.
Page 2 of 3
Special Qualifications:
Reside within the City. Possess a valid Vermont driver's license. Maintain certifications as required by State of Vermont Division of Fire Safety & Vermont Fire Academy.
Working Conditions:
The nature of this position requires extended hours of work beyond a forty-hour work week. Periodically, the Fire Chief will be required to attend meetings with other City officials which may be held during evening hours, weekends, or holidays. The Fire Chief must be available to attend to emergency situations regardless of when they occur. Occasional overnight travel to attend training programs may also be required. Position requires regular access to a reliable means of transportation throughout the year in all seasons and weather.
The Fire Chief will be expected to work in both an office environment and in the field directing emergency operations. This entails the ability to use office equipment and operate equipment in the field. Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Other:
• Chief may establish a regular 40 hour per week schedule, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. with approval from the City Council. • Chief may adjust work schedule as necessary to accommodate operational needs of the department.
• Chief shall keep the City Council and City Manager apprised of changes to their work schedule.
• Chief shall be provided with a cell phone for 24-hour access.
Disclaimer:
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, and behaviors of employees in the position. It is not an employment agreement or contract. The City of Newport has the exclusive rights to alter this job description at any time without notice.
The City of Newport is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against candidates and employees because of their disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, or any other protected status under state or federal law. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Newport will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Page 3 of 3
- Title
- Fire Chief
- Application Deadline
- 02/09/2024
- Location
- Newport, VT
- Application URL
- www.newportvermont.org/city-information/jobs/
Contact Information
- Name
- Rebecca Therrien
- Phone Number
- (802) 334-5136
- rebecca.therrien@newportvermont.org
- Best Method of Contact