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Alaska Fire Chiefs

Sitka Fire Chief

Alaska Fire Chiefs, Sitka, Alaska, United States, 99835

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The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and manage all staff and operations of the Fire Department to provide all municipal fire and emergency services operations and preparedness for fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical, natural disasters, air emergencies, search and rescue, and emergency management programs. Under the supervision of the Assistant Municipal Administrator, the Fire Chief exercises independent judgment and discretion in the leadership and management of the Fire Department’s staff, operations, and compliance. The Fire Chief directly supervises two or more employees and is responsible for the supervision of all department staff if delegated to other managers or supervisors. The Fire Chief is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Assistant Municipal Administrator, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, Municipal Attorney, and other department heads who formulate, determine, or effectuate management policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of staff directly supervised

Oversees the work and performance by all other department staff supervised by others who report directly to the Fire Chief

Maintains final authority, subject to review by the Municipal Administrator, on all department staff personnel actions and disciplinary decisions

Prepares, recommends, and provides operational justification for the department’s annual budget to the Municipal Administrator and Assembly

Approves and monitors the expenditure of funds within the parameters of the budget

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and oversees all emergency services within the Fire Department

Ensures the enforcement of relevant codes and supervises equipment operation, maintenance, and procurement

Coordinates Sitka Fire Department activities with outside agencies, such as State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard

Responds to emergency situations, providing necessary leadership and tactical command

Investigates the causes, origins, and circumstances of fires within the CBS

Organizes departmental training programs and schedules for both volunteer and paid staff

Develops and provides policy direction to department employees to ensure financial, technical or operational, and legal compliance

Advises the Municipal Administrator and the Assembly regarding the status of the department’s obligations, ongoing activities, and accomplishments

Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Knowledge of:

Fire and emergency medical services operations, including the management of employees and volunteers performing such operations

Current fire suppression and firefighting techniques, including all related equipment

Fire and emergency medical services recordkeeping requirements and systems

Fire and emergency medical services vehicles and equipment

Safety practices involved in fire suppression, firefighting, and emergency medical services

Fire and life safety inspections

Skills in:

Operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other customized software for fire and emergency medical services operations

Communicating and dealing with a variety of people with various, and sometimes competing interests, calmly and professionally, and maintaining a positive working relationship

De-escalating potential or actual conflict

Conducting public outreach and engagement

Researching current best policies, procedures, and practices related to fire and emergency medical services to prepare analysis and proposals

Presenting and public speaking, explaining complex and sometimes controversial topics to a wide audience

Analyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutions

Investigating fires and fire-related situations and preparing required reports of such investigations

Decision making as a manager in a diverse operation

Supervising a diverse team of professional, technical, and support staff

Ability to:

Recognize and maintain confidential information

Work effectively with elected officials, department heads, representatives of other agencies, employees, and the general public

Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language

Work under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property

Make determinations as to the best course of action for fighting fires or responding to other related emergency situations under pressure

Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders

Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions

Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations

Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions

Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines

Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge

Minimum Qualifications & Other Job Requirements/Expectations Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or GED; preferably supplemented by a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Sciences, Public Administration, or a closely related field

Extensive experience in fire department operations, with management and supervisory experience

Possession of upon hire ICS 100 and ICS 700 from FEMA

Possession of upon hire EMT I license from the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred

Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire, Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Council or Proboard

ICC Fire Inspector I and II certifications

Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Applicants must complete the physical agility course set out by the department in two (2) attempts and pass a drug test before being hired.

Other Job Requirements or Expectations

Maintain EMT I certification in the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred, and ability to maintain an active certification on an ongoing basis

Maintain Firefighter certifications while employed with the department

Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska

Must be available to be on-call 24/7 on rotation with the Assistant Fire Chief

Must use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Must remain physically fit and able to perform the physical requirements of a firefighter or EMT

Attendance at relevant committee and commission meetings as well as Assembly meetings which may occur after regular work hours

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements Working Conditions:

General office environment and meeting rooms for about 80% of the time

Works outside, often in inclement weather and subject to potential personal danger, about 20% of the time

Outdoor work exposes employee to environmental factors such as loud noises, vibrations of handheld equipment, small and confined spaces, and known hazards involving water, chemicals, electrical, mechanical, physical substances, and fumes

When rendering medical aid to others, employee may be exposed to blood and bodily fluids

Specific Physical Requirements:

Frequent standing and walking

Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling

Occasional reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, and feeling

Occasional repetitive arm and hand motions

Must have excellent visual acuity, both up close and at a distance including the ability to visualize depth perception

Operating office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard on a daily basis

Sitting at desk for prolonged periods of time while using a computer, in meetings, and performing other tasks during the workday

Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds on a regular basis

Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis with or without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another

Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 180 pounds of force occasionally with or without the assistance of proper equipment or with help from another

Basic swimming skills to perform ice, water, and swift water rescue

General Physical Requirements:

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively

Sufficient vision which permits the employee to review a wide variety of written correspondence, reports, and related material in both electronic and hardcopy form

Sufficient manual dexterity, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard and produce hand-written materials and notations

Sufficient personal mobility, which permits the employee to visit various and other workstations and attend a wide variety of meetings within CBS and out-of-area

Please reach out to the City and Borough of Sitka Human Resources Office at the below information if you have any questions or concerns.

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