Assistant Fire Chief

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Assistant Fire Chief will be responsible for assisting the Fire Chief in planning, organizing and directing fire department operations and inspections. The Assistant Fire Chief will participate in emergency response operations and will supervise Duty Officers during their assigned shift including overseeing all aspects of the fire department's operations during their shift, including emergency response, non-emergency activities, staff scheduling, fire department payroll and staff management and station management. The Assistant Fire Chief assumes command of the Fire Department in the absence of the Fire Chief. The position will require assistance in implementing firefighter and officer training to satisfy the areas of prevention, suppression and rescue services. The successful candidate will be expected to become the Fire Chief for the Town following the retirement of the exisiting Chief this fall.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under general guidance and reports directly to the Fire Chief

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises on-call/career Fire Officers and other subordinate on-call/career positions as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class. The Assistant Fire Chief performs all duties listed for Firefighter/EMT, in addition to:

• May assume full responsibility of the Fire Department during the absence of the Fire Chief.
• Recommends and/or prepares plans for fire department missions/operations including staffing levels and other resources.
• Develops goals and objectives in consultation with the Fire Chief, organizes and schedules personnel and plans prevention and training efforts.
• Monitors and observes departmental activities to ensure that conduct, performance and general behavior conform to departmental Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Responds to calls and fire alarms; assume command on the basis of discretion as subordinate of the Fire Chief.
• Prepare both written and electronic reports. Maintains accurate records that are readily available for others to access as needed.
• Conducts performance evaluations, ensures effective communication, reviews problems, directs the work of employees and adjusts grievances of employees under their supervision.
• Positively represents the Fire Department at civic and public venues, attends Elected Officials and budget meetings as needed, and represents the Department when assigned by the Fire Chief.
• Participates in major departmental training programs.
• Maintains individual firefighting skills, including physical condition. Stays abreast of developments in the firefighting field and changes in related laws and ordinances.
• Participate in scheduled Fire Officer meetings.
• Prepares and submits annual training reports and budget requests to the Fire Chief regarding the Department's training activities.
• Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State and local laws and ordinances.
• Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

SCHEDULES AND OTHER CONDITIONS

The Assistant Fire Chief position is subject to a variety of schedules which includes a standard forty (40) hour work week plus a variety of evening and/or weekend meetings or training and calls for service: i.e. Select Board, Warrant Committee and Planning Board meetings, civic organizations and/or community groups. May occasionally be required to work 24-hour shifts as acting Duty Officer.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management or related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for degree preference.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the Fire and EMS field with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or leadership role.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSTISTANT FIRE CHIEF

• Considerable knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention and rescue service principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures and regulations.
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel; ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; ability to effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and the public; and ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age, prior to appointment.
• Possession of a valid Maine Driver’s License.
• Maine EMT-B or higher license level – Paramedic preferred.
• Valid American Heart Association CPR certification.
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II
• NFPA 1021 Firefighter Officer 1 & II
• NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor I & II
• NFPA 1521 Safety Officer
• NWCG Wildland Firefighter Type 2
• Basic Fire Pump Operation
• EVOC
• HazMat Operational Level
• Confined Space Operational Level
• IS-100.b - (ICS 100) Introduction to Incident Command System, IS-200.b (ICS 200) ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, IS-700. National Incident Management System (NIMS), IS-800.b National Response Framework.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of hire.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State Driver's License without a record of suspension or revocation in any state.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history within the past seven years.
• Ability to read and write the English language; and
• Ability to meet Departmental physical standards.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Emergency medical equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager. Standard office equipment, including computers, and the necessary business and scheduling software, RMS, and personnel staffing applications, telephones, calculators, copiers, and FAX.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is involved in active public safety duties, which include the incumbents engaging in moderate physical exertion, associated with the ability to but is not limited to, lifting and/or dragging of heavy weight, bending, stretching, stooping, squatting, climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, running, jumping, pushing, pulling, twisting, and other forms of moderate to extreme physical. This position also requires extensive and repetitive physical activity involving the arms, wrists, and hands. It also requires physical abilities associated with the ability to read, write, and communicate in a work environment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46.79 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 457(b)
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person