Deputy Fire Chief

General Definition of Work

Performs work under the general direction of the Fire Chief to plan, supervise, and coordinate the activities of Operations Division personnel. Performs the role of Incident Commander and provides highly responsible and technical staff assistance. Provides leadership in accomplishing the department's fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, and safety goals. Serves as Acting Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief.

Essential Functions

• Commands and coordinates fire department resources on all types of emergencies, including the most complex fires, rescues and hazardous materials incident and other emergency responses.

• Supervises the maintenance and accuracy of departmental administrative, emergency response, inspection and safety records.

• Serves as Fire Department Health and Safety Officer, ensuring compliance with applicable safety standards and promoting safe operational practices.

• Coordinates Fire Department activities with other City, County, State and Federal agencies to support emergency response and community safety initiatives.

• Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing education to include participation in the continuing education and occasional travel out of state for educational courses or conferences.

• Performs prevention activities including but not limited to; developing minimum safety and operational standards; assisting with development of policies and guideline; conducting public relations/education programs; assisting with the investigation into the cause of incidents and injuries; approving training needs of the department based on discussions with supervisors, review of accident reports, post incident analyses, direct observations of emergency operations, trainings, and drills and take appropriate corrective action as necessary; and shares development/improvement information department wide.

• Performs preparation activities designed to prepare for the response to incidents in the most effective, efficient, safe, and professional manner; maintains personal/mental fitness and health; maintains job knowledge and skill of Battalion Chief level and below; maintains apparatus and equipment in a state of readiness. Instructs training classes and education programs on a variety of emergency service related topics ranging from recruit level to advanced officer level based on local, state and national standards.

• Performs response activities designed to ensure the handling of incidents in the most effective, efficient, safe, and professional manner; responds to dispatched alarms without delay; operates apparatus and equipment at incidents within departmental policies, standard operating guidelines, and command system; performs rescues; administers patient care per level of medical certification; performs fire suppression, incident mitigation, and property and environment conservation activities. Responds off duty for staffing requests during emergency recalls and functions within the department's Incident Command System as necessary; serves as or supports the Incident Commander or fulfills needed tasks specific to the incident; as needed, works on a platoon to maintain shift staffing if needed.

• Performs evaluation activities designed to evaluate and improve service delivery, as well as to maintain and improve public opinion; accurately completes any necessary record or report; prepares and reviews department incident, scheduling, and training reports; generates statistical reports and presents those to the Fire Chief; participates honestly in evaluations, reviews, post-incident analyses, and investigations including safety related research; offers input and suggestions regarding improvements to service delivery into strategic planning; maintains apparatus, equipment, stations, and ground in a presentable, clean fashion. Advises the Fire Chief of budgetary needs relating to operational needs; administers annual appropriations.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have an Associate's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field with 30 additional credit hours toward a Bachelor's degree. Must complete Bachelor's degree within three (3) years.

• Valid driver's license.

• Ten (10) years' experience with a similar sized department serving 5 years as a chief officer.

• State of Missouri FF1 and FF2 or equivalent.

• Must possess current EMT-B and have the ability to transfer/obtain Missouri EMT-B within 60 days of hire.

• State of Missouri Fire Instruction 1 and Fire Officer 1, 2, 3, & 4 or equivalent.

• State of Missouri Driver/Operator-Pumper or equivalent.

• Hold nine or more certifications from the department's List of Additional Certifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• State of Missouri EMT-P License.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in related field.

• Fire Instructor 2 or higher.

• Graduate of the National Fire Academy Managing Officer program.

• Graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.

• Nationally or State recognized Incident Command, Leadership, Training/Development courses.

• National Fire Academy resident courses.

• Professional Credentialing as Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center of Public Safety Excellence.

Salary per year $91,908, plus a generous benefit package.

• Bi-weekly pay periods.
• Thirteen paid holidays per year.
• 96 hours of vacation – accrued throughout the year.
• 96 hours of sick leave – accrued throughout the year.
• 2 days of personal leave per fiscal year. Must be employed on July 1 of the fiscal year to receive.
• City paid monthly premiums for health and dental insurance – Employee only.
• City paid monthly life insurance for employee only (1 times annual salary up to $50,000).
• Optional group term life insurance purchased at employee's expense.
• Optional vision insurance purchased at employee's expense.
• Voluntary deferred compensation plan – not matched by the City.
• Retirement (LAGERS) paid by the City. Missouri LAGERS – A Secure Retirement for All (molagers.org).
• Total compensation value (Salary starting rate plus benefits value) for this position is $134,822 yearly.

Before final appointment, successful applicant will be required to successfully complete a drug test, background investigation and pre-employment physical and psychiatric evaluation.

The City of Cape Girardeau reserves the right to notify only those individuals selected for an interview as to their status of their application for employment. EOE/ADA/M/F/V