AFD Fire Chief

Description

Recruitment Qualifications

• BA from an accredited university in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Business or Public Administration, or experience in a closely related field; 
• May substitute two (2) years of experience for one (1) year of education;
• Must meet qualifications as stated in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Fire Officer III within the second year of employment;
• Must possess the following certifications or have completed the following vocational training: Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 certifications; Firefighter II; Fire Officer II; HAZMAT Awareness and Operations; Driver/Operator Certified; Certified Fire Inspector I; Fire Service Instructor I; and current CPR Card;
• A minimum of ten (10) years career fire service experience; with eight (8) years administrative and supervisory experience and four (4) years as a Deputy Chief rank equivalent or higher; 
• Experience with command and supervision of fire department personnel at a variety of major incidents; and
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment, and maintain, a valid New Mexico class E driver’s license; with a good driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo and its insurance carrier; 
• Or any other combination of education, experience, certifications, and training that demonstrates a high level of fire department administration abilities including firefighting, incident command, and fire protection operations; must also have knowledge sufficient for command and supervision of fire department personnel at a variety of major incidents.

• Must be a United States citizen, or legal permanent resident;
• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must successfully pass firefighting physical agility testing within the specified time limits, medical exam and drug screening test that meet physical requirements set forth by NFPA 1582 guidelines, and thorough background investigation; and
• Must not have any felony convictions, domestic violence or DWI convictions, or any other convictions for crimes indicating lack of character or moral turpitude.

• Management techniques, personnel policies and procedures;
• Principles and practices of fire prevention and suppression;
• Fire investigation; fire codes; fire hazards; current firefighting tactics and strategies;
• Fire sprinkler and alarm systems;
• Building codes; 
• Department policies and procedures;
• Use and maintenance of fire and EMS equipment and apparatus;
• Hazardous materials storage and disposal techniques and procedures;
• City geography; City and County response routes, procedures, and practice;
• Firefighting resources, such as personnel, equipment, water supply, and communication;
• Incident management sufficient to perform incident command at major incidents, including those involving multiple agencies; and
• Technical skills including safety, fitness, firefighting, EMS, and special operations.

• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; understand and follow instructions;
• Perform tasks and other daily activities in a positive and professional manner alongside employees of varied backgrounds and personalities;
• Attend work, as scheduled and on a regular basis, to effectively perform the position’s essential duties and responsibilities;
• Exercise common sense and good judgment in the performance of essential duties;
• Remain available on twenty-four hour call for emergency response to fires and other emergencies and to assist with/or run command or normal command environment of large-scale operations;
• Supervise, train, and motivate employees;
• Develop a collaborative team-based organization with assigned personnel;
• Withstand extreme temperatures for moderate periods of time;
• Carry heavy loads up and down stairways and ladders;
• Establish effective working relationships with co-workers, local law enforcement personnel, the general public, civic groups, and local and state officials;
• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication;
• Maintain records and complete reports;
• Read and understand blueprints;
• Maintain appropriate necessary certifications, current New Mexico driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, and good driving record;
• Cuties; and
• Develop self-discipline with an increasing level of commitment, motivation, responsibility, accountability, self-esteem, and respect.

Essential Duties

• Communicate verbally, including the ability to hear and distinguish various sounds such as alarms, voices of co-workers, and warning horns or sirens in both quiet and noisy environments;
• Demonstrate and maintain physical endurance, agility, dexterity, and strength necessary to perform required Managers and supervises direct-report staff by coordinating, assigning, and reviewing work to ensure compliance with policies and procedures;
• Conducts employee evaluations, introductory and annual; makes recommendations for hiring, promoting, and releasing employees; 
• Initiates and administers corrective action, as necessary, according to the Employee Manual;
• Mentors employees to full potential and ensures appropriate training is given to meet the standards of the position held;
• Analyze a variety of situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action; provide effective problem-solving solutions;
• Provide leadership and supervision to Fire Department personnel; evaluate, plan, assign, train, direct, and develop department personnel; make decisions regarding hiring, training, disciplining, and terminating employees;
• Provide technical assistance in directing, managing, supervising, evaluating, and organizing the operations of the Department.  Explain all City and Department policies, orders, and decisions to subordinates. Promote managerial knowledge, teamwork, and independent decision-making to subordinates. Develop a collaborative team-based organization with assigned personnel;
• Plan, direct and review activities of personnel performing fire inspection, fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency medical services, including the timely conduct of employee performance reviews in accordance with City policies and applicable labor agreements;
• Assume management responsibility for all departmental services and activities including training, fire prevention, fire inspection, and fire suppression;
• Coordinate and administer the employee selection and promotion processes of all promotional testing;
• Oversee all disciplinary actions for employees assigned to the Fire Department, and ensure compliance with City of Alamogordo Disciplinary Guidelines;
• Develop, plan, and implement the Department’s budget and establish goals and objectives; responsible for the expenditure of the Departmental appropriations and monitoring of financial goals and objectives; pursue the acquisition of grant funding when available;
• Ensure activities of the Department are performed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Effectively communicate regularly with City Manager, other Department Heads, and others to maximize interdepartmental operations and activities including but not limited to necessary fire protection service changes or requirements, incidents affecting other services provided by the City of Alamogordo, and planning for emergency disasters; 
• Ensure the development, communication, training, and implementation of the Department’s Emergency Operations Plan. Communicate the Department’s Emergency Operations Plan to all department staff. Train all levels of department personnel on the Emergency Operations Plan. Ensure full participation of all employees and that roles have been established and delegated to lower management. Direct and execute the emergency management procedures for the Department ensuring the safety of all residents and employees;
• Coordinate all Fire Department programs, services, and administrative matters with City management, including attending meetings with administrative staff and keeping City management informed of key needs, issues, and support requirements;
• Cooperate with other fire departments, agencies, city departments, and the media where activities of the Fire Department are involved;
• Represent the City on state, regional, or local development or advisory committees for the benefit of the City;
• Attends meetings on behalf of the Fire Department; speaks to civic organizations, and provides information, advice, and assistance to the general public;
• Conduct fire prevention programs, fire protection equipment training, and educational and informational programs through the media, schools, civic groups, businesses, and the general public;
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, fire codes, ordinances, and statutes, pending legislation, and conducts research to address new issues and their impact;
• Evaluate the need for and recommend the purchase of new equipment and supplies including the use of new and innovative technology;  
• Direct the maintenance of fire/rescue equipment, facilities, records, and reports.  Provide timely and complete documentation of various records including monthly logs, maintenance records, and performance evaluations in both electronic and paper form; Confirm all reports, records, and logs submitted and/or signed by subordinates;
• Coordinate mutual aid agreements and response plans with neighboring city, county, state, federal, and tribal governments;
• Draft and distribute a variety of correspondence, memoranda, notices, flyers, brochures, media releases, and reports relating to code enforcement issues and actions;
• Provide information to persons who request information or assistance in code enforcement-related matters under the division’s responsibility;
• Maintain a variety of logs and records related to inspection and enforcement activities; prepares recommendations for amendments and additions to codes or regulations which relate to the position;
• Coordinate efforts with other city, county, and state departments, the prosecuting attorney, and other staff or agencies, as needed;
• Review cases being prepared for trial with emphasis on the evidentiary and legal issues crucial to successful prosecution.  Prepares detailed reports of activities and investigations made; consults with prosecutors and prepares case reports for court action; testifies in court, as required;
• Assist in obtaining, enhancing, preparing, or presenting exhibits or other evidence in court as required;
• Coordinate with, City Manager, and/or City Attorney for appearance preparation in court or at City Commission meetings as required; 
• Periodically patrols or inspects an assigned area to monitor for violations of certain local codes;
• Respond to and investigate complaints of potential code violations relating to certain codes; recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints;
• Respond to alarms and emergency calls during and outside normal work hours as required and direct activities at the scene, as needed;
• Conduct field investigations of potential violations; gathers evidence; questions or interrogates complainants, witnesses, and suspects; compare facts to code requirements; make findings; and issues warnings, correction notices, and/or citations, and appear in court;
• Pursue prosecution of cases of arson;
• Records, prepares, and files required reports on all fire department incidents, including inspections, and fires of undetermined or suspected incendiary origin;
• Review preliminary plans, site plans, layouts, and final plans for compliance with fire codes; 
• Establishes procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety, and risk avoidance;
• Responsible for thoroughly investigating, reviewing, and addressing department or division accidents to prevent future occurrences and control risk management-related costs;
• Provides excellent customer service to ensure conformance with other department staff of the same commitment in order to ensure high operational and service standards are met and maintained for the Citizens of Alamogordo;
• Contributes to a high-quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety-related training and skills; 
• Interacts professionally and provides excellent customer service to all levels of City staff and citizens to ensure high operational and service standards; and
• Performs duties according to City of Alamogordo Ordinances, Citywide, and Departmental Policies and Procedures, and any applicable laws regulated by an outside authority.

• Work outside of normal working hours and on-call duty will be required;
• Attendance at evening meetings may be required; 
• Makes public presentations and represents the City on committees, boards, and with civic organizations while conducting outside City-related activities;
• Must maintain required license(s) and/or certification(s);
• Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained during the performance of duties; and
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Work Environment

• Position requires some heavy lifting, climbing, crawling, standing/squatting/kneeling for extended periods of time, may require moving firefighting equipment, stretchers, human bodies both alive and deceased and other various items at emergency scenes as necessary;
• Performs tasks requiring strength and stamina such as lifting and moving equipment and objects; 
• Sitting, standing, walking on uneven or slippery surfaces, kneeling, bending, twisting, turning, stooping, squatting, grasping, and crawling;
• Ascending and descending stairs and ladders;
• Work both inside and outside with exposure to extreme weather conditions, odors, dust, and pollen; exposure to both noisy and quiet environments;
• Exposure to chemicals, skin irritants, fumes, and solvents;
• Frequent exposure to hazardous atmospheres and dangerous environments to perform firefighting and rescue operations;
• Frequent hand and arm motion; hand and finger dexterity sufficient to use small tools; turning and bending neck; corrected or uncorrected vision sufficient to read gauges, documents, and street maps;
• Lift and/or move items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; the lifting of any object greater than fifty (50) pounds by a single individual is prohibited. Lifting objects, materials, or equipment weighing more than fifty (50) pounds require the buddy system or the use of devices designed to assist with lifting or moving. Proper lifting techniques shall be used when lifting items of any weight;
• Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for job assignments including protective footwear, marked by the manufacturer, with a minimum standard of M/F I/75/C75, 6" ankle height work boots, per ASTM F2413-11.