Fire Chief

Fire Chief

The Fire Chief provides executive leadership, planning, direction, and administration for all activities of the Fire Department, including fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), fire prevention, hazardous materials response, rescue operations, training, and emergency management. This position ensures the effective delivery of high-quality public safety services to protect lives, property, and the environment, while maintaining compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. The Fire Chief serves as the City's Emergency Management Coordinator and as a key member of the City's executive leadership team.

Receives direct supervision from the Assistant City Manager. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over all Fire Department personnel, including subordinate supervisors, command staff, and administrative support.

Direct, manage, and evaluate all Fire Department operations, including fire suppression, EMS, prevention, training, inspections, and emergency management. Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and long-range strategic plans consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan. Coordinate and direct the preparation and administration of the department's annual budget; monitor expenditures and prepare justifications for staffing, equipment, and capital projects. Research, plan, and recommend acquisition and replacement of equipment, facilities, and technology. Serve as Incident Commander, when necessary, at major emergencies, fires, rescues, hazardous material events, or disasters. Oversee fire inspection, code enforcement, and fire investigation programs. Manage and coordinate City-wide emergency management programs including planning, preparedness, training, mitigation, and recovery operations. Supervise, mentor, and evaluate department staff; oversee recruitment, training, professional development, discipline, and succession planning. Ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and safety standards. Engage with the public, City Council, civic groups, and the media to provide education, information, and outreach on fire and emergency services. Represent the City in meetings with regional fire service agencies, mutual aid partners, regulatory authorities, and community organizations. Prepare reports, presentations, and analyses for City leadership and external agencies. Perform related duties as assigned.

Serves as a member of various employee committees and represents the City at various community engagements, conferences and meetings. Other Duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field (Master's degree preferred). At least 10 years of progressively responsible fire service experience, including 5 years in a supervisory / command role. Master Firefighter Certification - Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP). Head of Department Certification - TCFP (must be obtained within one year if not already held). Fire Officer II and Fire Instructor Certification - TCFP. EMT-Basic or higher (Paramedic preferred) - Texas Department of State Health Services. Valid Texas Class B Driver's License. NIMS / ICS certifications (100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800). Preferred : Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Hazardous Materials certifications. Because of the potential for emergency recall, the Fire Chief must be able to respond within 30 minutes of notification. This requirement must be maintained after hire and failure to maintain this requirement will subject the employee to termination of employment.

Knowledge of modern principles, practices, and techniques of fire prevention, suppression, EMS, hazardous materials response, and emergency management. Knowledge of federal, state, and local fire codes, regulations, and safety standards. Knowledge of public administration, budgeting, personnel management, and intergovernmental coordination. Ability to lead under pressure, command emergency operations, and make sound decisions with limited information. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, City leadership, community stakeholders, and other agencies. Strong communication, leadership, and public presentation skills. Proficiency with computers, reporting systems, and fire service technology.

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, physical examination, pre-employment and random drug tests, reference check, and job related tests may be required. Personal computer, including word processing and spreadsheet; motor vehicle; phone; calculator; radio; fax, copy machine, and safety equipment as required. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, talk or hear or feel objects and reach with arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In the work environment are moving mechanical parts all the time, regularly you work in outside weather conditions and occasionally you work in wet or humid conditions (non-weather), in high, precarious places, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold and heat (non-weather), risk of shock, work with explosives, risk of radiation, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

The duties listed above are intended only 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 the position. No one will perform the duties of a higher position without prior authorization from an individual authorized to approve. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.