Fire Chief - Town of Brattleboro : Job Details

DescriptionOverall Job Objective: The Fire Chief performs professional technical, administrative, and supervisory work in planning, organizing, and directing the operations of the Brattleboro Fire Department. This is a full-time management position which includes responsibility for department personnel, budget development, financial management, emergency preparedness, and community engagement. The Fire Chief is responsible for the effective delivery of Fire and EMS services to the community. The Fire Chief is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, controlling, and staffing all activities of the department and training its personnel. The Fire Chief is also responsible for its continued and efficient operation, including the department's relations with the public, local government, and other related agencies. Responsible for enforcement of rules, policies and regulations within the department, creating a climate where people want to contribute their best; able to motivate different kinds of people and teams. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm with occasional evening meetings as required or requested. The Fire Chief is responsible for Fire Department operations 24/7/365, this position may also require a substantial amount of evening and weekend work, often without advanced notice. Wage: FY'25108,403.47 - $121,722.32 annually.A Town vehicle is provided; driving is essential to this position; and must operate Town and personal vehicles in a safe manner.Residency: All Brattleboro Fire Department Employees shall, for the duration of their employment with the town, be required to have their place of abode in Brattleboro, or in a location that is no greater than approximately 60 minutes arriving safely to the Central Fire Station, 103 Elliot St, as calculated and displayed by google maps. Title of Immediate Supervisor: Town ManagerTitle(s) of Position(s) Direct Supervision Exercised: Over all Brattleboro Fire Department personnel. Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks:

Provides strategic advice and technical guidance on all Fire department procedural and policy matters, which includes the following:

Development of major policies and procedures, encourage personnel to be accountable for their work and take ownership in what they do, while embracing change and demonstrating positive leadership.

Encourage passionate, positive, and enthusiastic employees, fostering a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing, and supportive.

A strong supporter of the department's mission and vision to provide core services and foster economic resilience to provide our community with the opportunity to thrive. Help employees understand their part in meeting Town-wide strategic goals and vision.

Maintains and improves Fire and EMS incident response to fulfill safe community strategic objectives.

Demonstrate collaboration and conflict resolution skills with other departments and employees.

Help employees see the value of developing their skills and assist them in eliminating barriers within their development; encourage employees to step outside of their comfort zone to develop their skills.

Provide meaningful, timely employee feedback and appraisals, and effectively address employee performance problems.

Effectively supervise, mentor, and motivate in a team environment relationship with colleagues which encourage constructive feedback and new ways to look at projects, policies, service delivery, etc.

Works in a collaborative manner to oversee and manage programs, team efforts, and the department, which includes the following:

Supervises the preparation of departmental budget, the procurement of materials, supplies, and equipment, and the maintenance of the necessary records.

Directs the preparation and ensures the communication of special orders, instructions, notices, administrative memoranda, and other forms of communication to the department personnel.

Attends meetings to keep abreast of the latest development in firefighting methods and administration, to coordinate mutual aid plans, to coordinate and expand training programs, and for the exchange of other ideas.

Address members of the public and businesses regarding the activities of the department and to explain and promote public understanding of its work.

Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Provides day-to-day managerial decisions on problems and issues that arise, ensures cost effective and sustainable operations, and departmental operations with respect to equipment, apparatus, and personnel.

Directs related administrative activities including Fire department budget preparation and execution, purchasing, personnel selection, reports, employee training, and correspondence in administration of projects.

Serves as a collaborative member of the Town's Department Head management team, which includes the following:

Making executive-level decisions in alignment with the direction of the organization.

Be a visible leader in the Town's community.

Participate in the preparation of specifications for new equipment, stations, and other facilities and equipment.

Communicate effectively with department staff, other Town employees, the public, and members of organizations or other agencies 4) Other duties, including the following:

Attend some of the regular evening Selectboard meetings; may attend evening or weekend community events.

Accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the Town's discretion.

Non-Essential Duties and Tasks: The responsibilities and duties listed above are examples of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.Key Competencies: We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying, unless specifically stated as required.

• • Command Skills - skill at leading, encouraging tough debate but able to move on, taking on tough issues and challenges while working through them effectively.

• • Administration and Management - knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, personnel management, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.

• • Motivating Others - skill at creating a climate where people want to contribute their best; can motivate different kinds of people and teams; empowers others.

• • Managing and Measuring Work - Skill at clearly assigning responsibility for tasks and decisions; setting clear objectives and measures; designing feedback loops; and monitoring process, progress, and results.

• • Confronting Direct Reports - skill at dealing with direct report problems firmly and in a timely manner; comfortable with regular performance reviews and holding direct reports accountable.

• • Business Acumen - knows how professional work fits into the overall Town government; knowledgeable and current in business policies and practices; broad-thinking.

• • Critical Thinking - skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• • Perspective - knows how to look toward the broadest possible view of an issue or challenge; can easily pose future scenarios and predict impacts to a range of stakeholders; has broad ranging interests.

• • Communicating - skill in communicating with people inside and outside the organization including elected officials and in representing the organization to customers, the public, other government agencies, and other external parties; communicates effectively verbally and in writing; and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.

• • Organizational Agility: can perform within all levels of the organization and obtain successful outcomes; interacts with internal and external stakeholders and customers in a manner that supports organizational values.

• • Dealing with Ambiguity: is comfortable with change and uncertainty; is effective in novel situations and makes work-appropriate decisions based on available information.

• • Fire Service Experience: Experience in fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical response, and emergency preparedness, in any combination. Maintain a valid driver's license and safe driving record throughout employment. Experience actively supporting diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts; and demonstrated ability to learn new methods and stay current in the field. With at least five years of supervisory and administrative experience in a full-time fire department.

• • Certifications/Education: Graduation from an accredited high school supplemented by completion of courses in modern firefighting methods and techniques or any combination of schooling and equivalent experience, A post-graduate degree in relevant field, such as fire science, business administration, or public administration preferred. Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician preferred or attainable within 1 year from date of hire. Certification as Fire Officer II or equivalent, required. Executive Fire Officer (National Fire Academy), encouraged.

Physical Demand and Mental Effort: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their work duties. While performing these duties the employee must be able to communicate verbally. Work is sedentary in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods. Frequently reaching above shoulder and twisting to file documents and lifting supplies and materials; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, materials, and supplies. Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment. Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move materials and supplies; occasional lifting, pushing, and pulling of up to twenty-five (25) pounds with or without accommodations. This is a safety-sensitive position and subject to the Town's safety-sensitive requirements. Must tolerate moderate noise levels and interruptions in a moderate to fast paced environment. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.Required Materials and Equipment: General office equipment including computers, telephone, copy machine, and calculator.Work Conditions: Fire Chiefs may need to work in a variety of settings, including offices, emergency locations, and hazardous traffic areas. They may also be exposed to extreme temperatures, fumes, toxic chemicals, and other hazards. Work is constantly performed indoors; this is primarily sedentary office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with Town employees, the public, and outside agencies.Pre-Employment Requirements: Background checks will include employment references and criminal history. May include a credit check, driver's license record, and education verification.Pre-employment drug screening, including a physical and must be entitled to work in the United States.Union Status: Non-Union Management. New employees or internal transfers are on probation for one year from the date of hire or transfer.FLSA Status: Exempt Employee (salary).The Town of Brattleboro is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ applicants, and people from other underrepresented groups to apply recognizing and respecting those diverse perspectives and experiences are valuable to our team and essential to our public service.RequirementsMust be able to pass thorough state and national criminal background checks, adult & child abuse registries, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) screening, medical examination, drug test and not be listed on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE), to meet the minimum requirements.Background checks will include employment references and criminal history. May include a credit check, driver's license record, and education verification.Pre-employment drug screening, including a physical and must be entitled to work in the United States.