Battalion Fire Chief

City of Watsonville•Watsonville, CA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Under administrative direction, may serve as a Duty or Staff Chief. The Battalion Fire Chief will be assigned duties and responsibilities that involve interaction with fire personnel, City personnel, and the community; respond to and assume command at emergencies or as part of the incident command team; and assume various emergency and non-emergency duties, and committee work as assigned. This job class functions at a management level of classification and serves as a member of the Fire Department Management Team. The Battalion Fire Chief will be assigned either a 5 day/8 hour shift, a 4 day/10 hour shift, or to a 24 hour platoon duty as decided by the Fire Chief.

Requirements

Associate Degree from a properly accredited institution is required before being permanently assigned to the position.
Must complete the following coursework prior to permanent appointment: ICS-400: Advanced Incident Command System, NIMS I-800, CSTI Hazardous Material On Scene Incident Commander, CSFM Fire Chief Officer/Chief Officer Certification, Strike Team Leader S-330 or equivalent, All Risk Safety Officer S-404 or equivalent
Broad and extensive experience in firefighting, fire prevention and administrative duties is required.
Must have at least seven years of full-time firefighting experience and three of those years at the Fire Captain level or higher.
A valid Class C California with Fire Fighter endorsement Driver’s license and a safe driving record and/or equivalent per the Department of Motor Vehicles to operate Fire Apparatus.
Public Safety-First Aid and CPR certification, a valid EMT certification is desirable.
Must meet all employment standards for Fire Captain
Must complete all required items in Watsonville Fire Department Battalion Chief Task book prior to permanent appointment. Entire task book must be completed prior to achieving permanent status.
Meet current California State Fire Marshal Office (CSFM) certification of Fire Chief Officer and/or Chief Officer.
Must complete any additional required CSFM Courses or accredited college courses during probationary time period on own time through the City’s Tuition Reimbursement program, if available.
Knowledge of: modern principles, practices, and techniques of department administration and operation methods and principles of fire suppression, investigation, and prevention proper use and operation of firefighting apparatus and equipment analytical techniques and effective methods of solving problems principles of supervision and training knowledge and development of accounting and budgeting principles incident command system, hazardous materials recognition, EMS/Paramedic procedures, confined space rescue, urban search and rescue techniques, - multi-casualty incidents and wildland fires cultural awareness, gender, and personnel issues
Ability to: provide supervision and training to personnel effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms prepare written staff reports and training bulletins prepare oral reports; make effective presentations to department personnel, City Council, and community organizations prepare budget estimates and control expenditures represent the Fire Department with high standards of ethics, professionalism, and dedication focus on multiple tasks simultaneously respond to negative feedback appropriately drive Fire Department vehicles and maintain safe driving record establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties assume role of acting Division Chief think clearly and act decisively under stressful conditions sit at a desk and in meetings and training for long periods of time stoop and bend; twist; reach above and below shoulder level push and pull; balance on ladders climb ground and aerial ladders work long hours, at all hours, under physical and mental pressures in hazardous conditions, in inclement weather and during emergency response and disaster situations stand for long periods of time wear self-contained breathing apparatus hear alarms and sirens distinguish red, yellow, and blue flashing lights wear firefighting gear weighing 50-60 lbs. smell to detect odors such as alcohol, smoke, gases, etc. hear effectively and communicate in both emergency and non-emergency situations work in various environments subject to heat, cold, inclement weather, etc. walk to perform assigned duties; walk on uneven surfaces; crawl and run lift equipment weighing 50 lbs. maintain good physical condition effectively use radios to communicate read, speak and write English

Nice To Haves

A BS/BA degree from a properly accredited institution in Fire Protection Technology or other related field is highly desirable.
Spanish speaker is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serves as incident commander at emergencies
Serves as acting Division Chief
Serves as part of the incident command team
Serves as Duty Chief, or Staff Chief as assigned
Plans, organizes, and coordinates projects and programs as assigned
Understands the principles of the incident command system
Understands, interprets, and enforces federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they relate to fire and life safety, training standards, fire prevention codes and fire investigation.
Performs fire and life safety inspections under the direction of the Division Chief, Fire Marshal and/or Fire Chief
Serves on various workgroups, advisory groups or committees as assigned
Attends meetings day or night as the Fire Department representative
Implements orders, regulations, ordinances, and laws relative to the mission of the Fire Department
Analyzes data, researches new methods, and communicates verbally and in writing that relate to a project, program, or work assignment
Effectively interacts with the public, fire personnel, and City employees to solve problems, identify solutions, and implement programs and projects
Implements Fire Department training and work safety programs
Revises and prepares Fire Department rules, regulations, projects, programs, principles and procedures
Reviews, understands, and assists in the preparation of the Fire Department’s annual budget
Ensures the proper operation and maintenance of all Fire Department apparatus and equipment
Reviews and prepares activity reports, training bulletins, fire suppression and prevention reports, staff reports and other written reports as directed
Serves in the Department’s management role in the City’s Emergency Operations Center
Provides training, guidance, and leadership to all members of the Fire Department
Provides assistance in the Fire Department’s operation and administration
Performs other related duties as assigned by the Division Chief and/or Fire Chief
Supervises the work of the Fire Captain assigned to shifts
Perform Fire Prevention duties as assigned.