Chief of Emergency Services

King and Queen County•King and Queen CH, VA

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

King and Queen County Virginia is recruiting for a Chief of Emergency Services to manage and direct the work activities of the King and Queen County Fire and EMS system and to be responsible for emergency management planning, coordination, and implementation for the managed agencies. The Chief is the head of the Emergency Services Department. The position is responsible for coordinating the activities of both the paid employees and the independent volunteer agencies to achieve an integrated and effective fire, natural disaster, hazardous materials and emergency medical services system within the County. The Chief is appointed by the County Administrator and reports directly to the County Administrator. This role is a full-time position, but part-time (minimum of 30 hours per week) or flexible arrangements will be considered for qualified applicants. This position is open until filled. Applications received before July 1, 2026, will receive first consideration.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of fire, EMS, emergency management and disaster planning management.
Extensive knowledge of laws and regulations controlling fire, EMS and emergency management.
Demonstrated management and administrative skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead, direct and manage the activities of volunteer and career employees.
Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with volunteers, career employees, government officials and the public.
Ability to manage projects, especially in collaboration with other County departments and independent volunteer agencies.
Ability to prepare technical and informative reports and present complex information to diverse audiences.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in emergency situations.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Computer competence and technical skills.
Demonstrated ability to perform complex professional level work requiring judgment and strong competency in communication and human relations skills.
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the position and extensive experience in fire, emergency services, and emergency medical services.
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in Fire & Emergency Medical Services, including a minimum of three (3) years of career supervisory experience, preferably at the rank of captain or higher in Fire & EMS.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the physical layout of King and Queen County.
Residence within close proximity of the County.
Ability to provide regular on-site presence for staff and volunteers daily.
Timely in-person response to emergencies.
Advanced EMT or Paramedic certification/designation.
Fire Officer III certification/designation.
Fire Instructor Level II certification/designation.
Advanced Professional Emergency Manager or VDEM Emergency Manager Academy Completion certification/designation.
Certified Emergency Manager certification/designation.
Chief EMS Officer certification/designation.
Chief Fire Officer certification/designation.
NFA Executive Fire Officer certification/designation.
ICS Certifications (100, 200, 300, 700, 800).
Virginia Education Coordinator/EMS Instructor certification/designation.

Responsibilities

Manage and direct the work activities of the King and Queen County Fire and EMS system.
Be responsible for emergency management planning, coordination, and implementation for the managed agencies.
Coordinate the activities of both paid employees and independent volunteer agencies to achieve an integrated and effective fire, natural disaster, hazardous materials and emergency medical services system within the County.
Plan, organize and direct the operation of the Fire & EMS employees and to collaborate with volunteers within the coordinated emergency response system.
Plan and organize the overall delivery of fire suppression, emergency medical services and other emergency services for the County within a coordinated combination Fire and EMS system as provided by State law.
Manage emergency planning for all man-made and natural disasters and coordinates disaster and hazardous materials responses.
Provide oversight and management of the coordinated system’s functions.
Plan, direct, and supervise through subordinate officers, the activities of the Fire/EMS departments following departmental policies and procedures.
Plan strategy with department leadership to serve the community in a timely and safe manner.
Provide oversight and management of training & development for both the career employees and the volunteers.
Evaluate performance of staff, making recommendations on personnel matters, and coordinating and implementing remedial training.
Direct financial operations of the department, including development and monitoring of the budget.
Assist in the development and planning for construction and maintenance of stations within the county.
Create and maintain requirements for department apparatus and equipment; makes recommendations regarding fleet size and type.
Make day-to-day operations decisions necessary for an effective coordinated system on matters not addressed by systemwide policies.
Establish long-term strategic goals and objectives for the department, planning for the future needs of the County.
Provide general management, planning, preparation, response and recovery for any disaster relating to fires, hazardous materials, natural or man-made events, weather or emergency medical services.
Assume responsibility to develop and carry out agreements for mutual aid, disaster preparedness and the provision of services related to hazardous materials, rescues, fire suppression, investigation, medical services or other emergency response services.
Exercise all powers authorized by state law as necessary for the provision of coordinated Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
Participate in emergency response operations as required in a declared emergency by County officials.
Plan with local Officials, County departments, independent volunteer agencies and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
Develop and maintain liaisons with other County departments, independent volunteer agencies and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of employees and equipment.
Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
Design and administer or arrange for administration of emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach employees and citizens how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.
Keep informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, response efforts, or plan implementation.
Inspect facilities and equipment, such as emergency management centers and communications equipment, to determine their operational and functional capabilities in emergency situations.
Review emergency plans of individual departments to ensure their adequacy.
Keep informed of federal, state, and local regulations affecting emergency plans, and ensures that plans adhere to those regulations.
Attend meetings, conferences, and workshops related to emergency management to learn new information and to develop working relationships with other Emergency Managers.
Propose alteration of emergency response procedures, based on regulatory changes, technological changes, or knowledge gained from outcomes of previous emergency situations.
Provide instructional materials for the public and makes presentations to citizens' groups to provide information on emergency plans and their implementation processes.
Apply for federal and state funding for emergency-management-related needs and administers and reports on the progress of such funding sources.
Perform related tasks as assigned and/or required.