Deputy Chief

Polk County Board of County Commissioners•Bartow, FL

17h•$92,165 - $138,237•Onsite

About The Position

This is very responsible administrative, managerial, and technical work involving directing the activities of a principal division, Fire Rescue Services. A Deputy Chief may be assigned to manage any of the sections of Fire Rescue such as but not limited to: Operations, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Marshall’s Office, Planning, Logistics, Finance, Personnel, Training or, Health & Safety. Work involves responsibility for planning, organizing and directing the activities of uniformed and civilian employees of the Fire Rescue Division as manager of any functional bureau within Fire Rescue. Work of this class requires comprehensive knowledge and the application of modern firefighting and emergency medical / rescue techniques, methods, and practices, and a thorough knowledge of current local, state and federal laws. Work involves considerable responsibility for making decisions regarding actions to be taken, and for independent judgment in the interpretation of rules and regulations, as well as in the application of laws and ordinances. The work requires familiarity with the organization and functions of the Fire Rescue Division and a thorough knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures affecting Division personnel. The work also includes responsibility for the selection, placement, promotion, training and development, safety and discipline of assigned personnel. An employee of this class may be required, on occasion, to respond and assume command of a major fire/rescue emergency. Although work is subject to review and inspection by the Assistant Fire Chief, an employee in this class works with relative independence in day- to-day activities, requiring the exercise of considerable judgment and initiative. Work is reviewed through the analysis of reports, conferences, and the evaluation of results achieved.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor degree in Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Business Administration or a closely related field.
Must have a minimum of eight (8) years of full-time, paid firefighting experience, including five (5) years of experience performing Fire Department administrative or command staff functions.
Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment.
Must possess a valid ProBoard Firefighter certificate or Certificate of Compliance, as outlined in the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal Uniform Fire Safety Rules and Standards Chapter 4A-37, or a verification letter indicating that the individual meets the above requirements and will be issued a Certificate of Compliance from the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Office.
Must be Blue Card Incident Command Certified.
Must be state certified Incident Safety Officer.
Meet the following driving history requirements for the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.
Possess and maintain a State of Florida Certification as a Paramedic as outlined under 401.27 F.S. or National Registry Paramedic must hold a current ACLS Certification.
Possess and maintain a valid American Heart Association CPR “BLS for Health Care Providers” card or the American Red Cross Professional CPR card.
Possess a valid Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Certification card or a recognized 16-hour course that is equivalent.
Possess the following National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications: ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, ICS-400: Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff, ICS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction, ICS-800: National Response Framework, an Introduction.
Must obtain and maintain Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Awareness certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Shall be fingerprinted and subject to personal background investigation procedures to ascertain an evaluation and determination of moral character according to Chapter 69A - 37 Firefighter's Standards and Training.
Applicant/employee must provide a pre-employment medical and physical examination, which satisfies the minimum requirements prescribed by the Division of the State Fire Marshal of the Florida Department of Insurance prior to initial employment as a firefighter.
Employees assigned as the Fire Marshal must possess a valid Municipal Fire Safety Inspector Certificate of Compliance issued by the Division of State Fire Marshal's Office at time of appointment or within 12 months of appointment at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
Must have a telephone while employed with the Fire Rescue Division as employee is subject being on call for emergencies.
This position shall be required to report for work as directed when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.
If the employee is not issued a county phone: Must have a cell phone while employed with the Fire Rescue Division as employee is subject to call-in emergencies and might occasionally be contacted for debriefings or for the agency to retrieve follow-up information. Must keep the phone turned on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and must answer all calls. Must promptly return any missed calls.
If the employee is issued a county phone: must keep the county-issued cell phone turned on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Must answer calls as employee is subject to call-in emergencies and might occasionally be contacted for debriefings or for the agency to retrieve follow-up information. Must promptly return any missed calls.

Nice To Haves

Considerable progressive experience in fire suppression, hazardous materials, Emergency Medical Services and rescue work, with progressive supervisory experience preferable, including extensive experience at the command/staff level.
Graduation from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program or similar Fire or EMS executive leadership program preferred.
CFAI designation as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) or Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer (CEMSO).
State of Florida Fire Instructor III certification.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, officers, and civilian employees working in an assigned area.
Directs, coordinates, and manages all the activities of sworn and civilian personnel of the assigned bureau.
Supervises reviews and coordinates staffing plans, makes recommendations regarding organization, department policies and procedures to obtain the most effective results.
Prepares annual budget estimates for the assigned bureau and assists on formulation of agency budget.
Respond to and assume command of a major fire/rescue emergency, as needed.
Responsible for the selection, placement, promotion, training, development, safety, appraisal and discipline of assigned personnel.
May be responsible for planning, organizing, and participation in collective bargaining negotiations, grievances and arbitration hearings in conjunction with the county’s Human Resources Division.
Researches and maintains up-to-date knowledge of labor legislation, case law, arbitration decisions, and other areas that may impact division policies, practices and personnel.
Attends and participates in conferences and meetings; appears before community, civic, educational and professional groups to provide better understanding of the Fire Rescue Division’s activities.
Receives input from those present and explains and promotes diverse subjects including fire prevention, EMS, rescue, life safety and community relations.
Develops, plans, organizes, directs and evaluates training programs; plans, organizes, supervises and reviews the work of staff engaged in the training and development of Fire Rescue Division personnel.
Provides direction for the maintenance of all fire and/or ambulance stations, grounds, fire rescue equipment, materials, and supplies.
Conducts periodic inspections of fire and/or ambulance stations and assigned employees.
Determines specifications for the purchase of firefighting / rescue vehicles, apparatus and equipment.
Reviews all bids for building maintenance contracts.
Prepares and implements division policies, budgets, procedures and work performance and safety standards.
Prepares reports and maintains records.
May be assigned to oversee the Office of the Medical Direction and supervises assigned staff, if and when assigned as the Rescue Chief.
Works closely with the Medical Director in establishing emergency medical standing orders and protocols.
Oversees the quality assurance processes and attends related meetings on a regular basis.
Acts in the capacity of the Assistant Fire Chief as necessary.
Performs other related duties as required.