Deputy Fire Chief

City of Berkeley•Berkeley, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Berkeley, California is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay. JOB OPPORTUNITY The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Deputy Fire Chief in the Fire Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead one of two groups of major divisions within the Fire Department in either the Operations or Administrative/Support roles. Operations Deputy Chief : Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations serves as a senior executive leader responsible for the oversight and coordination of the Department’s emergency operations, Training Division, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division, and Logistics Division. The position provides executive leadership to three Battalion Chiefs who manage day-to-day emergency operations from seven fire stations, with daily operational staffing consisting of seven fire engines, two truck companies, four ambulances, one EMS Supervisor, and one Battalion Chief, collectively responding to approximately 18,000 calls for service annually. The Deputy Fire Chief responds to larger and more complex emergency incidents as appropriate and provides support and coordination. The position also provides executive leadership to two Assistant Fire Chiefs who lead EMS and Training and one Fire Captain who leads Logistics. Major responsibilities include establishing operational priorities and performance expectations; overseeing firefighter and single-function paramedic recruit academies and Department-wide training; coordinating promotional development and examination processes; providing executive oversight of first responder and ambulance transport programs, including quality assurance and improvement activities; and overseeing the maintenance, replacement, and readiness of major fire apparatus and other operational resources. The Deputy Fire Chief develops effective working relationships with Battalion Chiefs, division managers, labor and City partners, and regional public safety agencies; promotes operational readiness, consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the Department; and may serve as Acting Fire Chief in the Fire Chief’s absence. Administrative/Support Dep uty Chief: Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief of Support Services serves as a senior executive leader responsible for oversight of the Office of Emergency Services, Wildland Urban Interface Division, and Fire Prevention Division, while also providing executive coordination for other key departmental support functions. The position serves as the Department’s designated Fire Code Official, primary Public Information Officer, liaison to the Police/Fire Communications Center, workers’ compensation program lead, and Secretary to the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission. Major responsibilities include establishing priorities and performance expectations for assigned divisions; overseeing emergency preparedness, community risk reduction, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention and code enforcement programs; coordinating public information and community engagement; supporting personnel, administrative, and public records functions; directing cross-departmental initiatives and special projects; and representing the Department with City leadership, regional partners, regulatory agencies, commissions, and the community. The Deputy Fire Chief also provides executive leadership during emergencies and significant operational periods and may serve as Acting Fire Chief in the Fire Chief’s absence. See the full job class specification here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/berkeley/classspecs/104816

Requirements

Possession of a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university and the equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience as a chief officer in a paid fire department.
Substitution for a Bachelor's degree: possession of an A.A. or A.S. degree from an accredited college or university with the California State Fire Training (CSFT) Chief Officer Certification.
Ability to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet program needs and fulfill job responsibilities.
Valid California Class C or higher driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
Willingness to be subject to off-hours call-in for major emergency response.
Physically fit to participate in emergency response if needed.
Completed application and responses to supplemental questions.

Responsibilities

Oversee and coordinate the Department’s emergency operations, Training Division, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division, and Logistics Division (Operations Deputy Chief).
Provide executive leadership to Battalion Chiefs, Assistant Fire Chiefs, and Fire Captains.
Respond to larger and more complex emergency incidents as appropriate and provide support and coordination.
Establish operational priorities and performance expectations.
Oversee firefighter and single-function paramedic recruit academies and Department-wide training.
Coordinate promotional development and examination processes.
Provide executive oversight of first responder and ambulance transport programs, including quality assurance and improvement activities.
Oversee the maintenance, replacement, and readiness of major fire apparatus and other operational resources.
Develop effective working relationships with Battalion Chiefs, division managers, labor and City partners, and regional public safety agencies.
Promote operational readiness, consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the Department.
Serve as Acting Fire Chief in the Fire Chief’s absence.
Oversee the Office of Emergency Services, Wildland Urban Interface Division, and Fire Prevention Division (Administrative/Support Deputy Chief).
Provide executive coordination for other key departmental support functions.
Serve as the Department’s designated Fire Code Official, primary Public Information Officer, liaison to the Police/Fire Communications Center, workers’ compensation program lead, and Secretary to the Disaster and Fire Safety Commission.
Establish priorities and performance expectations for assigned divisions.
Oversee emergency preparedness, community risk reduction, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention and code enforcement programs.
Coordinate public information and community engagement.
Support personnel, administrative, and public records functions.
Direct cross-departmental initiatives and special projects.
Represent the Department with City leadership, regional partners, regulatory agencies, commissions, and the community.
Provide executive leadership during emergencies and significant operational periods.