Division Chief - EMS

County of San Juan•Fire Operations, NM

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Operations Deputy Chief, the Division Chief directs, develops, coordinates, administers, and evaluates the San Juan County Fire & Rescue Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program. The role provides department-wide leadership for EMS system development, medical direction, quality assurance and improvement, regulatory compliance, operational readiness, resource management, interagency coordination, and continuous system improvement. The Division Chief develops EMS program priorities, policies, guidelines, standards, and performance objectives and coordinates their implementation through the Department’s established organizational structure. The role provides EMS program direction, technical guidance, and subject-matter expertise to Department personnel while maintaining established supervisory and operational chains of command. It advises Department leadership on EMS system performance, clinical trends, regulatory requirements, operational issues, resource needs, and opportunities for improvement. The position serves as a sworn chief officer and maintains appropriate fire, EMS, and incident management capabilities. It responds to emergency incidents, providing command, coordination, technical, or incident management support consistent with Department needs and individual qualifications. Work is performed in an office and outdoors in varied weather conditions and can involve vigorous physical exertion and exposure to hazards. The position frequently requires travel and its full-time work schedule consists of rotating shifts, nights, weekends, overtime, emergency calls, and may include religious holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Eight years of progressive experience in firefighting or Emergency Medical Services, including two years of supervisory experience.
Five years of experience as an Advanced Life Support Provider.
ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, and 800 certifications, or ability to acquire them within one year of hire.
Valid State of New Mexico driver’s license.
Current State of New Mexico EMS Paramedic licensure, including ACLS, PALS, and CPR, or ability to obtain them by the date of hire.
Demonstrated experience in EMS operations, program administration, quality assurance/quality improvement, medical direction, regulatory compliance, or comparable EMS program responsibilities.
Ability to maintain appropriate fire, EMS, rescue, and incident management capabilities and respond to emergency incidents.
Ability to meet the physical and environmental demands of the role, including lifting in excess of 75 pounds and working in varied weather and potentially hazardous conditions.

Nice To Haves

IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter 1.

Responsibilities

Direct, develop, administer, coordinate, and evaluate the Department’s EMS Program, including goals, priorities, objectives, policies, procedures, guidelines, and performance standards.
Evaluate EMS program effectiveness and recommend improvements to clinical care, operational capability, regulatory compliance, system reliability, and service delivery.
Advise Department leadership on EMS system performance, program needs, regulatory changes, clinical trends, operational concerns, resource needs, and recommended improvements.
Serve as the Department’s primary liaison with EMS Medical Director(s), and work with Medical Direction to develop, maintain, evaluate, and implement clinical guidelines, protocols, policies, procedures, and standards.
Direct and administer the EMS Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement program, including reviewing EMS incident and patient care documentation for quality, completeness, clinical performance, regulatory compliance, and system improvement.
Monitor clinical and operational performance, identify trends or deficiencies, develop improvement strategies, and coordinate identified competency or performance needs with the Training Division.
Direct and monitor compliance with applicable EMS laws, regulations, certification and reporting requirements, and standards; coordinate with the New Mexico EMS Bureau and other regulatory agencies.
Oversee compliance with applicable New Mexico Board of Pharmacy requirements related to Department medications and oversee Department AED program compliance.
Administer applicable EMS Fund Act applications, reporting, documentation, and related responsibilities.
Develop and administer the EMS program budget and recommend funding, equipment, and resource priorities.
Oversee EMS equipment, medications, and supplies, including acquisition, inventory, accountability, distribution, replacement planning, standardization, and readiness.
Coordinate with vendors, service providers, County departments, and other entities regarding EMS equipment, supplies, services, and program needs.
Evaluate department-wide EMS operational readiness and identify deficiencies or improvement needs in equipment, supplies, clinical systems, response practices, policies, or program capabilities.
Establish EMS program priorities and provide program direction and technical guidance to personnel supporting EMS functions.
Coordinate with the Response Division Chief and SAM Captains on field EMS operations, program implementation, clinical and operational concerns, quality improvement, readiness, and system initiatives; use personnel to support program activities through the established chain of command.
Coordinate with the Training Division on competency needs, regulatory requirements, quality-improvement findings, clinical trends, practice changes, new equipment, and related training or professional development.
Provide EMS subject-matter expertise and technical support as needed.
Collect, monitor, and evaluate EMS data and system performance to identify trends, measure effectiveness, support decision-making, and recommend improvements.
Identify and develop opportunities for program improvement, partnerships, technology, funding, equipment, and enhanced service delivery.
Coordinate and maintain working relationships with area EMS providers, hospitals, Medical Directors, healthcare organizations, the New Mexico EMS Bureau, and local, tribal, state, federal, and regional partners.
Coordinate EMS standby requirements with appropriate Department personnel and partner agencies.
Respond to emergency calls and significant or complex EMS incidents as appropriate, providing clinical, operational, command, coordination, or technical support consistent with qualifications and incident needs.
Maintain sufficient fire, rescue, EMS, and incident management competency to function as a sworn chief officer at all-hazard incidents and perform appropriate command or incident management functions.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Utilize, process, and navigate the County’s electronic ERP system as necessary and appropriate to the position.