Fire Chief - Metro Milwaukee Fire & Rescue

City of Wauwatosa•Wauwatosa, WI

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief is responsible for leading the integration of the former Wauwatosa and West Allis Fire Departments into a unified organization, Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue (MMFR), aligning operations, policies, and culture to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery across both communities. The Fire Chief will provide overall visioning, leadership, direction, and general administrative oversight of the Fire Department, fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS). The pay range for this position is $153,753 - $196,477 with the starting salary commensurate of experience and qualifications. Further increases are based on cost of living adjustments and performance step increases. This is complemented by an excellent benefits package, a robust wellness program, an on-site fitness center, a free workplace clinic, paid parental leave, generous paid holidays and vacation, a pension plan and the opportunity to work with dedicated professionals who have a passion for public service. Relocation assistance is also available. This position will be the first position of the department. While details of the merged department's benefits package are being finalized, the selected candidate will receive the City of Wauwatosa's comprehensive benefits. Upon finalization, the Fire Chief will transition to the MMFR benefits package.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Management, Fire Department Administration, Paramedicine, Fire-Medic, Business Administration, or related majors from an accredited college or university.
At least ten years of fire/EMS experience with at least five being increasingly responsible management experience in a command-level capacity (Captain or above) with a range of operational and administrative experience in an urban/suburban fire department
Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State of WI Driver’s License without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
Proven ability to foster effective and positive working relationships with external and internal customers, including employees, residents, visitors, and city officials.
Ability to lead department officers and staff, as well as delegate supervisory authority to department officers.
Effective communication, oral and written, with supervisors, peers and public.
Understanding of finance and budgeting.
High level project management skills.
Ability to utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, Telestaff, TylerMunis, WebEOC, ProPhoenix
Knowledge of national, state, and local laws and fire/safety codes.
Expected to be available and/or reachable twenty-four hours per day, 365 days per year, with the exception of scheduled leaves, scheduled vacation time, or other reported time off.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree is preferred.
Completion of an Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) or similar program preferred.
Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) desired.
Previous experience with a departmental merger or working for a merged department preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains a workforce competent in customer service, accountability, results orientation, and teamwork
Under the authority of the MMFR Fire Commission, responsible for the oversight of appointing, supervising, training, disciplining, and evaluation of employees
Ensures compliance with laws, labor agreements, standards, and organizational policies and procedures
Participates in research, development, and negotiation of labor contract proposals
Establishes cost control measures and monitors all fiscal operations of the Department to ensure financial well-being and sustainability
Prepares and monitors annual budgets and justifies budget requests and amendments
Develops and manages fees and charges
Accesses federal and state funding sources
Ensures efficient and economical use of departmental funds, personnel, equipment, facilities, and time
Works with elected officials, department heads, staff, and other agencies to develop long-range plans, objectives, organizational structure, and overall direction for meeting fire and emergency medical service needs.
Monitors, reviews, and communicates the implementation phases of the department’s strategic plans to ensure long-range goals are met.
Sets objectives of the Metro Milwaukee Fire Rescue.
Works with local, county, state, and federal agencies to keep abreast of current trends and laws in the fire service, EMS, and communications for the regional improvement of these activities
Serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Wauwatosa and West Allis (or their designee)
Responsible for emergency operations involving multiple jurisdictions through utilization of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
May assume command of large-scale emergency events, if appropriate
Oversees and coordinates planning, logistics, operations, finance, and information dissemination before/during/after planned events or emergencies to protect public health and safety
Briefs elected officials on developments which might affect overall public safety
Develops and coordinates City disaster preparedness and training
Serves as a member of applicable county and state emergency management groups as needed
Creates and manages inter-agency agreements with local fire/EMS systems and community-based business
Provides department representation at committees and boards related to fire/EMS, development, and emergency management; serves as the spokesperson for the department to media sources
Presents department-related information to community groups, elected officials, and business leaders within the communities it serves
Attends relevant local community events to represent the Fire Department
Establishes rules and regulations for the joint Fire Department that meet applicable federal, state, and local laws and standards in partnership with the MMFR Board and Fire Commission.
Reviews and updates rules and regulations periodically to ensure they remain current and in conformity with changing needs of the jurisdictions the Department serves and applicable laws