Fire Services Director

About the position

We are excited to hire a full-time Fire Services Director to join our County leadership team! Our ideal candidate for the Fire Services Director must exemplify outstanding leadership skills, and capable of inspiring and motivating their employees. This individual should have the ability to make informed and decisive choices, particularly in high-pressure scenarios. The role is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. The ideal candidate should reflect transformational leadership, strategic vision, operational knowledge, and innovative thinking. They should be equipped to devise and execute long-term strategies that align with the York County's Government Strategic Plan. This requires proficiency in analyzing current trends, evaluating risks, and preparing for future challenges to boost the fire department's effectiveness. A comprehensive understanding of fire service operations is essential. Experience in budget management and resource optimization is also a crucial competency to ensure that the department runs efficiently. In this position, the Fire Services Director must excel in overseeing various departmental operations. This includes collaboration with other agencies including volunteer districts, staff management, and internal and external stakeholders. Our Fire Services Director will focus on innovative solutions that advance the department. This involves embracing new technologies, promoting modern firefighting techniques, and initiating programs that enhance community safety and readiness. In summary, the ideal candidate for our Fire Services Director position is a strategic, operationally knowledgeable, and visionary leader with strong management capabilities, adaptability, and communication skills. This individual will play a crucial role in steering the fire department toward its mission of protecting and serving the community.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Researches, plans, and develops budget recommendations including capital and operating expenditures for firefighting equipment and apparatus then procure through York County Government such items as approved by the County Manager and York County Council for York County Fire and the York County Fire Service system.
• Updates and makes project recommendations for inclusion in the County Capital Improvement Plan and maintains the York County Fire Service 5-year capital expenditure and strategic plans.
• In conjunction with the County Council, County Manager, Advisory Council, and appropriate boards; develops, plans and implements goals, objectives, rules, regulations, standard operating guidelines and procedures that comply with federal, state and local laws and in response to an assessment of community needs that standardizes the overall York County Fire Service.
• Coordinates mutual fire protection plans, emergency responses and other department activities with surrounding jurisdictions, other departments and external organizations to make recommendations for approval by the County Manager and York County Council.
• Coordinates countywide fire inspections and fire investigations, attend various meetings, respond to inquiries/concerns/complaints/requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility and provide assistance to the County Manager and the Assistant County Managers in various assigned capacities.
• May need to visit county wide fire districts to provide support which may require use of a county vehicle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Public Safety, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Administration or related discipline and eight (8) years of fire administration experience; OR
• Associates degree in Public safety, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Administration or related discipline and ten (10) years of fire administration experience; OR
• High School Diploma and twelve (12) years of fire administration experience.
• Valid driver's license.
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter I, II.
• NFPA 1002: Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator.
• NFPA 1072, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents competencies. HAZMAT Awareness, OPS, TECH, IC.
• FEMA ICS-100, 200, 700, 800. Preferred ICS-300, 400.

Nice-to-haves

• Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Benefits

• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences