Primary Purpose of Job
The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and manage all staff and operations of the Fire Department to provide all municipal fire and emergency services operations and preparedness for fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical, natural disasters, air emergencies, search and rescue, and emergency management programs.
Under the supervision of the Assistant Municipal Administrator, the Fire Chief exercises independent judgment and discretion in the leadership and management of the Fire Department’s staff, operations, and compliance. The Fire Chief directly supervises two or more employees and is responsible for the supervision of all department staff if delegated to other managers or supervisors.
The Fire Chief is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Assistant Municipal Administrator, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, Municipal Attorney, and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of staff directly supervised- Oversees the work and performance by all other department staff supervised by others who report directly to the Fire Chief
- Maintains final authority, subject to review by the Municipal Administrator, on all department staff personnel actions and disciplinary decisions
- Prepares, recommends, and provides operational justification for the department’s annual budget to the Municipal Administrator and Assembly
- Approves and monitors the expenditure of funds within the parameters of the budget
- Plans, organizes, coordinates, and oversees all emergency services within the Fire Department
- Ensures the enforcement of relevant codes and supervises equipment operation, maintenance, and procurement
- Coordinates Sitka Fire Department activities with outside agencies, such as State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard
- Responds to emergency situations, providing necessary leadership, and tactical command
- Investigates the causes, origins, and circumstances of fires within the CBS
- Organizes departmental training programs and schedules for both volunteer and paid staff
- Develops and provides policy direction to department employees to ensure financial, technical or operational, and legal compliance
- Advises the Municipal Administrator and the Assembly regarding the status of the department’s obligations, ongoing activities, and accomplishments
- Performs other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
High School diploma or GED; preferably supplemented by a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Sciences, Public Administration, or a closely related field; and- Extensive experience in fire department operations, with management and supervisory experience; and
- Possession of upon hire ICS 100 and ICS 700 from FEMA; and
- Possession of upon hire EMT I license from the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred, and
- Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire,
o Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Council or Proboard; and
o ICC Fire Inspector I and II certifications; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
Applicants must complete the physical agility course set out by the department in two (2) attempts and pass a drug test before being hired.
Other Job Requirements or Expectations
Maintain EMT I certification in the State of Alaska, advanced certification preferred, and ability to maintain an active certification on an ongoing basis
- Maintain Firefighter certifications while employed with the department
- Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska
- Must be available to be on-call 24/7 on rotation with the Assistant Fire Chief
- Must use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (“PPE”)
- Must remain physically fit and able to perform the physical requirements of a firefighter or EMT
- Attendance at relevant committee and commission meetings as well as Assembly meetings which may occur after regular work hours
