The Division Chief for the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Department of Public Safety is a versatile, senior-level leadership role serving on an on-call, as-needed basis. This position provides high-level operational support and strategic oversight to ensure the department remains prepared and responsive to the needs of the Nation. When activated, the Division Chief may be assigned to various incident command positions or serve as the Duty Officer, providing a critical link between field operations and departmental administration. Their presence ensures that complex situations are managed with the necessary expertise, whether they are overseeing a specific division or providing broad organizational guidance during a shift.
In addition to field assignments, the Division Chief is instrumental in maintaining departmental excellence by leading or assisting in training initiatives and personnel development. Core responsibilities include managing resources, implementing safety protocols, and ensuring that all activities align with Tribal policies and emergency management best practices. As a seasoned professional, the incumbent is expected to exercise sound judgment under pressure, coordinate effectively with inter-agency partners, and uphold the highest standards of fire and life safety to protect the community’s members and assets.
All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees must submit to a background check and abide by all Tribal, federal, and state laws. All employees must comply with Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation drug free workplace policy and will be subject to pre-employment, random, for-cause, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing. Qualified American Indian Preference applies.
Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:
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Incident Command Leadership: Assume command of emergency incidents or serve in various ICS capacities (Operations, Planning, Logistics, etc.) to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
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Duty Officer Coverage: Serve as the Department’s Duty Officer as needed, providing 24-hour operational oversight and acting as the point of contact for emergency escalations.
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Strategic Resource Management: Oversee the deployment and utilization of personnel, apparatus, and equipment during routine operations and emergency scenes.
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Training Development: Design, lead, or assist in departmental training exercises to maintain high levels of readiness and ensure compliance with Tribal and state standards.
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Personnel Supervision: Provide leadership and direction to subordinate staff and volunteers, ensuring all personnel adhere to departmental policies and safety protocols.
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Emergency Scene Safety: Act as the primary monitor for scene safety, identifying potential hazards and implementing immediate corrective actions to protect responders and the public.
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Inter-Agency Coordination: Collaborate and communicate effectively with local, state, and federal agencies during multi-jurisdictional incidents.
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Operational Planning: Assist in the development and implementation of operational plans, standard operating guidelines (SOGs), and emergency management strategies.
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Report & Documentation: Ensure the accurate and timely completion of incident reports, training logs, and administrative documentation.
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Community Risk Reduction: Support the Nation’s safety goals by participating in fire prevention, public education, and community outreach programs as assigned.
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On-Call Readiness: Maintain a state of readiness to respond promptly to calls for service during scheduled on-call shifts or department-wide emergencies.
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Policy Adherence: Ensure all activities and operations are conducted in strict accordance with the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation’s laws, ordinances, and departmental policies.
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Equipment Oversight: Assist in the inspection and maintenance of departmental assets to ensure all emergency tools and vehicles are mission-ready.
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Strategic Decision-Making: Evaluate complex situations under high pressure and make critical decisions regarding life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation.
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Professional Mentorship: Act as a mentor to junior officers and firefighters, fostering a culture of professional growth, accountability, and tribal sovereignty.
Personal Traits:
All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees are expected to consistently demonstrate the organization’s values: integrity, cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional values, continual learning and improving, compassion, teamwork and pride. Employees are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, accountability, cooperation with and consideration of others.
Required Knowledge:
All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees are expected to have general knowledge of typical office technologies such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, and typical office software.
Job Specific Required Knowledge:
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Expert knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage large-scale emergencies and coordinate with diverse outside agencies.
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Strong understanding of how to lead mixed teams under pressure, make quick decisions, and maintain safety on any incident scene.
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Knowledge of how to plan and organize broad training programs that keep both professional responders and community volunteers prepared.
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Ability to create and lead drills or educational sessions for various audiences, including department staff, Tribal Citizens, and community members, and partner organizations.
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Understanding of how to work effectively with local, state, federal, and community partners during shared emergencies.
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Knowledge of how to coach staff and engage with Tribal Citizens and community members to build a culture of safety and preparedness throughout the Nation.
Required Skills and Abilities:
All Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation employees are expected to have a broad range of skills and abilities centered around a strong citizen focus, efficient performance, and teamwork. All employees should have customer service skills, interpersonal skills and good communication skills. All employees should have the ability to manage their time and organize their work to ensure efficient performance. In addition, all employees should have the ability to follow policy, procedure and instructions, actively communicate with their supervisors to ensure understanding and manage their work accordingly. Finally, all employees should have the ability to understand and manage citizen confidentiality.
Job specific skills and abilities are listed below:
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Oral communications.
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Dealing tactfully with government officials, civic groups, private vendors, and the Nation’s citizens.
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Maintaining accurate inventory records.
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Managing projects.
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Managing time efficiently.
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Organizing work effectively.
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Administer and manage emergency management programs and projects.
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Problem solve and critically think.
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Remain calm under stress.
Physical Requirements:
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Use hands and arms to operate office and field equipment and for repetitive-motion tasks for more than one hour at a time.
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Sit for more than half a workday.
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Stand or walk for more than a workday.
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Bend, stretch, twist, crouch, and reach.
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View electronic monitors for prolonged periods of time.
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Lift or carry less than 50 pounds unaided.
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Push or pull, using up to moderate force.
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See and hear with normal acuity.
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If the NWCG position requires a Work Capacity Test () the Test must be successfully completed within two weeks of medical clearance. Employees will be allowed three attempts to successfully complete the WCT. If an employee is unsuccessful after three attempts within the two-week period employment the individual will no longer qualify for the position and employment in the position will be terminated.
Working Conditions:
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Work is conducted in both the office and the field.
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Moderate travel is required, up to 50 percent of the time.
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Work is occasionally required in confined spaces, in areas of high noise, and/or in high or low temperatures.
• Must hold a bachelor’s degree in fire, law enforcement, emergency management or public administration. Or 8 years’ experience in fire, law enforcement or emergency management. And • 3 years supervisory experience in fire, law enforcement or emergency management. • Must be certified in the following Incident Command System (“ICS”) courses within first year of hire: ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800. • Must be able to obtain an NWCG Red Card. • One or more of the following NWCG positions. o AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER (ACDP) o AIR OPERATIONS BRANCH DIRECTOR (AOBD) o AIR TACTICAL GROUP SUPERVISOR (ATGS) o DIVISION/GROUP SUPERVISOR (DIVS) o EXPANDED DISPATCH COORDINATOR (CORD) o FIRE BEHAVIOR ANALYST (FBAN) o HELIBASE MANAGER (HEBM) o HELICOPTER COORDINATOR (HLCO) o INCIDENT COMMANDER TYPE 3 (ICT3) or higher o LIAISON OFFICER (LOFR) o PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER TYPE 3 (PIO3) or higher o SAFETY OFFICER TYPE 3 (SOF3) or higher o UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) MANAGER (UASM) o UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) MODULE LEADER (UASL) o UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) PILOT (UASP) o Rx BURN BOSS TYPE 1 (RXB1) o Any Section Chief • Must be certified First Aid and in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (“CPR”) within 90 days of date of hire. • Valid state issued driver’s license and/or the ability to obtain a California or Oregon driver’s license. Must be insurable on the Tribe’s insurance policy.
