City Of Boulder, Co - Division Chief, Logistics

The City of Boulder is seeking its first Division Chief, Logistics to lead five primary functions including Facilities Support, Fleet Support, Logistical Support, Technology Support, and Communications Systems Support. As a new position within Boulder Fire and Rescue (BFR), the Division Chief will ultimately create the vision and shape the future of this position.

The Division Chief, Logistics is responsible for Facilities Support which includes the general maintenance, upkeep, and repair of all fire department facilities in coordination with the City of Boulder Facilities Department. Through Fleet Support, the Division Chief is responsible for the maintenance, repair, testing, procurement, and coordination of vehicles with the City’s Fleet Department. This position leads procurement and delivery support of various items, inspection and testing of fire hose, ground ladders, aerial ladders, fire apparatus pumps, fire equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) through Logistics Support. Additionally, Logistics Support maintains an inventory of uniforms, PPE, tools, equipment, and other consumable items to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. Through Technology and Communications Support, the Division Chief partners with the City’s Innovation and Technology Public Safety Team to ensure hardware/software compatibility and security, personal communications (mobile device support), network infrastructure, and coordinates mobile connectivity and coordination for the department’s multiple radio communication and notification systems in collaboration with the City Radio Shop.

The Division Chief assists with the development and implementation of departmental goals and specific goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for their assigned functions. This position plans, directs, conducts, and at times manages special studies, processes, and projects and ensures proper records are maintained. The Division Chief, Logistics routinely coordinates with other internal fire department divisions and with broader City of Boulder departments. This position also administers the equipment budget and performs related analysis.

The Division Chief acts in a command or general staff position during major emergencies as needed. This position collaborates with fire leadership to recommend appropriate service and staffing levels as necessary to provide service to the community and has a role in maintaining discipline within the department, responding to grievances in accordance with departmental and City policies, procedures, and provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. The Division Chief, Logistics provides supervisory and management training to assigned company officers and conducts critiques of fires and fire suppression strategies and tactics. This position also participates in training, and attends conferences, classes, and meetings on fire and personnel-related topics. The Division Chief may serve as an instructor for specialized in-service training.

The Division Chief, Logistics provides timely feedback to senior staff, and collaborates to identify problems, conduct investigations, and communicate solutions. As a leader in safety, the Division Chief is responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. The Division Chief takes proper safety precautions, utilizes all required safety equipment, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts to prevent accidents. The Division Chief also follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures and is responsible for knowing and complying with all City and department policies.

The Priorities

• Create the vision and shape the future of this newly formed role. Complete day-to-day tasks while identifying opportunities to streamline and drive consistency in processes, simplify decision-making, ensure efficiency, and delegate when appropriate.
• Spend the necessary time and effort to form and maintain strong working relationships throughout the fire department. Establish trust and encourage collaboration while continuing to meet Boulder Fire and Rescue Master Plan goals.
• Lead the program appraisal process for the five primary function areas in anticipation of reaccreditation in the fall of 2024. Develop the supplies and equipment program assessment and collaborate with Fleet, Facilities, Radio Shop, and Public Safety IT to develop program self-assessments and performance indicators for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the City. Build and maintain relationships with Fleet, Facilities, Radio Shop, and Public Safety IT and intentionally recognize where the work intersects, identify common goals, and ensure the needs of both the City and fire department are being met.
• Evaluate the current inventory management system and determine if a new system is needed to meet the current and future needs of the fire department.

The Successful Candidate

The Division Chief, Logistics is energized by the opportunity to create the long-term vision for this newly created position. The Division Chief brings a fresh perspective to the role, values continuous improvement, and is energized by analyzing and defining new ways of doing business. The successful candidate is a strategic systems thinker who also embraces the day-to-day responsibilities and values being hands-on.

The successful candidate has a progressive mindset and embraces modern views regarding Fire and Emergency Services. The Division Chief monitors trends and researches the latest in equipment, supplies, and technology to address the future needs of Boulder Fire and Rescue. The Division Chief is an effective decision-maker and uses logic, data, and metrics to inform and support decisions.

A natural convener and collaborator, the Division Chief, Logistics recognizes the importance of relationships and partnerships at all levels. The successful candidate brings a strong history of developing effective relationships with colleagues and peers and welcomes the opportunity to routinely collaborate across BFR and with staff throughout the City. The Division Chief values customer service and brings the ability to balance internal and external needs, understanding larger, citywide initiatives and how they may impact the fire department.

The Division Chief, Logistics promotes diversity in a respectful and informed way fostering a welcoming environment based on inclusion, trust, and empowerment. Strong communication, active listening, and transparency are essential to success. An effective problem solver, the successful candidate is personable, approachable, easy to talk to, and actively engages in open dialogue regarding the equipment, facilities, fleet, technology, and communication needs of the department. The Division Chief leads by example and is calm under pressure. They are committed to excellence and effectively advocate for the best possible outcomes.

Boulder Fire and Rescue Leadership Competencies

• Command Presence: Continues to work in the face of obstacles; has a calm steady demeanor; embraces challenges; is willing to take unpopular stance; shows a significant level of effort to achieve goals.
• Decision-Making Ability: Makes well-informed, effective, quality, timely decisions; analyzes and understands implications of decisions; takes calculated risks; takes ownership of decisions; strives for excellence; holds self-accountable.
• Ethics: Can evaluate right and wrong; has qualities of character, courage, and prudence; committed to core values and beliefs; acts in an ethical way that reflects agency and personal values.
• Integrity: Takes responsibility for self and others; represents the truth; maintains confidentiality; demonstrates honesty; keeps commitments; can stand their ground.
• Courage to Lead: Is honest and forthright; provides frank and open feedback; faces challenges; has courage to speak up.
• Problem Resolution: Employs analytical abilities and pragmatism; can understand a complex situation; confronts issues and looks for long-term solutions.

Qualifications

A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive fire service experience, including at least three (3) years as a company officer. Experience in a municipal fire department is ideal as is diverse fire service experiences including equipment, facilities, specialty teams, and committees. Program management, asset management, and lifecycle evaluation knowledge is highly desired. Technology, communications, and radio knowledge is beneficial. Bilingual abilities helpful.

A bachelor’s degree is required, ideally in Public Administration, Fire Science, Business, Political Science, Fire Protection Engineering, Education, or Executive Fire Officer certification. A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle driving record is required.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Inside the City of Boulder

The City of Boulder believes in a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment, where the community adapts and thrives in response to emerging, and sometimes urgent, social, economic, and environmental challenges.

The Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience Framework guides budget and planning processes by providing consistent goals necessary to achieve Boulder’s vision of a great community and the actions required to achieve them. Building on a legacy of innovation, Boulder cultivates a creative spirit in order to adapt and thrive in the changing climate.

Boulder continuously works to provide service excellence for an inspired future through our core values:

• Customer service: We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our community and our co-workers by demonstrating consistent and professional service with a solution-oriented approach.
• Respect: We champion diversity and welcome individual perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions. We are open-minded and treat all individuals with respect and dignity.
• Integrity: We are stewards of the public’s trust and are committed to service that is transparent and consistent with city regulations and policies. We are honorable, follow through on our commitments, and accept responsibility.
• Collaboration: We are committed to organizational success and celebrate our shared dedication to public service. We believe community collaboration and the sum of our individual contributions lead to great results.
• Innovation: We promote a forward-thinking environment that supports creativity, calculated risks, and continuous improvement. We embrace change and learn from others in order to deliver leading-edge service.
  

Workplace Culture

The City of Boulder believes that a diverse workforce, individual lived experiences, and an inclusive environment add quality and perspective to the services provided to the public. Therefore, the organization intentionally strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce that values and embraces differences among employees.

An important component of the City’s culture and environment is Boulder’s Leadership Philosophy: We believe each of us is a leader. We are motivated by the opportunities to make a positive difference in our community. Our greatest results are achieved when we:

• Create a respectful, trusting, and supportive environment.
• Rely on, invest in, and celebrate each other’s perspectives, skills, talents, and accomplishments.
• Consult and collaborate with each other to make timely and quality decisions.
• Share responsibility for and learn from the process and outcomes of a creative culture.
  

Structure of Local Government

The City of Boulder has a council-manager form of government where the elected City Council sets policies and the Council-appointed City Manager administers them. The City Council also appoints the City Attorney and the Municipal Court Judge. The City Council consists of nine members, including a mayor and mayor pro tem, selected by the Council members. Council members are elected at large and may serve up to three terms.

With a 2024 approved budget of $515.4 Million, the City of Boulder is served by approximately 1500 standard employees. Robust City services are provided through numerous departments and divisions.

Boulder Fire and Rescue

Mission

We exist to protect lives and property from harm through effective risk reduction, emergency response, and recovery assistance.

Vision

People first, safety always, excellence in all we do!

Boulder Fire and Rescue (BFR) is accredited through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). The department fights structural, wildland, and other fires; responds to medical emergencies, rescue situations, hazardous material releases, and natural disasters; provides fire-safety education to the public; works with local businesses and organizations by inspecting buildings and reviewing construction plans for fire prevention code compliance; and acts as the designated emergency response authority (DERA) for hazardous materials incidents in the City of Boulder. BFR supports a multi-jurisdiction HazMat team and a stand-alone water rescue team. Boulder encompasses 27 square miles of land and is surrounded by 71 square miles of city Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP).

The Fire Chief oversees the department and reports directly to the City Manager. Reporting to the Fire Chief are two Deputy Fire Chiefs leading Emergency Operations and Support Services. With a 2024 approved budget of $27.57 Million, BFR has a staff of 142 across three core program areas.

Administration