Address
Form of workOPEN UNTIL FILLED
Are you an experienced fire services manager who possesses the "courage to lead" a high-energy, creative, and professional team? The City of Richmond is a diverse, welcoming community, and we are looking for our next Fire Chief! The successful candidate will join a results-driven organization with a proud history of providing excellent service to our community through the building of strong, cohesive relationships and an unblemished record of ethical and professional conduct. With the assistance of 88 sworn and five non-sworn full-time employees, the new Fire Chief will oversee Fire and Emergency Services operations with an FY 2023/2024 operating budget of over $28 million while working collaboratively with other City, County, Regional, and State agencies. Ideal candidates must be able to formulate long-range plans with vision and leadership, manage people and constructive change, mentor and develop staff, continue positive labor/management relations, and ensure prudent fiscal management of the Department's budget.
The annual salary for this position is $236,691 per year at the top of the range, with approved Cost of Living Adjustmentsin 2024 (5%) and 2025 (5%). In addition, city-paid benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, holidays, administrative leave days, sick time, CalPERS retirement contribution, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, annual professional development reimbursement, one week of paid parental leave, and more! All benefits information can be found here.
The most successful candidate has a verifiable work history of having exceptional organizational skills and communication skills and is detail-oriented, process-oriented, adaptable, and responsive. The preferred candidate must also possess the desire to work actively, collaboratively, and creatively as part of a team and be skilled in employee relations.
The Fire Chief has the ultimate responsibility to responsible for overseeing the administration and implementation of programs, services, and activities of the Fire Department; the direct and indirect supervision of management, professional, technical, and clerical personnel; developing and implementing policies, goals, and objectives; and administering the department's budget. The incumbent will use considerable judgment and latitude in the management of these areas. The Fire Chief must be capable of working closely with the City Attorney's Office, City Manager's Office, and community stakeholders.
Desirable characteristics: self-motivated, ability to pivot, flexibility, reliability, willingness to pitch in during critical times. Being a team player is essential.
The following list is intended to be illustrative and does not necessarily represent the entire range of work duties expected of employees within the classification. Depending on the assigned area and the specific work of the department, duties may include, but are not limited to:
The City of Richmond is the City of Pride and Purpose, and we value those traits in our employees!
The following list is intended to be illustrative and does not necessarily represent the entire range of work duties expected of employees within the classification. Depending on the assigned area and the specific work of the department, duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Monitors and evaluates the agency's key performance indicators while identifying opportunities for improvement and increased coordination with other city agencies.
- Serves in a leadership role to provide direction and vision to the department and its command staff.
- Develops and administers the departmental budget.
- Oversees the development and implementation of agency programs to comply with legislative mandates and policy directives.
- Collaborates with City Manager and City Council members and advises stakeholders on important agency issues.
- Participates with various community, civic, and media organizations to advance agency strategies and promote public awareness of fire safety.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:- The principles of modern fire and emergency management
- Public Relations practices and techniques
- The policies and technical issues associated with fire prevention, emergency management, and hazardous materials programs
- The laws, codes, rules, and regulations that govern the provision of emergency management, fire inspection, and hazardous materials programs
- Public Administration
- Budget Management
- Modern office practices and equipment, including applicable software
- Problem-solving
- Analytical thinking
- Negotiation and consensus decision-making
- Leadership and team building
- Verbal and written communication, including public speaking
- Oversee the operations of a large and complex fire prevention and suppression agency
- Develop and prioritize agency objectives and policies
- Analyze complex technical and administrative issues and develop solutions
- Supervise, motivate, and develop staff
- Interpret and apply laws and administrative policies
- Establish and maintain both effective public relations and working relationships
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Social Science, Business or Public Administration, or a closely related field is preferred. A Master's degree is highly desirable.
- Nine (9) years of experience in fire suppression, four (4) of which were at the command or supervisory level
- Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS
- California Driver's License is an ongoing requirement.
- Chief Fire Officer Certification from the State Fire Marshal is preferred
IMPORTANT DATES: This recruitment is open until filled. The first review of resumes will take place the week of December 4, 2023. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early in the process for optimal consideration. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of January 8, 2024, and follow-up interviews will be mutually arranged as needed.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
This recruitment is open until filled
TO APPLY: Please submit a resume (resumes should reflect years and months of positions held), cover letter, and five work-related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to:
HR_Staff@ci.richmond.ca.us
*Please place in the subject line of the email FIRE CHIEF RECRUITMENT 2023.
RESUME APPRAISAL: Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this announcement. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will screened and invited to participate in panel interviews.
A pool of eligible candidates will be established. Your placement in this pool will be determined solely (100%) by information provided in your resume and panel interview. Having all of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee placement in the pool of eligible candidates.
EMPLOYMENT LIST
Eligible candidates will be placed in a pool of best-qualified candidates and will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
About the City of Richmond
The City of Richmond lies on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles northeast across the Bay from downtown San Francisco. A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and easy access to the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART, AC Transit, the ferry, and two freeways (I-80 & I-580). Residents, visitors, and employees enjoy Richmond's numerous recreational opportunities, which include 32 miles of shoreline and over 3,000 acres of shoreline parks, more segments of the Bay Trail completed than any other city, several recreational boat harbors and yacht clubs, and thousands of acres of contiguous inland regional parks and open space. The City has substantial economic resources but is still affordable compared to other Bay Area cities. Our community is welcoming, diverse, and actively engaged.
Richmond is truly the City of Pride and Purpose!
Immigration Reform Control Act
In compliance with the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, individuals offered employment by the City of Richmond will be required to show documentation of eligibility to work in the United State as a condition of employment.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The City's policy prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, color, age, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Disaster Service Workers
California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declare all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. More information can be found here.
EEO/ADA/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
WEBSITE: www.ci.richmond.ca.us
10/23 Employment Type: Exempt
