Fire Chief

Job Description: Position opening March 28, 2024 Position closes April 24, 2024 or until filled Job Announcement Fire Chief Salary range: $90,000-$125,000 Cowlitz County Fire District 3 is currently accepting applications for the vacant position of Fire Chief. The Fire Chief is expected to continue the building of a combination department, comprised of career, part-time and volunteer staff. The chief will oversee all operations and administration of an all-hazards response district which includes fire suppression and prevention, emergency medical services (EMS), motor vehicle crash mitigation, hazmat operations, and wildland fire responses in a 48 square mile rural area. The chief will report to the Board of Commissioners comprised of 3 members. The Fire Chief is an exempt position that works at the will of the Board. The job description with the position requirements is attached. The district currently operates with a part-time Chief. Your typed application packet should contain the following: a) A letter of interest. b) A complete resume detailing all experience and education. c) Include copies of all degrees, certifications, and awards. d) The completed affidavit, which is attached. The application packet must be received by 6pm on April 24, 2024. Please send your completed application to Cowlitz County Fire District 3 PO Box 63 Toutle WA 98649 OR you can hand deliver your application, in an envelope to the station directly at 5055 Spirit Lake HWY 98649 between 0800 and 1500. Download the application packet by selecting JOIN US https://www.cowlitz3fire.org/ Hiring Process and Timeline Applications packets due April 24, 2024 Panel interviews week of April 26th-26th Background checks to include professional references week of May 1, 2024 Conditional offer pending psychological evaluation and physical week of May 7, 2024 Anticipated Start date of June 1, 2024 JOB DESCRIPTION FIRE CHIEF POSITION SUMMARY AND PURPOSE: The Fire Chief of Cowlitz County Fire District 3 is responsible for directing, coordinating, and implementing the effective management and function of all aspects of a combination volunteer/career fire service model. It is the Chief's job to manage and supervise all the departmental business. Work involves managing the protection of life and property from injury or damage by fire within the Fire District and contractual areas, responding and assuming command at all major emergencies. The chief is directly responsible to the Board of Commissioners. This position must be available for response on a 24-hour call-out basis to emergencies or other important department work. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Fire Chief operates under general policies established by the Board of Directors. The Chief is extended considerable latitude in the administration of the district and its functions and is expected to work in close harmony with the elected Board. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The Fire Chief supervises all subordinate personnel in all aspects of District operations through the approved District organizational structure. Using District Policy and Goals, the Fire Chief is expected to exercise independent judgment in carrying out programs to hire, promote, evaluate, counsel, assign, recall, transfer, reward, discipline, suspend, and discharge any District personnel as needed. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Provides motivation, direction and necessary resources to all District divisions and programs in meeting District policies, mission, vision, goals, and objectives. 2. Plans, coordinates, supervises, implements, and evaluates the District's Fire and EMS operations, including but not limited to: a. Short- and long-range planning with respect to facilities, equipment, apparatus, and personnel. b. Establishing the District mission, vision, values, goals, and objectives in conjunction with staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors; and, c. Analyzes issues for their effect on accomplishing the District’s mission and safety. 3. Accomplishes, directs, and delegates to divisions the District’s administrative activities and/or functions within the organization. 4. Directs and promotes the development of policies and procedural guidelines for efficient operations of the fire department and implementing the Board of Directors' policy direction. 5. Directs and promotes the development and implementation of performance standards for the evaluation of all District personnel. 6. Evaluates and counsels’ subordinate personnel regarding their performance, promotes an unbiased evaluation process to be used by line supervisors to evaluate the performance of all District personnel and provides direction concerning other personnel issues. 7. Directs, coordinates, & supervises the preparation of the district budget, directs the analysis and implementation of the budget and is responsible for the administration of the budget. 8. Prepares and/or reviews reports and keeps necessary records concerning District activities as may be required by District policy and/or the Board of Directors. 9. Performs emergency response duties as necessary on a 24-hour basis at a high level of technical competence and provides any necessary support to subordinate personnel involved in emergency operations, including shifts as duty officer. 10. Administers proper discipline, promotes the use of appropriate disciplinary policies and procedures by subordinates, and handles District grievances with respect and goodwill toward all parties involved. 11. Attends internal meetings necessary for efficient operations and external collaborative meetings with elected and appointed officials, other Fire and EMS agencies, local community and business leaders, and the public when deemed necessary to represent and promote the District regarding inquiries, complaints, and concerns. 12. Provides leadership in promoting team building and harmony of relationships with the Board of Directors and between volunteers, career line staff, and District managers. 13. Develops, promotes, and models positive organizational two-way communication with all levels, divisions, and programs of the district. 14. Coordinates departmental functions with other agencies. 15. Participates in and promotes high quality training at all levels of the organization and can instruct in specialty areas as necessary. 16. Is a member of the management negotiation team for labor contracts. 17. Performs other duties and functions as the Board of Directors may require, direct, or assign. 18. Attends administrative level conferences, schools, and seminars related to enhancement of the position and the district to deliver effective services. 19. May represent the District by active participation and membership in local, state, national, and international organizations as authorized by the Board of Directors. 20. Maintains an understanding of fire prevention codes and practices. 21. Participates in Regional Disaster Planning. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Candidate must possess a Washington State EMT Basic or National Registry Certification. 2. Candidate has 5 years minimum experience in emergency operations at the rank of Company officer or higher and 10 years of career firefighting experience for a combination volunteer and career fire department of equal to or larger size. 3. Candidate must be certified as a Fire Officer through NFPA, IFSAC, or IFSTA. 4. Must be certified as a Fire Instructor or possess certification or experience as a teacher. 5. Must be certified as a Washington EMT or higher (or if out of state, become certified within 6 months) 6. Must possess a valid and insurable Washington driver's license. 7. Must reside within a reasonable distance to the fire district. 8. Must be bondable and insurable through the district insurance agent for fiscal responsibility purposes. 9. Candidate has demonstrated ability to work closely with volunteers, staff, elected officials, citizens, and other governmental agencies. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Experience as a volunteer with a volunteer or combination volunteer/career fire department. 2. 5 Years experience in fire service management. 3. Candidate possesses Washington State Paramedic or National Registry Certification. 4. Previous supervisory experience and/or management training beyond minimum requirements. 5. Advanced, Intermediate, Paramedic certification or experience. 6. IFSAC Firefighter 1 and 2 7. IFSAC Hazmat Awareness and Operations 8. IFSAC Instructor 1 and 2 9. IFSAC Fire Officer 1 and 2 10. ICS certification or equivalent emergency scene management and experience KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 1. Knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention and emergency medical service principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment. 2. Knowledge of the Uniform Fire Code and of Incident Command. 3. Knowledge of and ability to interpret Washington Revised Statues & Washington Administrative Rules. 4. Working experience in Fire Department Accreditation process and improving ISO ratings. 5. Knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. 6. Knowledge of Federal guidelines pertaining to public fire protection, and public administration, and fire related criminal activities. 7. Skill in the operation of firefighting tools, radios, pagers, apparatus, and equipment. 8. Ability to develop, implement, and administer a Fire District budget per Washington Law and understand fiscal accountability of a Fire District. 9. Ability to train, supervise, evaluate, and counsel subordinate personnel. 10. Ability to perform emergency scene work that requires good physical condition. 11. Ability to be an effective listener and communicate effectively orally and in writing. 12. Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions. 13. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteer and career subordinates, the Board of Directors, fire and EMS professionals, and the public. 14. Ability to lead, plan, organize, and monitor various divisions and program areas. 15. Ability to create documents, spreadsheets, and databases using computers. 16. Demonstrated ability to routinely deal with the public, public employees, and officials, and the media in a courteous and cooperative manner, building and maintaining exemplary interpersonal relationships with each. 17. Candidate has demonstrated ability to work closely with volunteers, staff, elected officials, citizens, and other governmental agencies. 18. Ability to meet the special requirements listed below: a. No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories. b. Ability to maintain a Washington Driver's license. c. Ability to read and write the English language. d. Must possess current EVIP certification or be able to obtain it within 6 months. e. Must successfully complete a background investigation and credit check. f. Must successfully maintain current EMT or Paramedic certification. g. The Board shall have the authority to make exceptions and/or substitute an appropriate equivalency for any of these qualifications. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and smell. The employee must be able to display the ability to meet physical requirements as described in NFPA 1582. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed primarily in an office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. The individual is exposed to alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance including: smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, and oils. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at emergency scenes. Salary and benefits: · $90,000 -$125,000 DOQ · Generous medical dental and vision coverage · Washington State LEOFF Retirement · 11 Paid Holidays; open to negotiation · 20 Days of vacation open to negotiation · 15 days of sick leave; open to negotiation AFFIDAVIT I certify that the information given herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I agree that the Cowlitz County Fire District 3 shall not be liable in any respect if employment is denied to me or if my employment is terminated because of false, incomplete, or misleading information in my application packet or interviews. I also authorize the companies, schools or persons named within the packet to release to Cowlitz County Fire District 3 information regarding my employment, character, and qualifications. I hereby release said companies, schools, or persons from all liability for any damage for issuing this information. I understand that nothing contained in this application packet, or in the granting of an interview, creates a contract between Cowlitz County Fire District 3 and myself for employment or any other benefit. No promises regarding employment have been made to me and I understand that no such promise or guarantee is binding upon Cowlitz County Fire District 3. If an employment relationship is established, I understand that unless specifically limited in a formally executed contract, I have the right to terminate my employment at any time for any reason and Cowlitz County Fire District 3 retains a similar right. By my signature below, I certify that all answers and statements within this application packet are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that should an investigation disclose untruthful or misleading information, my application may be rejected, my name removed from consideration, or my appointment terminated. I understand that I may be required to undergo physical examination, psychological evaluation, drug screening and/or background investigation during the hiring process. As a condition of employment, I understand I will be required to produce original document