Fire Chief

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) is a CFAI internationally accredited department and maintains an ISO Property Protection Class 1 Rating. The all-hazards department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), HazMat, Technical Rescue, Marine Rescue, and SWAT Medical to over 300,000 citizens in and outside of the city limits. SPFR is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce made up of motivated individuals who are dynamic, team-oriented, physically fit, and who possess good moral character. Service is delivered through 11 ALS Rescue Units, 3 Peak Time Rescue Units, 3 ALS Engine Companies, 10 ALS Up/Down Engine Companies, and 4 Truck Companies. SPFR is seeking a Fire Chief to lead the department into the future by providing complex administrative direction and leadership for all operations, equipment, and personnel. This is Administrator level work of a highly specialized nature involving all of the assigned duties related to a large, municipal fire and rescue operation. Work includes planning, organizing, and directing programs and the work of related personnel; negotiating and executing inter-local agreements; and acting as a liaison with other government entities, City administration, and the public. Work also involves analyzing, monitoring, formulating, administering and oversight of the SPFR budget, expenditures, and procurement of related emergency equipment and vehicles; investigating and addressing complaints; and providing support, direction, and guidance to SPFR leadership. An employee in this classification will be expected to work independently while reporting directly to the Mayor; to analyze operational data and trends to make any adjustments for efficiency and effectiveness of service; and to be up to date on industry trends related to equipment and fire rescue related requirements and techniques.

Salary: $174,671 - $227,517 DOQ

Close Date: Open Until Filled

Minimum Qualifications. Applicants must:

• Have a valid Bachelor’s degree.

• Possess and maintain a valid Driver License.

• Possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Firefighter certification or obtain within an agreed upon period after hire.

• Possess and maintain a Chief Fire Officer Designation or National Fire Executive Fire Officer certification or have an accepted application to either program.

• Have considerable progressive experience in EMS, rescue operations, and fire suppression work, with at least five (5) years of prior executive management level Fire Department experience.

• Have thorough knowledge and understanding of fire rescue and EMS programs, funding, and operations and be able to provide competent leadership in those areas.

• Be able to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, including making presentations to City Administration, citizens, City Council, and other government agencies.

• Be able to prioritize work and multitask, including meeting varying deadlines within time constraints.

• Acknowledge this position is designated as Emergency Critical (EC) and if hired into the position, you must be immediately available to the department before, during, and after a declared emergency and/or disaster.

Desirable Qualifications. Preferred applicants:

• Have a valid Master’s degree from an accredited university in fire administration, public administration or a related field, or have completed some post-secondary education in a related degree field.

• Have significant progressive management experience, including experience at the high command level, preferably with a metropolitan sized department and/or municipal government.

• Have significant knowledge of modern principles, practices, and techniques related firefighting, EMS and healthcare operations and a proven history of implementing and/or overseeing successful programs.
  

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

For purposes of employment, re-employment, promotion, transfer or demotion, the most qualified applicants will be selected to continue in the hiring process. At this point, any prior criminal records will be verified. A prior criminal record will not necessarily disqualify a selected applicant from employment.

The City of St. Petersburg is committed to a Drug Free Workplace and compliance with the Department of Transportation (DT) drug testing rules. Applicants may be required to successfully complete pre-employment drug testing and/or medical exams.