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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.E.3. Job Description for Full-Time Fire Chief City of Shakopee Memorandum / 5 I C I 3, . TO: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator FROM: Kris Wilson, Assistant City Administrator)~ SUBJECT: Approval of Job Description f<;>r Full-Time Fire Chief DATE: Octobe~ 11,2007 Introduction The City Council is asked to approve the attached job description for the newly created position of full-time Fire Chief. Background The proposed 2008 budget includes funding for the City's first full-time Fire Chief. The first step in preparing to fill that position is to adopt a formal job description, which outlines the job responsibilities and minimum qualifications. The attached job description has been developed after reviewing sample job descriptions from other metro-area cities with full-time Fire Chiefs, consulting with the City's current paid-on-call Chief and reviewing the job descriptions of the City's other department heads. As you will see on the attached job description, we are recommending that the minimum qualifications for the position be ten years of fire fighting experience, at least five of which must have been in a command or supervisory capacity, and an Associates Degree in fire sciences, public administration or related field or obtain one within five years of hire. Additionally, applicants must have the firefighter training we require of all of our firefighters (Firefighter I and II, First Responder and a Hazardous Awareness and Operations Certificate.) Lastly, the job description states that the Chief must live within a thirty-minute response time of Fire Station 51 with six months of employment. The proposed job description has been evaluated by the City's compensation consultant and is recommended for placement in Grade 11 of the City's full-time pay plan. Budget Impact Funding for this position is included in the proposed 2008 budge~. This is the first step toward filling that position, however, we do not foresee the position actually being filled or salary expenditures being made until sometime in the first quarter of2008. Relationship to Vision: The addition of a full-time Fire Chief is intended to contribute to an effective and efficient Fire Department, which contributes to a High Quality of Life for residents (Goal B). Requested Action: If it concurs, the Council should offer a motion to approve the attached job description for the position of full-time Fire Chief. RJLE'L DEITMANN & J<!jLSE'f LLC COMPENSATION STRATEGIES & RELATED SERVICES 11900 Wayzata Boule,vard Suite 104 Minnetonka, MN 55305 Telephone (952) 542-9400 Fax (952) 542-2212 September 18th, 2007 Ms. Kris Wilson Assistant City Administrator City of Shakopee 129 Holmes Street South Shakopee, MN 55379 Dear Kris: I have received, read and evaluated the draft description for the new City position titled Fire Chief dated September 2007. The observations and classification recommendation are based on that draft document and any other background information provided. Observations ~ From a structural perspective, the organizational authority and management of this new position covers and includes all aspects of policies, procedures and practice$ related to fire prevention, fire protection, and fire suppression. ( I assume that the prevention reference indicates some scope of fire education at least from a policy perspective) ~ Although the most visible part of a comprehensive fire services department is typically fire suppression incidents, this position must also operate as any other department head when addressing the equally important accountabilities covering goal setting / evaluation; long-range planning; staffing and performance management; budget planning and management; community relations and participating actively and collaboratively as any other department head. A comprehensive fire services department certainly requires leadership training, experience, capabilities and capacity for all of these areas in addition to experience with fire suppression. ~ The profile of education, experience and certifications in the draft description supports the conclusion that this position cannot be just a higher level of firefighting with some ancillary. administrative elements. Recommendation ~ Application of the City's job evaluation process, based on the draft description and any other background provided places the position of Fire Chief in Grade Level 11 of the Shakopee classification hierarchy. . Please contact me with any questions or the need for further discussion on my observations and recommendation. Sincerely, 'R~?It. ~~ Roderick M. Kelsey Vice President and Principal CITY OF SHAKO PEE Job Description Job Title: Reports To: FLSA Status: Prepared Date: Approved By: Approved Date: Salary Grade: Fire Chief City Administrator Exempt September 2007 11 JOB SUMMARY: The Fire Chief position is responsible for delivering an effective and efficient program of fire prevention, protection and suppression services to residents, businesses and visitors. Supervises a multi-station department of trained, paid-on-call firefighters in providing effective response to a wide range of emergency and rescue incidents and ensures collaboration with other emergency service agencies in the City, County and surrounding area. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Department's operation, including the establishment of an effective organizational structure and management of personnel, equipment, and budgetary resources. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Establish policies, goals and objectives, in conjunction with the CIty Administrator and City Council, designed to provide high-quality fire prevention and suppression services to residents and businesses within the Shakopee Fire District. Continuously evaluate services provided by the Fire Department and develop options for improving services or matching services more closely to conimunity needs. Develop and recommend long-range plans for firefighting equipment, personnel and facilities designed to meet the changing needs of the community and the department. Implement approved plans within the designated timeline and budget. Provide direct and in-direct supervision to all Fire Department employees in accordance with City policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include selection, development and training of personnel; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints, resoiving problems and taking appropriate disciplinary action when necessary. Respond to emergency calls and oversee firefighters at scene when necessary and appropriate; in conjunction with scene commander, determine need for mutual aid response. Ensure the proper training of all department personnel and oversee the acquisition and proper maintenance of all departmental equipment. Develop and recommend annual departmental operating budget, fees and capital improyement program. Monitor and control expenditures within approyed limits and according to City policies and procedures. Write, implement and administer grant applications/programs as necessary. Develop and maintain effective working relationships and open lines of communication with neighboring fire departments and other area emergency service agencies; cooperate with surrounding communities and State and Federal agencies as necessary to protect lives and property. Participate in external meetings, seminars and training designed to keep informed of recent trends in the field, industry best practices, new technologies and potential improvements. Establish and maintain mutual aid agreements with neighboring fire departments. Represent the department at a variety of regularly scheduled and special City meetings and workshops in order to ensure department's needs are heard and to discuss plans, policies and procedures. Establish effective ,working relationships with other City departments and staff; work collaboratively as part of the City's management team to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of municipal services as a whole. Oversee administrative functions of the Department, including but not limited to the creation and maintenance of all necessary and appropriate records, in accordance with the City's records retention schedule; the dissemination of information to the public in accordance with applicable laws; and the timely preparation of all necessary reports, corresponde'nce and memos. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: . High school diploma or equivalent; . Ten (10) years of firefighting experience, at least five (5) of which must have been in a supervisory or command role; · Must have Associates Degree in fire science, public administration, or a related field from an accredited college, university or vocational school or obtain one within five years of hire. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS . Must possess a valid driver's license, Minnesota State Firefighter 1 & Firefighter 2 Certification, Minnesota First Responder or EMT Certification and a Hazardous Awareness and Operations Certification. Within six months of employment, must reside within a 30 minute response time of Shakopee Fire Station 51. LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret a wide variety of information presented in written, map or diagram form. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms. REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: Knowledge of modern fire suppression and prevention activities, including the development of fire prevention programs; the operation, maintenance, and use of fire fighting apparatus and equipment; fire codes and other applicable regulations. Experience working and leading in a paid on-call fire department; working and leading in a multiple station department; working with and making presentations to elected officials and the public. .J;>>HYSICAL 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. The Fire Chief must submit to and pass the same annual physical examination required of the Department's paid-on-call firefighters. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; run; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position will work primarily in an office environment, but must also have the ability to respond to a wide-range of emergency scenes. Potential for exposure to inclement weather, hazardous materials, confined spaces, and extreme noise, heat and humidity. Must be able to work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity, intense concentration and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Hours of work will extend beyond normal office hours, including meetings and response to fire calls.