Division Chief - Fire Prevention

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE
Under the direction of the Elko County Fire District Fire Chief, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of assigned Division within the Fire District including operations, facility/equipment maintenance, disaster preparedness, public education, and related programs and services; responds to emergency incidents; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Administrator. Responds to emergency incidents as required by departmental policy and assumes command of incidents when needed.
Manages an assigned Division within the Fire District. The incumbent is responsible for a wide range of administrative duties including managing and oversight of multiple complex projects and programs in addition to serving as the senior management staff and command officer on duty outside of normal business hours.
The incumbent must have the ability to interact with and equally support the Volunteer Fire Department and paid staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are typical for this position. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Responds to fire alarms and participates in the control and extinguishment of the fire.
• Drive all emergency vehicles including pumpers, water tenders, and 4-wheel drive apparatus, and strategically position apparatus and equipment.
• Performs firefighting activities including laying hose, water supply, ladder operations, ventilation, and extinguishment.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations.
• Perform rescue operations when and where necessary.
• Respond to auto-extrication calls and extricate victims to allow for appropriate care.
• Respond to medical emergencies and rescues, providing necessary care and stabilization of victims until the ambulance arrives.
• Provide training for volunteer fire departments.
• Assist with support for the volunteer services.
• Perform daily maintenance checks on apparatus and vehicles.
• Perform basic maintenance to vehicles and equipment.
• Clean and maintain apparatus and equipment.
• Perform general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment.
• Make sure that emergency equipment is returned to a readiness state after an incident, cleaned, fueled, etc., ready to respond to the next emergency.
• Participate in Fire Prevention Activities.
• Comply with Elko County policies.
• Comply with Elko County Fire Protection District policy and procedures.
• Accurately completes reports both in writing and on the computer in a timely manner.
• Complete computer reporting requirements for fire and medical response.
• Projects a positive image to the public as a fire service professional.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs and services; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Oversee and conduct inspections of schools, hospitals, industrial and commercial buildings, and property for fire hazards, efficiency of fire protective equipment, adequacy of fire exits and general compliance with fire prevention laws and standards; process for abatement; examine storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials and enforce related codes regarding correction of hazards; issue orders to comply with codes.
• Maintain accurate and complete records and files including those related to fire losses, inspections, investigations, and fire deaths and injuries.
• Meet with citizen groups, organizations, contractors, architects, engineers, and developers regarding fire protection systems, access requirements, building requirements, and other fire prevention life safety issues; conduct oral presentations and provide information on fire codes and fire prevention activities.
• Prepare, update, and enforce the County fire codes, ordinances, and standards; develop and implement a comprehensive code enforcement program.
• Respond to major fires and emergency and non-emergency calls on an on-call basis; perform functions within Incident Command System at major incidents; notify other fire personnel of any unusual fire hazards.
• Conduct plan reviews for site plans, water fire flow calculation, fire suppression, and alarm systems.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Prepares a variety of public information materials; conducts or has subordinates conduct public information/education classes related to fire prevention, hazardous materials, disaster preparedness and other department activities.
• Serves as the liaison for assigned Division to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Responds to emergency incidents when needed or directed. May assume command of emergency incident or can assume any position within the Incident Command System as qualified.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire prevention, suppression, training, and management.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Participates in equipment and facility maintenance as needed.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate or bachelors degree in related field preferred

Certifications/Qualifications Required at the time of application:

• Certified Firefighter I and II
• District recognized Fire Officer
• National Registry or State EMT
• FEMA ICS300 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response or equivalent
• Single Resource Boss

Certifications required within 12 Months of appointment:

• Nevada State Fire Marshal Evaluator/Proctor Certification
• Incident Commander Type 4 or Crosswalk

Certifications required within 18 Months of appointment:

• International Code Council (ICC) Inspector 1
• International Code Council (ICC) Inspector 2
• International Code Council (ICC) Fire Plans Examiner
• International Code Council (ICC) Commercial Building Inspector
• NWCG Fire Investigator FI-210
• Fire Investigation Technician

Certifications required within 24 Months of appointment:

• Fire investigator
• NWCG S-330 Strike Team Leader/Task Force Leader
• Red Card Qualification as a NWCG Taskforce or Strike Team Leader

An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

Knowledge

• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of training program development and implementation.
• Fire science theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of emergency service operations including fire suppression, fire prevention, and fire investigation.
• Operational characteristics and designs of automated fire protection systems, sprinkler systems, alarm systems, elevators, and other related systems.
• Hazardous materials and chemical chain reactions.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to fire and emergency medical services operations.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Departmental Policy and Procedures, Manual of Operations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Modern principles of supervision, leadership, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Algebraic and arithmetic computations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Grants and Agreements
• Geography of the Cities/ County/ District, including major streets and landmarks.
• Long term risk reduction and mitigation practices and implementation and planning procedures.
• Supervisory principles and practices relate to establishing goals, objectives, and work standards.
• Working and advance knowledge or computer programs.
• All hazard terminology.
• NWCG/ NV State and National qualifications and training requirements.
• Incident Management Team operations/ procedures.
• ICS/ NIMS Geographic Information Systems.

Abilities

• Oversee and participate in the management of fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical services, training and disaster preparedness program services and activities.
• Conduct thorough fact-finding inspections and investigations including evidence gathering and preservation.
• Read and interpret maps, blueprints, and construction drawings.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower-level staff.
• Collect, analyze and evaluate data and be able to prepare and deliver clear and concise written and oral management reports.
• React quickly and calmly in all types of emergency situations.
• Speak effectively before public gatherings.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to hike, lift, bend, and carry heavy loads in mountainous terrain on steep slopes varying between 30 to 90%. Ability to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, and climb. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work both indoors in an office-type setting and outdoors in extreme weather conditions.
• Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity, and temperature swings. Working in and around water and possibly in hazardous situations in shallow water and deep water. Working indoors and outdoors.
• CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of the neck; the side-to-side turning of the neck; twisting and bending at the waist; reaching below the shoulders; lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
• FREQUENT standing; walking and walking on uneven ground; reaching and above the shoulder; power grasping, pushing, and pulling of objects and equipment; fine finger dexterity, simple grasping, and repetitive use of hands to manipulate equipment controls, keyboard, and other office equipment.
• OCCASIONAL running, crawling, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and squatting; lifting and carrying objects more than 100 pounds with or without assistance.
• Outdoor work is required in firefighting situations, as well as the maintenance of equipment.
• Must be able to work in firefighter turnouts and SCBA for extended periods of time. While in this protective clothing, must be able to crawl and walk while dragging a hose or carrying equipment up to 100 pounds.
• Must be able to work in Structural, HAZMAT, and wildland protective clothing in extreme heat while performing strenuous duties.
• Must have strength, dexterity, and senses to perform all types of fire-fighting duties.
• Excessive noise of emergency equipment; the noise level may be very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident.
• Exposure to dust, gases, chemicals, smoke, and blood-borne pathogens; occasional exposure to explosives at fires or other hazardous materials calls.
• Works in and around heavy equipment with exposure to moving mechanical parts; exposure to vibration from equipment and vehicles; operations of foot controls or repetitive foot motion; may work at substantial heights; wears appropriate personal protective equipment including goggles, ear plugs, or other auditory protective equipment, face protector, turn-outs, safety shoes, gloves, and a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Ability to work at considerable heights.
• Ability to perform sustained and vigorous activities in a variety of environmental conditions. Ability to tolerate exposure to extreme weather conditions, heat, fumes, smoke, pressurized water, and chemicals.
• While performing the duties of this position in the office, the employee may work in a generally clean office environment with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise.
• In the field, the employee will be frequently exposed to outside environmental conditions inherent with Northern Nevada such as altitudes in excess of 5000' above sea level, extreme cold and heat, wet and/or humid conditions, high winds, high and/or precarious places, smoke, fumes, airborne particulate matter, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.
• May be exposed to the bodily fluids of other humans. May be exposed to environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health while wearing proper personal protective equipment. The noise level may be loud and require hearing protection.
• The employee may have periodic contact with angry or upset individuals, frequent interruptions of planned work activities by telephone calls, office visitors, and response to emergencies or other unplanned events.
• Position requires occasional strenuous work and long hours, and the ability to attend and/or manage an emergency incident at any time.
• Participation in wildland fires and extended incidents may require the employee to remain on the incident for several days.
• Must be able to see in order to perform essential job tasks; respond to incidents, provide care; operate emergency vehicles and apparatus; keep records, operate a computer, and perform office work; maintain station and equipment.
• Must be able to hear instructions, radio messages, emergency tones, alarms, and other warning devices; sufficient to perform essential job tasks.