Fire Chief

The City of Billings is seeking a Fire Chief to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Fire Department including fire prevention, fire suppression, and the com-munications center, to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies, and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Administrator.

Salary: $138,045 to $176,217 annually, reflecting Step 1 through Step 6 of a seven-step pay scale. Starting salary will be based on qualifications and experience.

Schedule: Full Time.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Select, train, motivate and evaluate Fire Department person¬nel
• Provide or coordinate staff training
• Work with employees to correct deficiencies
• Implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the Fire Departmen¬t's work plan
• Meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems
• Assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility
• Review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Participate in labor negotiations
• Monitor labor contract throughout the year.
• Assume full management responsibility for the Billings Fire Department and City/County Communications Center.
• Manage the development and implementation of Fire Department and Communication Center goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area
• Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels
• Allocate resources accordingly.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships
• Identify opportunities for improvement
• Direct the implementation of changes
• Maintain efficient and cost-effective emergency response teams.
• Coordinate Fire Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations
• Provide staff assistance to the City Administrator, Assistant City Administrator, and City Council
• Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies
• Recommend modifications to Fire Department programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
• Represent the Fire Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies
• Explain and interpret Fire Department programs, policies, and activities
• Negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controversial issues.
• Assume full management responsibility for all Fire Department services and activities including fire prevention, fire suppression, and the com¬munications center.
• Ensure responsive, appropriate service delivery by conferring with civic, profes¬sional, service, fraternal and other community groups.
• Enforce the International Fire code.
• Ensure proper maintenance and availability of equipment, apparatus, buildings and other facilities.
• Respond to major fire alarms and personally direct fire suppression activities as necessary.
• Direct and participate in the research of alternative approaches to fire suppression, hazardous material handling, fire and life safety code, and emergency programs.
• Participate in a variety of boards and commissions
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire science.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Fire Department budget
• Direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies
• Direct the monitoring of and approve expendi¬tures
• Direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

R Quired Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, emergency management, or fire science.
• Twelve (12) or more years of combined education and experience in the areas of personnel management, fire suppression and prevention, and incident command.
• Experience with city government and knowledge of department function operations.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and a State and Federal criminal background check.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications And Skills

• Master's degree in public administration or related field.
• Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation.

Equal Opportunity Employer.