Fire Chief

Notice of Job Opening

Date: December 22, 2022

Department: Fire Department

Exp Date: Until Filled

Pay Range: Depending on Qualifications

Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm (Nights/weekends are sometimes required)

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a leadership position that requires highly technical, supervisory and administrative engagement of all activities within the Fire Department. This employee maintains effective and efficient leadership of all components of the fire department. Responsibilities include maintenance of effective working conditions, setting and administering fire department goals, priorities and objectives, initiating and completing disciplinary action as required, preparing records and reports and the daily effectiveness of the firefighting and Emergency Medical Services for the City of LaGrange. This position requires direction and judgement in task performance Considerable knowledge of all phases of operation such as prevention, training, suppression and administration is essential. This position is granted considerable latitude to monitor the performance of the fire department. Supervision and responsibility extends to over 60 full-time employees. The Fire Chief is accountable to the City Manager. The LaGrange Fire Department is a CDAI Accredited Fire Department and the successful candidate will retain the Fire Department’s accreditation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Set and administer department goals, priorities and objectives:

• Establish departmental priorities
• Prepares and maintains balanced budgets
• Write LaGrange Fire Department manual
• Co-coordinates the activities of all involved companies
• Develop a five year master plan
• Researches and writes bid specification
• Implements programs and projects
• Overall responsibility for personnel and civilian safety
• Generate memos and other correspondence
• Prepares disaster planning
• Responsible for command of all fire and medical service operations



Manages supervisors, reviews their work, and mediates problems:

• Assigns supervisors work
• Supervises in-service training and reviews training performance
• Attends and evaluates drills to improve tactics and strategy
• Maintains parity within inner divisions
• Maintains communication with E-911 dispatch center and other agencies
• Supports command of Hazardous Materials team
• Direct supervision over Deputy Chiefs and subordinate officers
• Works with other agencies



Performs administrative duties as required:

• Initiates disciplinary action when needed
• Solves personnel problems
• Makes hiring decisions in conjunction with Human Resource Director
• Counsels personnel and hears grievances
• Evaluates subordinate officers and ensures efficiency of department
• Answers civilians and departmental complaints
• Maintains proper manning levels and work schedules
• Satisfies requirements of NFPA 1021 (Fire Officer Professional Qualifications), Fire Officer I-IV
• Assigns supervisory duties



Performs related work as required:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have Bachelor’s degree (fire science, business administration, management or related field) supplemented by fire related courses
• Minimum of fifteen years’ experience in the fire and EMS service with a Georgia Firefighter certification
• Possession of a valid State of Georgia Class B driver’s license
• In good physical condition as set forth by LFD minimum fitness requirements
• Ten years’ experience in the fire department in supervision

DESIREABLE TRAINING and EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree (fire science, EMS, business administration, management or related field) supplemented by fire related courses
• Management courses and thorough knowledge of, or training in, accounting and bookkeeping
• Fifteen years’ experience in the Fire and EMS service
• Ten years’ experience in supervision

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledgeable and able to provide guidance on the CFAI Accreditation Process
• Knowledgeable of budget preparation and management
• Knowledgeable of the Emergency Medical Services provided by EMT and Paramedic personnel
• Knowledgeable of City government and City systems
• Knowledgeable of rules and regulations, city codes and ordinances, state and federal laws that are related to the fire service and EMS
• Skill in human relations and problem solving
• Ability to justify budget requests
• Ability to motivate and encourage others to promote cooperation
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the fire department
• Knowledge of fire department functions
• Knowledge of FCC regulations
• Knowledge of basic accounting and bookkeeping practices
• Thorough knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of firefighting, fire prevention, fire administration, Emergency Medical Services, and related training
• Ability to work with people
• Ability to use and interpret code books
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public
• Ability to display judgement in making decisions
• Ability to carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to supervise the effective use of equipment and personnel on inspections, special assignments or during daily departmental functions
• Ability to express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing, to groups and to individuals
• Skill in the operation of various types of apparatus and equipment utilized by the Department
• Skill in providing training in fire department functions when needed
• Skill in dealing with people
• Skill in public speaking

WORK ENVIROMENT:

An employee in this position will interact with the public daily. Majority of working hours, will be spent at a desk, so sitting, standing, reaching and bending will occur.

General Online Application

If you have any additional questions please email or call Human Resource Department: +1 706 883 2037, hr@lagrangega.org