Fire Chief

Fire Chief position avaiable with the Kansas City Fire Department located at 635 Woodland
Salary Range: $12,389-$27,500/month
Normal Work Days/Hours: Varies
Application Deadline Date: Open until filled


Responsibilities

Fire Chief Position Summary:

With approximately 1,300 employees, KCFD provides fire protection, emergency medical services, emergency rescue, hazardous material response and other services to Kansas City, Missouri. KCFD is actively involved in efforts to prepare the community for natural and man-made disasters. The department is a key player in regional multi-disciplinary groups that coordinate policy development, planning, training and equipment for the metro area.

The Fire Chief must be well-versed in all operational and administrative aspects of comprehensive emergency service operations including fire suppression, fire prevention, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, ambulance response and transport services, and associated services. The Fire Chief provides administrative direction for all Fire Department functions, operations, and personnel through the supervision of subordinate staff and review of their activities. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reviewing the general operation of the department to determine efficiency, providing direction on major projects or problem areas, developing and implementing policies and procedures, administration of the merit system; administration of the labor relations program; and providing policy guidance. Also, the Fire Chief is responsible, through study and consultation with the City Manager and elected officials, for developing recommendations for the protection of life and property in City of Kansas City, Missouri. The Fire Chief will exercise strategic and visionary thinking that will have long-term organization-wide application and impact, including the development and implementation of critical programs, and supervision of multiple assigned functions, divisions, and significant resources. The City Manager appoints the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief receives general supervision from the City Manager, who reviews work based on overall results achieved. The Fire Chief may consult with the City Manager on problems relating to policy planning but works independently in supervising the global operations and is responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the Fire Department.

Essential Functions of the Fire Chief:

• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with staff, labor unions, board members, community organizations, other agencies, and the public.
• Represent KCFD with effective verbal and written presentations.
• Inform public groups on the plans, programs, and goals of the Fire Department.
• Advise Department management and the City Manager on progress.
• Respond courteously and tactfully to a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, explaining department policies, and handling complaints.
• Plan, organize, and direct a progressive public Fire Department with several functional areas.
• Organize and direct the activities of staff engaged in providing emergency services.
• Plan, direct, and control department activities such as recruitment of personnel; purchase of equipment; assignment of personnel and equipment; and the budgeting and control of expenditures.
• Coordinate Fire Department activities in accordance with federal, state, and local emergency services organizations, and city departments.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, prepare, administer, and monitor the Fire Department budget.
• Responsible for all personnel matters, which include employment and termination of all department personnel.
• Analyze and resolve operational, procedural, and personnel problems.
• Resolve complex problems involving diverse functional areas.
• Analyze information, statistics, and reports on department activities.
• Develop plans designed to maintain department efficiency and responsiveness.
• Analyze Fire Department needs, as well as the availability of resources, existing programs, and other related factors in developing departmental programs to meet those needs.
• Provide direction on major projects or problem areas.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures applicable to administrative functions and provides policy guidance.
• Maintain a cooperative and collective relationship with KCFD membership in the labor/management process with the leadership and membership of Local 42 and Local 3808 of the International Association of Firefighters.
• Work more than 40-hours in a workweek without additional compensation to perform assigned job duties, including weekends, evenings, early morning hours, and holidays as required.
• Maintain a level of physical agility and fitness sufficient to engage in walking, and physical activity consistent with the other essential functions.
• Operate job related equipment.
• Drive a motor vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements:

• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of effective public administration, with particular reference to Fire Department policies, personnel, and budget administration.
• Knowledge of modern management techniques, supervisory practices, and evaluation methods.
• Knowledge of the modern principles and practices of human resources.
• Knowledge of governmental organization management.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective administration with particular attention to short- and long-term strategic planning.
• Knowledge of the activities, objectives, and ideals of fire services and operations.
• Knowledge of the facilities, equipment, and personnel needed to provide fire, EMS, rescue and ambulance services and operations.
• Knowledge of the methods, equipment, and materials used in providing fire, EMS, rescue and ambulance services and operations.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations as they pertain to Fire Department activities.
• Ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles and methods of governmental funding, budget presentation, and monitoring.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct a progressive public agency with several functional areas.
• Ability to organize and direct the activities of staff engaged in providing optimum fire department services.
• Ability to plan, prepare, and administer an annual departmental budget.
• Ability to effectively analyze and resolve operational, procedural, and personnel problems.
• Ability to develop formal agreements and contracts with other agencies and communities.
• Ability to make effective verbal and written presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, elected officials, community organizations, other agencies, and the public.

Expected Behavior of the Fire Chief:

• Embody, display and expect high ethical standards.
• Be committed to, foster, and affirmatively advance a workplace free of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
• Train, develop, nurture and mentor all employees within KCFD.
• Encourage teamwork and participation by all KCFD employees.
• Lead by example.
• Institutionalize and promote safety principals and safety awareness as a culture of KCFD members and external stakeholders.
• Provide outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
• Willingness to seek out all possible alternative revenue sources.
• Embrace, support and promote the Fire Departments core values, beliefs and culture.
• Be committed to actively integrating safety, accountability, diversity, equity, and inclusion (SADEI) throughout all aspects of KCFD.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are exclusive standards for the assignment. The Fire Chief will comply with any other instructions, direction, and perform any other related duties as may be required by the City Manager. Performance of other essential functions may depend upon work location, assignment, or shift.

The City of Kansas City, Missouri is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.


Qualifications

Required Training and Experience:

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent.
• Highly Preferred bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a major in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• Preferred master's degree in Fire and Emergency Management, Public Administration or related field.
• Minimum rank of Deputy Chief or comparable rank.
• Extensive experience (10 years or more) that includes progressive responsibility with administrative, supervisory, and budgetary experience in fire prevention and suppression work. Preferably within a large complex urban municipal, county, or state fire department or district.
• Minimum certifications/license:
  • Fire I & II
  • EMT-B Certification
• Preferred certifications/license:
  • Chief Fire Officer Certification or equivalent
  • Executive Fire Officer or equivalent
  • Paramedic Certification

*All certifications must be current and remain current through the duration of employment.


Other Information

URGENT!!! CRITICAL RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

Applications and/or resumes are evaluated on the information received by the application deadline. Please ensure that your application or resume clearly demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying, this includes providing all relevant educational dates and a detailed description of relevant work experience, including months/years of employment. Applications and/or resumes may not be considered if information is incomplete.

In order for a resume to be used in lieu of an application the resume must have been submitted online via the City's Applicant Tracking System.

Positions requiring a high school diploma/GED certificate must be obtained from a school/program accredited by the Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The minimum education requirement for positions that allow for experience equivalency for an accredited degree is a high school diploma. Unless otherwise specified, an accredited degree must be obtained from a college or university listed with the U.S. Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
For positions with a salary grade of EX6 or higher that require an accredited degree, qualifying professional experience must be obtained AFTER the accredited degree is obtained.
Successful completion of a pre-employment criminal history/background check is required for all positions. Some positions require a post offer drug screen and/or physical.

If appointed, non-residents must obtain residency inside Kansas City, Missouri's city limits within nine months.

The City of KCMO is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The City is committed to providing a workplace environment for its employees and citizens free from discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For more information, please see our EEO Policy

The City of KCMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 816-513-1908 or send an e-mail to accommodations@kcmo.org .

If claiming military veterans' preference points, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or a DD-256 (for reservists). To claim veterans' points you must have served 180 days of regular active duty service and be discharged or released under honorable conditions during peacetimes or 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. (DOD) 38 U.S. Code • 4211).

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• City of Kansas City

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