Deputy Chief of Administration

City of Victorville; Victorville (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Victorville seeks a Deputy Chief of Administration to direct and coordinate its Fire Department’s administration and programs. The role oversees budget, grants, and emergency management, and provides high-level administrative support to the Fire Chief.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s in fire or public administration with 7+ years urban fire/EMS experience and 3+ years in a senior management role; a master’s degree is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Seven years of increasingly responsible experience in an agency providing urban fire protection services and EMS delivery.
• Three years of management/administrative responsibility at Battalion Chief level.
• Master’s degree is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Directs, manages, supervises and coordinates Fire Department activities and administration.
• Oversees financial oversight, budget development, fiscal management and grant administration.
• Plans and administers emergency management, EOP/COOP, and disaster preparedness programs.
• Represents Fire Department to City departments, elected officials and outside agencies.
• Develops policies, procedures and program improvements; monitors compliance.

Skills

Budget management

Grant administration

Emergency management

Policy development

Fire prevention

Leadership

Team supervision

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science/Fire Administration/Public Administration

Three years management experience at Battalion Chief level

Master’s degree desirable

Job description

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Chief of Administration directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and administration of assigned areas within the Fire Department, including but not limited to financial oversight, budget development and fiscal management, grant administration, Office of Emergency Services (OES) and strike team program management, fire prevention, community risk reduction (CRR), arson investigation, emergency management, and departmental program and policy development; coordinates assigned activities with appropriate staff, other departments, and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Chief; and performs related duties as required.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Recommends within department policy appropriate service levels.
• Recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff.
• Meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Participates in the selection, evaluation, and discipline of assigned staff.
• Establishes replacement schedules for equipment, vehicles, and property.
• Participates in facilities planning for the Fire Department.
• Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services.
• Presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards.
• Participates in the development and administration of the annual budget.
• Monitors and approves expenditures and implements adjustments.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Evaluates daily activity locally, regionally, and statewide for impact on local resource distribution and concentration.
• May respond to emergency incidents as needed or requested.
• Assumes the role and responsibilities of the Fire Chief in that individual’s absence.
• Assists the Fire Chief with proper management of mutual and automatic aid agreements.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner.
• Identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Reviews, edits, finalizes, and maintains regular quality improvement appraisals and performance indicators of department programs.
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations.
• Stays informed of new trends and innovations in the field of fire prevention, fire investigation, suppression, training, and management.
• Recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Represents the Fire Department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies.
• Explains and supports Fire Department programs, policies, and activities.
• Drafts, maintains, and updates the City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and related emergency plans; ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and guidance.
• Coordinates preparedness initiatives and training exercises. Plans, designs, and conducts emergency drills and tabletop exercises (e.g., evacuations, lockdowns, earthquake scenarios) consistent with best practices; prepare After-Action Reports and Improvement Plans.
• Ensures readiness of primary and alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including equipment, technology, supplies, forms, logs, and procedures; coordinate staff training on EOC systems.
• Maintains communications and warning systems, contact lists, resource inventories and training records for staff, volunteers, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members, and partners.
• Establish and oversee the City’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
• Provides administrative oversight and program management for the Fire Department’s emergency management and disaster preparedness program.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
• Safely operate City vehicles and equipment.

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, or a related field and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in an agency providing a full range of urban fire protection services and the delivery of Emergency Medical Services, including three (3) years of management and administrative responsibility at the level of Battalion Chief. A master’s degree is highly desirable.

License and Certification Requirements:

• Must possess a minimum of a valid California Class “C” driver’s license upon hire and maintain throughout the length of employment with the City of Victorville.
  • The City reasonably expects driving to be one (1) of the job functions for the position, and, and the City reasonably believes that using an alternative form of transportation would not be comparable in travel time or cost to the City
• California State Fire Marshal Chief Officer Certification is required.
• Current California certification as an EMT- B or National Registry EMT is required.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques
• Project management principles and practices
• Program development and administration principles
• Principles and practices of training methods and instructional techniques
• Modern and complex principles and practices of firefighting
• Operations, services, and activities of a modern firefighting prevention and suppression program
• Fire Investigation techniques and practices
• Mechanical, chemical, and related characteristics for a wide variety of flammable and explosive materials and hazardous substances
• Modern fire loss and fire prevention principles, methods, and practices
• Budgeting principles
• Financial accounting principles and financing techniques
• Contract management and administration principles
• Positive and effective customer service principles
• Technology implementation
• Public policy development and implementation processes
• Principles of personnel administration
• Wireless and geographic information systems
• Statistical theory and crime reporting software/methods
• Community relations principles
• Research methods
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including software and database programs
• Systems master planning, design, development, and facility and building construction
• Property acquisition procedures, including grant writing and administration, solicitation of donations, and alternative funding sources
• Organization and department policies, operations, standards, and general office procedures and protocols
• Emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Emergency management concepts including Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) development; Homeland Security Exercise and Exercise Program (HSEEP) exercise design; EOC operations and public alert/warning systems.
• Emergency and non-emergency medical service delivery and program management
• Management of commercial, industrial, multi-story, and vegetation fires
• Public speaking skills
• English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic mathematical principles

Skill and Ability to:

• Develop, implement, and interpret goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards to ensure the provision of effective and efficient public safety services
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations related to program activities
• Plan, organize, assign, supervise, review, and evaluate the activities of program areas within the Fire Department
• Understand and act in accordance with the City and Fire Department policies, procedures, and rules; interpret and apply policies, procedures, and rules to assigned personnel
• Learn the geographic layout of the City and the surrounding areas and the location of various fire suppression utilities
• Conduct oneself at all times in an ethical, professional, and respectful manner
• Manage situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness, and sound judgement
• Perform competently in dynamic, highly stressful situations
• Command Fire Department staff
• Operate vehicles, equipment, and radios
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower-level staff
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff
• Effectively work with contractors and manage contract agreements
• Analyze problems and identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public in all types of situations
• Collect, analyze, evaluate, and deliver clear and concise data
• React quickly and calmly in all types of emergency situations
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and Local policies, laws, and regulations
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including City and other government officials, community groups, and the general public
• Apply safe work practices

(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations)

• This position works primarily in an indoor office environment but also outdoors in the field with exposure to weather conditions such as wind, heat, cold, and rain
• Incumbents must be physically able to perform strenuous and hazardous tasks under emergency conditions
• Responds to major fire alarms and emergency situations, as needed
• Protective clothing helmets, gloves, boots, etc., are required while responding to emergency calls
• Positions in this class typically require balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation
• Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of workday), and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of workday), and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of workday) to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work
• Incumbents must be able to pass the medical examination required of fire personnel
• Incumbents must be able to see and hear in the normal range with or without correction and communicate verbally and in written form with great facility and must be able to be understood

Incumbents may be required to respond to emergencies after regular working hours and on weekends and must be willing to work an irregular schedule, which may include weekends, holidays, evenings, and/or varying hours