Deputy Fire Chief

Concord, NH; Concord (NH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Concord Fire Department seeks an experienced Deputy Fire Chief to lead professional standards, training, EMS QA/CQI, and personnel investigations within a collaborative executive team in Concord, NH. This role directs administration, operations, and strategic direction for the department.

Ideal candidates bring strong leadership, sound judgment, and excellent interpersonal skills, with a track record in training programs, data reporting, and technology stewardship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science/Protection, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field and five years’ experience at a level equivalent to Company Officer.
• Valid New Hampshire Driver's License and Firefighter Level II certification are required.
• Fire and/or EMT Instructor certification and National Registry Paramedic certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and manages activities of a division within the Fire Department.
• Supervises personnel; conducts performance evaluations and training requests; monitors performance.
• Manages training curriculum and professional development.
• Oversees QA/CQI programs; develops employee Performance Improvement Plans.
• Counsels staff, administers disciplinary actions; supports investigations.
• Participates in negotiations; allocates departmental resources for efficient operations.
• Performs duties of Fire Chief in absence; contributes to organizational leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Mentoring

Training programs

EMS QA

Policy & investigations

Data analysis

Budgeting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science/Protection, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Fire department software systems

Job description

Description

Deputy Fire Chief

Concord Fire Department | Concord, New Hampshire

The City of Concord Fire Department is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as Deputy Fire Chief.

The Deputy Fire Chief is a key member of the Department's executive leadership team and assists in directing the administration, operations, personnel, and strategic direction of the Department.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/DP/V and LGBTQ

Position Focus

This recruitment is expected to have a primary emphasis on Professional Standards, including:

• Training and professional development
• EMS quality assurance and continuous quality improvement
• Personnel performance and investigations
• Policy, accountability, and organizational improvement
• Selected departmental technology and software systems
• Data analysis and performance reporting

These responsibilities are reflected in the current Deputy Fire Chief class specification, including management of training, QA/CQI, performance improvement plans, personnel investigations, software systems, and data analysis.

The Department uses a collaborative executive leadership model. While this vacancy is being recruited with a Professional Standards emphasis, specific responsibilities among the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chiefs may be adjusted based on organizational needs and the experience, strengths, and skill sets of the leadership team.

Candidates should therefore consider the position broadly and are encouraged to apply based on the full range of their leadership experience.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgment, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to mentor personnel, manage complex organizational issues, and contribute effectively as part of an executive team.

Experience in training, EMS, professional standards, personnel management, quality improvement, technology, or related areas is highly desirable.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, directs, controls, and manages the activities of a division within the Fire Department.
• Supervises and directs the work of uniformed and civilian fire department personnel; writes, reviews, and approves performance evaluations; evaluates and recommends training requests; monitors performance through direct observation or reports of activities.
• Manages the Fire Department's training curriculum and professional development.
• Manages the Fire Department's Quality Assurance (QA) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) programs. Oversees development of employee Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
• Monitors the activities of all personnel; counsels employees to resolve problems; issues disciplinary actions, including letters of reprimand and oral reprimands; recommends other appropriate forms of discipline; reviews performance evaluations completed by subordinate personnel.
• Conducts personnel investigations (non-discrimination related) and authors findings report; recommends appropriate level of discipline in collaboration with the City Solicitor's Office and the Human Resources Department.
• Acts as a member of the city's negotiating team to represent management in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Plans, allocates, coordinates, and monitors departmental resources to ensure efficient and economical operations.
• Performs the duties of the Fire Chief in his or her absence.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science/Protection, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, with five years of experience at a level equivalent to Company Officer, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

A valid New Hampshire Driver's License and Firefighter Level II certification are required. Fire and/or EMT Instructor certification and National Registry Paramedic certification are desirable.

The City of Concord is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Information

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Specialized Emergency Vehicles
• Mobile and Portable Radios
• Protective and Safety Equipment
• Meters and monitoring Equipment
• General Office Equipment
• Computers
• Firefighting Equipment
• Technical Rescue Equipment
• Basic and Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Equipment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• The principles and practices of sound management and motivational techniques.
• Fire protection techniques, practices, and methods.
• Budget preparation and administration.
• Staffing of a medium-sized fire department for the delivery of optimum service.
• Personnel practices and applicable legal considerations as they pertain to department employees.
• All pertinent local, state, and federal laws and city ordinances.
• Contemporary methods of fire protection, prevention, suppression, and Emergency Medical Services.
• Pending changes in technology that would improve the department's effectiveness.
• Principles and practices of emergency medicine, fire alarm, fire prevention, fire communications, hazardous material, and technical rescue.
• State and federal laws pertaining to fire department operations and liability issues.
• Grant procurement techniques.
• Demographics and cultural diversity of the citizenry in order to effectively respond to or direct the response to situations involving cultural diversity.
• Sound labor management principles.
• Performance evaluation practices and procedures.

Skill in:

• Conflict resolution.
• Interpersonal relations.
• Operation of equipment as assigned.
• Effective written and oral communications.
• Understanding the work of subordinates in order to effectively answer questions and resolve concerns.
• Reading, comprehending, and explaining all pertinent local, state, and federal laws and city ordinances.

Mental and Physical Abilities to:

• Lead and delegate work to subordinates and enable commanding officers to resolve division problems and conflicts whenever possible.
• Direct and lead the work of a division within the fire department.
• Exercise sound judgment in determining the course of action needed to effectively stabilize emergency situations.
• Prepare and administer the division's budget.
• Read, comprehend, and explain policies, procedures, and practices.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Safely operate emergency vehicles and their equipment, especially under stressful and/or dangerous conditions.
• Analyze situations, both emergency and routine, efficiently and accurately, in order to objectively stabilize situations and to determine best courses of action.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports and to check the reports of subordinates.
• The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands or arms, talk or hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• While performing essential functions of the job, the employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move 100 pounds.
• The employee is required to use distance vision, color vision, and depth perception to accomplish job responsibilities.

Working Conditions

• The employee's working conditions are typically quiet when in the office environment, but may be moderately quiet to loud.
• The employee must occasionally work for sustained periods while exposed to outside atmospheric conditions.
• The employee may be exposed to possible bodily injury from fires, hazardous material, medical pathogens, and hostile subjects.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to possible bodily injury from falling from high, exposed places and to possible bodily injury from explosions, as well as from toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Working time may require irregular hours.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

Our organization is committed to ensuring fair treatment, access, and opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, age, religion or other social identities in accordance with state and federal law. We recognize that each individual brings a unique perspective that is informed by their life experience and identity. Our organization is committed to recruiting and retaining the best qualified individuals based on a holistic review of their knowledge, skills, experience, understanding, communication and abilities.