Fire Battalion Chief

City of Barstow (CA); Barstow (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Barstow seeks a Fire Battalion Chief to lead staff, manage major emergencies, and shape fire service strategy. This role directs operations, safety, and incident command while coordinating with public safety agencies for diverse emergencies.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields, seven years of firefighting experience including captain-level duties, and professional certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, fire service, or a related field is required.
• Seven years of firefighting experience, including three years as a Captain or equivalent.
• Master’s degree is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manages major emergencies and structure fire incidents; directs staff and strategies at the scene.
• Develops and implements operational plans for diverse emergencies.
• Ensures personnel safety during emergency operations.
• Directs rescue, cleanup, and salvage; ventilates buildings.
• Oversees medical response and adherence to protocols; may respond to medical calls.
• Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment; maintains facilities and apparatus.
• Reviews daily activity reports and promptly reports accidents or injuries.

Skills

Emergency scene management

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Fire vehicle operation

Report writing

Public interaction

Equipment proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, fire service, or related field

Master’s degree desirable

Job description

The opportunity to serve as a Fire Battalion Chief for the City of Barstow is here. Whether you are an experienced leader looking to bring your skills to a new challenge or an internal candidate ready to take the next step in your career, this is an opportunity to make a greater impact on our department and the community we serve. Battalion Chiefs play a vital role in leading personnel, supporting operations, developing future leaders, and helping shape the direction of our fire service. If you’re ready to lead with purpose, support your team, and take on a new level of responsibility, we encourage you to consider applying for this great opportunity.

Under the direction of the assigned administrator, the Fire Battalion Chief manages major emergencies and structure fire incidents, exercising complete control and coordination of staff and strategies to address emergencies; may serve as Fire Chief in his or her absence.

The following list of functions, duties, and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties, and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Manages subordinate personnel in response to fire calls for service; directs and assumes responsibility for all staff, strategies, and activities at the scene of an emergency.
• Develops and implements specific operational plans to meet a variety of emergency situations and scenarios.
• Ensures the safety of personnel during emergency operations.
• Directs rescue, clean-up, and salvage work; ventilates buildings.
• Directs response to emergency medical calls for service and follows state and local protocols in the treatment of sick and injured persons, administering first aid, CPR, and other emergency medical procedures.
• Manages the maintenance of the inventory of emergency medical supplies and equipment.
• Manages the maintenance of fire facilities, equipment, and apparatus.
• Reviews and approves reports of the daily activities of the company, promptly reporting accidents and injuries to superiors.
• Enforces policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• May be called in on 2nd alarm fires when off duty.
• Assists and cooperates with other public safety agencies.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

(At time of application)

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local laws and radio communications procedures
• City’s geography, water systems, location of hydrants, and those of the surrounding area
• Public safety agencies related to fire and emergency medical service functions
• Basic hydraulics
• Fire prevention and inspection methods, fire hazards, and educational fire prevention techniques and programs
• Principles used in emergency scene management

Skills and Abilities to:

• Read and understand technical material, rules, and regulations related to firefighting, rescue techniques, and emergency medical incidents
• Analyze emergency situations and address them with an effective course of action
• Train, supervise, evaluate, and discipline subordinate personnel
• Direct and manage fire personnel engaged in fire suppression or other emergencies
• Tactfully interact with members of the public
• Safely operate and use fire vehicles and equipment
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing
• Operate modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; and equipment used in fire suppression and emergency medical services
• Understand and respond to requests from the public and staff for assistance in person and by phone
• Prepare reports, perform mathematical calculations, and sort or file documents
• Relate well, communicate, and work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders who represent a range of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds

(At time of application and in addition to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed above).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, fire service, or a related field and seven years of firefighting experience, including three years as a Captain or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, abilities, and skills. A Master’s degree is desirable.

LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:

• Valid state-issued driver’s license with firefighter endorsement and a good driving record

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:

• ICEMA EMT-1 or Paramedic certification (or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of appointment)
• CPR certification
• OSFM/IFSAC/ProBoard Company Officer Certification or equivalent
• OSFMIFSAC/ProBoard Chief Fire Officer Certification or equivalent (Desirable)

(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations)

• This position works primarily in an outdoor environment.
• Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Very Heavy Work: exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of workday), and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of workday), and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of workday) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.