Fire Captain - Life Safety

City of Eustis; Florida; On-site; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Job summary

The City of Eustis is seeking a trusted administrative and supervisory leader to support the Fire Chief in planning, coordinating, and directing work across the Fire Department. This role requires independence, initiative, and the ability to influence hiring, staffing, and program decisions.

Responsibilities include budgeting, staff development, supervision of personnel, incident safety, fire prevention, and public relations.

Qualifications

• Fire Officer I certification or higher.
• State Certified Live Fire Instructor I.
• State Certified Fire Instructor I.
• State Certified Fire Inspector I.
• State Certified Incident Safety Officer.
• State Certified Paramedic.
• Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or related field.
• Eight years progressively responsible fire service experience including Line Officer knowledge.
• Valid Florida Class E Driver's License with acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Participates in development and maintenance of departmental goals, policies, procedures, and work plans.
• Prepares budgets and forecasts; justifies programs and monitors expenditures.
• Involves staff selection, in-service training, and performance reviews.
• Ensures equal staffing coverage and assigns work across shifts.
• Responds to fires and emergencies; assists in suppression, rescue, and first aid.
• Oversees Health and Safety Program, NFPA 1500 compliance, and firefighter fitness tracking.
• Acts as Incident Safety Officer at emergencies; analyzes incidents and plans corrective actions.
• Manages daily operations of Fire Prevention Bureau including inspections and plan reviews.
• Conducts public relations with other agencies and the public; handles complaints.

Skills

Leadership

Emergency response

Incident command

Decision making

Public relations

Communication

Education

Associate’s Degree in Fire Science

Eight years fire service experience

Florida Driver's License

Tools

Fire equipment

Emergency vehicles

Communications equipment

Office/computer equipment

Job description

The City of Eustis is seeking a trustworthy, responsible individual who, under direction, performs administrative and supervisory work involving the planning, coordination, and direction of work in the Fire Department. Employee is responsible for assisting the Fire Chief in support of the overall administrative functions of the department and for the distribution of work to subordinates to meet operational demands.

Employee works in accordance with directives received from the Chief; however, is expected to exercise considerable independence and initiative in performance of duties. This employee’s recommendations on subordinate personnel decisions, including hiring and firing, carry particular weight in the decision‑making process.

Examples of Machines, Tools, and Equipment Used:

Fire equipment and apparatus; emergency fire vehicles; communications equipment; general office and computer equipment.

Supervision Received:

Deputy Chief and Fire Chief

• Participates in the development, implementation, and maintenance of departmental goals and objectives, priorities, policies, procedures, and work plans; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures for improving organizational performance, enhancing services, and meeting goals; identifies and resolves problems and/or issues; ensures that goals are achieved;
• Participates in the preparation, management, and coordination of the departmental budget; prepares forecasts of necessary funds for staffing, materials, and supplies; presents and justifies programs, operations, and activities; monitors and approves expenditures;
• Participates in the selection and recommendation of personnel; provides or coordinates in-service training; identifies and resolves staff deficiencies; supervises and reviews the work of subordinate personnel; enforces departmental rules and makes recommendations on disciplinary matters;
• Ensures equal staffing coverage for all shifts; organizes and assigns work to subordinates;
• Responds to fire and emergency calls and takes charge/participates in suppression, rescue, first aid, and emergency operations;
• Directs and oversees the Health and Safety Program, ensuring compliance with NFPA 1500 and related standards; develops and implements programs for firefighter fitness, behavioral health, and exposure tracking.
• Functions as the Incident Safety Officer (ISO) at emergency incidents to ensure firefighter safety, risk management, and accountability; participates in post-incident analysis and corrective action planning.
• Manages the daily operational aspects of the Fire Prevention Bureau, including inspections, plan reviews, public education, record keeping, and equipment readiness.
• Performs public relations functions between the City and various civic agencies, other fire departments, and the general public; answers and resolves complaints;
• Inspects fire headquarters and equipment for safety and cleanliness;
• Supervises readiness of all departmental uniforms, equipment, and supplies;
• Supervises the maintenance and repair of all equipment, apparatus, and station;
• May supervise and perform fire inspection of buildings and premises as required;
• Assists in the preparation and management of departmental budget;
• Performs research and conducts surveys;
• Prepares, collects, organizes, and analyzes data for departmental reports;
• Assists with “on call” coverage for after-hours events and incidents;
• Attends training sessions and seminars;
• In accordance with the City’s Emergency Management Plan, supports the Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Chief in the planning and direction of all departmental activities in preparation for a major emergency, such as a hurricane or other storm or disaster and in planning and managing aftermath activities of such disaster, including inspection, clean up, disaster relief, etc.;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Thorough knowledge of current and modern principles, procedures, and techniques of fire administration, suppression, prevention, and inspection; knowledge of first aid principles and procedures; knowledge of: city and departmental rules and regulations, fire prevention laws and ordinances, geography of the city, the operation and maintenance of various types of firefighting apparatus, fire service instructional techniques, and incident command procedures.

Ability to plan and direct work of others; ability to observe situations analytically and objectively, and record them clearly and completely; ability to interpret and enforce departmental rules and regulations; ability to make decisions in accordance with departmental policies; ability to organize and compose detailed written and oral reports; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies; ability to meet and work with the general public and other employees; ability to drive and operate department equipment; physical ability to work long hours, under arduous conditions, and perform fire suppression work; ability to work on‑call, as required, including nights, weekends and holidays. Skill in the operation and maintenance of fire equipment and apparatus; skill in fire suppression strategy, tactics, fire service training, and incident command procedures.

Physical Demands:

Continuous light work and occasional heavy work. Requires walking and standing; running, jumping/leaping, climbing, stooping, reaching, bending; lifting 50+ pounds; carrying/pushing/pulling 50+ pounds; good finger/hand dexterity and hand/eye coordination; good eyesight, hearing, and speech; driving and operation of assigned equipment. Must be physically able to work in adverse weather conditions for long periods and in hazardous conditions related to firefighting. Must be able to work in protective clothing and equipment weighing up to 60 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Fire Officer I
2. State Certified Live Fire Instructor I
3. State Certified Fire Instructor I
4. State Certified Fire Inspector I
5. State Certified Incident Safety Officer
6. State Certified Paramedic
7. Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or a related field;
8. Supplemented by eight (8) years progressively responsible fire service experience, to include Line Officer knowledge and/or experience.
9. A valid Florida Class E Driver's License with an acceptable driving record is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Health and Safety Officer
2. Arson Investigator
3. Inspector II

Working Hours:

Generally, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; however, employee will be required to work on‑call hours as well as respond to all major emergency scenes or hazardous material incidents (which will include nights, weekends, and holidays).

Physical Demands:

Continuous light work and occasional heavy work. Requires walking and standing; running, jumping/leaping, climbing, stooping, reaching, bending; lifting 50+ pounds; carrying/pushing/pulling 50+ pounds; good finger/hand dexterity and hand/eye coordination; good eyesight, hearing, and speech; driving and operation of assigned equipment. Must be physically able to work in adverse weather conditions for long periods and in hazardous conditions related to firefighting. Must be able to work in protective clothing and equipment weighing up to 60 pounds.

Salary Information:

$81,858.04 per year; EXCELLENT benefits (Note: See Benefits Tab for more information). Only applicants with the most job‑related qualifications will be selected for interview and further consideration. Additional consideration may be given to applicants with more extensive education, training, or experience. Following a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history and driver’s license check, the candidate will be given a conditional offer of employment. The final candidate will be required to pass a drug test and medical exam.