Fire Chief

Holland America-Princess (Holland America Dawson City Inn); Alaska; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Seward is seeking a Fire Chief to lead the fire department and manage emergency response, fire prevention, inspections, and hazardous materials mitigation. The role directs staff, coordinates with city and state officials, and ensures readiness of equipment and training programs.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in fire-related field, Alaska Fire Officer Certification, and substantial experience in fire suppression or EMS, with IC certifications to be completed within 6 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fire science, fire administration, public administration, or related field.
• 7 years of experience in fire suppression, emergency medical response, or firefighting.
• IC 100, 200, 700, and 800 must be completed within first 6 months; IC 300 and 400 as soon as available.
• Alaska Fire Officer Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and monitors the effectiveness of department operations and personnel administration.
• Coordinates activities with City officials, civic leaders, and state fire officials.
• Develops and monitors operating plans and budgets.
• Establishes department goals and objectives and monitors progress.
• Plans and manages staff and shift schedules.
• Maintains and updates training programs for staff and volunteers.
• Ensures compliance with fire safety laws and standards.
• Acts as fire ground commander during incidents and emergencies.
• Ensures equipment and alarms are operational; conducts facility inspections.
• Supervises Building Inspector and Building Department activities.
• Serves as Operations Manager for the City’s emergency plan.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Oral and written communications

Training program development

Staff supervision

Emergency management

Education

Bachelor's degree in fire science / fire administration / public administration

Alaska Fire Officer Certification

Tools

Office software

Job description

The City of Seward is recruiting for a Fire Chief

This position is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the staff and operations of the City’s Fire Department. The Fire Chief is responsible for the implementation of fire prevention and suppression programs, emergency response operations, building inspections, removal and mitigation of hazardous materials, and emergency medical services.

DETAILED WORK DUTIES:

Oversees and monitors the effectiveness of department operations and personnel administration.

Coordinates activities of the department with other City officials, civic leaders, and state fire officials.

Develops and monitors operating plans and budgets.

Establishes department goals and objectives and monitor’s progress.

Plans and manages the staff and activities of the department, establishes shift schedules and work assignments.

Maintains and modifies an effective and progressive training program for the staff and volunteers

Establishes department policies and procedures and ensures consistency with firefighting safety and standards.

Monitors changes in rules and regulations in federal/state and local laws.

Negotiates and coordinates mutual fire protection plans with surrounding municipalities and service areas.

Oversees and approves the purchase of equipment and supplies for the department.

Acts as a fire ground commander in the event of fire incidents and other emergency operations.

Ensures the operational condition of department equipment and alarms.

Directs the inspection of buildings and other properties for potential fire hazard.

Investigates the sources and circumstances of fires to identify causes.

Maintains a variety of records related to inspection activities, permits issued, and fires investigated.

Coordinates activities with outside resources such as architects, engineers, lawyers, etc. to ensure optimum fire protection and emergency services for the City and coordinates the department’s participation in special City events.

Supervises the Building Inspector and oversees as the Building Department in all phases of residential and commercial inspections.

Recommends issuance of occupancy permits and similar licenses.

Serves as the Operations Manager for the City’s emergency plan and ensures the plan is complete and tested.

Stays informed and updated on fire safety, building code and standards and oversees compliance with applicable changes in the laws.

Administers, directs, and evaluates the building inspection operations.

Provides effective and efficient customer service and promotes and maintains responsive community relations.

Follows safe work practices.

Performs related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in fire science, fire administration, public administration, or a related field, supplemented by 7 years of experience in fire suppression, emergency medical response, or firefighting, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills and ability:

Modern technology, operations, techniques, methods, and practices relating to fire prevention and inspection, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, confined space rescue, training, public education, and administration management.

Ordinances, laws, regulations, operating guidelines, and safety standards applicable to a firefighting and emergency medical/rescue services.

The principles of personnel management, including recruiting, training, discipline, and termination.

The use of standard office equipment including computers and relevant software programs.

Collaborating with other agencies in emergency situations.

Oral and written communications.

Preparing reports and making presentations.

Strategic thinking and decision making.

Provide necessary and ongoing training to staff.

Evaluate staffing needs and ensure adequate staffing and organizational structure.

Prepare studies and reports.

Maintain equipment and facilities for the effective and efficient operation of the Department.

Develop positive, cooperative, and supportive relationships with other fire departments and agencies at all levels of government.

Work under pressure and manage emergency situations.

Multi-task and prioritize work.

Maintain confidentiality.

Assign and supervise the work of others; motivate employees to work toward common goals.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, elected officials, coworkers, residents, and members of the general public.

Valid Driver’s License, Alaska Fire Officer Certification

Must complete IC 100, 200,700 and 800 within first 6 months of employment. IC 300 and 400 to be completed as soon as available.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office and fire-fighting equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to balance, crouch stoop, kneel, or climb. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed both in an office setting and at fire and other emergency and non-emergency scenes. The employee is occasionally exposed to adverse weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, wetness and humidity; and to other unpleasant conditions such as dim lighting, dust, odors, noise, heavy machinery, and disease.