Seeking applicants for a full-time Fire Chief position

Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department of Catawba County, Incorporated

Hickory, North Carolina 28602

The position is a full time paid position “exempt” employee and is not eligible for overtime pay. The typical work schedule is Monday - Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. The Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department protects a population of 10,068 people within 26.41 square miles of service area, with a Public Protection Class 5 Insurance Rating. The fire department has a Headquarters Station devoted for conducting daily operations, staff offices, training, and logistics storeroom with Fire Station Base 1 and Fire Station Base 2 as primary response locations for apparatus and equipment.

Application Period

Resume′s will be received beginning Tuesday, November 1, 2016 through Tuesday, November 15, 2016. Any resume′ post marked after the Tuesday, November 15, 2016 deadline will not be accepted. All resume′s shall be mailed to:

MVFD Fire Chief Resume′

Post Office Box 2998

Hickory, North Carolina 28603

Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetics, or the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability. U.S. Law requires all applicants to furnish proof of identity and right to work in the U.S.

All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer medical examination, which includes a drug screen procedure. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves, or others. All applicants are subject to a background check.

 

Purpose of the Position

Reports to and works for the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department of Catawba County, Incorporated Board of Director's. The Fire Chief will administer, coordinate, plan, direct, and be in command of all aspects of the fire department including administration, fire suppression, emergency medical first responder, life safety education, prevention, and rescue activities of the department as authorized by the governing By-Laws of the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department of Catawba County, Inc.

Administrative duties encompass planning, directing, and command of all fire department activities including recruitment of personnel, purchase of equipment, control of expenditures, preparation of budget, the assignment of personnel, and insuring that equipment is operational. The fire chief consults with the Board of Directors on issues of policy, budget, and planning; however, works independently in supervising technical operations including the daily operations of the services provided by Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department of Catawba County, Inc.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Administer, coordinate, plan, guide, and supervise through subordinate fire company officers to include an elected Volunteer Deputy Chief, two Volunteer Captains, and three Volunteer Lieutenants, where specific roles and responsibilities have been assigned to their respective positions within the fire department.

Supervise, coordinate, plan, guide, and conducts performance evaluation with the full-time Lieutenant position.

Additional duties include the hiring of, supervision of, scheduling, record-keeping, performance evaluation, and disciplinary responsibilities for any full-time and/or part-time positions authorized by the Board of Directors.

• Establish and implement Operational Guidelines and Best Practices based on National and State Standards for Fire, Medical, Prevention, and Rescue principles including Federal and State Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

• Maintain training programs developed and implemented in accordance with accepted standards to improve the understanding and skill of all members in fire fighting, medical first responder, hazardous materials operations, community life safety, and rescue procedures.

• Ensure adequate records are kept of all required building / vehicle maintenance and training.

• Prepare and submit an annual budget and long-range plan while keeping expenditures within approved limits.

• Develop and revise a long-range capital plan to keep pace with community risk assessment and development.

• Liaison with other departments; continue and enhance inter-department planning and training, work to improve upon service district risk assessment with Catawba County Emergency Services, support and strengthen automatic aide and mutual aide guidelines and procedures for services provided.

• Maintain an effective working relationship with all local government departments and carry out such additional duties as requested by the Board of Director's for Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department of Catawba County.

• Ensure that inquiries and complaints regarding fire department activities or responsibilities are handled promptly, efficiently, effectively, and with courtesy.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates.

• Coordinate and attend Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Business Meetings

• Attend Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. training programs with Volunteer, Part-time and Full-time staff.

• Chair the Equipment Committee.

• Handle grievances as outlined in the Fire Department Policy Manual.

• The Chief shall perform other duties assigned to the office of Chief as directed by the Board of Directors.

• On a as needed basis, perform tasks associated with Firefighter and Engineer.

• Respond to neighboring fire departments to ensure adequate automatic aide / mutual aide response are made for mitigating major emergency incidents, while insuring that the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department of Catawba County service district is adequately staffed with personnel and apparatus, ready for response in the district.

• Participate in the local and regional emergency planning.

• Safeguard and monitor the departments Insurance Service Office rating process and identify procedures that may offer continued improvements.

• Participate in Fire Chiefs' Association at the county and/or regional and /or state level.

Job Related Physical Activity Requirements

This position involves some sedentary work, along with requiring the employee to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and less force frequently to move objects. Physical activity related to this position may include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, talking, and hearing. Sufficient visual acuity is required to visually inspect small parts involved in the operation of apparatus or equipment, prepare and analyze data and figures, use a desk-top computer / portable tablet device, and do extensive reading. An employee in this position will be exposed to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions including extreme heat and cold; subject to hazards including exposure to working mechanical parts, electrical currents, and exposure to chemicals and noise; subject to fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation; and may be subject to frequently working in close quarters. An employee in this position could be "reasonably anticipated" as a result of performing their job duties to face contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Qualifications

General Education/Training

• General Education Development (GED) Equivalent or High School Graduation

• North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (OFSM) Firefighter Level I and Level II Certified

• North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Service (NC OEMS) EMT-B Certified

• North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (OFSM) Hazmat Level I Certified

• North Carolina Department of Insurance Chief 101

• Incident Command System (ICS) minimum ICS 200

Preferred Advanced Education/Training

• Current enrollment in North Carolina Fire Officer Level I Qualification Program offered through Office of State Fire Marshal - Department of Insurance - North Carolina Community College training program.

or

• North Carolina Fire Officer Level I - Certified

 

Recommended Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years with a volunteer, combination or career fire department.

• Exhibit progressive responsibility levels within the fire service.

• Previous experience as a fire department officer.

• Previous management experience is an asset.

• Knowledge of community risk assessment and fire protection principles, applicable to a service district.

Occupational Certification

• Maintenance of State of North Carolina valid driver's license as required for Fire Apparatus (Class B) is required

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to be an effective leader.

• Ability to organize and delegate.

• Ability to effectively administer the mission of the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department of Catawba County, Inc.

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing including maintaining a positive public relations for the fire department and the governing body.

• Ability to supervise and participate in the preparation of all necessary reports, records and correspondence.

• Willingness and commitment to participate in training programs, seminars, conferences, and workshops for continued improvement of self, the fire company, and community.