City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Fire Chief

Under direction of the City Manager and reporting to the Assistant City Manager for Protective Services serves as the administrative head of the Fire Department. Directs, plans and coordinates activities of the Fire Department of the City of Austin; performs related duties as required.

1. Leads the City's efforts in the preservation of life and property relative to fire prevention.
2. Leads the City's community fire prevention and suppression efforts
3. Coordinates and administers daily fire activities through subordinates
4. Oversee the development and implementation of policy, services and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of Fire Department methods and procedures.
5. Oversees the direct support of fire fighter recruiting
6. Serves as lead administrator for all, sworn and non-sworn, employees of the Fire Department
7. Participates in corporate initiatives in quality improvement processes and customer services initiatives within the Department
8. Works with community and business leaders to develop partnerships
9. Uses innovative outreach approaches to maintain and build community partnerships within a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment
10. Maximizes citizen support for the Department and involvement in its programs
11. Coordinates fire activities with other law enforcement agencies and related organizations
12. Develops departmental programs to implement the City¿s management plan
13. Increase quality of service through training, recruiting and instilling customer services values among employees
14. Develops cooperative relationships with other City departments to foster service delivery improvements and problem solving initiatives

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Possesses visionary leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Knowledge in the use of practical experience and problem solving skills.
• Knowledge of modern management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of federal, state and city rules and regulations governing firefighting functions.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal law and city ordinances.
• Comprehensive knowledge in all major aspects of fire operations including budgetary responsibilities for a medium to large metropolitan fire department.
• Knowledge of emergency medical operations, particularly first responder services.
• Knowledge of City geography, fire hazards and of City codes related to fire safety.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of the meet and Confer process, and labor negotiation experience.
• Skill in planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the department programs.
• Skill in making sound decisions in critical situations.
• Skill in managing the activities of personnel engaged in unit functions.
• Skill in developing and implementing plans to achieve set goals and objectives.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with, City Manager, City Council, other Department Directors, other City employees and the general public.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop, implement and administer goals, objectives and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the City of Austin.
• Ability to work in a city with a highly diverse community.
• Ability to coach, train and mentor, as well as discipline subordinates.
• Ability to have an open door policy towards all department members and remain approachable.

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or a related field, and five (5) years of progressively responsible work in fire management in a large city and/or county government structure, two (2) of which must be in a senior command level.

Certification by the Commission on Fire Protection Standards at the intermediate level or its equivalent as defined by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Standards.

An individual appointed head of a department must be eligible to be certified at the time of the appointment or will become eligible to be certified within one year of the appointment as defined by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Standards.