DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION

Reporting to the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief of Administration is responsible for day-to-day management of Fire and Rescue Services which includes but is not limited to the following: fire prevention and life safety education programs, fire inspection and enforcing compliance with related by-laws, codes and regulations, daily operational staffing, oversee public information activities to promote fire safety and oversee and control the maintenance, and inventory of all fire related equipment and property. The Deputy Fire Chief of Administration reports to the Fire Chief.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Oversee the fire prevention and fire life safety education program.

Assist the Fire Chief as required in all areas of administration such as but not limited to reports for Council or committees of Council, policies and procedures development, operating and capital budget process, record management, etc.

Assists Fire Chief in management of the ISO rating process.

Performs/participates in human resource functions such as; recruitment, training, supervision, assignment of duties, performance evaluation, discipline, and attendance management in accordance with County policies while fostering a team work environment.

Be responsible to work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations, County policies, and established industry guidelines.

Respond to emergency and non-emergency incidents; utilize the incident command system to direct activities and communications in fire and/or emergency situations; take actions to mitigate hazards and treat patients; make decisions affecting life and property under emergency situations.

Act as an “On Call” Chief Officer for emergency incidents after hours and alternating weekends.

Directs research at the request of the Fire Chief and presents analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of various options.

Prepares and submits various State and national incident records and reports.

Represents the Department on behalf of the Fire chief in appropriate inter-county meetings and/or committees when needed.

Establishes policies and procedures for fire department to implement directives from the Fire Chief.

Supervises and coordinates the preparation and presentation of an annual budget for fire department; directs the implementation of the departments’ budgets; plans for and reviews specifications for new or replaced equipment.

Responds to alarms and may direct activities at the scene of major emergencies, as required. Must be able to drive to report to fire scenes.

Supervises the inspection of buildings and other properties for fire hazards and enforces fire prevention ordinances.

Supervises the operation of departmental in-service training activities.

Prepares and submits monthly reports to county management regarding the department’s activities and prepares a variety of other reports as appropriate, including the annual report of activities.

Plans departmental operations with respect to equipment, apparatus and personnel; supervises the implementation of such plans.

Assigns personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires; evaluates the need for, and recommends the purchase of, new equipment and supplies.

Attends training, meetings, seminars and/workshops to enhance knowledge and skills.

Represents the county fire department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings.

Performs the duties of command personnel as needed and fulfills obligations during duty days or duty weeks.

Serves as a member of various employee committees.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND CERTIFICATION

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Completion of an associate’s degree in fire science, public administration or a closely related field. High school graduation and a minimum of 30 semester hours of credits earned in an accredited university, college or technical school in business administration, fire science or a related field may be substituted when combined with at least five years of full-time managment experience in an upper-level position in a career public safety agency.

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND CERTIFICATION

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Minimum of 10 years of fire suppression experience, including 3 years of related supervisory experience at the rank of Captain or higher.
• Must have a valid driver’s license. If out of state, must have the ability to obtain a South Carolina driver’s license.
• Must pass required pre-employment NFPA 1582 physical, background check, and drug screening.
• Must reside within Kershaw County

Certifications:

Required:

• SCFA Emergency Vehicle Driver’s Training
• CPR / Emergency Medical Responder
• NIMS (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800
• Hazardous Materials Technician
• IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter 1 & 2
• IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Officer 1 & 2

Preferred:

• Basic Fire Investigation Class (SCFA 6 day or 2-week class) or equivalent
• ICC Fire Inspector 1

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate different types of machinery and equipment including fire apparatus and other firefighting equipment, etc. Must be physically able to exert up to one hundred pounds of force occasionally and/or frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of sedentary work. Work involves reaching, stooping, bending, standing, walking, climbing and balancing.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange pertinent and vital information to co-workers. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor. Includes giving instructions and assignments to subordinates.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read and prepare a variety of documents and reports using the proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar. Has the ability to speak with co-workers and the general public with poise, voice control and confidence. Must be able to speak effectively to large groups. Voice and language must be clearly expressed so that radio transmission can be clearly understood.

Intelligence: Has the ability to learn and apply principles of rational systems such as fire science in order to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to follow verbal and written instructions. Is able to communicate by way of two-way radio.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages and decimals; determine time and weight; and apply algebraic principles.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Must have excellent hand/eye coordination. Requires the ability to operate motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of small items such as knobs, switches, needles, medicine vials, etc. Must be able to twist, push and pull knobs or switches, etc. Must have maximum levels of foot/hand/eye coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Has the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. The worker needs to relate to people in situations involving more than receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under high stress when confronted with emergency, dangerous, and life-threatening situations.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking – expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing – perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to speak clearly and must be able to hear low, monotone sounds such as whispers, blood pressure and lung sounds, etc.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job: Principles and practices of fire department administration and operations, as well as policies and procedures of all related functions; Principles and practices of modern fire prevention and fire suppression; Principles and practices of personnel management including training, performance evaluation, conflict management and labor relations; Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations that may govern department activities; Incident management practices, including the National Incident Management System (NIMS); Working knowledge of modern administrative office procedures, methods and equipment.

Quality of work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interface with all County departments and divisions, co-workers and customers, and the general public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under “Specific Duties and Responsibilities.”

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directive, County policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and on time with a minimum of tardiness and absences and adheres to County policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with County policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the County.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and County benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all County employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, customers, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the County and to project a good image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the County. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the County. Interfaces effectively with higher management, professionals, customers, and the general public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the County and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Planning: Plans, directs and uses information effectively in order to enhance activities and production of the department. Knows and understands the expectations of the County regarding the activities of the department and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means, and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the County. Within the constraints of County policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving departmental and County objectives. Organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way so as to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the County.

Organizing: Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results are expected of them and that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all County and department matters affecting them and/or of concern to them.

Staffing: Works with the Fire Chief to select and recommend the employment of personnel for the department who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the department and County. Personally, directs the development and training of department personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented and trained.

Leading: Provides a work environment which encourages clear and open communications. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of County goals and objectives.

Controlling: Provides a work environment which is orderly and controlled. Coordinates, audits, and controls manpower and financial resources efficiently and effectively. Coordinates, audits and controls the utilization of materials and equipment efficiently and effectively. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of County standards, methods and procedures.

Delegating: Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet department goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.

Decision Making: Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting the department. When a particular policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.

Creativity: Regularly seeks new and improved methodologies, policies and procedures for enhancing the effectiveness of the department and County. Employs imagination and creativity in the application of duties and responsibilities. Is not adverse to change.

Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members. Listens to and considers their suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.

Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of County policies regarding the department and County function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.

Policy Formulation: Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the County and continually reviews department policies in order to ensure that any changes in County philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated. Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same.

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