Description
FIRE-EMS CHIEF / DISTRICT MANAGER
I. Job Description:
Summary
The Fire-EMS Chief is the Chief Executive Officer and District Manager. The
position is an Executive-level, highly responsible managerial, professional,
administrative, and technical position involving responsibility for the direction of
all employees and activities of the District. The Fire-EMS Chief provides strategic
leadership and overall administration of the District, exercising responsibility for
planning, organizing, directing and coordinating this emergency service
organization (ESO). The Fire-EMS Chief is specifically concerned with preventing
and minimizing the loss of life and property by fire, accident, medical emergency,
or other natural or man-made emergency incident.
The Fire-EMS Chief exercises oversite, direction, management, and leadership of
all agency operations, divisions, departments, contracted services, administrative
services, fire operations, fire prevention, training, and Emergency Medical Services
(EMS).
The Fire-EMS Chief reports directly to the District Board of Commissioners and is
responsible for implementing Board policies, managing District resources, and
ensuring the efficient and cost-effective delivery of services to the community.
The Fire-EMS Chief is senior in rank and responsible for the fulfillment of all duties
and authority commensurate with assigned responsibilities.
II. Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Directs and oversees all aspects of District operations, including Fire,
Rescue, and EMS emergency response, fire prevention, injury prevention,
public education, training, and administration. Duties are carried out in accordance with accepted national and regional fire
and EMS standards and recommended practices. Develops and implements District-wide strategic plans, policies, and
procedures to ensure effective emergency response capabilities and administrative operations.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with elected
officials, other agency heads, neighboring jurisdictions, and community
stakeholders.
Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws,
regulations, and standards (as adopted by local, state, or federal policy or
law).
Serves as a primary representative of the District. Displays professionalism
and comportment at all times, specifically in all intergovernmental activities,
in professional associations, and community relations.
Represents the District to the general public and the media; writes articles,
and makes speeches or presentations to promote awareness of the District’s
mission and functions.
Handles public inquiries and complaints; answers and clarifies these or
refers them to the appropriate informational sources.
Oversees recruitment, promotion, discipline, and development of District
personnel.
Develops and maintains mutual aid agreements with surrounding
jurisdictions.
Participates in firefighting, EMS, rescue, public education, and prevention
activities.
May take command in a fire or other emergency situation. Makes decisions
for the District as required by circumstances and need.
Analyzes and evaluates reports and statistics to ascertain trends and patterns.
Deploys personnel and resources to meet various community and
organizational needs.
Supervises and participates in the planning, development, and execution of
training programs.
Conducts internal staff meetings.
Oversees District facility, vehicle, and equipment maintenance and the
internal decision making on new or replacement District facilities, vehicles,
and equipment. As necessary, presents information and justification for
Board consideration.
Required to wear District uniform and civilian clothes, as appropriate.
Attends seminars, conferences, training courses, meetings, and keeps
abreast of technological advances relating to fire suppression, technical
rescue, emergency medical services, community risk reduction, and fire
prevention activities.
III. Knowledge, Skills, & Other Characteristics:
Displays and exercises the utmost degree of integrity and ethical behavior.
Expert knowledge of a modern and progressive ESO, including
administration, fire services, rescue, EMS, and emergency management
principles and practices.
Comprehensive understanding of public administration and State of Florida
Special District operations.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
Effectively and efficiently plan, assign, supervise, evaluate, and direct
assigned personnel to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the
delivery of services by the District and to promote positive employee
relations and team unity.
Ability to organize and direct firefighting and emergency medical services
of broad scope and complexity.
Ability to use considerable independent judgment and discretion in managing
situations that may occur.
Ability to apply analytical skills for all related activities and interpret data
for decision making, effective decisions, recommendations, reports, etc.
Is familiar with: Florida Statutes § 633, Fire Prevention and Control, and F.S.
§§ 189 and 191 regulating special district operations, as well as other federal,
state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations relevant to District
operations.
Is familiar with the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection
Classification (PPC), and agency accreditation through the Center for Public
Safety Excellence.
Monitors actions of other governmental agencies with respect to annexation
of Key Largo Fire, Rescue and EMS District boundaries. Is familiar with
annexation laws and negotiates interlocal agreements with other agencies for
consideration by the Board of Commissioners.
Is familiar with Florida Sunshine and public record laws.
Assists in selecting and maintains liaison with the District’s law and
accounting firms. Recommends to the Board of Commissioners continuation
of or changes in these outside professional resources.
Coordinates with architects, builders, general contractors, and other
providers of services to the District.
The District does not have the same infrastructure as a municipality; therefore,
the Fire-EMS Chief must be knowledgeable in such areas as legal,
management information systems, personnel policy, insurance, retirement,
Firefighter Bill of Rights, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), American with
Disabilities Act (ADA), The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC), and other related fields.
Advanced knowledge of:
o Fire suppression and prevention techniques and administration
o Emergency medical services administration
o Hazardous materials operations
o Fire and EMS grants and grant programs
o Personnel management and employee relations
o Budget development and fiscal management
o Public safety technology and communications systems
o Emergency management and disaster preparedness
o Fire service law and liability
o Strategic planning and policy development
IV. Strategic Leadership Responsibilities:
Oversees the development, implementation, and management of the District
strategic mission, vision, goals, and objectives
Establishes performance standards and evaluation metrics
Reviews and approves operational policies and procedures
Oversees major equipment and apparatus procurement
Directs emergency operations during major incidents
Coordinates with other agencies, districts, and departments
Develops succession planning and leadership development programs
Performs a gap analysis to ensure District readiness and capabilities
Oversees grant applications and management
Directs public information and community relations programs
Manages District accreditation processes
V. Administrative Responsibilities:
Develops, manages, and reviews the preparation of the annual District
budget, including staffing projections, organizational infrastructure and
equipment needs. Presents a proposed annual budget to the Board of Fire
Commissioners with justification for each request. Makes
recommendations regarding capital project financing and investments of
public funds.
Ensures safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and repair of all District
assets, whether leased, loaned, or owned by the District.
Informs the Board of Commissioners of activities and operations, both
through written monthly reports and intervening updates. Assures the
preparation of the agenda for Board meetings, and requests input from
Commissioners on agenda items.
Oversees and ensures District compliance with budget and advertising
requirements as detailed in the State of Florida Truth in Millage (TRIM)
Act.
Attends and participates in workshops, schools, seminars, conferences,
committee meetings and public hearings related to fire, rescue, and EMS.
Ensures compliance with District record keeping, bookkeeping, and reporting
functions. Assists in facilitating the outside annual financial audit.
Reviews and approves District expenditures up to the limit determined by a
Board of Commissioners duly adopted resolution.
Oversees personnel actions and disciplinary matters.
Develops and maintains operational policies.
Manages District contracts and agreements. Acts as the official business
agent for the District. Signs contracts and reports on behalf of the District.
Serves as, or appoints, the official custodian of the public records of the
District, thus ensures all records are maintained available to the public in
accordance with Florida Law.
Ensures accurate record keeping and reporting.
Prepares reports and provides information as required by governing
authorities.
Communicates and coordinates with members of the Florida Legislature and
the Monroe County Board of County Commissions on issues that may affect
the District.
VI. Supervisory Controls
Reports directly to the Key Largo Fire Rescue and EMS Board of Commissioners
VII. Physical Demands
Must be able to meet the requirements of NFPA 1582 Chapter 6, Medical Evaluation of
Candidates, which details, among other critical items, that the employee must be able to
wear all assigned gear and effectively perform emergency scene duties when needed. When
on an emergency scene, requires good vision, good hearing, ability to distinguish odors,
ability to walk, run, drive vehicles, crawl, stoop, push, pull, jump, and use other emergency,
firefighting, and EMS equipment as required. Must be able to climb ladders and stairs and
perform and supervise various physical operations and inspections.
VIII. Work Environment
A considerable amount of time is spent working inside Station facilities. Outside work may
occasionally be performed in emergency conditions which may often involve extreme
danger and exertion under stressful and hazardous conditions such as flames, smoke,
hazardous materials, cramped conditions, charged or oxygen deficient atmospheres,
downed power lines, in and among moving vehicles in varying inclement weather among
others.
During occasions of local emergencies, this position may be required to report to perform
emergency, planning, coordination and control tasks which may result in extended work
hours, as well as extended periods of time away from family members.
Must be available for response to emergency scenes and to manage various situations
during non-traditional work hours.
IX. Required Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Fire
Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business
Administration, or closely related field.
Minimum fifteen (15) years of progressive fire service experience with five
(5) years documented at supervisory and managerial levels.
A combination of experience and education may be considered to meet the
minimum qualifications.
Required Certifications:
Florida Minimum Standards of Firefighting Certification Firefighter II
Florida State Fire Officer Certification
Florida State Certified Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic
Certified District Manager (CDM) from the Florida Association of Special Districts (must obtain within 3 years of appointment)
Florida Forestry Certification in S130/S190 as a wildland firefighter (must obtain within one year of appointment)
Must have completed:
o ICS-100
o ICS-200
o ICS-300
o ICS-400
o ICS-700
o ICS-800
Additional Requirements:
Must have and maintain a valid FL State Driver’s License within one year
of appointment
Must be available to respond to significant events within a timely manner
Must participate in county-wide Emergency Management Operations
Must be a non-smoking/non-tobacco using person, both on and off the job,
at the time of appointment to the position and maintain same non-smoking
and non-use throughout the term of employment
Must successfully pass the District’s medical/physical, drug screen, and
background checks as a condition of appointment and employment
Within one year of appointment, the Fire-EMS Chief must establish
residency in Monroe County, Florida within 5 road miles of the District
Preferred Qualifications:
Florida Certified Paramedic
Florida Fire Officer II certification
Florida Fire Inspector I certification
Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Fire
Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business
Administration, or closely related field
Executive Fire Officer (EFO) graduate from the National Fire Academy
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence
VII. Professional Development:
Maintain membership in professional fire service organizations
Participate in continuing education and professional development
Attend conferences and seminars to stay current with fire service, EMS,
and special district trends
Engage in networking with other fire service and EMS leaders
Pursue relevant advanced certifications and designations
Note: This job description is illustrative, and not all inclusive. Job duties and requirements may be
modified as needed to meet District and community needs. Reasonable accommodation
considerations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.
Requirements
Please see the job description
