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This is highly professional and technical level work reporting to the Fire Chief. This position is responsible for the leadership, oversight, and administration of the fire department’s accreditation activity, long-range strategic planning, business modeling, and support of efforts relating to maintaining or improving the community’s ISO rating.

Additional responsibilities include support functions, special projects, research and analysis, performance management, budgetary planning processes, external systems relationships and contracts. The position requires the ability to exercise independent judgment and work successfully with a minimal degree of supervision..

Accreditation Functions:

Responsible for the administration of the accreditation process, long-range strategic planning, performance measurement, and ensuring compliance with current standards set by the state, national, and/or international accreditation bodies. Key responsibilities include:

• Directs and oversees the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and Insurance Services Office (ISO) compliance activities.
• Supports the fire department’s planning section to include research and data analysis, long-range strategic planning, development and management of effective performance measures, and quality assurance regarding fire department service delivery and standards of coverage.
• Researches, prepares, and submits annual compliance reports, documents, and exhibits related to the accreditation and reaccreditation process.
• Maintains accreditation files and conducts reviews of policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Conducts system performance reviews to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
• Collaborates regularly with senior staff to coordinate specified functional areas and programs related to attaining and maintaining fire service accreditation and ISO public protection classification rating.
• Assists senior and support staff in the processing and interpretation of documents for accreditation.
• Provides training to newly hired employees regarding accreditation and related matters.
• Serves as the department liaison regarding accreditation matters between intra/inter-agency personnel and between the department and the accreditation bodies.
• Represents the fire department and the Fire Chief or designee at accreditation meetings and conferences and when working with outside agencies and groups.
• Assembles, compiles, compares, and analyzes collected information to maintain or improve current ISO rating.
• Prepares critical planning documents, including the strategic plan, standards of cover, continuity of operations plan, and fire rescue element of the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan.

Support Functions:

Responsible for support functions related to fire department planning, budgeting, and performance management. Key responsibilities include:

• Leads the development of the department’s strategic plan and business model, to include recommending goals, objectives, and actions supported by measurable outcomes and target dates.
• Leads and facilitates strategic business planning meetings with departmental personnel.
• Assists with budgetary planning processes to promote alignment with strategic goals.
• Assembles teams to support internal and external stakeholder participation in strategic planning efforts and process improvements.
• Assists in coordination of fire department external systems relationships for mutual and automatic aid.
• Monitors, maintains, and serves as administrative agent for interlocal agreements with external agencies.
• Liaises with GIS professionals and data analysts to develop reports, perform analytics, and implement performance measurement tools.
• Research new data modeling strategies and software to identify and recommend innovative tools and technology to support continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Utilizes strong interpersonal and leadership skills to build and maintain professional relationships within the fire department and with surrounding fire service agencies.
• Communicates effectively with internal departments and external agencies to collaborate on data collection, management, and dissemination.
• Assists with monitoring, evaluating, recommending, and implementing process improvements for continuous quality improvement.
• Develops systematic processes to track and report on fire department data.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the fire department.
• Prepares and distributes fire department informational bulletins to all employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, emergency management, fire science,  business,  finance,  planning,  industrial  engineering/technology  or  related  field  and  three  (3)  years  of professional  job-related  experience  OR 
• Seven  (7)  years  professional  job-related  experience  in  management  of technical projects/programs and strategic planning may substitute for the required education.
• Within one year of obtaining employment: Must complete required accreditation courses through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

If higher level requirements or more/specific experience preferred, list here: Master’s degree preferred in business administration, emergency management, fire science, public administration or related field and can count for one year of experience.

Starting Pay Range: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

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• Sarasota County Government