Fire Battalion Chief

Position Description

Thank you for your interest in the position of Fire Battalion Chief with our department. We look forward to the opportunity to consider you as an applicant.

We are currently recruiting to fill one immediate vacancy and one anticipated vacancy. An eligible list will also be established to fill future vacancies in this classification for a period of up to six months.

The dates associated with our recruitment process have been included for planning purposes. Additional details regarding the recruitment process will be sent via email to qualified applicants after the recruitment closes and our screening process is completed (on or before March 25th at 5 p.m.).

The City of Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 70,693 located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The city provides a full range of services to our citizens. The organization, staffed with 400 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

To be considered for this career opportunity applicants must submit, an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. Applicants must also respond to the supplemental questions and attach copies of all of the required licenses and certificates.

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW

The dates associated with the various steps of our recruitment process are outlined in this job posting. Please be sure to make note of the dates and plan now to participate in each phase of the process.

INTERVIEW & ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

If we determine that you meet the minimum requirements for the position and that you have attached all of the required items, you will be invited to take part in the Interview & Assessment Center phase to be administered: THURSDAY, APRIL 3rd and/or FRIDAY, APRIL 4th. Refer to the "Qualifications/Requirements" section of this posting for a complete list of all the required qualifications and attachments.

The interview and assessment center process will take approximately one- and one-half hours to complete. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, it may take two days for us to assess all of the candidates, but you will only need to report on one of the days.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under general direction, plans, organizes, coordinates and administers all functions and activities of the Fire Suppression division of the City’s Fire Department; conducts immediate response activities and programs; provides highly responsible administrative and technical staff assistance to the Fire Chief in areas of expertise; and performs other duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Fire Chief. Exercises general direction and supervision over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This mid-management classification assists the Fire Chief in managing activities throughout the City and the surrounding area to provide comprehensive fire suppression and related services. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day activities and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Fire Chief in a variety of areas. This classification is distinguished from the Fire Chief in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all departmental functions, staff, and activities. It is further distinguished from the Fire Chief in that the Battalion Chiefs are assigned to a shift and to specific functions such as Training, Emergency Medical Services, Equipment, and/or Dispatch/Communications while the former oversees the Prevention and Divisions and overall Department administration activities.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Tulare Fire Department is comprised of two divisions: Administration and Fire Suppression.

ADMINISTRATION DIVISION: Tulare City Fire Department is responsible for enforcing local, state and federal fire safety laws. The Prevention Bureau within the admin division, achieves this by conducting annual fire & life safety inspections of all existing buildings that are open to the public. The prevention bureau performs plan reviews for safety compliance of all new commercial, industrial and multi-residential structures. Plan review consists of checking plans for fire safety features such as: fire sprinkler, and fire alarm plans. The prevention bureau is also very involved with the storage and sale of safe & sane fireworks, as well as large public gatherings most notably the World Ag Expo.

SUPPRESSION DIVISION: The Fire Suppression Division consists of forty-one (40) uniformed personnel. The primary responsibility of the fire suppression and first responder units are to respond to fire, emergency medical, rescue, and life safety emergencies within Tulare. Emergency Services are delivered through four (4) in-service fire companies from three (3) strategically located fire stations within the city. Three of the fire companies are staffed with three personnel (captain, engineer, and firefighter/paramedic) and one patrol unit is staffed with two personnel (captain and engineer/paramedic). A division chief is on duty each day to perform as an incident commander, supervise fire suppression activities, and provide personnel supervision.

The primary goals of the Fire Department are to reduce casualties and the loss of life, improve patient outcomes, reduce property loss and damage, affect successful extrications of trapped victims, and protect the environment from the effects of a hazardous materials release. In calendar year 2023, the Fire Department responded to 505 fire calls, 4,196 medical calls and 2,574 calls for various other reasons for a total of 7,275 calls for service. The Fire Department is also responsible for enforcing local fire ordinances, state and federal laws, apprehending arsonists and assisting in their prosecution. For additional details about the department please view our annual report: TFD Annual Report

Examples of Essential Functions

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Serves as Duty Officer on a regularly assigned shift; may be assigned staff level supervisory responsibilities, or any other specialized area of responsibility.
• Coordinates the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the assigned functions in the Fire Department including operations and suppression, public education and training, and other related areas.
• Provides command and control to incidents occurring in the City of Tulare area, including responding to fires, extrications, and other hazards, monitoring calls, and participating in providing service.
• Provides command and control on multiple company incidents.
• Provides staff assistance to the Fire Chief; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Assumes role and responsibilities of Fire Chief in his/her absence, including applying departmental policies and procedures regarding personnel issues, department commitments and the Emergency Operations Center and meeting with various entities regarding related issues.
• Administers, manages, and coordinates City Emergency Operations Center and Disaster Preparedness, including planning, organizing, and directing related functions and participating in staff training, emergency plan development, and emergency operations.
• Assumes any of the command functions of the Incident Command System as required; assumes control of an emergency scene; directs and supervises forces in the suppression of fires and in the control of incidents involving hazardous chemicals and other materials as required.
• Manages the resources of the assigned division and programs to assure the emergency response capability of the department is properly trained and equipped for the assigned duties and responsibilities; inspects facilities and equipment for repair, readiness, level of maintenance and supplies necessary to support demand of programs; implements management philosophy and direction and provides feedback to resolve conflicts.
• Determines response jurisdictions for all stations and apparatus within department and review periodically.
• Plans, organizes, and directs operations of various Department programs, including administering and managing program operations and monitoring program success in meeting established goals and objectives.
• Conducts and coordinates contract negotiations for special services, including drafting contracts and proposals and meeting with related entities in developing contracts.
• Supervises, plans and coordinates Fire Department operations and activities in conjunction with Fire Chief, including recommending, developing and implementing procedural and policy improvements, coordinating events and activities as assigned, providing technical data and research information for presentations and reports, preparing, administering, and overseeing related budgets, and directing and participating in personnel management.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the division’s and/or department’s budget; forecasts funds and specifications needed for staffing, apparatus, equipment, supplies, and facilities; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments.
• Participates in the development and administration of the assigned budget; forecasts additional funds needed; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with Department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Ensures captains have all the necessary information to assist them with their efficient and effective management of their duties; oversees special projects assigned to division.
• Serves as training officer, ensuring that all personnel are adequately trained, and certifications are current and up to date.
• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Evaluates existing conditions and Federal, State, and local codes applicable to assigned divisions and programs; recommends policies, procedures, and ordinance revisions as necessary.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned function; identifies resource needs; recommends and implements policies and procedures.
• Administers the enforcement of fire codes, ordinances, and laws as established by the City and State.
• Prepares, maintains, and reviews a variety of records, forms, reports, schedules, recommendations and other administrative records related to operations, support services, administration, training, or other special programs as assigned.
• Responds to and resolves difficult inquiries and complaints.
• Coordinates assigned services and activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations.
• Ascertains the need for and type of additional equipment necessary to handle emergencies; makes technical decisions as to the best methods of extinguishing fires after observing the fire and receiving reports from company officers.
• Assists in preparing specifications for apparatus and equipment.
• Facilitates care of personnel and vehicular or operational safety while operating on incidents.
• Supervises the rendering of emergency medical services.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other Fire Department personnel within and outside of the City; works closely with a variety of public and private organizations, community groups, and other City, County, and State officials in developing programs and implementing projects for fire prevention, fire code enforcement, and administration.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations to City employees and the public regarding fire safety and related issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of municipal fire administration, including suppression, prevention, inspection, investigation, damage control, and modern fire suppression techniques and delivery methods.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles, practices, procedures, equipment, and apparatus used in firefighting, rescue, and various other emergency responses.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Municipal budget development and financial accounting practices.
• Geography of the City, including locations of streets, hydrants, sprinkler and standpipe hookups, and alarm panels.
• Practices and techniques of hazardous materials response, containment and clean-up.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and ordinances.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Supervise, select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient fire suppression and prevention services.
• Plan, direct, and review fire suppression, inspection, fire and life safety code compliance, emergency medical service, and hazardous material emergencies operations and activities.
• Analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; collect relevant information; evaluate realistic options; and recommend/implement appropriate course of action.
• Identify and respond to community and City Council issues, concerns, and needs.
• Perform fire suppression and associated rescue and salvage work in a safe and effective manner.
• Deal with hazardous materials incidents in conformance with department procedures.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Prepare and maintain a divisional budget.
• Establish and maintain a variety of manual and computerized record keeping and project management systems.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the possession of a two-year degree in fire science or related field , Bachelor’s degree is desirable, and at least seven (7) years of firefighting experience of which at least three (3) years of responsible administrative and supervisory experience as a Fire Captain.

License:

• Possession of a valid Class A or B driver’s license or a Class C driver’s license with a Fire Fighter “F” endorsement, and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a valid EMT-B certification or valid EMT-P issued by a California Emergency Medical Services Authority
• Possession of a California State Fire Training Fire Officer or Company Officer Certification.
• Possession of a California State Fire Training Chief Officer or California State Chief Fire Officer Certification. At a minimum, applicants’ must submit proof that all of the required course work for the OSFM Chief Fire Officer certificate has been completed and within 12 months of hire, they must submit their original capstone task book to State Fire Training to receive their CSFM Chief Fire Officer certificate.
• Possession of a valid healthcare provider CPR Certification.
• Possession of Hazardous Materials First Responder Operator Certification.
• Ability to obtain within 12 months Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certification.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; mobility, physical strength and stamina to respond to emergency situations and use emergency apparatus and equipment; perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to discern colors and assess emergency situations, including medical incidents, to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. This is partially a sedentary, partially a field classification that requires operating in emergency situations and to identifying and assessing problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, operate standard office equipment, and to operate above-mentioned apparatus and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites, and push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, objects, and individuals necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees partially work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The work also involves work in the field with exposure to loud noise levels, extreme temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, substantial heights, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Required to work on evenings, weekends, and holidays and monitor radio traffic on 24-hour shifts as assigned.

• Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.7% at 57) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 3.0% at 55 formula with single highest year.
  
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
  
• Term Life insurance - Based on Annual Salary.
• Two complete sets of uniforms are provided and $900 per year is paid thereafter as a uniform allowance.
  
• 10 working days vacation per year plus holiday credit. Additional days based on years of service.
  
• 12 days sick leave per year.
  
• A long-term disability insurance program is available.
  
• Education incentive program.
  
• A mandatory wellness/fitness program.
  
• Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan.
  
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
  
• Bilingual certification - an additional 2% of base salary for successful completion of city administered bilingual certification test.

Closing Date/Time: 3/19/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Tulare

• 559-684-4204

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