HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire ChiefUpdated: March 2024
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Posi�on Title: Fire Chief
Department: Fire
Division: Fire Administra�on
Supervisor: City Manager
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 33
Job Number: 3301
Job Summary
Plans, organizes, manages and directs the ac�vi�es of the Fire Department, ensuring the
preven�on or minimiza�on of loss of life and property by fire, medical emergencies, or
natural/man-made disasters and maintaining a state of preparedness for other forms of
catastrophe.
Essen�al Job Du�es and Responsibili�es
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Establishes all policies, procedures and regula�ons for firefigh�ng, emergency,
opera�onal and preven�on standards in compliance with all applicable laws and
regula�ons.
• Develops and recommends all fire code regula�ons to Council for adop�on.
• Performs short range and long-range planning regarding departmental opera�ons with
respect to personnel, apparatus, equipment and emergency opera�ons.
• Supervises and directs the implementa�on of such goals, objec�ves and plans that align
with the City’s strategic values.
• Appraises condi�ons of work in the department and takes necessary ac�ons to improve
fire and other emergency opera�ons.
• Plans, develops, conducts and supervises the opera�on of departmental in-service
training of personnel.
• Plans and directs public educa�on, fire preven�on and community risk reduc�on
programs.
• Performs various public rela�ons func�ons to include contact with the media, public,
private organiza�ons, schools, area fire departments and state and na�onal
organiza�ons.
• Prepares, coordinates and monitors the annual budget and controls approves the
expenditure of budgeted funds.
• Assists in the prepara�on of bids on major pieces of equipment and makes
recommenda�ons to the City Manager on Capital Improvement Program purchases
regarding apparatus, equipment, advancements in technology, new sta�ons, etc.
Updated: March 2024
• Supervises the inspec�ons of buildings and other proper�es for fire hazards; enforces
fire preven�on regula�ons and works to atain abatement of fire hazards.
• Conducts briefings with Chief Officers to review daily work schedules and discuss staff
ac�vi�es.
• Supervises the opera�ons of the fire suppression program and coordinates ac�vi�es
with Johnson County fire officials.
• Supervises the opera�ons of emergency medical services program and coordinates
ac�vi�es with local ambulance services and hospitals.
• Supervises the opera�ons of the hazardous materials response program and coordinates
ac�vi�es with Johnson County officials.
• Supervises the opera�ons of the technical rescue program and coordinates ac�vi�es
with Johnson County fire officials.
• Responds to major fire alarms and emergencies and exercises overall supervision at the
scene.
• Works collabora�vely with local, state and federal emergency management officials to
help Iowa City prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, public health
crises and other emergent circumstances.
• Works with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the inves�ga�on into
cause, origin and circumstances of fires.
• Par�cipates in the opera�ons of the Joint Emergency Communica�ons Center as a
member of the User Advisory Commitee.
• Oversees the maintenance of department records and prepares reports for the City
Manager and City Council, as required.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Performs other related du�es as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and six years of related
experience; or ten years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Supervisory experience in fire and rescue management.
• Instructor I cer�fica�on. Iowa or Na�onal EMT cer�fica�on. Valid State of Iowa driver's
license with sa�sfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal
background check. Must live within 17 miles of the corporate limits of Iowa City, Iowa
within one year of appointment to the posi�on.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Master’s degree from an accredited educa�onal ins�tu�on and seven years of related
experience; and/or equivalent combina�on of educa�on and experience. Degree in
Public Administra�on or Fire Science emphasis.
• Officer I, Instructor II and Inspector I cer�fica�ons. NFA Execu�ve Fire Officer and CPC
(Commission on Professional Creden�aling) Chief Fire Officer Designa�on.
Updated: March 2024
Knowledge, Skills, and Abili�es
• Ability to achieve goals, an�cipate problems and barriers, and devise ways to work
around or through them.
• Ability to analyze, plan, and carry out long-term programs in Fire Department
administra�on, training, suppression, emergency medical services, and fire preven�on.
• Ability to be a mo�vator and leader to his/her staff and be candid and willing to advise
the City Council and City staff in an honest and forthright fashion.
• Ability to communicate effec�vely and maintain working rela�onships with Batalion
Chiefs, other City employees, supervisory personnel, state, and local elected officials,
labor officials, professional consultants, and the public, both orally and in wri�ng, using
both technical and non-technical language
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to demonstrate ingenuity and inven�veness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instruc�ons in mathema�cal or
diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to operate a computer using standard word processing, spreadsheet, database
applica�ons, and fire service so�ware appropriate to assigned du�es and
responsibili�es.
• Ability to par�cipate in physical requirements, must be in good physical condi�on and
participates in the department physical fitness program.
• Ability to perform mathema�cal calcula�ons in fire preven�on ac�vi�es, code
compliance, propor�ons, percentages, area, circumference, and volume; ability to
comprehend mathema�cal opera�ons to such tasks as frequency distribu�on,
determina�on of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correla�on techniques,
sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Ability to plan, develop and evaluate purchasing specifica�ons and contracts
• Ability to plan, organize and manage fire opera�onal and administra�ve projects.
• Ability to prepare accurate and reliable reports containing findings, conclusions,
recommenda�ons for a variety of reports containing fire suppression terminology,
purchasing proposals and specifica�ons, and labor contract processes and terminology.
• Ability to present well to a wide range of audiences and be comfortable in a highly
engaged community with a high educa�on level.
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly
changing informa�on and/or technology.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, specifica�ons, and contracts; ability to read and
analyze, and interpret common scien�fic and technical journals, financial reports, and
contracts.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out du�es.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory
agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to train, assign, mo�vate, supervise, and evaluate the work of others.
Updated: March 2024
• Ability to value diversity, respect differing views and opinions, understand the process of
consensus-building, and be relied upon to provide his/her best professional
recommenda�on at all �mes.
• Knowledge at advanced level of current applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules
and regula�ons for emergency response management and opera�ons.
• Knowledge at advanced level of personnel principles and prac�ces for collec�ve
bargaining and personnel grievance administra�on.
• Knowledge at advanced level of sta�on loca�on principles, prac�ces and techniques.
• Knowledge at advanced level of the principles and prac�ces of fire department business
management, including strategic planning, budge�ng, personnel administra�on,
accredita�on, and homeland security ini�a�ves.
• Skill in fire service management, policy-planning, goal-se�ng and employee supervision.
• Skill in interac�ng well with other governing bodies and act in a posi�ve fashion with the
University and other local officials.
• Skill in using computers and applicable so�ware applica�ons (Microso� Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a department. Carries out
supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include supervising subordinate supervisors and direct reports including
interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; writing
and delivering performance reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing
complaints and resolving problems; and terminating employees.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Participates in the
department physical fitness program. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close
vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
Updated: March 2024
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, and traffic hazards. The employee is occasionally
exposed to outside weather conditions, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings,
and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Employee may be exposed
to dangerous situations, dangerous fumes while engaged in firefighting or cause determination
activities, exposed to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system, and use of Self-
Contained Breathing Apparatus. Involves some exposure to stress due to the work environment
and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Scott Lyon, Fire Chief (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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