Fire Battalion Chief EMT or Fire Battalion Chief Medic

• This recruitment is a promotional position open to current Charlottesville Fire Department employees only.* Note: This position may be filled as a Fire Battalion Chief EMT or Fire Battalion Chief Medic depending on qualification and departmental needs. This position performs complex protective service and difficult administrative and supervisory work assisting the Deputy Fire Chief in the command of a fire sector on an assigned shift or administrative division. Work is primarily and frequently performed as leader with broad functional areas with specific expertise and strategic focus.

Supervision is exercised over subordinate personnel as assigned. Work is performed under the limited direction of and reports to a Deputy Fire Chief. The hiring amount for this position is $129,827.38.

This is a full-time, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities. • For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits. • The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met.

For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462. All applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume and required certifications as attachments with their online application. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Participates in community planning efforts and fire safety education. • Coordinates and oversees the inspection of firefighting equipment and fire stations to ensure maintenance of the required operational readiness. • Participates in establishing and maintaining department-wide goals and objectives.
• Analyzes data, assesses needs, formulates conclusions and recommendations, and prepares statistical and narrative reports on projects as required. • Conducts special administrative and management studies. • Assists in planning, organizing, and training, fiscal management and administration of employee relations and Equal Opportunity policies of the department.
• Reviews fire, EMS, and administrative reports of subordinates for accuracy, completeness, and clarity. • Promotes an environment of cooperation and collaboration during all internal and external interactions. • Represents the department in dealings with citizens, members of the press or other City and state agencies as directed.
• Supervises, monitors, coaches, and directs work performance of subordinate staff; reviews evaluations made by subordinate supervisors; provides input, administers, and/or assists with decision making on hiring, discipline, performance evaluation, setting program/work objectives and realigns work and staffing as needed. • Ensures accurate and complete payroll reports and records are submitted by subordinates. • Enforces Department and City policies and procedures.
• Makes critical analyses, organizes, and commands personnel and equipment in emergency situations. • Oversees the distribution of responsibility for program and work processes and assists with leading development of new processes or process improvement. • Attends and actively participates in meetings/events, both on and off duty, as assigned.
• Monitors industry trends to promote efficiency, innovation, and technology in the fire service consistent with national standards. • Operates a vehicle in the performance of job duties. • Maintains required certifications by attending training classes, workshops, seminars, or conferences in order to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, firefighting procedures, emergency medical procedures, and any other related, appropriate training.
• Consults with Deputy Chiefs, other Battalion Chiefs, and committees, as necessary. • Coordinates with Professional Standards regarding training needs/requirements • Serves as a secondary chief on a rotational basis to ensure chief officer coverage. • May serve as a section chief for major emergencies and disasters, if assigned by the Emergency Manager or Fire Chief.
• May be assigned to support emergency planning efforts for the Department, to include but not limited to, review of Departmental Incident Action Plans. • May be assigned as departmental representative for regional emergency management coordination with inter- and intra-jurisdictional agencies by preparing and participating in disaster drills. • May serve as, or work in collaboration with, the Special Operations Coordinator to include HazMat/Tech Rescue/Bike Teams/Special Events.
• May be required to manage/administer the department’s records management systems, ensuring departmental compliance with state and federal fire incident reporting requirements. • May serve as the acting Deputy Fire Chief or Fire Chief in their absence. • If not assigned to Operations, may be required to fulfill the role of an Operations BC on a temporary basis as directed and as such may be required to respond to emergency incidents and assume command, coordinate and supervise the firefighting activities of all companies involved in fire suppression, rescue and other emergencies, as well as make strategic and tactical decisions regarding incident operations, which are consistent with modern fire suppression and emergency management practices.
• Subject to be called back to work to the City in emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines. • Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools, and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance. Additional Duties When Assigned to – Operations • Responds to emergency incidents and assumes command, coordinates, and supervises the firefighting activities of all companies involved in fire suppression, rescue, and other emergencies. • Makes strategic and tactical decisions regarding incident operations, which are consistent with modern fire suppression and emergency management practices.
• Provides oversight of advanced level EMS providers. • Coordinates and leads post-fire incident reviews. • May function as duty officer, ALS support and family liaison on EMS scene.
• Conducts inspections of members, uniforms and protective equipment, apparatus and its equipment, and facilities to ensure their readiness and ability to deliver service. • Coordinates the activities of assigned shift with other units in the Department or local jurisdiction. • Facilitates the planning of annual activities for the assigned shift, including company assignments and personnel assignments, including ensuring minimum staffing levels are maintained.
• Monitors status of hazards such as street closures and construction sites throughout the City daily. • Conducts briefings/information exchange with the off-going Battalion Chief immediately prior to the beginning of each shift. Likewise, conduct briefings/information exchange with the on-going Battalion Chief prior to the end of each shift.
• Conducts preliminary investigations into accidents or complaints using established policies and procedures. Additional Duties When Assigned to – Community Risk Reduction (CRR) • Directs and coordinates the activities of the Community Risk Reduction section personnel with other units in the Department or local jurisdiction. • Manages the fire safety inspection program to ensure compliance with maintenance related issues within the applicable codes and standards.
• Manages the fire investigation program. • Coordinates with inter- and intra- jurisdictional agencies concerning fire safety matters and investigations. • Oversees public education program.
• Manages the Free Smoke Alarm Program. • Coordinates and manages the monthly on-call Fire Marshal schedule. • Develops a plan for effective communication of fire and life safety messages to the public.
• Coordinates with Professional Standards regarding training needs/requirements. Additional Duties When Assigned to – Plans Reviewer/Deputy Fire Marshal • Reviews commercial and residential plans for compliance or violations, providing technical expertise, and approves construction documents, which may include but not limited to Fire and Life Safety systems, Land Development site plans, and/or general planning projects. • Reviews plans for new construction, additions, alterations, and remodeling projects, ensuring compliance with the applicable building codes, fire prevention codes, and fire safety systems standards.
• Examines building plans and fire protection systems drawings for compliance with building/fire codes and any required third-party listed designs. • Collaborates with architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and the public regarding codes, inspection procedures, and other issues on code compliance. Prepare reports and written correspondence documenting plan review findings and describe needed corrections.
• Serves as the Deputy Fire Marshal including performing Sprinkler Plans Review, Sprinkler Inspections, Alarm System Inspections, Site Plans Review, Road Project Review, Environmental Crimes, UVA Greek Life, UVA Planning Fire Safety, Large Event Planning, CQI, and Continuing Education and training coordination. • Coordinates and facilitates the continuing education for the department inspectors and investigators. Additional Duties When Assigned to – Resources/Logistics • Plans, organizes, schedules, and monitors the maintenance, repair, and servicing of fire department vehicles, facilities, and equipment.
• Learns, comprehends, and analyzes organizational systems and processes, to develop abstracts into strategic goals and objectives, and to effectively communicate plans and outcomes. • Continuously monitors captured data to ensure validity, evaluation/reporting to meet the Department's needs. • Oversees preventive maintenance program for the Fire Department fleet.
• Prepares specifications for the acquisition of Fire and EMS vehicles and equipment. • Oversees annual testing programs (hose, pump, aerial and ground ladders). • Develops and implements training programs for fleet personnel.
• Prepares periodic and special reports for both equipment users and management. • Develops, administers, and monitors programs for the replacement of Fire/EMS vehicles and equipment as well as furniture and facilities equipment. • Oversees operation of the fuel system.
• Prepares policies and procedures for the safe operation of the fire department's fleet and presents for approval. • Provides technical assistance to suppression personnel. • Plans, researches, prepares, and conducts training programs related to fleet and facility operations in cooperation with the training division.
• Develops and administers information management systems as needed. • Provides technical support to mechanics. • Assists with damage assessment, loss value determination of Fire Department property, and accident investigations as requested to determine costs associated with an incident.

Additional Duties When Assigned to – Professional Standards • Assumes ultimate responsibility for the Department's training and professional development program. • Provides training in new equipment/techniques, as well as refresher training on core fundamentals for all department personnel. • Delivers is a mixture of blended learning (classroom/web based), practical skills, and scenario-based training.

• Determines best means of saturation for training content delivery. • Uses department systems to produce and analyze data. • Monitors data to ensure validity, evaluation/reporting to meet the department’s needs.
• Builds and manages the department master training schedule. • Ensures a basic understanding of core firefighting skills/principles of the Department's fire suppression personnel. • Oversees the orientation and training of newly hired members.
• Manages the Professional Standards division budget to ensure that funds are spent based on the Department's training priorities. • Manages and administers the department’s records management systems, ensuring compliance with state and federal fire incident reporting requirements. • Manages training records for the Department's fire suppression and EMS personnel, ensuring compliance with existing and/or new training standards.
• Oversees specialty instructor programs. • Provides guidance, direction, and oversight of EMS training and quality improvement. Other Duties: • May be assigned duties in one or more specific programs or areas.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned. Education and Experience: • High School Diploma or GED PLUS some college- or university level coursework AND progressive experience in the fire services with at least 3 years of continuous service at the rank of Captain with the Charlottesville Fire Department. Certification/Licenses/Other Requirements: • Emergency Medical Technician – Basic or greater certification.
• Commonwealth of Virginia Fire Instructor 1 / NFPA Fire Instructor 1041 (Level 1 Certification). • Commonwealth of Virginia Driver/Pump Operator or Aerial Operator. • FEMA ICS 300 and 400 certifications.
• Commonwealth of Virginia Fire Officer 2 / NFPA Fire Officer 1021 (Level II Certification), within 12 months of employment/promotion date. • Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria. • Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
• Required to successfully pass a post-offer physical exam. Additional Special Requirements may be required to obtain within twelve months of employment/promotion date based on assignment: • NFPA1033 - Fire Investigator • NFPA1031 - Fire Inspector II • NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor Level II • NFPA - Incident Safety Officer. • Virginia Fire Marshal Academy - Basic Law Enforcement.
• HAZMAT - Technician Level • Other certification/instruction as deemed necessary by the department or assigned area. Preferred when assigned to Plans Reviewer Role: • Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (VDHCD) Fire Protection Inspector certification. • VDHCD Residential and Commercial Building Plans Examiner.
• VDHCD Fire Protection Plans Examiner certification or National Fire Academy Commercial Fire Sprinkler System Plans Review. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics: Job Knowledge • Comprehensive knowledge of: modern firefighting principles, practices, techniques, and equipment; laws and regulations relating to the control and prevention of fire; good training techniques and practices; personnel management, and fire department administration. • Thorough knowledge of the layout of the City.
• Thorough and advanced knowledge of departmental and city policies and procedures. • Thorough knowledge of all aspects of safety hazards, OSHA, and safety procedures and standards. • Knowledge of project management, financial management, budgeting, and purchasing practices.

Reading • Advanced: Ability to read, understand, and interpret complex written materials such as laws and regulations, protocols, reviews, reports, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents. Reviews more complex documents for professional, technical, and content errors; assisting others in obtaining answers to more difficult questions. Writing • Advanced: Ability to organize data and develop materials such as detailed reports, summaries, speeches, manuals, or critiques.

Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex thoughts and ideas. Ability to prepare concise and clear complex and strategic documentation. Math • Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement, such as for reports, technical specifications, budget preparation, and financial operations.

Evaluates performance metrics and output to determine areas of improvement. Communication Skills • Advanced: Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with co-workers, supervisors, officials, citizens, other agencies, and the public. Effectively communicate with all persons, providing and receiving complex information, laws, and revised policies, both orally and in writing.

Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Interactions may involve communicating controversial positions and presenting sensitive issues.

Serves as a peer resources and coaches or trains others to reach positive service and support outcomes. Provides information and guidance that assists others in making decisions. Provides consultation to others in more diverse and complex situations.

Evaluates effectiveness, develops, cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve communications. Independence and Decision-Making • Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgement, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion.

Performance is reviewed periodically. • Resolves issues using discretionary judgement in the absence of any explicit protocol. Makes decisions concerning conflicting priorities and resource needs among units.

Reviews, evaluates, guides, and critiques decisions made by subordinates. Ability to implement proper safety procedures when guidelines do not address circumstances by evaluating constantly changing conditions and anticipating potential hazards. Technical Skills • Advanced: Demonstrates understanding of the purpose, processes, procedures, methods, technologies, tools, equipment, terminology, standards, performance measures, and outcomes of work teams, units, and specialty areas of multiple functional areas, units, and departments.

Comprehensive knowledge of modern firefighting techniques and equipment. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, departmental tools and equipment, and department systems and software. Fiscal Responsibilities • Assists in the development and oversight of the budget preparation for the assigned division and assists in the development of the Fire Department’s annual budget.

Supervisory Responsibilities • Manages, monitors and directs work performance of subordinate supervisors, provides significant input, administers, and/or assists with making decisions on hiring, discipline, performance evaluation, setting program/work objectives and realigns work and staffing as needed. Provide on-going feedback and evaluation of others. Organize and command personnel and equipment during emergency situations.

Other Characteristics • Ability to exercise sound judgement in emergencies and to analyze the effectiveness of the Fire Department/division and to implement needed changes. • Ability to coordinate multiple company response situations. • Ability to determine operational strategy and tactics.

• Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints. • Working closely with others. • Independently performs multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Constant interruptions, requests for service, and changes in tasks. • Requires emergency response. • Work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals. • May work a non-traditional work schedule. • May be required to work additional hours outside of normal schedule, such as nights, weekends, holidays, standby, and emergency call or emergency on-call.

Physical Demands: • Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. • Frequently required to sit, stand, and move; talk; use hands to finger, handle, activate, use, prepare, inspect, place, carry, detect or position objects, tools, or controls; and reach and stretch with hands and arms with full range of motion. Frequent repetitive motions.

• May be subject to more heavy-duty work including requirements to position self to climb or balance; jump; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; and taste or smell. • Must be able to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus, including passing a fit for seal test. • Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.

Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. • Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware: • Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related computer software and hardware; use of appropriate firefighting or emergency services machines, tools, and equipment; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment: • Work may be performed in an indoor and/or outdoor environment depending on assignment and situation. Employee is expected to work a rotating shift schedule with fire services responsibilities. • Work may be performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.

• During emergency situations the work may be performed in varied environments utilizing department assigned clothing and equipment (personal protective equipment, body armor and other specialty equipment). Work may be performed in challenging terrain, tight or confined spaces, remote settings, in or around traffic/roadways, and unprotected heights. Work may be performed in extreme temperatures and may involve exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, hazardous conditions, and a risk of electric shock and vibration.

The noise level in the working environment may vary from quiet to loud during firefighting or EMT activities. • During an emergency situation the work may be performed with other environmental conditions such as, working under rioting conditions, sporting events (some in excess of 50,000 participants) and musical concerts in excess of 12,000 participants.