Assistant Fire Chief of Training/Safety

The City of Rogers is accepting applications for the position of a full-time Assistant Chief of Training/Safety for the Rogers Fire Department.  The Assistant Fire Chief of Training establishes, oversees, and implements the department’s training program and ensures compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and other applicable standards. This position will directly supervise officers and work closely with all officers, members, and other agencies to carry out general duties/projects as assigned. The position will protect life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, command, and fire prevention duties under the direction of Rogers Fire Department (RFD) Chief. Minimum qualifications are listed in the posting/position description.

Title: Assistant Chief of Training/Safety

Department: Fire

Accountable To: Fire Chief/Emergency Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Full-Time

Salary Grade: 15

Salary: $109,657 to $144,373 annually

Closing: December 27, 2024

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Fire Chief of Training establishes, oversees, and implements the department’s training program and ensures compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and other applicable standards. This position will directly supervise officers and work closely with all officers, members, and other agencies to carry out general duties/projects as assigned. The position will protect life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, command, and fire prevention duties under the direction of Rogers Fire Department (RFD) Chief.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

  • Work is performed independently under the direction of the Fire Chief.

  • Working with the fire chief, the training chief manages and implements the department's training program.

  • Provides supervision and work direction for subordinate full-time staff during emergency response and all paid-on-call firefighters and subordinate officers continually.

  • Serves as incident commander at emergency scenes or in the City’s emergency operations center.

  • May serve as acting fire chief in his/her absence.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK AND DECISION MAKING

Difficult, detail-oriented, and technical work on highly complex or involved projects requires significant judgment, initiative, creativity, and the ability to deal with complex factors.  This role entails various duties requiring flexibility and the ability to meet new conditions with optimism and excitement.

Due to the importance of this position's responsibilities, the Assistant Chief of Training/Safety must be able to manage time effectively to ensure all duties are completed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Must have skill in operating all fire service tools and equipment.

  • Requires good physical and sensory skills for exposure to potentially hazardous conditions at fires, accidents, and on-site inspections.

  • Must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally life and move more than 100 pounds.

  • Must be able to pass the department's physical agility assessment bi-annually.

  • Ability to sit/stand at a computer for varying periods.

  • Must meet minimum physical requirements as defined by the Rogers FD Handbook.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The primary functions listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Emergency Response

  • Respond to emergency incidents and drive emergency apparatus as assigned and function as a chief officer or other position as needed.

  • May coordinate city-wide Fire Department response to significant incidents and serve in a command function at the scene or an emergency operations center in the absence of the Fire Chief.

Administrative Duties

  • Establishes, oversees, and implements the Department’s Fire and EMS training and development program in coordination with the Fire Chief.

  • Schedules internal/external training sessions and instructors and prepares and maintains course outlines and training materials.

  • Provide ongoing department and officer training, including instruction when needed.

  • Oversees the development of the probationary members during the first year(s).

  • Maintains State-mandated and department-required training records for all firefighters.

  • Assists instructors to ensure they have all training materials, equipment, and session outlines.

  • Ensures all personnel meet or exceed the department training attendance policy.

  • Supports fire department leadership development by attending and assisting with the officer training & safety program, maintains outside training requirements, monitors officer development, and provides regular feedback and coaching.

  • Works jointly with other Chiefs to develop and implement department response guidelines.

  • Maintains individual firefighting skills, including physical condition, and stays abreast of developments in the firefighting field.

  • Responds as a command staff member or firefighter to major incidents & fire scenes.

  • Participates in the Duty Chief program and meets the minimum shift coverage requirements.

  • Assists with departmental improvements and significant incident debriefings, identifies areas of improvement, and implements subsequent changes.

  • Coordinate with the fire chief and assist in the budget process, including the operational and training budgets and the capital improvement plan. Maintain and submit reimbursement requests to MBFTE.

  • Responsible for the supervision, direction, and readiness of all Firefighters and equipment as assigned, using independent judgment.

  • Maintains efficient communication within the department on fire department-related matters; handles grievances, problems, suggestions, and other personnel input promptly per department policy; performs disciplinary actions and settles disputes and disagreements within the station in a timely, fair, and just manner.

  • Ensures all personnel under their supervision practice good public relations on and off emergency scenes; all officers and firefighters receive proper department counseling on problems and growth.

  • Partner with department administration in emergency management initiatives and assist during emergency management events, including the capacity to serve as the Incident Commander.

  • Attend meetings, make presentations, and serve on department task forces and committees.

  • Prepare, review, and present a variety of reports and correspondence both internally and externally.

  • Participates in fire officer meetings.

  • Tracks and ensures individuals are maintaining appropriate EMS certifications.

  • Tracks and ensures individuals maintain fire certifications.

  • Ensures compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and other safety standards.

Marginal Functions

  • Performs other related duties as apparent or assigned.

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science Technology, Public or Business Administration with at least seven years of fire department experience, including increasing responsibility, or an associate degree with nine years of increasingly responsible fire management experience with at least three years of recent fire officer experience, or current chief officer experience with 12 years in the fire service and actively working on obtaining a degree (a two-year degree is required to be completed within 18-months of hire, with a strong recommendation to seek a four-year degree)

  • A Minnesota Firefighter License is required (by start date).

  • Three years of supervisory experience as a fire officer.

  • Possession of a valid, unrestricted Minnesota driver’s license

Certification or License:

  • NFPA #1001 Firefighter I/II certification.

  • NFPA #472 or #1072 Hazardous Material Operations certification or higher (within one year of hire).

  • Current Emergency Medical First Responder or higher-level certification through the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. (EMT within 18 months of hire.)

  • NFPA #1021 Fire Officer I

  • NFPA #1021 Fire Officer II certification (within six months).

  • NFPA # 1041 Fire Instructor I

  • NFPA #1041 Fire Instructor II certification (within six months).

  • Blue Card Certification (within one year).

  • NFPA #1002 Fire Apparatus Operator certification (within one year of hire).

  • NFPA #1031 Fire Inspector I (within two years of hire).

  • Live Fire Instructor Certification (within two years of hire)

  • Emergency Management Basic Certification or equivalent (within two years of hire).

Desired Qualifications

  • Masters in Fire Science, Business Administration, or a related field.

  • National Fire Academy Managing Officer or Executive Officer Program.

  • Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education – Qualified Instructor.

  • Fire Investigation Certification.

  • EMT or higher.

  • Fire Instructor or Officer III or higher.

  • Advanced instructor coursework or certifications.

  • Training Officer Credential(s) – Center for Public Safety Excellence or International Society of Fire Service Instructors.  

  • EMS Instructor certifications.

  • Certified Blue Card Instructor

  • Reside within 12 miles of the city limits of Rogers

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications:  Must be able to lead and command effectively in emergencies. Must be able to assertively control conversations to quickly and accurately gather pertinent information and communicate this information professionally and precisely to the proper recipient.   Must communicate with citizens, elected officials, City staff, employees, and others regarding fire department, fire prevention, community risk reduction, and emergency management issues.

Decision Making: Must act in a decisive manner using good judgment. Must be able to assess problems and situations, anticipate needs, and evaluate alternatives for protecting life and property in the City. Must be able to effectively interpret the policies and objectives of the department to establish quality operational standards. 

Interpersonal Relationships: Must be able to identify, develop, and utilize capabilities of paid-on-call staff, including providing the leadership necessary to enhance staff participation, recruitment, and retention. Must be consistent in dealing with people, must be sensitive to others' problems and concerns without direct involvement, must exclude personal biases from work performance, must have the ability to accept criticism and/or discipline, must have tact and diplomacy, must strive to promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department.

Professional Attitude: Must commit to the organization, be willing to take initiative, be dependable, have relationship maturity, and have self-confidence. Must represent the organization to other agencies, staff, and citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate, and business-like attitude in all contact. Must establish and maintain successful working relationships with those contacted during work. Must create understanding, and enthusiastic support of public safety as a concept of interdepartmental cooperation and collaboration.

Quality of Work: Demonstrates by personal example the highest standard of conduct and performance. Possess a commitment to and practice comprehensive and continual training and development for all fire personnel to maximize the contribution of all staff. 

Technical Knowledge: Must have thorough knowledge of modern fire suppression techniques, fire prevention, and emergency medical services principles, procedures, and equipment. Must have considerable knowledge and ability to understand and discern applicable laws, ordinances, and departmental standard operating procedures, guidelines, and regulations. Must have extensive knowledge of the International Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and other pertinent codes and standards. Must have the ability to communicate verbally and in writing effectively. 

Physical Abilities, Tools, and Equipment Used: Must have the skills to operate all fire service tools and equipment. Requires good physical and sensory skills for exposure to potentially hazardous conditions at fires, accidents, and on-site inspections. Must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Must be physically capable of completing the firefighter physical ability test on an ongoing basis per the RFD Firefighter handbook.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

The position will require indoor office work, indoor and outdoor training, and indoor and outdoor response to emergency incidents. Environmental conditions in response to emergencies and varying climate conditions may exist. The individual may be required to work after appropriate training and with proper equipment in environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health.

The work environment described here represents those an Assistant Fire Chief (Asst. Chief) may encounter while performing the job's essential functions:

  • While wearing personal protective equipment, which weighs approximately twenty-five pounds, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which weighs approximately twenty-five pounds, the Asst. Chief may work in areas that may or may not be protected from the weather.

  • The Asst. Chief may work in extreme cold or high temperatures.

  • The Asst. Chief may encounter wet conditions and high humidity as well.

  • The Asst. Chief may have to perform rescue and/or lifesaving duties in and around static and moving water where the water depth may be greater than their height.

  • The Asst. Chief may have to perform emergency response functions in confined spaces.

  • The Asst. Chief may work in environments immediately dangerous to life and health.

  • The environment may include smoke, other toxic conditions, and the Asst. Chief may be exposed to various physical hazards, including unsound structures, moving mechanical and electrical equipment, and working in elevated areas.

  • The Asst. Chief is at risk of exposure to high temperatures, low temperatures, radiant energy, toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, biological agents, and explosives.

  • Frequently encounters noise and/or vibration exceeding 80 decibels (constant or intermittent).

Physical Conditions:

(Not an all-inclusive list, but the following are the minimum abilities required to maintain employment as a member of the RFD)

Lifting/Carrying:

  • Ground to Waist Level- 100 pounds.
    - Dragging/removing fire victims.
    - Advancing hose lines at fires.
    - Carrying fans, rescue tools, and foam containers.

  • Waist to Shoulder Level- 50 pounds.
    - Opening and closing hydrant valves.
    - Making hose connections.
    - Lifting/carrying ladders, hose bundles, and other equipment.

  • Above Shoulders- 35 pounds.
    - Placing ladders against buildings.
    - Pulling ladder halyard to extend ladders.
    - Using an axe and other equipment to ventilate a structure during a fire.
    - Lifting equipment onto fire apparatus.

Firm Grasp:

  • Carrying items of substantial weight, i.e., fans, rescue equip., foam containers.
    - Using axes or sledgehammers.
    - Using hydrant wrenches.
    - Dragging victims or hose lines.
    - Pulling ladder rope halyards or using rope to lift object.

Reaching, Bending, Twisting:

  • Picking up and carrying ladders, hoses, and other fire and rescue equipment.

  • Raising ladders against a structure.

  • Opening hydrants.

  • Connecting hose lines.

  • Using axes, sledgehammers, and rescue tools.

  • Must be capable of reaching and extending the hands and/or arms in any direction.

Climbing and/or Balancing:

  • Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolds, and ramps, using feet, legs, and/or hands and arms.

  • Must be able to balance and have the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling when walking, standing, crouching, or crawling on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.

  • Must be capable of applying a leg lock with either leg upon a ground ladder to provide a safe anchor when operating hose lines or performing rescue work.

Crawling, Kneeling, Squatting

  • Advancing hose lines in fire situations.

  • Searching for and removing fire victims.

  • Picking up and moving ladders, hoses, and other fire and rescue equipment from the ground.

Vision:

  • Normal vision, with or without correction, requires both near and far acuity, depth perception, field of vision, and focusing. Must be able to distinguish colors.

Hearing:

  • Normal hearing is needed; firefighters must be able to discriminate among similar sounds in environments with significant amounts of background noise.

Speech:

  • Must be able to communicate effectively to others in stressful conditions and while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). 

Touching, Feeling, and Using Fingers:

  • Must be able to discriminate differences in items by feeling and manipulating items such as SCBA valves, apparatus controls, alarm panel controls, nozzle controls, and tie knots in ropes. Must be able to determine the difference between hot and cold.

Jennifer WilliamsCity of Rogers