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Fire Chief

Annual salary range: $98,654 – $135,657

We are currently recruiting for a highly motivated, professional Fire Chief. The Chief is responsible for planning and directing the long-term programs and activities of the Fire Department and directing the department toward the employee created mission statement “…to mitigate threats to the health and property of our community through emergency response, quality education and prevention programs”.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate strong communication, bridge-building and team management skills. He/She will have a history as an efficient and responsible steward of taxpayer funds and experience with developing performance measurements.

To learn more about our Fire Department and the services they offer visit: http://www.cedar-rapids.org/fire/index.asp

For details on the retirement package visit: http://www.mfprsi.org/. 

This position requires:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Fire Department administrative, operational, public education and public relations programs and activities
• Comprehensive knowledge of planning principles, practices and techniques
• Comprehensive knowledge of budgeting, cost accounting, and fiscal administration for fire department programs, services and facilities
• Ability to plan, organize, supervise and coordinate the activities of fire suppression, training, fire protection engineering, communications and support activities
• Ability to develop long-term plans for expansion, reconstruction and construction and plan and organize work to achieve long-term goals
• Ability to prepare accurate and reliable reports containing long-range plans, financing data, suppression and operational data, findings, conclusions and recommendations
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard word processing, spreadsheet and database applications appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities
• Ability to work cooperatively and to maintain effective working relationships to accomplish job responsibilities
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology

Job duties for this position include (but are not limited to):

• Provides effective, professional leadership, positioning the Fire Department to meet the community’s current and future needs through appropriate technologies and services;
• Plans and directs the long-term Fire Department administrative, operational, public education and public relations activities;
• Consults with the Assistant Fire Chief and Administrative District Chiefs on work problems, plans, and programs relating to proposed administrative, operational, public education and public relations improvement projects;
• Develops fire related issue plans for forecasting long range fire operational and capital improvement needs and presents reports to Council Members;
• Directs, manages and evaluates the implementation of Total Quality Systems for the Fire Department;
• Reviews and analyzes methods, equipment utilized and performance to increase program effectiveness and forecast long-term needs and commitments;
• Presents fire operational issues to legislative committees, special interest groups, citizen groups and service organizations;
• Reviews and coordinates station construction and service expansion projects to coordinate resources and planning objectives;
• Assumes leadership role for emergency response and fire operations incident command;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures and safety practices;
• Attends work regularly at the designated place and time;
• Supports continuous process improvement initiatives;
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum criteria for consideration:

• Currently hold the rank of Captain or higher
• 15 years of continuous full-time, paid service in any fire department
• BA from an accredited educational institute in fire science, business or public administration, or a related field
• Valid Iowa drivers’ license at time of hire

Preferred criteria:

• Experience with high risk environments (high volume freight of hazardous materials or manufacturing of such materials within city limits)
• Experience and/or training in Emergency Management
• Supervision of greater than or equal to 100 firefighters
• Experience in a City with a population greater than or equal to 50,000
• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Management or related field

Submit completed application to:
hr@cedar-rapids.org

Approximate position start date: March 1, 2010

Applications accepted until 4:00pm on:  November 6, 2009.  Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the Human Resources Director or City Manager only.
Pre-employment drug screen required.
Assistance provided to disabled individuals upon request
Equal Opportunity Employer

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