Current Employment Opportunities with the City of Meridian:

Job Title: Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention
Employer: City of Meridian
Department: Fire
Reports To: Fire Chief
Open Date: 05/13/2024
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Salary Range: $11,938.24 per month

Job Summary:
This position is responsible for the planning, organizing, managing, and directing the Prevention Division of the Fire Department as well as planning and enforcement of all fire prevention codes, laws and ordinances or other ordinances as required, as directed by the Fire Chief. Ensures that all identified target hazards are inspected annually with other commercial occupancies inspected based on national standards and best practice. Supervises, evaluates, and mentors assigned Fire Prevention. Is responsible for oversight of fire cause determination functions within the department. In the absence of the Fire Chief, assumes responsibilities of the Fire Chief when designated. This position assists the Fire Chief in working within the district and with neighboring agencies to provide comprehensive fire prevention, inspection and related services. This position is a member of the Executive Management team of the Fire Department. This position reports directly to the Fire Chief, but the individual must take initiative and exercise independent judgment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
• Leads and manages the Prevention Division of the Fire Department to include Fire Inspectors and Fire Investigators;
• Represents the Fire Department at City Council and other meetings to provide clarification of Fire Code requirements;
• Implements programs to ensure the Fire Prevention Division operates in an efficient and effective manner;
• Participates in the selection of assigned staff and provides for their training and professional development;
• In the absence of the Fire Chief and when designated, this person shall assume all responsibilities of the Fire Chief;
• Proposes ordinances, adoption of or changes to codes, to decrease community risk and improve safety and quality of life;
• Makes interpretations of fire and hazardous materials regulations, codes and applicable laws to ensure compliance and consistency of applications;
• Makes necessary field inspections to determine compliance with appropriate codes;
• Investigates the cause, origin and circumstances of fire occurring in the city and district;
• Reviews all commercial building plans for code requirements;
• Maintains a complete monthly record of all inspections, investigations, complaints, special and peculiar hazards and such other information as may be required;
• Makes recommendations for annual budget to include such materials as, equipment, supplies, training, improvements, and related needs;
• Assists in determining causes, systems failures, and structural damages related to property loss or injury where industrial processes or protection systems are involved and takes appropriate corrective action;
• Periodically makes presentations, at the direction and coordination by the Fire Chief, to civil groups and schools promoting fire prevention concepts, explaining the operations of the Department;
• Solicits input and feedback regarding community risk reduction;
• Establishes and maintains a succession program for the Fire Prevention Division;
• Participates, if needed, in the Juvenile Fire Setters Program;
• Participates, if needed, in a public education program;
• Attends meetings outside normal working hours;
• Assists in responding to major fire alarms and other emergencies and may direct fire investigation activities at the site or fill needed ICS incident positions;
• Shall prepare and submit reports as needed or required by the Fire Chief;
• Communicates with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations;
• Maintains good relationships with department staff, Elected Officials, and members of the public;
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications:
Required:
• College graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, or other related field as approved by the Fire Chief;
• Minimum fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in a Fire Department with three (3) years of experience as a Fire Inspector.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Modern principles and practices of municipal fire suppression and emergency medical response;
• Modern administrative principles and practices including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and the management of employees;
• Principles and practice of budget development and administration;
• Preparation and development of a multi-million dollar budget;
• NFIRS and EMS reporting requirements from local, State, and Federal agencies;
• Federal Fire programs;
• Automatic and Mutual Aid components and agreements;
• Modern principals and practice of fire protection engineering, including NFPA standards and the ICC Fire and Building Codes;
• Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to learn other data base applications used by the Department and the City;
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration;
• Practices and techniques related to hazardous material storage, control and clean-up;
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, occasionally where relations may be confrontational or strained;
• National standards and best practice as it relates to investigation of cause and origin of fire incidents;
• National standards and best practice as it relates to Juvenile Fire Setters evaluation and referral;
• National standards and best practice as it relates to Community Risk Reduction programs;
• NFIRS and EMS reporting requirements from local, State, and Federal agencies;
• Conduct field interviews;
• Microsoft Office applications and common fire service databases, with the ability to learn other data base applications used by the Department and the City;
• Interpret, apply and explain applicable laws, codes and regulations;
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials;
• Maintain accurate records and files;
• Use initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines;
• Manage a large scale multi-agency emergency response effort and/or team;
• Conduct media interviews;
• Manage a multi-million dollar budget;
• Develops and implements systems that allow command officers to maintain constant situational awareness regarding the needs of the community, and the status and capability of the emergency services system;
• Maintain and enhance a strong Labor-Management relationship;
• Promote the department’s Mission, Vision, and Guiding principles through collaboration and relationship building;
• Work collaboratively with other Fire and EMS agencies to consolidate, where feasible, services to create better efficiencies and effectiveness and reduce cost;
• Ability to provide excellent customer service in accordance with Department Mission and Vision;
• Ability to work in a team environment as a team player;
• Integrity, in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Must display an attitude of cooperation and the ability to work well with others;
• Shows respect to fellow employees and customers;
• Highly motivated, relationship building leader.

Licensing/Memberships:
• Possess and maintain a valid Idaho Class D driver’s license;
• Maintain active membership in the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA);
• Maintain active membership in the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC);
• Possess or have the ability to obtain a current State of Idaho EMT or Paramedic license (within 6 months of hire);
• ICS 100,200,300,400,700, and 800 certificates;
• International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector 1 and 2;
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) FIT Certification;
• Fire Officer I and II certification, Fire Officer III and IV certification preferred;
• Fire Service Instructor I certification, Fire Service Instructor II certification preferred;
• Incident Safety Officer certification;
• ICC Fire Plans Examiner certification preferred;
• IAAI CFI (Certified Fire Investigator) Certification OR NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator preferred;
• National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program graduate preferred;
• Type 3 All Hazards Incident Management Team certificate of completion preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Occasionally pushing/pulling up to 35 lbs;
• The noise level is occasionally loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell, touch and feel;
• Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception;
• Employee will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach and grasp. Position requires hand/finger dexterity;
• The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions and extreme temperatures;
• Employee will work in/at heights, confined spaces and are exposed to mechanical, electrical hazards;
• Employee will drive a department vehicle as part of this position.

Travel Requirements
• Local travel is regularly required;
• Some regional or national travel may be required for training or meetings;
• Has assigned vehicle, and drives to meetings and incident sites during on or off duty hours.

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