Little Lake Fire District - Fire Chief Announcement

THE POSITION: Fire Chief (Open and Promotional)

THE DEPARTMENT: Little Lake Fire Protection District is a fire department serving the City of Willits and surrounding rural areas covering 330 square miles. The permanent resident population is approximately 12,350. 10% of the Fire District is protected by fire hydrants. 75% of the jurisdiction is used for wild land, agriculture or undeveloped properties. 10% of the land use is commercial/industrial and 15% of the jurisdiction land use is residential.

Little Lake FPD is managed by a five-person Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board supervises the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief supervises a full-time secretary, a full-time Deputy Chief and a full-time Fire Marshall. The Fire Chief also supervises 40 volunteer firefighters who are represented by the Little Lake Firefighters? Association. The Fire District Assistant Chief and Battalion Chief are elected annually from the ranks of the Association, by the Association membership, and are supervised by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, and Battalion Chief provide 24 hour Duty Officer coverage on a rotating basis by working ten-day shifts each month, and are paid a stipend by the Fire District bi-annually. Little Lake FPD is in the planning process for the construction of a new headquarters fire station.

Little Lake FPD is located at the intersection of two major highways and covers the District with two volunteer fire stations in the City of Willits. District fire apparatus includes three Type I engines, two Type III engines, one heavy rescue, one 75 ft ladder truck, one 4000 gallon water tender, two 4x4 patrols, one hazmat trailer, one urban search and rescue trailer, one utility vehicle, and one 4x4 Fire Chiefs response vehicle. Average call volume for all types of calls is approximately 500 calls per year.

SALARY: $5400-$7000 per month. Appointment can be made at any step in the salary range, depending upon experience and qualifications. Salaries are renewed annually through negotiations with the Board.

BENEFITS: Vacation: 1-5 years of service: 2 weeks, 6-10 years of service: 3 weeks, Over 10 years of service: 4 weeks

Holidays: 12 paid per year
Sick Leave: 12 days per calendar year, no carry-over Stay-well plan
Health Ins: Fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life
District Auto: For business use only
Retirement: CalPERS fully paid, 2% per year, age 55
Optional: CalPERS 457 Plan and Redwood Credit Union

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:
MANDATORY: Must live within the Little Lake FPD and within five minutes of the City limits within one year.

SELECTION PROCESS:
This position is offered open and promotional. Resumes will be evaluated by a committee, and those candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to appear before an oral interview panel. The interview will evaluate the attitude, training, background, verbal communications skills, and experience of the candidates for the position of Fire Chief.

A written examination will also be conducted to evaluate the candidates ability to solve problems, English and grammar skills, and written communications skills.

Finally, fireground operational proficiency will be assessed by giving the candidate a tactical scenario to solve in a roll-playing simulator exercise.

The top candidates will be presented to the Board of Directors and invited to a final executive interview. The Board will then make its final decision.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Twelve months per Department standards.

HOW TO APPLY:
DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010

Submit a letter of interest and resume to:
Little Lake Fire Protection District
74 East Commercial Street
Willits, CA 95490

Candidates should be prepared for testing to be scheduled the week of April 5-9, 2010. Final selection and position offering anticipated by April 16.

Little Lake Fire Protection District is an equal opportunity employer.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION OF
FIRE CHIEF

Job Description:

Under administrative direction from the Little Lake FPD Board of Directors, the Fire Chief will plan and direct the activities of the Fire Department to protect life, property, and the environment, from losses due to fire and other disasters.

1. Plan, supervise, and participate in all activities and operations of the Fire District including fire suppression, pre-fire planning, fire prevention, fire investigation, emergency medical services, rescue and volunteer fire service.
2. Supervise, train and motivate the volunteer firefighter members of the Fire Department.
3. Represent the Fire Department and the Board of Directors legally and effectively concerning all aspects of public and private contact.
4. Act as District Liaison to the City of Willits, the Mendocino County Fire Chiefs Association, CalFire, and all other professional and governmental organizations.
5. Assume the duties and responsibilities of Fire Department Safety Officer.
6. Maintain all appropriate Fire Department policies, procedures, and records.
7. Review and uphold all policies and directives of the Board of Directors and the Little Lake Firefighters? Association.
8. Ability to perform the duties of, and supervise the Fire Marshal in the Fire District and City of Willits. Appropriate actions will be taken regarding violations and unsafe conditions.
9. Manage the Fire District?s annual budget, including application of Board fiscal policies and financial planning tools, using fiscally responsible procedures. Maintain accurate financial records.
10. By May 1st of every year submit to the Board an annual budget estimate for the District, with supporting justification, and a ten year financial plan updated annually.
11. Carefully review all purchase orders, invoices, and bills for labor, services and supplies, and sign all purchase orders.
12. Recommend to the Board the purchase of new apparatus, fire hose, and tools, etc., and the sale of equipment not necessary for use in the operation and maintenance of the District, justifying such actions.
13. Maintain a harassment-free work environment.
14. Cause all fires to be extinguished with the least possible danger to life, property, and the environment, and prevent damage by water or other extinguishing agents or operations at fires.
15. Maintain all required reports and records pertaining to fires and other emergencies, including District and state reports.
16. Maintain an accurate inventory of all tools, equipment, buildings, furnishings and apparatus.
17. Manage and assist in the maintenance and housekeeping of equipment, buildings and apparatus.
18. Be a member in good standing of the Little Lake Firefighters Association, act as liaison between the District Board and the Association, and give the Chief?s Report at Association meetings. Attend Association functions and fund raisers.
19. Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors unless excused by the Chairman of the Board, and give the Chief?s Report at the monthly Fire District Board Meeting.
20. Serve as a Duty Officer for ten days per month. Supervise and train the Assistant Chief and Battalion Chief and ensure that 24 hour coverage is maintained providing seamless Duty Officer Services.
21. Other duties as delegated by the Board of Directors.

1. The ability to apply fire fighting principles, practices, methods and techniques at an advanced level.
2. Knowledge of Fire District funding and the ability to prepare and administer a Fire Department budget.
3. Ten years of broad and extensive experience in all major functions of a Fire Department, including at least five years in a responsible administrative or supervisory capacity at or above the level of Fire Captain.
4. Knowledge of Federal, State, and local fire codes and regulations.
5. Knowledge of fire investigations.
6. Knowledge of disaster planning.
7. Experience in resolving personnel problems and the ability to assign, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale while formulating and enforcing rules and policies of the District and the bylaws of the Firefighters? Association.

Other Requirements:

The successful candidate will be given a thorough medical exam and drug screening at the District?s expense. It must be passed to the satisfaction of the attending physician and the Board, considering the requirements of the position. A DMV check, background check, and fingerprinting are required. You must have and maintain a Class 2 CDL or a Class 3 CDL with a firefighter endorsement. Graduation from High School or a GED is required. A PAC test and BA Fit Test will be provided by the Department.

Education/Certification Requirements:

Within the first year of employment a personal career training plan will be developed and implemented to include Fire Marshall Certification, HAZMAT Incident Commander Certification, and ICS-400 to be approved by the Board.