Job Information
Sarasota County Government Assistant Fire Chief in Sarasota, Florida
Department:
Emergency Services
Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.
The Assistant Fire Chief position is responsible for highly professional administrative and managerial functions within the Fire Department. Personnel working under the working title of Assistant Fire Chief may be assigned by the Fire Chief or his/her designee to work 24-hour Shifts (56-Hour Work Week) or 40-Hour Work Week within the fire department. Work involves leadership, management, and administration of daily operations or divisional oversight within the Fire Department, including all subordinate personnel below for the area of assignment. Reports to and assists the Deputy Fire Chiefs within the division assigned with managing the Fire Department. Direct supervision of any assigned positions relevant to the area of responsibility and assigned shift requires the exercise of independent judgment. Responds to emergency scenes and assume the appropriate position based on the emergency need and complexity of the incident.
- Respond to emergency scenes and assume the appropriate position based on the emergency need and complexity of the incident.
Assistant Fire Chief General Responsibilities:
Responsible for leading, planning, organizing, directing, supervising, and evaluating the work of assigned subordinates for the area of assignment. Assistant Fire Chiefs can be assigned to Logistics, Operations, Emergency Medical Services, Special Programs, or Training.
Responsible for daily operations of an assigned shift or division to ensure continuity of operational capacity, efficient and safe emergency response, personnel safety, and operational readiness at all times; Responsible for the Workers’ Compensation, FMLA, internal and external investigations, grievances, disciplinaries, scheduling, promotions, and all other personnel-related matters in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and County policies; makes recommendations on hiring and progressive discipline, up to and including termination.
Organizes, directs, supervises, assists, and evaluates Fire incident reporting, ensuring information is forwarded to the State Fire Marshal’s Office in a timely manner.
Exercises purchasing and budgetary control over the assigned area; performs research, development, review, and approval of specifications for new equipment and apparatus; prepares and submits annual budget estimates and requests; directs subordinates in the preparation of their budget areas following guidelines of the annual budget process; ensures that all subordinates stay within budget and seek additional revenue sources; ensures alignment of the budget to Business Plans, job descriptions, and performance measures. Collaborates with other department managers and directors to improve overall county services, address growth, and develop partnerships in providing county services.
Oversees the requirements necessary to maintain or improve Sarasota County ISO ratings, including required reporting.
Develops and oversees the Quality Improvement programs to analyze data and implement changes; oversees data analytics for emergency response and operations and monitors for trends; identifies process improvements and deployment changes to enhance emergency response capability and coverage.
Conducts research, formulates, and makes recommendations to the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chief for changes needed in the fiscal plan to accomplish the Department’s mission and strategic initiatives as it relates to operations and personnel management.
Assists in the development of training courses and facilitates staff training for areas of assignment.
Addresses civic organizations, homeowner associations, and other groups regarding activities of the Fire Department; Promotes public understanding of the Fire Department’s functions, fire prevention, and emergency response awareness in the community.
Assistant Fire Chief Administrative Functions:
Assists in the formulation, development, direction, implementation, and monitoring of the Fire Department’s strategic and master plans; research, identifies, and establishes performance measures to evaluate relevant area(s) of responsibility; assists with ISO rating evaluations and supports the fire accreditation process; ensures Department activities align with the Fire Department’s master plan, strategic plan, and business model.
Assists the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chiefs with the development, implementation, and administration of policies, procedures, rules and regulations, general orders, and strategies for emergency response operations to guide the delivery of emergency services to the community; Communicates pertinent departmental information to subordinate personnel and ensures subordinate personnel carries out all policies, procedures, rules and regulations, general orders, etc.
Collaborates with various County departments and personnel to coordinate Fire Department matters; participates and actively engages in meetings with management on a regular basis; potentially serves as a member of the Labor Relations, Joint Apprenticeship, Safety, and Wellness-Fitness Initiative committees, and any other labor-management or non-labor-management committees as assigned.
Performs a significant role in coordination with other Assistant Fire Chiefs to determine current and future personnel and fire operations support needs; maintains an understanding of purchasing and budgetary control for all department operations; reviews and provides recommendations on specifications for new equipment and apparatus based on operational need; assists in the preparation of budget estimates and requests.
Conducts research, creates reports, and provides recommendations to the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chiefs on any special projects or activities assigned; regularly informs the Deputy Fire Chiefs of unmet needs and significant conditions impacting operations relevant to the area of responsibility.
Conducts research, prepares reports, and makes recommendations to the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chief for changes needed in the fiscal plan to accomplish the Department’s mission and strategic initiatives as it relates to relevant areas of responsibility.
Manages proactive assessments of fraud awareness, prevention, detection, and risk mitigation activities in the area of responsibility; oversees financial, compliance, operational, and performance audits; reviews audit findings and ensures appropriate controls are established and implemented.
Assist in preparation for the management and labor collective bargaining negotiations.
Any other duties as assigned by the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chief(s).
Work Hours: Assistant Fire Chiefs may be assigned by the Fire Chief or their designee to work 24-hour Shifts (56-Hour Work Week) or 40-Hour Work Week within the fire department.
About You
Minimum Qualifications:
Resume and cover letter are required for anyone who wants to be considered for this role.
Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field, and experience in fire administration, emergency medical services work, and/or fire operations command responsibilities; to include a minimum of one (1) year as a battalion chief or equivalent or a minimum of four (4) years as a captain or equivalent, or a combination thereof totaling a minimum of four (4) years. Candidates shall possess a proven track record of effective leadership and progressive fire service management; or,
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field, and experience in fire administration, emergency medical services work, and/or fire operations command responsibilities; to include a minimum of two (2) years as a battalion chief or equivalent or a minimum of six (6) years as a captain or equivalent, or a combination thereof totaling a minimum of six (6) years. Candidates shall possess a proven track record of effective leadership and progressive fire service management; or,
Current and valid Florida Minimum Standards Firefighter Certification or the ability to obtain within eighteen months required.
Current and valid Florida Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Certification or the ability to obtain within eighteen months required.
Current Florida Fire Officer II Certification (or Fire Officer I Certification if obtained prior to November 18, 2013), or the ability to obtain within eighteen months required.
Valid Florida driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.
CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as a part of the hiring process.
Preferred Qualifications:
Prefer National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer designation and/or Chief Fire Officer designation.
NIMS Incident Command Position Certifications: I-100, I-200, I-300, I-400, I-700, and I-800.
About Everything Else
Starting Salary: $128,523.20 + $10,000.00 pay additive (annually)
Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).
If you are selected to join our team, you will need to present the following items on your first day:
- I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
- If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)
- U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)
Benefits:
Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! C hoose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) for additional information.
Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.
Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)
A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.
We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.
Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.
A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.
Do you like leaving things better than you found them? We serve the greater good! Our team is here to make Sarasota the premier community to live, work and play!
Sarasota has 37 miles of award-winning beaches, over 80 parks and 100 golf courses, and is known as the cultural capital of Florida with museums of art, theaters, an aquarium, botanical gardens and the annual international film festival. Unsurpassed beauty, rich cultural offering, diverse educational opportunities, wide-ranging recreational possibilities make Sarasota a great place to live and work!
We believe in work-life balance with a generous leave plan.
“US News & World Report: Sarasota is No. 1 in Florida and No. 18 in the country for best place to live.”
We need YOU to help create wonderful experiences for residents and vacationing guests enjoying Sarasota! Apply today!