FIRE CHIEF

Salary: $105,000.00 - $115,000.00 Annually
Location : Ardmore, OK
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00497
Department: FIRE DEPARTMENT
Division: FIRE
Opening Date: 04/02/2025
Closing Date: 5/25/2025 11:59 PM Central

Description

Position Purpose:

This position involves administrative and technical work in the direction of all employees and activities of the City of Ardmore Fire Department. It is responsible for the administration and coordination of Fire Department activities through supervision of subordinate officers and review of their activities. The incumbent of this class makes administrative and operational decisions pertaining to fire-fighting, the limitation of laws, regulations, and established policies. Works with minimum supervision, work is reviewed through observation of performance of personnel and equipment, and conferences with City Manager who reviews work accomplishments, primarily in the broad interest of ensuring fire safety for the city. Supervises Fire Department through Deputy Fire Chief and/or other supervisory personnel.
Duties

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Assume full management responsibility for all Fire Department services and activities; including administration, inspection, communications, fire prevention and suppression, and emergency medical services; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Exercise purchasing and budgetary control and submit annual budget requests
• Manage the development and implementation of Fire Department goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area and take necessary steps to improve the department.
• Provide for personnel recruitment and selection programs and evaluate potential candidates for employment and promotion. Establish departmental policies for the training and discipline of personnel.
• Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the Fire Department's work plan; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify oppo1tunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate Fire Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Respond to major fire alarms to personally direct and supervise fire operation activities as necessary. May assume command of all fire-fighting personnel and apparatus at the scene of a major conflagration and personally direct fire-fighting activities and make decisions as to best methods of extinguishing fires. Call for supplementary personnel and apparatus as needed. Order apparatus and personnel not needed at the fire to return to assigned stations.
• Perform efficiency tests and inspections of fire protection systems and equipment; perform inspection of businesses prior to issuance of business license; prepare a variety of reports as required.
• Conduct plan reviews for various buildings, fire protection systems and fire alarm systems to ensure compliance with applicable fire codes and regulations.
• Conduct follow-up investigations as required; prepare repo1ts on investigation activities performed; issue notices of violation and citations; assist in the prosecution of violators.
• Prepare and present public information and education presentations to various organizations, schools, and the public on fire safety; instruct on the use of fire extinguishers, alarm systems, and chemical storage safety precautions.
• Represent the Fire Department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explain, justify, and defend Fire Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
• Direct the preparation and ultimate analyses of fire records and reports to secure efficient operations to meet service demands and to comply with the authorized requests for information regarding departmental activity and personnel. Provide staff assistance to the City Manager and City Commission; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Direct and participate in the research of alternative approaches to fire operations, hazardous material handling, fire and life safety, and emergency programs.
• Prepare a variety of technical and Departmental activity reports and records; plan and develop an auxiliary fire-fighting program.
• Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions; address civic and other groups on the activities of the department.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings, conferences, conventions, and other educational meetings to keep abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire-fighting methods and administration and emergency medical program administration.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Plan, organize, assign, and direct departmental operations with respect to equipment apparatus and personnel.
• Prepare and supervise the maintenance of pre-plans for the fire-fighting of major fires.
• Enforce safety rules and encourage safety application for employees, conforming to the safety guidelines set by the City.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or state certified GED, supplemented by broad knowledge of such fields as advanced accounting, marketing, business administration, finance, etc. equivalent to four years of college.
• Plus, a minimum of 6 years of experience directly related to firefighting with 3 years of experience in supervision and management.

Supplemental Info

Knowledge and Skills:

• Maintain physical condition to perform essential duties as specified by firefighter certifications.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive fire prevention, fire operations, hazardous material and emergency medical services program.
• Modern firefighting and rescue principles, practices, techniques and procedures, including the operation and maintenance requirements of the various types of fire apparatus and equipment.
• Mechanical, chemical, and thermal characteristics of a wide variety of flammable and hazardous materials and objects.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including those pertaining to fire operations, prevention, and personnel training.
• Proper utilization and maintenance requirements of fire apparatus, equipment, tools, devices, and facilities. Principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
• Local geography, including the location of water mains and hydrants and the major fire hazards of the City.
• OSHA, FJPA, and EPA rules and regulations.
• Principles and practices of labor relations

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Possession of an appropriate and valid Oklahoma Driver's License and a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier.
• Possession of an appropriate and valid CPR certificate.
• Possession of IFSAC Firefighter II ce1tification.
• Possession of IFSAC Fire Officer II certification.
• Completion of all required NIMS training as required by the City of Ardmore and the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security.

Physical Job Requirements:
Physical Activities
None

Under 1/3

To

2/3

Over

2/3
Physical Activities
None

Under 1/3

To

2/3

Over

2/3

Stand
X
Lift up to 50 pounds
X
Walk
X
Work Indoors
X
Sit
X
Work Outdoors
X

Use hands to finger,

Handle, and feel
X

Normal Vision with or without corrective lenses

Moderate to high Noise Level
NOTE: Work in an emergency firefighting environment; work in intense life-threatening conditions; exposure to fire, smoke, bodily fluids, and noise; hazards of emergency driving; hazards of traffic control and working in and near traffic.

Climb and balance
X

Stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl
X
Talk and hear
X

Taste and Smell
X
Lift up to 25 pounds
X
Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for running, walking, crawling, climbing, stooping, and lifting; work in inclement weather conditions; may wear heavy protective equipment while working
Conditions of Employment:

• Subject to post offer, pre-employment drug screen
• Subject to post offer, pre-employment fit for duty examination
• Subject to post offer, pre-employment criminal background check
• Must be at least 18 years of age

This is a Safety Sensitive position:

This job has been classified as a "safety sensitive" position as defined by the United States Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, the Oklahoma Standards for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Act and/or Oklahoma Medical Marijuana laws. In this position, you will be subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing. Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening. Possession of a Medical Marijuana license will not excuse you from the testing process, or the consequences of testing positive for Marijuana.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Ardmore offers comprehensive benefit package:
Vacation, Sick, and Holiday
Medical/Prescription
Dental
Vision
Life/AD&D
LTD
Voluntary Life/AD&D and STD
Flexible Spending Account
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Deferred Compensation