Assistant Chief

JOB INFORMATION

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Deputy Chiefs of the Division of Fire to oversee the operations of the fire rescue service for Frederick County Manage all aspects of personnel operations, including hiring, training, staffing, and discipline Support the operational goals of the Division of Fire Rescue Services and the Division of Volunteer Fire Rescue Services Coordinate budget preparation and administration Oversee training operations for the department Manage day-to-day critical projects in all aspects of operations, staffing and service delivery, concentrating on daily strategic personnel and apparatus deployments Provide liaison and communication between senior operations management and field operations, assuring consistent and uniform application of County policies and procedures Develop and present program budgets; maintain control of purchases and expenditures Ensure notification to the DFRS Public Information Officer regarding emergency incidents; notify and coordinate activities where Operations Staff will be engaged in these events Work in conjunction with the Division of Volunteer Services to ensure optimum partnerships with corporations and career/volunteer personnel Conduct investigations of complaints and deficiencies involving DFRS personnel; recommend appropriate action which may include discipline, rehabilitation or education; provide feedback to complainants Develop, evaluate, amend and enforce policies and procedures Develop goals, response standards and conduct strategic planning to provide fire, rescue and EMS services to County residents Respond to fire alarms, emergency medical service alarms, and implement Incident Command System (ICS) Oversee community and public relations Personal protective equipment (PPE), including turnout gear and SCBA Training aids and instructional technology Perform other related duties as required To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.
• Work with the Deputy Chiefs of the Division of Fire to oversee the operations of the fire rescue service for Frederick County
• Manage all aspects of personnel operations, including hiring, training, staffing, and discipline
• Support the operational goals of the Division of Fire Rescue Services and the Division of Volunteer Fire Rescue Services
• Coordinate budget preparation and administration
• Oversee training operations for the department
• Manage day-to-day critical projects in all aspects of operations, staffing and service delivery, concentrating on daily strategic personnel and apparatus deployments
• Provide liaison and communication between senior operations management and field operations, assuring consistent and uniform application of County policies and procedures
• Develop and present program budgets; maintain control of purchases and expenditures
• Ensure notification to the DFRS Public Information Officer regarding emergency incidents; notify and coordinate activities where Operations Staff will be engaged in these events
• Work in conjunction with the Division of Volunteer Services to ensure optimum partnerships with corporations and career/volunteer personnel
• Conduct investigations of complaints and deficiencies involving DFRS personnel; recommend appropriate action which may include discipline, rehabilitation or education; provide feedback to complainants
• Develop, evaluate, amend and enforce policies and procedures
• Develop goals, response standards and conduct strategic planning to provide fire, rescue and EMS services to County residents
• Respond to fire alarms, emergency medical service alarms, and implement Incident Command System (ICS)
• Oversee community and public relations
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including turnout gear and SCBA
• Training aids and instructional technology
• Perform other related duties as required
• To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. High School Diploma or the equivalent Minimum of 7 years of work experience in fire service operations, emergency response, or incident command which must include at least 2 years serving at the equivalent of a Frederick County Battalion Chief or higher Possession of a current Maryland State EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P licensure or equivalent certification from another state Possession of a nationally certified Firefighter II, Fire Officer IV, Instructor Level II, Hazmat Operations, NIMS IS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800, and Incident Safety Officer – Fire Suppression Operations Possession of a valid driver's license Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience are an Associate’s Degree with 5 years work experience as described which must include 2 years serving at the equivalent of a Frederick County Battalion Chief or higher; or a Bachelors Degree with 3 years work experience as described above which must include 2 years serving at the equivalent of a Frederick County Battalion Chief or higher KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES: A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following: Advanced knowledge of modern pre-hospital emergency medical care, rescue and firefighting techniques and fire and injury prevention methodology Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, as well as OSHA and MOSHA Knowledge of modern firefighting equipment and apparatus Knowledge of current technologies, equipment, codes, certification requirements, fire and rescue tactics and techniques, electronics and other areas pertinent to operations Advanced knowledge of fire, rescue and EMS services policy and administration, including applicable legislation, authority, governing bodies, regulatory agencies, and advisory organizations Advanced knowledge and understanding of budget preparation and maintenance Knowledge of organizational and personnel management, with the ability to effectively supervise, direct and evaluate the work of professional, support staff and volunteer personnel Ability to effectively utilize computerized systems and equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets and e-mail software Ability to respond and work effectively under stressful conditions to include sudden changes in situations with appropriate modification of strategies/tactics for optimum safety and outcome Ability to obtain and maintain all required certifications and licenses Strong and effective spoken and written communication skills, including public speaking skills and the ability to prepare clear and concise reports Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County agencies, the Fire and Rescue Advisory Board, Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, and its member companies, advisory groups, elected officials, media representatives, co-workers and the general public PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR: Completion of the National Fire Academy (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program Completion of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence Currently licensed as a Maryland Paramedic PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS: While working in this position the employee is required to While working in this position the employee is required to Physical requirements necessitate that facial hair is maintained to properly wear SCBA full-and half-piece air purifying respirators and other job-specific safety equipment and pass SCBA fit test throughout employment Physical requirements include the ability to successfully complete an annual physical examination in accordance with DFRS standards
• High School Diploma or the equivalent
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in fire service operations, emergency response, or incident command which must include at least 2 years serving at the equivalent of a Frederick County Battalion Chief or higher
• Possession of a current Maryland State EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P licensure or equivalent certification from another state
• Possession of a nationally certified Firefighter II, Fire Officer IV, Instructor Level II, Hazmat Operations, NIMS IS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800, and Incident Safety Officer – Fire Suppression Operations
• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Advanced knowledge of modern pre-hospital emergency medical care, rescue and firefighting techniques and fire and injury prevention methodology
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, as well as OSHA and MOSHA
• Knowledge of modern firefighting equipment and apparatus
• Knowledge of current technologies, equipment, codes, certification requirements, fire and rescue tactics and techniques, electronics and other areas pertinent to operations
• Advanced knowledge of fire, rescue and EMS services policy and administration, including applicable legislation, authority, governing bodies, regulatory agencies, and advisory organizations
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of budget preparation and maintenance
• Knowledge of organizational and personnel management, with the ability to effectively supervise, direct and evaluate the work of professional, support staff and volunteer personnel
• Ability to effectively utilize computerized systems and equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets and e-mail software
• Ability to respond and work effectively under stressful conditions to include sudden changes in situations with appropriate modification of strategies/tactics for optimum safety and outcome
• Ability to obtain and maintain all required certifications and licenses
• Strong and effective spoken and written communication skills, including public speaking skills and the ability to prepare clear and concise reports
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County agencies, the Fire and Rescue Advisory Board, Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, and its member companies, advisory groups, elected officials, media representatives, co-workers and the general public
• Completion of the National Fire Academy (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program
• Completion of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence
• Currently licensed as a Maryland Paramedic
• While working in this position the employee is required to
• Physical requirements necessitate that facial hair is maintained to properly wear SCBA full-and half-piece air purifying respirators and other job-specific safety equipment and pass SCBA fit test throughout employment
• Physical requirements include the ability to successfully complete an annual physical examination in accordance with DFRS standards

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

Benefits

• Retirement Plan: A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability. Health Insurance : County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment. Dental Insurance: Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance. Flexible Spending Accounts: The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $3,400 per year for Health Care Spending and $7,500 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses. Life Insurance: Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Supplemental Life Insurance is also offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents. Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation: The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time. Contribution maximums are set each year by the IRS. Educational Reimbursement Program: County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may apply for education reimbursement for courses that can improve or develop an employee's capabilities related to their current job or for a promotional opportunity within Frederick County Government. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG. Employee Assistance Program: This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related issue or concern. Leave Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year 0 – 2 years 11 days 2 – 10 years 17 days 10 + years 24 days Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year. Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement. NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours. Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, and Military. Holidays: The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections. For additional information on Frederick County Government's benefits package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov . All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.
• NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.
• NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Supplemental Questions