Fire Captain

Description

The City of Kodiak is recruiting for regular, full-time Fire Captain position in the Fire Department that is dedicated to protecting lives and serving the community.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of administrative, supervisory, and technical duties involved in planning, coordinating, assigning, directing, and participating in fire suppression, emergency medical service, hazardous materials response, rescue, fire prevention and inspections, fire investigations, public education, vehicle, equipment, and facility readiness, and related services and activities; and ensures that all assigned activities are carried out effectively, efficiently, safely, and according to department guidelines and policies.

The Fire Department provides all fire protection and fire prevention services within the City. The Department also provides emergency medical and ambulance service area-wide in an efficient and cost effective manner. The Fire Captain performs as an individual and team member in the delivery of fire protection services through fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, and related activities. The Fire Captain must perform these duties in a manner that reflects positively on the City and the Department.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Plans, coordinates, directs, and participates in fire suppression, emergency medical service, hazardous materials response, rescue, fire prevention and inspection, fire investigation, and related services and activities for an assigned shift; directs activities of assigned and non-assigned staff at emergency scenes and assumes command in accordance with Department policies; engages in suppression, rescue, hazardous material, and emergency medical activities; ensures all assigned activities are carried out effectively, efficiently, safely, and according to Department guidelines and policies.
• Directs, coordinates, supervises, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff in all areas of work including maintenance of vehicles, equipment and facilities, pre-fire surveys, fire code enforcement, and public fire education; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Supervises, inspects and oversees assigned staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring personnel are trained; ensuring any performance deficiencies are corrected; ensuring personnel follow policies and procedures, and maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned staff; monitors skill levels of assigned personnel and identifies the training needs of personnel; provides or coordinates staff training and drills; works with employees to correct deficiencies.
• Maintains discipline of assigned personnel by enforcing the rules, regulations, adopted standards, policies, and procedures of the City and the Department.
• Coordinates and supervises the day-to-day activities of assigned function or shift, which includes: establishing and monitoring schedules and timelines; developing and implementing internal procedures; and ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards.
• Completes and prepares a variety of forms, reports, and recommendations; prepares emergency scene reports; prepares accident, injury, and exposure reports; analyzes a variety of information, data, and reports; makes recommendations based on findings; and reviews reports submitted by subordinate staff.
• Conducts, supervises, and participates in fire and life safety inspections; supervises and participates in the routine inspection of commercial, industrial, residential, and other buildings.
• Conducts, supervises, and participates in fire cause and origin determinations and investigations; determines preliminary origin and cause of fire at emergency scenes; obtains and preserves evidence.
• Supervises and participates in the maintenance and testing of Department apparatus and equipment; ensures equipment is in proper working order.
• Directs and participates in fire station buildings and grounds maintenance; directs the cleaning of quarters, equipment, and apparatus.
• Supervises and participates in public relations, fire/safety education activities, and fire prevention activities including station tours, fire safety/fire suppression education away from the station, school education programs, group activities, fire drills, courtesy walk through visits, and phone inquiries.
• Presents classes and other training to various groups including other employees, volunteers, and members of the general public in subjects related to fire service including emergency medical services and fire protection.
• Administers, oversees, and performs special projects as assigned; assists in developing plans for special assignments. Performs a full range of other departmental administrative duties.
• Maintains skill levels, new equipment and procedure familiarization, and certifications that are relevant and/or required for assigned responsibilities; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, technical rescue, extrication, physical fitness, and other related areas.
• Coordinates scheduling of staff to ensure proper operational coverage at all times.
• Testifies in court as necessary.
• Serves as Duty Officer when assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or General Education Development (GED). Must live within 12 road miles of fire station and maintain telephone service. Three to five years of fire experience, including two years of supervisory experience or documented increasing level of responsibility. Associate's degree or two-year technical certificate in fire science, emergency medical services, or related field preferred; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (positions in this class typically require):

• Firefighter I & Firefighter II
• Fire Service Instructor I
• State of Alaska EMT III or Higher
• FEMA IS-700, IS-800 and ICS 100 and 200
• CPR/AED certification
• Valid Alaska Driver’s License or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire

LICENSING PREFERRED: - Fire Officer I - Driver Operator Certification - Rope Rescue 1 & II - FEMA ICS 300 and 400 - Confined Space Rescue Certification - HAZMAT Technician

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (Generally describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time to successfully perform the assigned duties.): Knowledge of: - Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive Fire Department including fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency management, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, hazardous materials response, and associated programs, services, and operations; - Principles of supervision, training, performance evaluation, and progressive discipline; - Operating characteristics, uses, and maintenance requirements of pump engines, fire apparatus, and other firefighting and emergency medical apparatus and equipment; - Principles, practices, and procedures used in modern firefighting and in the protection of lives and property; - Advanced methods and techniques of emergency medical services response; - Fire science theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of emergency service operations including fire suppression, fire prevention, and fire investigation; - Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; - Principles and practices of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; - Current safety practices as they relate to equipment and procedures involved in the fire service and appropriate safety precautions and procedures; - Street layout and geography of the City; - Methods and techniques of public relations; - Modern office equipment and computers including applicable software applications. Skill in: - Reading, interpreting, applying, explaining, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; - Monitoring and evaluating employees; delegating and prioritizing work; - Making technical and emergency decisions quickly in emergency situations; - Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction. Ability to: - Direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff; - Coordinate and conduct fire training programs; - Oversee and participate in services and activities of assigned shift including fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, disaster preparedness, hazardous materials response, and associated services and activities; - Read, interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; - Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair a variety of fire suppression, emergency medical, and associated vehicles, apparatus, and equipment; - Supervise, train, and evaluate staff and implement progressive discipline when necessary; - Perform a variety of fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical response, and technical rescue activities; - Drive and operate (as certified), and maintain fire suppression, emergency medical, and associated vehicles, apparatus, and equipment safely in varying traffic and weather conditions observing legal and defensive driving practices; - Deal effectively with upset or emotional persons or patients; - Retain presence of mind and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations; - Demonstrate physical endurance, agility, strength, and stamina in the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions; - Observe and follow safe firefighting, EMS, and other work practices; - Operate modern office equipment and computers including applicable software applications; - Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; - Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in course of work.

Supplemental Information

DECSION MAKING RESPONSIBILITIES: This position reports to a Deputy Fire Chief who exercises close supervision, however, the employee must learn to operate without direct supervision and make independent decisions based on knowledge, education, experience, and department policy.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: Supervisory authority of assigned staff.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an emergency response setting; walk, stand, sit, run for prolonged periods of time, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, twist, climb, balance, push, pull, lift, touch, finger dexterity, gripping with hands and fingers, talking, and hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. See within the normal range of vision with or without correction; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Possess basic swimming skills and water safety knowledge for potential assignments on ice and/or open water rescue incidents. Perform arduous and prolonged tasks under adverse and dynamic conditions; operate fire suppression and medical response equipment, apparatus, and tools; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations. Perform and maintain physical fitness to successfully pass the department’s annual physical fitness testing requirements.

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 150 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine fire prevention environments with travel from site to site; the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in areas of limited and restricted entry and exit; regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and wet and/or humid conditions; works in high, precarious places; exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration; risk of electrical shock; possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level is occasionally very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident.

Non-traditional work hours are required and must work nights, weekends, holidays; work is scheduled on a 24 hour shift basis; works a 212 hour schedule in 28 day period; must be available for standby duty. Mandatory call back at any time.

APPLICATION PROCESS - The application package includes the documents listed below. Please carefully proofread and submit as one application package. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from further review.

• City of Kodiak Employment Application
• Optional, but highly encouraged; Cover Letter, Resume, and any other documents relevant to this position

SELECTION PROCESS - Successful applicants may be invited to participate in the following:

• First Round Interview
• Physical Fitness Assessment or current CPAT within 12 months
• Second Round Interview

PRE-HIRE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT - Successful completion of the selection process may result in an official conditional offer of employment, which includes successful completion of the following:

• Pass a background investigation
• Pass a pre-employment drug test
• Pass a pulmonary function test, blood draw, and medical evaluation

**The City of Kodiak offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees that may include:

Retirement: - Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit or defined contribution plan based upon employee eligibility upon hire - Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Program Health Insurance: - Health Insurance Coverage effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment - Employee and Dependent Coverage Available - Employer Contribution of 100% Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx Premium Costs Life Insurance:   - Employee Basic Life and AD&D of $50,000 - Employer Contributions of 100% of the Premium Costs Optional Insurance Benefits: - Employee-funded Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses - Employee Paid Group-Based Supplemental Insurance Paid Leave and Other Benefits:** - Annual Leave Accrual Rate starting at 4.62 hours each pay period with accrual rate increases based on years of service - Sick Leave Accrual Rate of 4 hours each pay period - Twelve paid holidays each year - Paid Leave for a Death in the Immediate Family - Employee Assistance Program - Tuition Reimbursement upon prior approval