Fire Chief

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Business, or related field and a minimum of six (6) years of fire service experience, including three (3) years management/supervisory experience OR Associates degree in Fire Science, Business, or related field and a minimum of eight (8) years of fire service experience, including three (3) years management/supervisor experience, OR a High School Education or equivalent and ten (10) years of fire service experience, including five (5) years management/supervisor experience required.
• Experience in fire suppression and prevention is preferred.
• Must have knowledge of emergency rescue and fire suppression principles, methods, techniques, and practices including the purpose and use of firefighting tools, equipment, vehicles, and apparatus.
• Must have knowledge of personnel and equipment requirements for effective structure and wildland fire suppression.
• Must have minimum certification in wildland to include IC type 5, S215, S290, and S230 must have the experience to command and control a large-scale wildland emergency or the ability to obtain these certifications within 1 year.
• Minimum ICS 100,200,700, 800, 300, and 400.
• Other required certifications FF2, Officer 1, and Fire inspector.
• Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with agency “Drug Free” Policy.
• Must be able to pass regular criminal history checks.
• Must possess and maintain valid New Mexico motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law. MVR background checks will be conducted by the Village.

This position is a full-time, FLSA exempt position. Under the general direction of the Village Manager manages all activities of the Village of Ruidoso Fire Department. The Fire Chief in collaboration with the Assistant Fire Chief will provide administrative direction and leadership to the Department consisting of Administration, Operations, and Prevention through effective planning, staff management, resource allocation, and sound fiscal practices to ensure continuous coordination of programs, initiatives, and strategies required to meet the Village’s goals and objectives.

The Fire Chief is a highly responsible management position charged with and accountable for leading the Fire Department. The Fire Chief reports directly to the Village Manager or Deputy Manager in the Village Manager’s absence. Responsibilities include preparing and administering an annual budget; developing and implementing policies and standards; guiding and evaluating the fire department staff; planning and accomplishing short and long-term goals; and dealing effectively with problems as they arise. The Fire Chief must possess strong leadership skills. The Chief will be expected to develop a rapport with the citizens of the Village, the Governing Body, business owners, and other stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess broad knowledge and experience in fire prevention, including inspections, and fire suppression.

Job Title Summary

Develops and implements policies and procedures to advance the department’s mission, goals, and objectives. Recommends employees for hire and promotion following approved department hiring and promotional procedures. Evaluates, disciplines, and terminates employees following established procedures and policy. Guides, mentors, and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth. Demonstrates a high level of integrity, inclusion, fairness, transparency, and professional ethics while being able to instill those values in others. The Fire Chief develops, maintains, and provides training for Fire Department employees. This position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, regular work beyond normal business/shift hours, and responding to customer concerns. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Identifies, develops, implements, and monitors strategies to meet established objectives; reviews program goals and deliverables to ensure appropriate allocation of resources; collaborates with various officials to coordinate fire operations; determines scope and priorities of projects and develops programs and policies to support present and future needs.
• Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; evaluates and analyzes issues, and recommends and implements solutions; identifies and monitors department performance, productivity, progress on goals and performance targets to ensure achievement; directs the continuous improvement of work product to assure the overall integrity of the support and functionality of services.
• Manages and coordinates assigned staff through appropriate delegation and work supervision; develops goals and priorities, and assigns tasks and projects; meets regularly with staff to anticipate, discuss and resolve administrative, workload, and technical issues; provides for proper training and development of staff; hears and reviews complaints and grievances and recommends and implements corrective actions as per personnel policy; provides counseling, coaching, and conducts performance evaluations; provides leadership, direction and guidance in program management, technical strategies and priorities; ensures staff compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Works with other agencies, management, and elected officials to provide accurate and timely information related to issues and areas of political interest or concern; keeps current on industry trends, regulations, and legislative issues to identify areas of concern for management and Village Council for review and potential action.
• Monitors program trends and recommends operational improvements; reviews and directs regular updates on projects to ensure conformance with local, state, and federal standards and regulations and to ensure project management goals and objectives are met and within fiscal requirements.
• Develops, implements, and monitors department budget, approves budget expenditures; prepares and presents special and recurring reports; reviews operational analyses of program costs, revenue streams, fees, and revenue enhancement opportunities; designates funds to meet service and facility needs and provide for system modernization; reviews financial reports to determine program effectiveness; coordinates with state and federal agencies to obtain funding assistance and to ensure compliance with the monitoring and handling of funds.
• Serves as a member of the Village’s Management Team to coordinate with other Department Directors and to implement and manage assigned projects; provides input to the management team and participates in formulating fiscal policy on with other Director and with the Village Manager and Village Council to improve the level and quality of Village services.
• Serves as advisor and liaison between the Village of Ruidoso and various regional organizations, state, and federal agencies; participates on various boards and in meetings with government officials, civic organizations, and community groups.
• Manage all capital improvement projects, ensuring adherence to Village ordinances, policies, and procedures, including negotiation, and drafting agreements and contracts with consultants, contractors, and other governmental agencies.
• Performs inspections of fire stations, personnel, and equipment to determine readiness for action.
• Directs activities at a major fire scene, and operations of incident command and firefighter duties.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Responsible for negotiating and maintaining mutual aid agreements with surrounding jurisdictions.
• Responsible for safety training and support for safety training throughout Village Departments.
• Build a culture of unity within the Department by building on a structure of equality, ethics, professionalism, and high standards.
• Emphasize the philosophy of community relations by having fire personnel visible in the community and interacting with citizens regularly at events, parades, fundraisers, schools, etc.
• Forecasting and preparing for future needs and changes in fire service best practices.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

• Responsible for the Performance of fire safety code inspection of new business and places of assembly. Checks for fire extinguishers, exit signs, emergency lighting, panic exit hardware and occupancy loads.
• Ensures computer is backed up once a month and adheres to IT Policies in place by the Village of Ruidoso.
• Ensures that any on-the job injury is reported immediately and followed up with appropriate forms and actions.
• Reports any suspected fraud and/or abuse to the Village Manager or Deputy Village Manager and Finance Director.
• Ensures any reports of harassment are immediately reported and appropriate actions are taken.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and workshops as needed.
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. As a condition of employment, employees are required to perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.