Deputy Chief of Fire Operations

The Deputy Chief of Operations serves as a key member of the Fire Department's executive leadership team, overseeing all aspects of emergency operations, personnel management, and resource deployment. This position is responsible for ensuring that fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials response, special operations, community events, and weather-related events are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with departmental mission, policies, industry standards, and applicable state and federal laws.

Works under the direct supervision of the Assistant Fire Chief.

• Direct, coordinate, and supervise the daily operations of fire suppression, rescue, EMS, hazardous materials, and special operations units. - Develop, implement, and monitor operational policies, procedures, and performance standards to ensure optimal service delivery.
• Directs and conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence. - Oversee incident command operations at major emergencies and serve as the Incident Commander when required or other IMT functions as needed. - Coordinate mutual aid and automatic aid responses with surrounding jurisdictions.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
• Explains, interprets, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, practices, actions and activities for departmental employees and also general public; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.

• Manages and mentors Battalion Chiefs and other assigned staff, ensuring adherence to performance expectations, training requirements, and department policies. - Coordinates recruitment, hirings, promotions, evaluations, and discipline of operational personnel. - Promotes a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources and proposes modifications accordingly.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.

• Assist the Fire Chief in developing and implementing short- and long-term operational goals and objectives. - Responsible for service delivery, call volume trends, staffing models, and operational readiness.
• Prepares and submits periodic reports to the Fire Chief regarding Operations activities and prepares a variety of other reports (i.e., shift effectiveness, performance standards, staffing).
• Participates in reviewing and managing the development and implementation of Departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; as well as recommending and administering policies, procedures, practices, rules, and regulations.
• Assesses and monitors workload, internal and external relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.

• Oversees the development and delivery of training programs to ensure operational personnel maintain required skills, certifications, and competencies based on performance. - Ensure all apparatus, equipment, and facilities are maintained in a state of operational readiness.
• Evaluates operating tactics and strategies, procedures and equipment for effectiveness and efficiency. Assists in directing disaster preparation for the community.

• Serve as a departmental representative at meetings, conferences, and public events.
• Using excellent customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the general public.
• Attends and participates in professional training and group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of fire prevention, suppression, and EMS, representing the Department in a variety of local, county, state, and other meetings.
• Foster community engagement and support through open communication and public education initiatives.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Provides a variety of complex administrative, managerial, and professional work in coordinating and directing the activities of the Division of Operations as well as staff assistance to the Fire Chief.

Establish priorities, coordinates support services within the Department and assures program objectives and standards are defined, attained and congruent with the overall mission and goals of the Department.

Responds to major emergencies and may assume command, operations or safety of field operations; performs a management role in the direction of assigning personnel and equipment at the scene of emergencies involving fire, all types of accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and lifesaving and rescue work.

Operates a motor vehicle to assist in carrying out the business of the Department and the City.

Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.

Is assigned the coordination of special projects or committees at the direction of the Fire Chief. Make community presentations.

Serves as the acting Fire Chief as assigned, acts on behalf of the Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief.

The duties listed above 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. The functions and requirements of this job are subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

This position is subject to the City of Farmington Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy which includes pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Extensive background checks required.

The employee must meet initial medical requirements as outlined in NMAC Reg. 11.5.2.10 C (4), and maintain annual medical requirements outlined in NMAC Reg. 11.5.2.10 C (5) and (6).

Employees in this position are considered confidential. Must maintain the utmost confidentiality in dealing with employee records and business information.

Must possess a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the fire service, including at least four (4) years in a supervisory or management capacity, with demonstrated advancement in administrative, operational, and leadership responsibilities. Qualifying experience must include service in a fire department of comparable size and operational complexity.

Must reside within 15 miles of Farmington City Limits and be able to respond after hours (on-call).

Must have IFSAC certification in Fire Officer II or equivalent.

Must be fluent with "Blue Card command" and have a strong understanding in all areas of the Incident Command System.

Must be able to obtain a New Mexico EMT-Basic or higher within the first year of employment.

Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, professional training, and progressively responsible fire service experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

A Master's degree, Executive Fire Officer (EFO) certification, or equivalent advanced executive leadership education is preferred.

Must have the ability to analyze complex fire service and personnel problems and situations and be able to devise effective and reasonable courses of action. Must be able to react quickly, calmly, and with good judgment under emergency conditions.

Must have good oral and written communication skills and the ability to plan, supervise and coordinate the work of subordinates.

Must have a valid driver's license applicable to operating fire apparatus within the state of New Mexico, with acceptable driving record for the past three years.

Must have ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, and the public.

Works under the general supervision of the Assistant Fire Chief.

May be any or all of the following: written examination; assessment center; tactical exercise; oral interviews.

Standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, computer, phone.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed primarily in offices, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergencies and stressful situations. Incumbents may be exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, and oils.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an emergency scene.