JOB DESCRIPTION FIRE BATTALION CHIEF Human Resources Department (SPECIAL OPERATIONS) 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 200 Newport News, VA 23606 Phone: (757) 926-1800 Fax: (757) 926-1825 NEWPORT NEWS, VA CITY OF OPPORTUNITY

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under limited supervision, this position is responsible for overall management of the department’s special operations teams and projects. Reports to the Assistant - Operations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Responsible for management and oversight of all specialty teams to include planning, organizing and directing assignments for Technical Rescue, Marine Incident Response, Bomb, Dive, or Hazardous Materials teams; develops strategic plans, establishes and implements related departmental directives, and prepares detailed reports. Ensures and may personally conduct necessary training for team members; manages equipment and apparatus inventory and maintenance for specialty teams. Assists with general fleet maintenance and replacement purchases.

Oversees reimbursement process related to mass incidences and special operations. Responsible for the research, review and assessment of various local, state and federal funding sources to include grants and other alternative funding. May serve as the on-call Fire Chief and Public Information Officer when necessary.

Responsible for the effective supervision and administration of assigned staff including conducting training, prioritizing and assigning work, performance management, employee relations, and related activities.

Conducts reviews and investigations of safe and unsafe practices in relation to departmental operations. Conducts research and prepares statistical analysis concerning special operations. Generates reports and documentation as necessary.

May assess an incident scene, develop a plan of action and identify appropriate strategies and tactics; determines the need for additional equipment or manpower; ensures security and integrity of emergency scene; ensures utilization of Incident Management System; investigates and determines fire origin and causes; oversees fire prevention, rescue, and fire suppression; supervises and assists in the reception and transmission of required information by monitoring radio traffic; and creates plans of potential target hazards or special operations for pre-incident purposes.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

 Fire Suppression – Comprehensive knowledge of practices pertaining to fire suppression to include safety and infection control procedures pertaining to the use and operation of fire apparatus, equipment, tools, and protective gear. Considerable knowledge of the proper use and basic maintenance of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Considerable knowledge of incident command procedures and knowledge of emergency vehicle operations and basic maintenance needs including , aerial, and medical apparatus.  Emergency Medical Services - Comprehensive knowledge of emergency response principles and the provision of emergency medical care.  Supervision – Comprehensive knowledge of leadership techniques, principles and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.  Safety/Security – Comprehensive knowledge of common safety rules, regulations, procedures and practices to include EMS protocol and triage procedures. Considerable knowledge of basic and advanced emergency medical care including basic trauma and advanced cardiac life support principles and practices.  Customer Service – Comprehensive knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

REQUIRED SKILLS

 Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations. Shares knowledge with staff for mutual and departmental benefit.  Critical Thinking — Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.  Judgment and Decision Making — Evaluates the best method of research and then exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

 Communication – Ability to communicate effectively, including the preparation of reports and logs and the use of radio communications including appropriate channels and basic radio communication codes. Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented verbally and in writing.  Coordination of Work – Ability to establish and implement effective administrative programs and procedures. Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the

Page 2 of 4 Revised: 02/01/2021 completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Performs a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.

 Accounting and Budgeting — Ability to perform arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications. Ability to employ economic and accounting principles and practices in the analysis and reporting of financial data.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Requires two (2) years of service at the Captain level with the City of Newport News and an Associate’s Degree or 61 semester hours.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal history check and sex offender registry check.

Requires satisfactory results from a medical evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random controlled substance testing.

A valid Virginia’s driver’s license with an acceptable driving record with no more than 3 negative points on current driving record. Employees are required to refrain from the use of tobacco.

Must maintain Advanced EMT (AEMT) certification, and successfully complete the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Testing Process. (Note: Employees hired prior to July 1, 2017, must maintain a minimum of Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate (EMT-I) certification unless granted a certification reduction to EMT-B by the department.)

Required to maintain Virginia EMS certifications by the City’s Medical Director for continued employment which include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

Must have maintained acceptable performance over the two (2) years prior to the application deadline for Battalion Chief and currently be performing at a satisfactory level.

Must also possess and maintain Fire Officer III and NFA Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Officer certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing to include climbing ladders.  Some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, crawling, and the lifting to include overhead lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials (up to 100 pounds) and occasionally heavier items (100 pounds or over).

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

Page 3 of 4 Revised: 02/01/2021  Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odors, depth, textures, and visual cues or signals.  Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, weather, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, explosives, firearms, disease, or pathogenic substances.

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