What it takes to be the next Joplin fire chief

This is the advertisement the city of Joplin is placing for a new fire chief to replace Mitch Randles, who is leaving in August to take a position in Texas:

Description:
Under general direction, plans, organizes, and directs the fire suppression/safety, emergency response, emergency management, and related activities of the Joplin Fire Department.

General Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties are normal for this title. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Attendance and dependability.
• Must maintain confidentiality.

 
General Tasks and Responsibilities:
While following tasks are necessary for this position, they are not an essential part of the duties of this position and may also be performed by other employees.
 

• Coordinates/directs the overall activities of all Joplin Fire Department staff, including determining type of equipment and number of employees needed provide for adequate, timely response to fire and emergency response alarms; inspects all fire stations and equipment periodically to ensure that all tools, equipment, and related materials needed for fire suppression and emergency assistance calls are clean, properly stored, and fully functional at all times.
• May direct  the management of emergency incidents, including implementing and assuming command as necessary to facilitate the efficient, effective, and safe deployment of staff and equipment and ensure that the emergency scene is controlled as quickly and effectively as possible; responds to fire, emergency assistance, and rescue calls as appropriate to ensure that services are being provided safely, efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner; ensures that fire investigations are conducted in a thorough and timely manner.
• Coordinates the Fire Department's overall training program to ensure that fire suppression, fire safety, and emergency response services are provided in an efficient, effective, and timely manner; monitors overall employees' skill/performance levels to ensure that established standards for operation are met; prepares periodic reports of fire/emergency assistance service operations; approves recommendations regarding appointment, promotion, suspension, and dismissal of Fire Department employees.
• Meets with Fire Department management staff to identify Departmental goals and objectives and prepare/implement Departmental budget; develops, revises, interprets, and directs the implementation of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for the Joplin Fire Department; develops and implements Department budget, including determining staffing levels and equipment/resources needed to effectively protect the citizens of Joplin.
• Promotes City/County emergency management activities by ensuring community readiness through mitigation, public education and planning. Promotes Jasper County emergency response agency readiness for response to large scale incidents through planning, exercising and other activities; oversees or assists in the management of large-scale emergency incidents.
• Represents the Joplin Fire Department in meetings with the City Council, other top City officials, civic organizations, other Federal, State, and local fire service and regulatory agencies to discuss Department functions, coordinate joint activities/programs, and identify and facilitate resolution of  fire service oriented problems/issues; serves on a variety of task forces, committees, and boards involved with fire service and related issues.

Other Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities:

• The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description shall not to be construed as an exclusive or all inclusive list of the duties associated with this position.  
• The supervisor may on occasion assign other duties which are not specifically listed in this job description, provided the employee is qualified and certified/licensed to perform these additional functions.

General Physical Requirements:
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
 

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Mathematical Ability
 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, program planning and development, employee supervision and training and emergency management.
• Skill in organizing and coordinating the overall operations of a municipal fire department, including budget development/implementation, and program planning, development, and implementation.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
 

• Knowledge of operating techniques, purpose, and use of various tools, equipment, vehicles, and apparatus used in fire suppression, rescue, and medical assistance operations.
• Knowledge of first aid, C.P.R., and other basic emergency medical assistance techniques.
• Knowledge of fire safety codes and ordinances.
• Skill in managing emergency scene operations.
• Skill in the utilization of applicable communications equipment used in emergency and non-emergency operations.

Physical Requirements
 

• Requires medium to high levels of sitting, standing, walking, squatting, and heavy lifting, bending, twisting, and kneeling.
• Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate all essential job related equipment such as vehicles, fire apparatus, or other specialized equipment.
• Must be mobile and in appropriate physical condition such that departmental safety rules and the safety of self or others is not compromised while working.
• All fire employees are required to meet all applicable Federal, State, and Departmental physical fitness and physical training standards prior to and during employment.
• Must be sighted and hearing to such a degree as to enable safe and effective job performance of essential functions. 
• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments. Work may involve potential exposure to extreme weather conditions, extreme heat, unstable buildings and structures, hazardous chemicals and materials, emergency disaster situations, body fluids, infectious diseases and air and blood borne pathogens when responding to emergency and non-emergency incidents.

Environmental Adaptability
 

• Knowledge of equipment requirements for effective fire suppression and emergency response services.
• Knowledge of fire suppression principles, methods, techniques, and practices.
• Skill in preparing and conducting employee training programs.
• Skill in staff performance evaluation and improvement techniques.
• Skill in understanding and interpreting complex codes, ordinances, regulations, procedures, and guidelines.
• Skill in planning related to long and short term City/County emergency management.
• Skill in the utilization of applicable computer software and hardware.

General Qualifications:
 

• Seven years of professional fire suppression work experience with at least three of the seven years at the rank of Deputy, Assistant, District or Battalion Chief or equivalent rank in the professional fire service. 
• Bachelor’s degree in fire science, fire service administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.  
• Must possess a valid driver’s license. 
• Must be able to successfully complete a thorough background check, and successfully complete a physical exam and drug test.                                                                                                                                             

Salary Range:  Salary will be commensurate upon experience and training with excellent benefits. 

Deadline: Resumes will be accepted in addition to, but not in lieu of, a City application.  Obtain required application from the City of Joplin Human Resources Office at 602 South Main Street in Joplin, MO. 64801. Open Until Filled. The City of Joplin is an Affirmative Action, ADA and Equal Opportunity Employer.