I. POSITION SUMMARY
The Fire Chief shall provide leadership and direction to the volunteer members and career staff in achieving successful operations of the organization. He/She shall assist the Board of Trustees in setting of District Goals and shall exercise command over all functions of the Fire District.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The Fire Chief is responsible to the board of Trustees and shall administer all business functions of the Fire District. He/She shall be the administrator of all personnel, district equipment, facilities, and the preparation, implementation, and day-to-day management of the annual budget.
Through personal involvement and the utilization of staff, the Fire Chief shall oversee the following: District Fire and EMS management, productivity, accurate records keeping, planning, budgeting, communications, risk analysis, fire prevention, fire investigation, all emergency incidents, public relations, maintenance and repair of equipment and facilities, training of all personnel, membership recruitment and retention, operational guidelines and water supply sources and systems. The Fire Chief works a traditional 40 hour work week, Monday through Friday. The Fire Chief is expected to be reasonably available for emergency incidents as needed during evening and weekends and is ultimately responsible for quality coverage, although there should be subordinate officers on duty or available. This is a salaried position; no overtime pay is authorized.
III. SUPERVISION RECEIVED
The Fire Chief works under the general supervision of the Fire District Board of Trustees who reviews work for conformity with District policy that includes the Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and Employee Handbook.
IV. SUPERVISION EXERCISED
The Fire Chief is the Chief Executive Officer of the Fire District and responsible for the supervision of all volunteer and career personnel directly or through subordinate supervisors.
V. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES
The Fire Chief will serve as the Chief Officer of the Marion Fire District. The Fire Chief will maintain a positive, productive relationship with the Marion Fire District, its Board of Trustees, and the community. The Fire Chief will foster productive relationships with cooperating agencies. The Fire Chief will maintain harmony, discipline, professional conduct, and teamwork within the Fire District. The Fire Chief will resolve conflicts; assist subordinates in performing duties; and address errors and complaints in a timely manner. Any reported cases of personnel misconduct shall be reported to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees by the Fire Chief within one business day of the Fire Chief receiving report.
Priorities include the following:
· Increasing the ranks of the membership
· Enhancing and maintaining positive relationships between all members.
· Create a framework of collaborative decision making processes with Membership for any SOG changes.
· Assume command at major emergency incidents or as other times may dictate, and directs personnel and equipment in accordance with established guidelines.
· Establish and maintain good public relations utilizing effective communication skills and programs.
· Manage current District polices and recommend new and amended policies to the Board of Trustees for review and /or adoption.
· Make every reasonable effort to ensure all documentation presented to the Board of Trustees for consideration is accurate and factual. Documentation shall contain all pertinent information including the creator and originator of the document.
· Plan, direct, supervise, and manage all the daily operations in a manner that will achieve the recognized service levels of the district.
· Act as the District Budget Officer. Prepares the budget for adoption and monitor expenditures ensuring that expenses stay within the budgetary guidelines, provides information, and recommends to the Board of Trustees on all Capital Expenditures.
· Takes a lead role in the development and implementation of all SOGs, Employee Handbook, and the establishment of district performances and evaluation standards.
· Exercise full supervision over all district personnel; including hiring, evaluating, recruitment, training, disciplining, and termination.
· Keep the Board of Trustees informed on district operations and provide answers to specific questions using proper communication techniques, reports, and statistics.
· In conjunction with the Board of Trustees, develop district goals and objectives. Analyze all aspects of the Fire District services in relation to community needs.
· Ensure that all District vehicles, equipment, and facilities are maintained in an operational readiness condition sufficient to meet service level requirements.
· Oversee all investigation as to the cause, origin, and circumstances surrounding all fires.
Participate regularly in Fire District training sessions and activities.
· Implement and enforce appropriate safety/driving practices and policies. Thoroughly investigate each injury and accident involving fire department personnel and equipment.
· Perform other related special duties and functions as the Board of Trustees may require or direct.
· The Fire Chief will aggressively seek out grants, prepare grant applications and administer grant funds.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
1. May represent the district by participation in local service organizations.
2. Participates as district representative in local, county, state, and other meetings.
VI. QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
This position requires extensive experience in EMS/Fire services, to include responsible management, supervisory, and administrative experience in an organization of similar size. A Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in fire science, public or business administration, or related field is preferred, or any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the position as determined by the Board of Trustees.
Primary Qualifications Desired but not specifically limited to:
· Administrative experience
· Minimum of EMT
· IFSAC Firefighter I, Fire Officer I, or equivalent experience
· Must be able to obtain a Class B Type 2 Montana CDL with Air Brake & Tanker endorsement within 6 months of hire
· Experience in Interagency coordination with public safety agencies to include wildland-urban interface firefighting
· NWCG wildland qualifications of Strike Team Leader
· The candidate shall have experience in fire company supervision and leadership typified by five years’ experience as a fire officer with minimum of 10 years overall fire service experience.
· Candidate must have experience in working within fire protection agencies utilizing a combination of volunteer and paid staffing.
· Candidate must possess valid driver’s license from the State of Montana at the time of hire for non-commercial license.
· Candidate has no felony or disqualifying convictions.
· Candidate must live within 15 minutes, non-code, normal weather drive time to one of the three fire halls. It is preferred that the Chief live in the Marion Fire District.
· Working knowledge of public finance budgeting practices and principles.
VII. SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS
· Working knowledge or demonstrated ability to interpret fire district polices, rules, and regulations, standard operating guidelines and directives.
· Have knowledge of the geography of the area of the District.
· Working knowledge of the EMS State of Montana Law and Administrative Rules (ARM) for certification and training requirements, ambulance services and licensing requirements, operations and management.
VIII. NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
· Thorough knowledge of modern fire suppression, fire and EMS training and emergency medical services principles, procedures, techniques and equipment.
· Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, District Rules and regulations, personnel management and principles of public administration.
· Considerable knowledge of modern human resources, supervisory practices, the ability to direct the efficiency and effectiveness of the District toward meeting the growth and changing needs of the community.
· Skill in the operation of EMS/firefighting tools, radios, pagers, apparatus, and equipment. Must be able to safely direct workers and equipment during normal and emergency operations.
· Ability to analyze difficult situations and adopt effective courses of action.
· Ability to inspect and determine or assist in determination of fire cause, origin, and investigation.
· Ability to train, motivate, supervise, evaluate, and counsel subordinate personnel. Must be able to maintain productive discipline and morale within the Department.
· Ability to perform emergency scene work that requires good physical condition.
· Ability to supervise the actives of EMS/firefighting personnel, to effectively command and maintain discipline.
· Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with other delegated officials and the general public. Work with public employees, officials, and the media in a courteous and cooperative manner.
· Ability to maintain composure, think clearly and give clear, concise orders and direction under emergency conditions as well as in daily operations. Ability to analyze difficult situations and adopt an effective course of action.
· Ability to implement and formulate written and oral instructions, plan, memoranda, and order utilizing, but not limited to, verbal explanation and computer input by utilization of basic office equipment. Prepare technical and administrative reports, proposals, and other related documents or presentations utilizing modern computer hardware and software programs, presenting them in a meaningful way that portrays an accurate direction of the District.
· Ability to be an effective listener and communicate effectively orally and by writing.
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Volunteer and career subordinates, the Board of Trustees, Fire and EMS professionals, and the public.
· Skills in the use of the tools and equipment below.
IX. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN PERFORMING DUTIES AS CHIEF
· Emergency medical units and equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, other firefighting equipment, ladders, radios, pagers, personal computers, and phones.
X. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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 those with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, hear and stand; use hands and fingers to 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 smell.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 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.
XI. WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed primarily in an office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. The individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, oils, and human body fluids.
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 emergency scenes.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
A formal Marion Fire District application with a resume’ attached is required. Rating of education, experience and written response to questions, oral interview, background investigation and job related tests
The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from this position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
All applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications described above may seek to have their application considered if, at time of application they explain in writing, how their unique combination of experience and qualifications as stated above. It will be in the sole discretion of the selection committee to decide whether such applicants will be considered.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee. It may be subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer or the requirements change.
Marion Fire District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices.
Selection or promotion to the Chief position involves a review of education and experience; appropriate testing and interviews and may include a background check, physical agility performance testing, and/or drug screening. Generally the Chief position will be filled upon the review and recommendation of the selection committee with final selection approval by the Board of Trustees. A member appointed to this position will complete a six month probationary period. Upon completion of probationary period, member will meet with the Board of Trustees for a review. At this time, the Board of Trustees will evaluate and determine if member has adequately fulfilled the requirements and performed his/her duties as stated in the “Fire Chief Duties: Standard Operating Guidelines.
NOTE: The examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work 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. This job description is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Chief must uphold the Montana Code Annotated 7-33-2001.
Submit your application, resume and letter of interest by email, mail, or in person to the Board Chair, Peter Loyda - ployda@marionfd.org - by Wednesday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00 pm.
Applications and information can be found at:
https://marionfd.org/2024/06/18/fire-chief-position-opening/
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Ability to Commute:
Ability to Relocate:
- Marion, MT: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person