BEDFORD – The City of Bedford is looking for a new fire department chief.
Bedford Fire Department Chief John Hughes retired on August 11th after 32 years of service.
The new fire chief will be appointed by Bedford Mayor Sam Craig and governing board.
The starting base salary is $67,230.54. This is a full-time position and FLSA Class Exempt.
Applications and resumes must be submitted to Bedford City Hall by August 31. If you have questions contact Denise Henderson at dhenderson@bedford.in.gov.
Position Summary:
Under the Administrative jurisdiction of the Board of Works and Safety, the Chief of the Fire Department shall be the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the Fire Department and shall have the power and authority to organize, manage, and control all activities and branches of the Fire Department, establish suitable measures to make effective the policies, practices, procedures, and Rules and Regulations necessary for the efficient operation of the Fire Department.
The Fire Chief provides administrative direction for all Fire Department functions, operations, and personnel through the supervision of subordinate staff and review of their activities.
Responsibilities include but are not necessarily limited to reviewing the general operation of the department to determine efficiency, providing direction on major projects or problem areas, developing and implementing policies and procedures; and providing policy guidance. Also, the Fire Chief is responsible, through study and consultation with elected officials, for developing recommendations for the protection of life and property in the City.
The Fire Chief will exercise strategic and visionary thinking that will have long-term organization-wide application and impact, including the development and implementation of critical programs, and supervision of multiple assigned functions, divisions, and significant resources.
The Mayor appoints the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief receives general supervision from the Board of Public Works and Safety, which reviews work based on overall results achieved. The Fire Chief may consult with the Board of Public Works and Safety on problems relating to policy planning but works independently in supervising the global operations and is responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the Fire Department.
Essential Functions:
- He/She shall devote his/her entire time to the discharge of the duties of his office and shall have the option of assuming command at the fires he/she attends.
- He/She shall be responsible for the proper management, efficiency, discipline, assignment, and training of all members of the Fire Department.
- He/She shall have control over all apparatus, hose, fuel, implements, tools, buildings, and all other property of the Fire Department.
- He/She shall have the authority, subject to final adjudication of the Board of Works and Safety, to suspend any member of the Fire Department for a maximum of fifteen (15) days for cause; to recommend additional suspension against any member for violation of Rules and Regulations governing the operation of the Department and the conduct of its members.
- He/She shall have the authority to reprimand, admonish, assign special details to, or withhold certain privileges from any member for breach of discipline or minor violation of the Rules and Regulations.
- He/She shall have full charge of and responsibility for the prevention and extinguishment of the fire and the necessary and incidental protection of lives and property in connection therewith.
- He/She may authorize the saving and protection of lives and property other than fires.
- He/She shall be authorized to make investigations and require full and complete reports from all members of the Fire Department regarding department duties.
- He/She shall, whenever necessary, schedule meetings with the Staff Officers for the transaction of Fire Department business and shall, whenever necessary, schedule meetings of the entire personnel or any part thereof. These meetings, as far as practicable, will be held on alternate battalions and all personnel or any part thereof shall be present unless excused.
- He/She shall have the authority to require the response of any or all off-duty Fire Department personnel to fires, other emergencies, or other assignments keeping in mind that no one will be treated unfairly, and those extra assignments will not conflict with the State hours of work.
- He/She shall submit to the Executive Branch an estimate of the maintenance of the Department of Fire and Fire Prevention during the next fiscal year, on or before the first day of August in each year. Said budget shall be complete in its detail, specifying the manual strength required, sums necessary for payrolls, maintenance, new equipment, hose, and other additions, etc. as well as such recommendations he/she may deem necessary for the advancement and welfare of the Department, and increase the efficiency thereof from year to year.
- He/She shall require and shall receive from each officer and member of the department strict compliance with all Rules and Regulations of the Department, and prompt, intelligent, faithful service to the City.
- During the absence or disability of any officer or member of the department, the Chief may detail an officer or member to the position temporarily vacant.
- He/She shall exercise proper care of the lives of members under his/her command.
- He/She shall conduct such inspections as he may deem necessary for the proper fulfillment of his/her duties to the City.
- He/She shall issue from time to time such orders for the government of members of the department as he/she shall consider necessary.
- He/She may condemn uniforms and equipment appurtenant to the attire of members and shall establish the type and regulate the wearing of the department uniform and equipment.
- He/She shall perform such other duties as the Mayor and the Board of Public Works and Safety may prescribe.
- He/She shall see that every member is supplied with a book of “Rules and Regulations” of the Fire Department. Members shall acknowledge its receipt by signing the book for that purpose and members shall acquaint themselves with the contents of the book.
- The Chief shall have the power and complete supervision of assigning and transferring members for the Department from station to station, or from battalion to battalion, as his/her best judgment may direct.
- He/She shall prepare annually and submit to the Executive Board a detailed report in writing of all losses and accidents by fire that may happen within the city and the causes thereof, all investigations, inspections made by the Fire Prevention Bureau, and results of same.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of management techniques, supervisory practices, and evaluation methods.
- Ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles and methods of governmental funding, budget presentation, and monitoring.
- Ability to organize and direct the activities of staff engaged in providing optimum fire services.
- Ability to plan, prepare, and administer an annual department budget.
- Ability to effectively analyze and resolve operational, procedural, and personnel problems.
- Ability to develop formal agreements and contracts with other agencies and communities.
- Ability to make effective verbal and written presentations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, elected officials, community organizations, other agencies, and the general public.
- Ability to expertly perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodations.
Manager/Supervisor Expected Behavior:
The Fire Chief is expected to embrace, support, and promote the Fire Department’s core values, beliefs, and culture, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- High ethical standards
- Train, develop, nurture, and mentor all employees and administrative staff
- Encourage teamwork and participation by all employees
- Lead by example
- Institutionalize and promote safety principles and safety awareness as a culture for BFD members
This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are exclusive standards for the assignment. The Fire Chief will comply with any other instructions, and directions, and perform any other related duties as may be required by the governing board. Performance of other essential functions may depend upon work location, assignment, or shift.
BFD is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified
applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
