Assistant Chief

Job Title: Assistant Chief

About the Role

The Assistant Chief is a key member of the Fire and Emergency Management team, responsible for supporting the annual business plan and managing operating and capital budgets for the assigned portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports HRFE's annual business plan and assists with managing operating and capital budgets for the assigned portfolio.
• Member of HRFE's Fire Strategic Team (FST), ensuring goals and objectives are supported and resources are aligned and assigned to support the strategic direction of HRFE.
• Provides support for recruiting initiatives and participates in hiring and promotional routines as required.
• Establishes priorities and aligns resources for effective and efficient service delivery in accordance with HRFE strategic priorities, policies and operating guidelines.
• Promotes strong labour management and stakeholder relationships, responds to labour management issues prior to initiation of the grievance procedure.
• Represents HRFE in grievance proceedings as appropriate, including the coordination of alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Monitors and evaluates and manages the performance of District Chiefs, Division Chiefs, Managers and other assigned staff; sets performance standards and conducts performance appraisals.
• Enforces operational guidelines, occupational health and safety standards, regulations, policies, systems and procedures for safe and efficient fire service operations.
• Develops and maintains working relationships and/or networks of contacts with Federal, Provincial and Municipal regulatory authorities and the private sector to further the organization's goals as needed.
• May respond and assume the role of Incident Commander at an emergency scene, overseeing the command, control, and coordination of emergency response as the incident warrants.
• Works with Human Resources to respond to personnel matters and administers performance management and progressive discipline processes as necessary.
• Participates in an 'On Call Duty Officer' rotation as required.
• Responds to large scale emergency incidents outside of HRM as part of a mobile IMT as required.
• Represents the Deputy Chief and/or Fire Chief at community and public events, on committees, boards and community meetings as required.
• Manages career / volunteer firefighters, administration and support members as assigned.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Fire Science or Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or other related discipline.
• Post-secondary education in Project Management, Adult Education, or Human Resources considered an asset.
• Minimum ten (10) years' experience in the fire/emergency service(s), with knowledge of various facets of fire/emergency operations.
• Minimum three (3) years' experience at the District Chief or Division Chief level or equivalent Fire Management positions.
• Incident Command System (ICS) – level 300 is an asset.
• Blue Card Command Certification considered an asset.
• NFPA 1521, Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer – Incident Safety Officer or confirmation of training equivalent to the standard considered an asset.
• NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Department Professional Qualifications -Level 3 and Level 4 or confirmation of training equivalent to the standard considered an asset.
• NFPA 472, Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents/Weapons of Mass Destruction – Incident Commander level or confirmation of training equivalent to the standard considered an asset.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of management.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Knowledge of theory and practice of fire suppression, firefighting equipment and tools for fire suppression.
• Knowledge of the deployment of personnel and equipment to emergency and fire situations.
• Knowledge of rescue and hazardous materials response protocols.
• Knowledge of fire prevention including inspection, investigation and code enforcement.
• Practical knowledge of collective agreements in place (IAFF/NSGEU222) and their administration.
• Knowledge of Windows-based software applications, specifically Microsoft Office and File Data Management (FDM).
• Ability to respect confidentiality in dealing with personnel issues.
• Knowledge of HRFE departmental rules, regulations, standard operating guidelines, procedures, policies and applicable Municipal and Provincial Codes, Acts, Regulations, Administrative Orders and Municipal Bylaws.