Deputy Fire Chief

Type of Vacancy: Permanent Full-time
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 pm to 4:30 pm (35 hour work week)
Work Location: Fire Department, 5815 Morrison Street, Niagara Falls
Salary Range: $125,994 to $157,430 (2024 salary range under review) Plus a comprehensive benefit package

Reporting directly to the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief will be part of the Niagara Falls Fire Department’s (NFFD) management team providing executive leadership to a challenging and diverse portfolio. The Deputy Fire Chief’s portfolio may include administering the operation of the Training and Suppression Divisions or Fire Prevention and Communication Divisions while managing the respective divisional operating budget and capital projects.

The Deputy Fire Chief possesses financial, public relations, and policy administration skills to develop and deliver outstanding fire services to the City of Niagara Falls. You will assume all associated duties, respond to after-hours issues and emergencies, and fulfill senior roles under the City of Niagara Falls Emergency Plan. The Deputy Fire Chief is a high visibility leader who regularly represents the Fire Chief at events and meetings and is a capable spokesperson who effectively represents NFFD in the media and externally as required. In this role, you are expected to respond to major emergencies where you may assume command of a scene or act as an advisor to the Incident Commander.

The Deputy Fire Chief is responsible for leading and managing change and providing effective strategic and operational management to the NFFD. You will develop positive relationships with peers and work effectively with employees, senior management, elected officials from all levels of government, community partners, and members of the public. The Deputy Fire Chief is directly accountable for all aspects of their assigned portfolio including service delivery, staffing responsibilities and administers departmental policies and procedures. Your duties also include, but are not limited to hiring, promotions, discipline and grievances.

The Deputy Chief may be responsible for developing and overseeing training programs, job performance requirements, skill sheets and training syllabi to ensure all emergencies are handled per departmental policies and operational guidelines.

The Deputy Chief may be responsible for coordinating the maintenance of apparatus and equipment and recommends the purchase of new equipment as necessary. Collaboration on an ongoing basis with Information Systems, Fleet Services, Facilities and Operations staff to maintain operational readiness and continuity.

The Deputy Chief may be involved in interactions with developers, architects, engineers and building owners to ensure compliance with the provisions of applicable acts and regulations to meet adequate fire safety in new and existing buildings. Guides the implementation of fire prevention programs for training and education for all fire department staff and public education programs on fire prevention and life safety.

You are a forward-thinker, visionary and inspiring leader; capable of developing and implementing progressive ideas and concepts with excellent strategic and lateral thinking skills. You demonstrate a genuine concern and interest for the well-being and success of staff, in an environment that expects personnel to perform at a high level while providing effective and efficient services for the benefit of the community.

In addition to your post-secondary education and significant years of increasingly responsible leadership experience, you have accumulated expertise in or have demonstrated a history of leading collaborative and effective labour relations and are highly skilled at resolving disputes or grievances respectfully.

Besides your professional Fire Officer experience, your profile also includes qualifications such as:

• Minimum post-secondary diploma/degree
• Diploma from the Ontario Fire College
• Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasures of Ontario (AMCTO) Municipal Administration Program
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II
• NFPA 1002 Apparatus Driver /Operator
• NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescue
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer II
• NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector Level II
• NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator
• NFPA 1035 Fire & Life Safety Educator / PIO
• NFPA 1041 Fire Service Instructor Level II
• NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials

You support inclusion and equity and have demonstrated an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive work environment that reflects the community we serve.