Deputy Fire Chief - Operations

JOB POSTING #:  2024-0453
POSTING PERIOD: Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 8:30 AM to Friday, October 25, 2024 at 12:00 PM (Noon)
DEPARTMENT:  Windsor Fire & Rescue Services
UNION: Non-Union
JOB CODE: NU0048
POSITION STATUS:  Regular Full-Time
GRADE/CLASS:  NU16
# OF POSITIONS:  1
RATE OF PAY: $151,290.06 - $183, 893.79 annually
SHIFT WORK REQ'D:  Yes

DUTIES:

As a Deputy Fire Chief, this position is an integral part of the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services Management Team, providing support to several divisions in the delivery of efficient and effective programs and services.  Accountable to the Fire Chief, this position primarily provides administrative, operational, and leadership support for the Fire and Rescue and Training Divisions.

As the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations, you will be responsible for the planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing of all fire suppression and staff, as well as responsibility in departmental staff training, and fire related emergency services operations and support programs for the City of Windsor.  In the absence of the Fire Chief, this position may be required to assume the duties of the Fire Chief, and may be required to act as the Essex County Fire Coordinator, and the Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC).

The Deputy Fire Chief will also perform such duties that include, but are not limited to, the following:  Provides leadership for the operation and administration of assigned divisions consistent with departmental strategic goals and aligned with the strategic direction of the Corporation, ensuring the highest level of service possible to the residents of the City;  responsible for the research, assessment of processes and structure, and coordination of strategically significant departmental initiatives and improvement processes to advance the Corporation’s effectiveness in the delivery of quality service; develops, implements, and administers departmental policies and procedures to augment corporate and departmental objectives.  Responsible for maintaining effective operations, including, but not limited to, disciplinary responsibilities, recruitment, selection, promotion, performance management, training and development, and contract negotiations.

Liaise with Windsor Police Services, OPP, RCMP, Customs and Immigration and counterparts in the USA regarding cross border emergency response; confers with national/international agencies in response to emergencies involving international airport and cross border points; liaise and maintain harmonious relationships with various agencies, municipalities, Federal, Provincial, and Municipal authorities, consultants, media, community organizations, City of Windsor residents, and staff members.

Oversees the development of pre-incident plans for target risks and hazards in the community; plans, coordinates, and directs firefighting and rescue activities, will be on-call to respond to multiple alarm emergencies, and major emergencies.  May assume command of scene; may be responsible to assume the role of Emergency Site Manager/Incident Commander for large scale fires and natural disasters, where the Fire Services is the lead emergency response agency; you will utilize your experience to plan the strategies to mitigate the emergency for life safety, incident mitigation, and property conservation.  Will be prepared to participate, and represent the City at various meetings including various provincial committees.

Will have working knowledge of the existing legislative framework related to municipal operations; administers and enforces acts such as the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Ontario Fire Code, Provincial Offences Act, Energy Act and Emergency Management, and Civil Protection Act; reviews divisional/departmental policies and procedures, agreements, contracts, regulations, policy and guidelines, such as Fire Protection and Prevention Act, National Fire Protection Association and updates, Occupational Health & Safety, Ministry of Labour, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Ontario Fire Service Standards, Ontario Fire Marshal’s curriculum in order to evaluate and implement changes in operational procedures and practices to meet the requirements outlined by senior levels of government, and other authoritative bodies.

Will participate in the preparation of council reports, attend Committee and Council meetings, and participate on various related committees; involvement in the development of the Windsor Fire & Rescue Services budget, specifically, divisional and capital budgets, including staffing forecasts; responsible for maintaining an effective record retention management system to align with the legislative requirements, specifically the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office, MFIPPA, and other authoritative bodies; legislative responsibility to administer appropriate acts, regulations, by-laws and codes; May be required to wear bunker gear, SCBA, or manipulate pieces of equipment that could weigh 50 pounds or more. Will perform Occupational Health and Safety duties as outlined in the Corporation’s Health and Safety program.  Will perform other related duties as required.                                                                                                                                                        

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a University degree in Business, Public Administration, Sciences, Engineering or related field or Ontario Ministry of Education equivalencies and a minimum of four (4) years experience in a fire service operations environment.
• OR Must have a University Certificate in Fire Services Administration (3 year program), College Fire Service Executive Management Certificate (3 year program) or similar Fire Leadership Certificate (3 year program) combined with a minimum of six (6) years experience in a fire service operations environment.
• OR Must have an Ontario Secondary School graduation diploma plus one year of post secondary school courses in Business, Public Administration, Sciences, Engineering or related field or Ontario Ministry of Education equivalencies and over (10) years experience in a fire service operations environment.
• Must have completed the Community Emergency Management Coordinator designation (CEMC) or be willing to obtain within one year of start date.
• Must have IMS 200.
• Must have IMS 300 or be willing to obtain within one year of start date.
• Must have NFPA 1021 Level III and NFPA 1041 Level II certification or be willing to obtain within one years of start date.
• Must have supervisory/managerial experience in a unionized environment.
• Must have command experience with complex emergency scenes (commercial, industrial, multi-residential) with significant public safety, and allied agency response.
• Must be a certified Incident Commander through a recognized Incident Command program.
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of appropriate legislation, municipal by-laws, building codes, fire codes, risk and emergency management.
• Must be able to plan, organize, and direct the activities of management staff engaged in a variety of administrative functions as they relate to Windsor Fire & Rescue Services programs.
• Must be able to prepare clear and concise reports, and read building plans.
• Must have proven oral and written communication skills to deal effectively with civic officials and staff, senior levels of government, various stakeholders and the general public.
• Must have proven oral and written communication skills to deal effectively with civic officials and staff, senior levels of government, various stakeholders and the general public.
• Must be able to react quickly and calmly under prolonged periods of adverse conditions.
• Must have experience implementing annual budgets and related corporate policies.
• Must have knowledge and understanding of hazardous materials incidents.
• Must have working knowledge and experience in a computerized environment using Microsoft Office Suite of Products.
• Must be available for all shifts (7/24) on a rotation basis; shall be required to work a rotating shift in an emergency situation.
• Must have knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, its regulations and knowledge of the hazards associated with the Fire Services profession including Section 21 Guidelines.
• Will be required to complete and remain current as per the requirements of the Corporation’s Management Certificate Program.
• Progression through the Art of Supervision Program Certificate or a supervisory program of a similar nature is considered an asset.
• Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosives (CBRNE) knowledge will be considered an asset.
• Experience with USAR (Structural Collapse) operations will be considered an asset.
• Additional NFPA certifications will be considered an asset.
• Must hold and maintain a current valid and lawful driver’s license in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act, for the purposes of operating a City of Windsor vehicle and provide a driver’s abstract as a condition of employment.
• Additional fire related education, fire prevention, and emergency preparedness education and training will be considered an asset.
• The physical demands analysis associated with this job indicates a light to heavy level of work.