Deputy Fire Chief

The City of Kawartha Lakes invites applications to join our Fire Services team as the Deputy Fire Chief. 

When you come to work for the City of Kawartha Lakes, you are joining a community of municipal workers who take pride in knowing that every day you are having a positive impact in the community. Our mission is to deliver the highest standards of municipal services while creating a healthy and sustainable future for all Kawartha Lakes residents and businesses. We work to our values of Accountability, Respect and Teamwork and we want you to Jump In with us!

We are an equal opportunity employer which values equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We foster a safe and creative work environment, where training and skill development are prioritized, with opportunities and support for career advancement. As a team member at the City of Kawartha Lakes, you may be entitled to the following: flexible work hours, remote and hybrid working arrangements, OMERS pension (defined benefit), employer paid benefits package including short and long term disability income replacement, education reimbursement and other programs that foster innovation, leadership, and career advancement.

Reporting to the Fire Chief, this position is responsible for a number of programs focused on the achievement of day to day operations and strategic objectives including employee training, health and safety, communications, emergency management, fire prevention, investigations, project management, standard operating guidelines, fleet, buildings, equipment, and providing oversight to the full-time fire prevention, suppression and Volunteer Firefighter divisions.

Salary Range:   $136,500 – $ 159,705 (2024)

Essential Duties

• Formulates, develops and administers directives, programs, policies and procedures to achieve corporate and departmental objectives
• Manages resources to achieve strategic objectives in such areas as deployment, equipment, training and technology procedure and use and overall compliance to the applicable requirements
• Demonstrates leadership in managing and engaging team members, providing feedback and/or corrective action
• Estimates budget requirements, making recommendations to inform current and future expenditures
• Formulates deployment and learning programs to achieve objectives and standards
• Provides guidance and consultation to ensure master plan standards, City of Kawartha Lakes policies and procedures and Provincial legislation and standards are adhered to
• Procures services and goods in accordance with corporate policy and process
• Ensures workplace accidents are investigated and appropriate follow up and/or remedial action is taken; participate in Joint Health and Safety Committees as management representative
• Perform fire investigations to determine preliminary cause, securing the incident scene and preserving evidence, according to job performance requirements
• Describe the procedures of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for conducting fire inspections so that all hazards, including hazardous materials, are identified
• Supervise emergency operations, conduct pre-incident planning, and deploy assigned resources
• Develop and conduct post-incident analysis so that all required critical elements are identified and communicated
• Processes customer service concerns, investigating, problem solving and responding as appropriate
• Acts as department lead with regard to allied partners including paramedic services, police and neighbouring fire services
• Oversees public relations activities on behalf of the department, identifying and communicating with all necessary audiences, acting as spokesperson as required
• Responsible for the hiring, discipline, dismissal, performance management and training of staff, in consultation with the Fire Chief and People Services
• Administer the terms of the Collective Agreement, in collaboration with People Services
• May be appointed as the Community Emergency Management Coordinator Alternate, in accordance with the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
• Required to participate in an on call rotation
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills/ Education Required

• Must be a graduate of the Ontario Fire College, Company Officer Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 10 years of service in a municipal Fire Service with at least 5 years of progressive supervisory experience
• Certified Emergency Management Coordinator designation preferred, willingness to achieve is required
• Experience in development and delivery of fire, medical/rescue and hazardous material programs/services
• Supervisory experience, including significant leadership experience in a complex and diverse environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of building construction and techniques including: wiring, heating systems, industrial processes (including chemical reactions), and the dangers of flammable and combustible materials and liquids, and ability to read and interpret building plans, drawings, blueprints
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations, standards, codes, City by-laws, policy and practice pertaining to fire protection/prevention, inspection, investigation, safety education, and legal proceedings, such as the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Ontario Fire Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Human Rights Code, Provincial Offences Act and Criminal Code of Canada
• Excellent administration, organizational, time-management skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required
• Ability to demonstrate initiative consistently with commitment to quality improvement, sharing process improvement initiatives with management
• Currently certified in CPR, First Aid and Defibrillation
• Proficiency in use of required photography and/or audio-visual equipment
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, the internet and any other related software
• Possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class “DZ” Driver’s Licence

Upon a conditional offer of employment, a Criminal Record Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Search, will be required

Applicants must be prepared for skill testing.