Division Chief

Job Description

PURPOSE SUMMARY

Perform essential administrative duties as a key member of the Doña Ana County Fire Rescue team to ensure efficient supervision, command, and control of fire, rescue, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations and may respond to emergencies. Supervise and oversee the staff responsible. Manage all aspects of the assigned programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Emergency Response and Incident Management

• Coordinate emergency responses throughout the county.

• Respond to all types of fire, rescue, and medical emergencies, assume command and control as needed, and/or provide service directly as part of an emergency response team.

• Use available standard operating procedures to establish the Command of the Incident Command System (ICS) system at fires, emergency medical scenes, technical rescue scenes, and fire prevention operations.

• Oversee and direct deployment of resources for fire, rescue, and medical emergencies.

• Set up or assume multiple command posts at a single incident as needed.

• Supervise overhaul and salvage operations.

• Coordinate team responses for specialty requests such as technical rescue throughout the county, state, or nation.

2. Personnel Management and Supervision

• Supervise personnel including Captains, Lieutenants, Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and volunteers as assigned.

• Observe, address, and document employee behavior and performance.

• Prepare performance evaluations, discuss performance with staff, counsel employees, and manage discipline.

• Meet regularly with department personnel to discuss current events and resolve issues.

• Visit fire stations to meet with staff, build relationships, and establish trust.

• Convey clear expectations and develop personnel.

• Prescribe methods to encourage professional development and participation in training.

• Coordinate with the Deputy Chief to provide training and drills in firefighting and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) methods.

3. Administrative and Logistical Responsibilities

• Develop schedules, work programs, and innovative solutions for personnel.

• Review and approve leave requests and shift trades to ensure proper staffing.

• Review reports prepared by staff for consistency with policies and procedures.

• Complete all necessary reports, correspondence, and documentation related to duties.

• Coordinate with the Deputy Chief on logistical activities, including fleet maintenance, station maintenance, inventory, and procurement of supplies.

• Function within an assigned budget and ensure adherence to county purchasing and budget policies.

• Direct and supervise the EMS insurance billing process, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including HIPAA and Medicare/Medicaid requirements. Develop and implement policies to maximize revenue collection, maintain accurate patient and billing records, and resolve billing discrepancies promptly.

• Analyze EMS billing data to monitor revenue trends and project income and recommend adjustments to improve financial efficiency. Collaborate with finance and administrative personnel to develop budgets, provide reports on billing performance, and ensure alignment with the department’s strategic financial goals.

4. Policy Development and Enforcement

• Interpret, develop, and enforce departmental rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures.

• Communicate and clarify management orders and decisions to subordinate personnel.

• Brief staff on policy, procedures, bulletins, and other relevant information.

• Ensure confidentiality of sensitive information including patient records, personnel, financial, and collective bargaining information.

5. Collaboration and Communication

• Confer and coordinate with Doña Ana Fire Rescue (DAFR) personnel.

• Communicate important information such as memos, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs), bulletins, and notices to subordinate staff.

• Attend meetings with staff, volunteers, and other officials as required.

• Assist the Fire Chief or designee in the development and implementation of goals, policies, and priorities.

• Acts as liaison with volunteer stations and coordinates activities with volunteer officers.

6. Specialty Programs and Training

• May be assigned to specialty programs such as Haz Mat, Training, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Safety Division.
• Work on recruitment, retention, and orientation of new hires and volunteers.
• Participate in public education events as needed.
• Analyze and interpret records and data to identify trends and opportunities for service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal training and operational standards.

7. Backup and Additional Duties

• Fulfill the duties and responsibilities of positions assigned when necessary.

• May be required to participate in fire suppression and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) activities as needed.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES.  Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

A.  Education.  Associate's degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Emergency Medical Services,

or related field.  Bachelor’s degree preferred.

B.  Experience. Eight (8) years of progressively responsible fire and/or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) experience in a career fire/rescue organization to include a minimum of three (3) years in a lead or management capacity with responsibility for operational oversight, logistics, staff supervision, and training as a paid member.

C.  Education/Experience substitution. Education substitution in accordance with County policy.  There is no substitution for the required experience

D.  Licenses/Certifications.

• New Mexico Class E driver's license.

• Current New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician-Basic license or above.

• Current New Mexico Paramedic License is preferred.

• IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter II.

• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Instructor I.

• IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Officer II.

• IFSAC or Pro Board Inspector I certification with six (6) months of employment.

• ICS 100, 200, 700, 800.

• ICS 300, 400 required within six (6) months of employment.

• Equivalent certifications may be accepted upon review. Other licenses or certifications may be required within a specific date of hire.

E.  Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver's license record, etc.).  Must undergo and pass a physical abilities test, comprehensive background review, integrity testing, and NFPA 1582 medical exams, driver’s license check, have valid driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Knowledge of:

• County Policies and Procedures, including fire and emergency services general orders, guidelines, and standard operating guidelines/procedures.

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of volunteer and career fire and EMS programs, including business/industry principles and practices related to work assigned.

• Emergency scene operations, activities, and preparedness related to emergency management, planning, response, and coordination.

• Radio communications and equipment.

• Modern firefighting, heavy rescue, emergency medical services, and hazardous materials practices and procedures.

• Fire prevention principles and practices.

• Fire ordinances and regulations.

• Operation, use, and maintenance of various types of apparatus, tools, firefighting, and heavy rescue equipment.

• The County's geography, streets, hydrants, and fire hazards within its boundaries.

Skills:

• Administrative and managerial accounting, budget concepts, and governmental budgeting.

• Principles of supervision, training, and coordination of multiple public and private agencies.

• Planning, assigning, and supervising the work of subordinates in routine and emergency situations

• Analyzing situations correctly and quickly, adopting courses of action, and evaluating results.

• Training and instructing fire suppression and prevention principles, practices, and procedures.

• Training and instructing Emergency Medical principles and practices.

• Applying modern management practices while supervising employees.

• Developing and implementing unit/program policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Abilities:

• Effective communication principles and practices, including oral and written communication to include public relations and public speaking.

• To use a variety of software packages relevant to the department and assigned work.

• To use research methods and report presentation.

• To use modern office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Compensation Range

$103,767.70 - $108,956.08

Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person’s race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see http://www.donaanacounty.org/ada/ for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call 575-647-7210 for assistance.