County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, assigned as a shift commander over all fire stations in the battalion/district, responsible for fire suppression and the supervision of district station operations while on duty; and, performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Fire Battalion Chief is a safety classification located in the Alameda County Fire Department. This classification serves a one-year probationary period. This classification is distinguished from that of the next higher-level classification of Division Chief in that the latter has overall division program/project and/or shift responsibility, may supervise Fire Department Battalion Chiefs, and manages multiple complex programs. It is further distinguished from the class of Fire Captain in that the latter typically has shift responsibility for a station, which includes the supervision of Fire Engineers and Firefighters.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Responds to all structural fires and emergencies (e.g., mass casualty incidents, vehicle accidents, and hazmat), develops incident strategies, and assumes the role of incident commander.

2. Conducts preliminary investigations of fire cause and origin; preserves evidence and notifies proper authorities.

3. Ensures that notification to other agencies is provided, including but not limited to OSHA, Adult Protective Services, and Child Protective Services, as required by local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws.

4. Conducts investigations of public complaints (e.g. vehicle accidents/property damage) and prepares findings and recommendations.

5. Ensures that reporting personnel adhere to the ACFD rules, regulations, expectations, and safe work practices.

6. Monitors, supervises, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides mentoring for workforce development; provides training and professional development; conducts employee investigations and prepares Training Advice Memorandums; and, implements discipline as necessary.

7. Ensures assigned Fire Captains are current with the completion of all required reports (e.g., PCR, company inspections, training, and evaluations).

8. Establishes an accurate daily roster of all reporting personnel by updating Telestaff personnel and Sit/Stat on a daily basis.

9. Processes personnel transactions (e.g., workers’ compensation claims, family medical leave requests, vacation requests, and grievances) and conducts investigations, if needed, in a timely manner.

10. Manages employee work-related issues/problems; facilitates problem-solving and collaboration amongst assigned personnel.

11. Reviews and explains new/revised policies, procedures, and information to assigned personnel.

12. Works within approved budget and develops and implements cost-saving measures and improvements.

13. Participates in departmental meetings and committees, and makes public presentations as needed.

14. Prepares a variety of correspondence, reports, documents, policies, procedures, and other written materials.

15. Assigned as a manager of, and leads, conducts or participates in, special projects as assigned by the Fire Chief.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time paid experience as a Fire Captain in the Alameda County Fire Department.

Must be in possession of a valid California driver’s license, either Commercial or Class C, with the Firefighter Endorsement.

AND

Education:

Completion, by date of application close, of the following prerequisite training courses:

• Command 2A
• Command 2B
• Command 2C
• Command 2D
• Command 2E
• Management 2A
• Management 2B
• Management 2C
• Management 2D
• Management 2E
• ICS400

OR

• Chief Fire Officer 3A: Human Resources Management
• Chief Fire Officer 3B: Budget and Fiscal Responsibilities
• Chief Fire Officer 3C: General Administration Functions
• Chief Fire Officer 3D: Emergency Service Delivery Responsibilities
• ICS300

OR

• CSFM Chief Officer Certification


Special Requirements:

• Is subject to emergency recall while off duty

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Modern fire prevention practices and techniques
• Principles and practices of supervision
• Training practices and techniques
• Laws, ordinances, and regulations which govern the fire department
• Principles, practices, procedures and equipment used in fighting fires and in saving lives and property
• The operation and maintenance of fire and rescue apparatus and equipment
• Principles of hydraulics, chemistry, and physics as related to fire service
• Arson investigation
• Modern administrative, project management and budgetary principles and techniques
• Hazardous and flammable materials
• Effective methods of crowd control, building evacuation techniques and traffic rules
• State and Federal mutual aid systems


Ability to:

• Effectively convey Department philosophy, messages, and rationale to employees
• Direct and train subordinates
• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Recognize and appraise fire hazards
• Manage time in an effective manner
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public
• Plan, organize, and implement effectively
• Perform analysis and problem solving
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions
• Demonstrate management control
• Demonstrate flexibility
• Adapt to stress
• Work effectively with a diverse population
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

FW:nw-Retyped: 5/85
BG:pb-Retitled: 6/89
BG:lm-Revised/Retitled: 12/95
BG:jc-revised 2/99
Old document: 0754h
New document: Jobspecs/8150
ys/3/01
RC:pf Rev./Retitle 12/17/03
[old title: Fire Battalion Chief]
CSC Date: 2/4/04
MH:cs – Revised/Retitled 12/16/09
Old title: Battalion Chief/Assistant Chief
CSC Date: 1/27/10
MAH:cs Revised/Retitled 12/22/11
Old Title: Fire Battalion Chief/Assistant Chief
CSC Date: 1/11/12
MAH:cs Revised 1/17/14
CSC Date: 2/5/14
GH:cs Revised 2/24/16
CSC Date: 3/2/16
IC:jf Revision 9/18/2017
CSC Date: 10/11/17
IC:JF Revision 2/28/18
CSC Date: 4/11/18

BENEFITS

*** For benefit information, please refer to the recruitment brochure.