Job Category
Management
Work Schedule
Full-time
Employer
City of Patterson
Job Open until Filled
Job Closing Date
Website
https://koffassociates.com/patterson-fire-chief/

JOB TITLE: Fire Chief

AGENCY: City of Patterson

LOCATION: Patterson, CA

FILING DEADLINE:  November 26, 2023

SALARY RANGE: $168,413 – $204,707 Annually

 

THE POSITION

This position serves under the direction of the City Manager. The Fire Chief is responsible to plan, organize, direct and review the activities and operations of the Fire Department including fire suppression, hazardous material mitigation, fire and life safety code compliance, emergency medical services and administrative support services; provides leadership to the department and the City organizations; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager. Through an automatic-aid agreement, this position also functions as Fire Chief to the West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District with the same responsibilities and provides support to the District Board of Directors.

 

KEY FUNCTIONS

  • Develop, plan, and implement Department goals and objectives; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
  • Coordinate Departmental activities with outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the City Manager, Board of Directors, and City Council; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence. 
  • Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Department’s work plan; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures. 
  • Supervise and participate in the development and administration of the Fire Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement mid-year adjustments.
  • Represent City / District as Emergency Manager; direct development and administration of disaster plans and emergency operations for the City and the Fire District.
  • Select, train, motivate and evaluate personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures; maintain discipline.
  • Develop and implement long and short-term strategic plans in support of department and City-wide and Fire District goals and objectives.
  • Respond to major fire alarms and emergency incidents, personally direct fire suppression activities and operations as necessary.
  • Direct and participate in the research of alternative approaches to fire suppression, hazardous material handling, fire and life safety code, and emergency programs.
  • Participate in employee relations activities as related to the Fire Department; provide advice and assistance to the management negotiating team.
  • Represent the Department to outside groups and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
  • Research, prepare and present technical and administrative reports and studies to Council / Board, commissions, and a variety of committees; prepare written correspondence as necessary.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with Executive Team, Mayor, City Council, Board Members, coworkers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
  • Ensures staff works in a safe manner; follows safety requirements; monitors and assures compliance with regulations and other legal requirements.

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The desired candidate for the position of Fire Chief should possess extensive experience in managing fire services in a municipal setting. They should be an ethical, innovative, and personable leader with effective communication skills and a strong customer-service orientation. The ideal candidate must have a proven track record of creating a positive, cohesive, and productive work culture by engaging with staff, executive leadership, and elected officials. Collaboration with other department heads, business leaders, and labor associations is essential along with providing employee training and growth opportunities to maintain a healthy cultural identity for the City of Patterson. The successful candidate should also have a history of inspiring an inclusive, team-oriented working environment based on effective communication, efficiency, and accountability. Additionally, they must possess the ability to use good judgement in assessing, auditing, and ensuring departmental best practices, processes, and procedures including leave, contracts, purchasing, and emergency services management. 

 

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

  • Ability to provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, and respectful.
  • A relationship builder who cultivates and provides positive and personal leadership, and creates productive partnerships with staff, management, organized labor, external agencies, and other stakeholders.
  • An active problem solver who anticipates and responds to problems in a timely manner, develops alternative solutions, and can bring resolution to issues timely, involving others as needed.
  • Strong administrative acumen, with the ability to carefully evaluate and improve the Department’s efficiency, effectiveness, and practices.
  • Leadership skills to establish and promote a vision for the future and motivate others to embrace that vision. 
  • Knowledge of Labor and Employee Relations as well as pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Able to effectively address personnel issues including performance evaluations, discipline, grievances, interpretations of policies and procedures, labor contracts and related matters.

 

THE COMMUNITY

The San Joaquin Valley, the vibrant City of Patterson offers residents a safe, diverse, and friendly community rich in heritage. The City has an estimated resident population of 23,808 and is located in Stanislaus County. It is 45 miles southeast of Livermore and part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. Patterson is known as the “Apricot Capital of the World.” Patterson is a rural, mall town surrounded by agricultural land and has grown immensely during the past decade. Agriculture and Industrial Warehousing is the City’s primary economy with an array of fruits and vegetables from apricots, almonds, and walnuts, as well as row crops of dry beans, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, peas, and melons all playing an important role in Patterson’s history. During the first weekend in June, Downtown Patterson hosts the City’s largest celebration of the year, the Apricot Fiesta. The Fiesta starts on a Friday and ends on Sunday and offers an array of fun for the entire community.

 

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Rev4-Patterson-FC.pdf. 

 

This position will be open until filled. First review of candidates will be November 26, 2023. To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter, and five work related references, at least three of which are current or prior supervisors (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/patterson-fire-chief/. 

 

For more information, contact: 

Joshua Boudreaux

(510) 901-0044

[email protected] 

Website: https://koffassociates.com/