County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, manages, supervises, directs, and coordinates the activities and operations of a complex Division (program and/or shift) within the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) including but not limited to Training, Fire Prevention, Emergency Medical Services, Special Operations, Support Services or related programs and services, and performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Fire Department Division Chief is a safety classification located in the Alameda County Fire Department.  This classification is distinguished from that of the next higher-level classification of Deputy Fire Chief in that the latter functions as the second in command and has overall responsibility over multiple divisions and functional areas within the Department.  It is further distinguished from that of the classification of Battalion Chief in that the latter supervises a group of companies on an assigned shift, while the Fire Department Division Chief has overall division program/project and/or shift responsibility, may supervise Fire Department Battalion Chiefs, and manage multiple complex programs.

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. Manages the operations activities within the Operations Branch, including fire station-based operations and programs.
2. Coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies. 
3. Directs Battalion Chiefs in the management of their assigned programs, operations and staff; supervises and evaluates operations, training, and record keeping systems.
4. Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned Battalion Chiefs.  Conducts investigations and may recommend corrective action, as needed.
5. Assists the Alameda County Fire Department Executive Team in developing and implementing departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.
6. Establishes and maintains effective public relations between the department and the community by speaking before community organizations and meeting with local citizens’ community groups, and others to discuss fire and emergency medical services and fire prevention activities.  
7. Identifies and evaluates community needs through data collection and analysis.  Monitors program effectiveness; develops recommendations for changes in program operations, staffing, equipment, and facilities; and projects costs and impact of proposed changes.
8. Responds to alarms to monitor field operations and to command major or sensitive emergency, inspection, and enforcement operations as needed.
9. Prepares annual budget requests for division operations, monitors and analyzes budget expenditures and ensures that expenditures are within the guidelines established in the budget.
10. Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with community members, policy administrators and elected officials to gain acceptance of and participation in fire prevention programs, fire and emergency services, communications and other services provided by the ACFD.
11. May be assigned to work as a liaison with contracting jurisdictions to provide general oversight of administration and operations and to ensure ACFD is in compliance with existing contracts.
12. May be assigned to division head responsibilities other than shift commander duties.
13. Attends and represents the department at meeting as required by contract agencies, committees, speaking engagements, and community events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate’s degree or the completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.

AND

EITHER I

Experience: 

Current appointment as a Battalion Chief in the Alameda County Fire Department. 

OR II

Experience:

Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Captain in the Alameda County Fire Department with the following prerequisite training courses, completed by date of appointment: 

• 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

OR III

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a California public fire protection agency at the rank of Battalion Chief or higher-level classification.   

License:  

Must be in possession of at least a valid California Class C driver’s license. 

Special Requirement:  

Incumbent is subject to emergency re-call when off duty and serves as Duty Chief as assigned.  

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 “Example of Duties” section of this specification. 

Knowledge of:

• Current principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment used in a state-of-the-art, metropolitan fire department in fire suppressions, fire prevention, and administration.
• Training practices and techniques.
• Laws, ordinances, and regulations which govern a fire department and California fire district.    
• Principles, practices, procedures, and equipment used in fighting fires and saving lives and property.
• The operation and maintenance of fire and rescue apparatus and equipment.
• Principles of hydraulics, chemistry, and physics as related to the fire service.
• Arson investigation.
• Management principles and practices, including leadership, work planning, employee supervision and resource allocation.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of administrative budgetary, and project management.                            

Ability to:

• Effectively convey Department philosophy, messages, and rationale to employees.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Provide effective leadership.
• Demonstrate teamwork.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with departments/agencies and the community.
• Plan, organize, and implement effectively.
• Perform analysis and problem solving.
• Demonstrate flexibility.
• Demonstrate management control.
• Exercise sound judgment and decision making.
• Work effectively with a diverse population.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Manage time in an effective manner.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspec  8130.doc

MAH:cs

CSC Date: 03/07/12

MAH:cs  Revised 07/28/14

CSC Date: 08/06/14

MAH:cs  Revised 08/25/14

CSC Date: 09/03/14

MH:cs  Revised 09/26/14

CSC Date: 10/01/14

GH:cs  Revised 10/02/15

CSC Date: 10/28/15

IC:jf  Revised 11/22/17

CSC Date: 12/06/17

DR:kl  Revised 10/18/19

CSC Date:12/04/19

DRH:ah Revised 2/4/20

CSC Date: 02/26/2020

DR:sa Revised 01/10/2022

CSC Date: 01/26/2022

BENEFITS

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