Deputy Fire Chief Hattiesburg Fire Department

The primary responsibility of the Deputy Fire Chief is to assist the Fire Chief with coordination and supervision of many the daily operations of the Hattiesburg Fire Department.

• Help manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Aide in Establishing, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Allocate resources accordingly.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships.
• Identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with implementation of changes.
• Make recommendations and to collaborate with the Fire Chief to improve the overall operation of the department.

• Assist in forecasting funds needed for staffing and equipment.
• Monitor expenditures.
• Help with the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments as necessary.

• Assist with disciplinary procedures, hearings, and appeals.
• Attend bi-weekly directors meetings city council meetings, work sessions, and monthly civil service meetings in the Fire Chief's absence.
• Represent the department at civic functions as needed.
• Sit on emergency management council in the Chief's absence.
• Facilitate monthly staff meetings.
• Review daily logs, activity reports, and statistics.
• Prepare reports regarding departmental activities, programs, and projects.
• Delegate work to appropriate staff
• Review work progress with staff regularly
• Plan for future programs and activities with staff

• Oversee the development of specifications toward equipment, uniforms, etc.
• Assure that all ladder, pump, hose, and hydrant tests are conducted annually.
• Track all equipment, building, grounds, and apparatus maintenance.
• Monitor house inspections and pre-fire plans.
• Ensure fire stations and equipment are clean and maintained;
  Check hydrants.

• Assist with personnel orders, leave requests, payroll, and other administrative functions.
• Delegate administrative functions as appropriate
• Coordinate / assist with establishing requirements for Fire Department facilities.
• Monitor / aide with facilities construction
• Review records about activities and programs

• Supervise and oversee fire prevention and training divisions.
• Oversee all testing procedures from entry level and promotions.
• Assure policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Supervise and oversee multiple divisions.

• Process complaints from public and from personnel
• Do public relations work Promote fire safety.

The Deputy Chief is a full-time, permanent position in the Fire Department. The immediate supervisor for this position is Fire Chief. This person assists with supervising one hundred thirty-eight full-time employees. The Deputy Chief completes performance appraisals and assists with disciplinary decisions for the full-time employees. The Deputy Chief works regular hours most of the time, with some flexibility required. This position works nights whenever necessary and frequently works more than the regularly scheduled hours.

The person in this position does not do shift work and is always on call. 90% of the work is indoors while the remaining 10% of the work is outdoors. The position has accountability for budgetary, fiscal, safety, and legal issues related to the work for which this position is responsible.

There is exposure to chemicals and/or hazardous materials only in emergency situations. A person in this position must hold a driver’s license, must have graduated from Mississippi Fire Academy  state certified), 1041 and 1021 certified, have a high school diploma or a GED. A bachelor’s degree in health, fire service, or equivalent experience is preferred. The stress level for the Deputy Chief is very high during emergency situations, but in normal situations is usually only moderately high.

To qualify for this job you must currently work for the Hattiesburg Fire Department.

• Modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Fire safety and behavior
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