Fire Chief

Thank you for considering employment with the City and Borough of Sitka. The following information is provided to give potential applicants awareness regarding the job.

If a range of pay is advertised, starting pay dependent on experience and qualifications aligned with job requirements.

The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and manage all staff and operations of the Fire Department to provide all municipal fire and emergency services operations and preparedness for fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical, natural disasters, air emergencies, search and rescue, and emergency management programs.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Municipal Administrator, the Fire Chief exercises independent judgment and discretion in the leadership and management of the Fire Department’s staff, operations, and compliance. The Fire Chief directly supervises two or more employees and is responsible for the supervision of all department staff if delegated to other managers or supervisors.

The Fire Chief is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Assistant Municipal Administrator, Municipal Administrator, Assembly, Municipal Attorney, and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.

• Assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of staff directly supervised
• Oversees the work and performance by all other department staff supervised by others who report directly to the Fire Chief
• Maintains final authority, subject to review by the Municipal Administrator, on all department staff personnel actions and disciplinary decisions
• Prepares, recommends, and provides operational justification for the department’s annual budget to the Municipal Administrator and Assembly
• Approves and monitors the expenditure of funds within the parameters of the budget
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and oversees all emergency services within the Fire Department
• Ensures the enforcement of relevant codes and supervises equipment operation, maintenance, and procurement
• Coordinates Sitka Fire Department activities with outside agencies, such as State Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard
• Responds to emergency situations, providing necessary leadership, and tactical command
• Investigates the causes, origins, and circumstances of fires within the CBS
• Organizes departmental training programs and schedules for both volunteer and paid staff
• Develops and provides policy direction to department employees to ensure financial, technical or operational, and legal compliance
• Advises the Municipal Administrator and the Assembly regarding the status of the department’s obligations, ongoing activities, and accomplishments
• Performs other duties as assigned

• Fire and emergency medical services operations, including the management of employees and volunteers performing such operations
• Current fire suppression and firefighting techniques, including all related equipment
• Fire and emergency medical services recordkeeping requirements and systems
• Fire and emergency medical services vehicles and equipment
• Safety practices involved in fire suppression, firefighting, and emergency medical services
• Fire and life safety inspections

• Operating a personal computer using standard software, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other customized software for fire and emergency medical services operations
• Communicating and dealing with a variety of people with various, and sometimes competing interests, calmly and professionally, and maintaining a positive working relationship
• De‑escalating potential or actual conflict
• Conducting public outreach and engagement
• Researching current best policies, procedures, and practices related to fire and emergency medical services to prepare analysis and proposals
• Presenting and public speaking, explaining complex and sometimes controversial topics to a wide audience
• Analyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutions
• Investigating fires and fire‑related situations and…