Deputy Fire Chief

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEFLEAD. SERVE. MAKE AN IMPACT.

Are you an experienced fire service professional ready to take your leadership to the next level?

Dorchester County is seeking a Deputy Fire Chief to join its executive leadership team and help guide a growing, progressive fire and rescue organization.

We're looking for a proven leader with experience in:

• Fire Service Operations
• Personnel Management & Leadership
• Budget & Fiscal Management
• Strategic Planning
• Employee Development
• Organizational Leadership

The ideal candidate should have at least an Associate's degree and eight years of supervisory experience and can lead with integrity, accountability, sound judgment, strong communication, and a commitment to excellence. This is an opportunity to lead by example, develop future leaders, strengthen accountability, manage public resources, and work collaboratively with the Fire Chief and command staff.

Located just 25 miles from Charleston, Dorchester County offers the best of both world-modern amenities and small-town charm. Enjoy excellent schools, modern libraries, affordable housing, quality healthcare, low cost of living, and the warmth of true Southern hospitality.

With scenic beauty, vibrant communities, and a high quality of life, Dorchester County is a great place to live, work, serve, and grow.

Your leadership. Your community. Your impact.

Qualified candidates may participate in a formal selection process evaluating leadership, communication, personnel management, fiscal responsibility, strategic thinking, decision-making, and executive-level readiness.

• Supervises the daily operation and functions of the department and oversees workload and schedules of assigned full-time / part-time employees and temporary staff as well as volunteers. Oversees the operations of the Fire Department in the absence of the Fire Chief.
• Evaluates and prepares work schedules; ensures any related legal requirements are met; assists with the preparation of cost estimates and departmental budgets; and provides oversight and maintenance planning of equipment and facilities.
• Oversees the hiring process and new hire testing for department.
• Supervises assigned staff. Supervisory duties include instructing; assigning, reviewing and planning work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; recommending and approving employee discipline; and recommending discharge as appropriate.
• Reviews the work of assigned staff for completeness and accuracy; offers training, advice and assistance as needed.
• Periodically reviews and evaluates state and federal laws/requirements; ensures departmental compliance and implements changes.
• Manages department computer/software and communication equipment functions.
• Reviews current operations to modify procedures, standards and quality control.
• Responds to emergencies, inquiries and complaints from citizens, advocacy groups, government entities, media, etc.
• May inform general public of crisis conditions, emergency response, life and death situations, on-scene updates, etc., through press releases; performs interviews with television, radio and print media in the absence of the Fire Chief.
• Receives, reviews, prepares and submits various records and reports including invoices, purchase orders, budget documents, cost spreadsheets, maps, training material, memos, etc.
• Administers department related grants from the application process through award management.
• Plans, coordinates and conducts test and trial emergencies to prepare staff and volunteers in crisis conditions.
• Ensures appropriate certifications and paperwork are processed for staff and works effectively and efficiently; meets necessary staffing requirements, guidelines, expectations and goals of the department and state.
• Manages Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Insurance Services office (ISO).
• Plans strategy for the future regarding apparatus, personnel, buildings, and equipment for the department.
• Performs semi-annual/annual assessments of all Shift Captains; determines changes needed; develops plans for implementation; delegates to appropriate personnel; and provides oversight to ensure proper execution.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

• Requires an Associate's degree, vocational technical degree or specialized training that is equivalent to satisfactory completion of two years of…