Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal

The City of Whitefish is actively recruiting for an Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal to join our Fire Department team.  We welcome your inquiries and encourage you to apply!  If you have a passion for serving the public sector, this may be the perfect fit for you.

One of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish is consistently rated one of the best small towns in America and was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world by National Geographic. It is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and the base of Big Mountain - home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish also boasts over 36 miles of natural surface single-track mountain biking and hiking trails with 10 trailheads, golfing, world class dining, two professional live theater companies, and is only thirty minutes from Glacier National Park.

Benefits of working for the City of Whitefish include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance

• Competitive wages

• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance (FY25 the City pays 84.09% of monthly premium, employee pays 15.91% of monthly premium pre-tax)

• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)

• Free annual biometric screening

• Employee and spouse/partner can earn up to $200 incentive for participation

• City Wellness Program

• City pays $30 per month to employees to use toward wellness

• Corporate rate membership to The Wave health club (billed to City and deducted through payroll)

• Montana Firefighters' Unified Retirement System (FURS) - includes employer and employee contributions

• 15 days of paid vacation earned per year (starting)

• 12 days of paid sick leave earned per year (starting)

• 12.5 paid holidays per year

• One paid personal day per year (8 hours)

• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents

• 125 Cafeteria Plans

• Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)

• Free Employee Assistance Program

• 6 free counseling sessions per issue, per person in household

• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457)

• Optional Aflac Plans including Accident, Short-Term Disability, Cancer, Hospital and Critical Illness

• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click here to learn more and to understand your eligibility

• City paid continuing education, training and development (as approved by supervisor and City Manager)

• FMLA - up to 12 weeks of leave per year (rolling calendar year) available after working 1250 hours within previous 12 months and employed for 12 months for qualifying events

• Bereavement Leave - up to 5 paid days off for death of immediate family member

• Jury & Witness Duty Leave

• Military Leave

• 15% -20% discount on Verizon voice plans and select data plans

• Parks & Recreation After School and Summer Day Camp services provided at no cost to employees

• Whitefish Workforce Assistance Program - designed to help full-time and seasonal equivalent employees to successfully live and work in the Whitefish area by providing rental assistance - click  here to learn more and understand your eligibility.

APPLY BY:  It is in your best interest to submit your online application, resume, and cover letter by the Priority Deadline, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 5 pm.  Review of applications will occur immediately after this date.  This recruitment will remain open until filled.  

For assistance with online application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 406-863-2464 or email HR@cityofwhitefish.org.

EOE-AA-M/F-VET-DISABILITY

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs all the duties of the Assistant Fire Chief and the Fire Marshal for the City of Whitefish Fire Department which includes the Whitefish Fire Service Area. Duties include working with the Fire Chief to oversee the day-to-day operations of the fire department. As the City's Fire Marshal, responsible for public safety and fire prevention through enforcing fire codes, inspections, preplanning, and public education programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

This position receives administrative direction from the Fire Chief. Works with minimal supervision, manages own time and projects effectively.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

In the absences of the Fire Chief will assume the Fire Chief's duties. Assists the Fire Chief in the day-to-day supervision of the shift Captains, serves as the direct supervisor for the volunteer firefighters. During an emergency incident, may act as Incident Commander.

As Fire Marshal oversees the fire departments preplans and fire safety inspection programs.

WORK SCHEDULE:

This position offers a flexible schedule with some fixed office hours with occasional weekend and evening hours along with emergency call response to major incidents. Schedule, while flexible, must be approved by the Fire Chief.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

a) Treats everybody with dignity and respect.

b) Maintains a positive professional attitude and appearance when on duty or any time representing the City of Whitefish or the Whitefish Fire Department.

c) Wears the appropriate Fire Department uniform while on duty.

d) Wears all appropriate PPE per Department SOGs on emergency incidents.

e) Attends community events to represent the Fire Department

f) Serves as chairman of the Department's Safety Committee

g) Performs other duties as assigned by the Fire Chief

AS ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF

h) Assists the Fire Chief with the day-to-day operations of the fire department.

i) In the absence of the Fire Chief, assume an Acting Fire Chief role.

j) Emergency call response to incidents requiring a command role following the NIMS.

k) Serves as the Department's Health & Safety Officer.

l) Serves as the direct supervisor for the volunteer firefighters.

m) Assists with coordinating and documenting the department's Training Program.

n) Could fill an I-RIC position during early stages of a working fire.

AS FIRE MARSHAL

o) Coordinates all commercial building annual inspections & preplans within the City and upon request.

p) Responsible for enforcing applicable fire codes throughout the City.

q) Evaluates and approves; building, special event, burn, and fireworks permits.

r) Performs and coordinates pre fire planning.

s) Oversees the public education programs.

t) Investigates the origin and cause of all fires within the City of Whitefish and the Whitefish Fire Service Area

Education and Experience:

a) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Fire Science or a closely related field preferred. Relevant full-time experience will be considered.

b) Hold a valid Montana EMT License or higher with Flathead County's Medical Director's approval to operate as such with the Whitefish Fire Department.

c) Hold a current Healthcare Provider-CPR card.

d) Hold and maintain training to the Firefighter I and II levels per NFPA 1001.

e) Hold and maintain training to the Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations levels per NFPA 472.

f) Hold and maintain Wildland Firefighter Type 2 or higher per NWCG.

g) Hold and maintain Incident Command training including IS-700, IS-100, IS-200, IS-300, and IS-400 per FEMA.

h) Served as a Company Officer (Lieutenant or Captain) in a career or combination fire department for a minimum of 7-years OR served as a Chief Officer in a career or combination fire department with direct supervisory responsibilities for 5-years.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

a) Must possess a valid Montana State Driver's License or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment.

b) Within one year of hiring, must establish and maintain residence at a location allowing a response time to the Emergency Services Center of not more than 15 minutes.

c) Must obtain and maintain International Code Council's Fire Inspector I within one year of hire.

d) Must pass the annual NFPA 1582 physical exam.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

a) Drive and operate all fire department apparatus including pickup truck, ambulance, engine, tender, rescue, boat, and UTV.

b) Hand and power tools including extrication equipment, pumps, SCBA, chain saws, and an assortment of hand tools.

c) Electronic equipment including, computers, gas meters, thermal imaging cameras, portable radios, camera, smart phone with apps, and a variety of office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

a) This position requires the ability to work in all the extreme weather conditions seen in Northwest Montana.

b) This position requires the ability to work in extreme hazardous conditions encountered at an emergency scene such as uneven/slippery surfaces, proximity to moving mechanical equipment, burning structures, broken glass, jagged metal, electrical currents, high places, confined spaces, etc.

c) This position requires the ability to lift items in excess of 175 pound occasionally and up to 60 pounds frequently.

d) This position requires the ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

e) This position requires the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

f) This position requires the ability to operate computers and other electronic devices.

g) This position requires the vision to see close, distance, peripheral with depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

h) This position requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time, walk long distances up and down hill, carry heavy equipment, climb ladders, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

i) This position requires the use of hand and power tools where hand-eye coordination is necessary.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience, review of personnel file and training record will be conducted along with an assessment of qualifications, oral interview, and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific statements or duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related to, or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Whitefish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Director. The City of Whitefish does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, creed, political idea, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or expression in it's hiring or employment practices.