Vancouver Fire Department Special Operations Division Chief Search conducted by: www.waldronhr.com
Vancouver, Washington The City of Vancouver, Washington is situated in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on the shores of the Columbia River. With a population of approximately 171,000, Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County and part of the larger Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan area. The City combines the excitement of a major metropolitan area with small-town charm. Vancouver is a robust and cohesive community. The area offers a mix of urban areas, rural farmland, and forests. The City has a vibrant downtown where people gather to live, work, shop, and enjoy entertainment options. With the exciting Waterfront Development Project, Vancouver s historic waterfront will soon be home to additional jobs, restaurants, shops, housing, a hotel, and a park as the new development reconnects 35 acres along the Columbia River to the City s historic core. Throughout Vancouver there are many recreational opportunities and a variety of sports programs for all ages. There are several public school districts that provide excellent education opportunities. Higher education opportunities are provided through Washington State University and Clark College. The Vancouver Way The City of Vancouver inspires and motivates its employees, partners and community members to pursue a shared vision for Vancouver. To this extent, the Management Leadership Team is committed to The Vancouver Way. The way the City practices leadership in this pursuit is reflected through six principles: Adaptability Openness Personal Well-Being Innovation Mutual Commitment and Respect Expect the Best from Ourselves and Others For full details on The Vancouver Way, click here.
Fire Department The Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) serves a population of almost 260,000 over 90 square miles from ten stations that include ten engine companies, two truck companies, a rescue, and two Battalion Chiefs. In 2018, the City of Vancouver completed relocation and construction of Station 1 and Station 2, in order to improve service delivery. Administratively, the department is led by the Fire Chief who has two Deputy Chiefs. With an annual budget of $41,585,000, the VFD employs 211 of which, 192 are sworn personnel and 19 are civilian staff. In 2017, the Department had over 25,000 calls for service. The department provides a full array of emergency services including Fire Suppression, Fire Investigation, Commercial Building Inspections, Building Plan Reviews, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials Response and Mitigation, Technical Rescues, and Rapid Water Response. Through a service contract, the Fire Department also provides these same services to Clark County Fire District 5. Position The Vancouver Fire Department currently employs four Division Chiefs assigned to one of four divisions: Training, Support Services, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Special Operations/Safety. This recruitment is for the Special Operations Division. The Special Operations Division Chief plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the division. The Division Chief assists the Fire Chief in developing strategic plans, goals, standards, and objectives for their division. Additional responsibilities include participating in the development and administration of the division budget (Including forecasting additional funds) and recommending adjustments as necessary. The Division Chief develops and administers division policies and procedures in conjunction with management and reviews work processes. Additionally, the Division Chief identifies issues and provides suggestions for problem resolution or process improvements. As part of the assigned job responsibilities, the Division Chief is tasked with implementing, documenting, and communicating solutions, and developing procedural changes. The Special Operations Division Chief serves as Duty Chief on a rotation with Battalion Chiefs and other Division Chiefs. The Division Chief also responds to incidents and assumes a role as part of the Incident Command Team. Opportunities for professional development include participation in local, regional, state, and national conferences and seminars on modern fire suppression practices, incident command, fire department management, and personnel supervision. The Division Chief manages projects or programs including development and implementation, as well as measuring outcomes. In addition, the Division Chief serves as a representative on various boards, commissions, and committees and participate in discussions and information exchanges in support of department objectives and to promote best practices.
Special Operations Division The Vancouver Fire Department continues to review and refine current programs and areas of responsibility for the Division Chiefs in an effort to utilize all of the Division Chief positions in the most effective manner. The Special Operations Division has a wide range of responsibilities including, but not limited to: Developing and administering the policies and procedures for the special operations groups which include hazmat, marine operations, and the technical rescue team. Administering contracts and agreements with various agencies related to the Special Operations Division. Overseeing the grant process for VFD, including preparing grant proposals, monitoring grant expenditures, and ensuring compliance with all grant requirements. Working closely with other public response agencies within the region including local, state, and federal programs, and representing the department on a number of regional committees and work groups, and representing the interests of the Fire Chief with these groups by having a solid comprehension of the operational direction provided by the Fire Chief. Assisting with the development of short and long range goals for the Division, and participating in developing organizational goals and plans. Developing, managing and overseeing the budgets allocated to each group assigned to the Division. Managing the Hazardous Materials Tier 2 program. Working closely with city staff on politically sensitive issues and maintaining relationships with private business and public agencies. Serving as the Department Safety Officer and overseeing the Department s Health and Safety program which includes working closely with all work groups within the fire department to maintain and enhance the safety of the organization. Reviewing and enhancing the Health and Safety program, providing Safety Committee recommendations to the Fire Chief, conducting investigations into safety concerns and incidents, and reviewing/drafting reports for close calls. Organizational Priorities Some of the key organizational priorities for this position include: Identifying and implementing performance measures for the Special Operations Division in order to track progress and report outcomes to leadership. Updating and developing policies and procedures in order to ensure compliance with best practices. Developing and implementing professional development opportunities and succession planning initiatives in order to successfully prepare team members for advancement or increasing responsibility.
Ideal Candidate The Division Chief is an innovative leader and creative problem solver. With a progressive mindset, the ideal candidate believes in smart firefighting and embraces the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) data driven research and modern views on firefighting. The Division Chief leads by example, is committed to excellence, and effectively advocates for the Vancouver Fire Department. The Division Chief proactively promotes diversity in a meaningful, respectful, and informed way that fosters an environment of inclusion, trust, and empowerment. Considered a change agent, the ideal candidate values continuous improvement and effectively facilitates and positively leads others through change. The Division Chief is a calming influence that sets clear expectations and keeps others well informed. Strong communication, active listening, and transparency are essential to success. With strong situational awareness and high emotional intelligence, the Division Chief is a calculated risk taker and effective decision maker. The ideal candidate uses logic, data, and metrics to inform and support decisions. Balancing the needs of the City, the department, and the community, the Division Chief builds strong business cases and reasonable arguments in order to influence decisions. The Division Chief is an action oriented self-starter with a strategic focus. Flexible and adaptable, the ideal candidate also enjoys engaging in day-to-day responsibilities and values being hands-on. The preferred candidate is politically savvy and understands larger, citywide initiatives and how they may impact the department. A collaborative individual, the successful candidate is personable and a genuine relationship builder. The Division Chief values customer service and balances internal and external needs with a focus on the community. Qualifications Broad experience in municipal firefighting, including at least 4-6 years in an administrative and leadership capacity in an organization of similar size and complexity. With a background in suppression, candidates must enjoy a challenge and be energized by analyzing and defining new ways of doing business. Labor Relations and prior collective bargaining experience are essential. Experience with the Blue Card Incident Command Certification Program is preferred. A Bachelor s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university with major coursework in fire science, public, or business administration or a related field is required. To Be Considered Please go to candidateportal.waldronhr.com and submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the City of Vancouver Fire Department and your fit for the Division Chief opportunity. Cover letters may be addressed to Heather Gantz. Please apply by March 25, 2018. Inquiries can be directed to Heather Gantz at either heather@waldronhr.com or 503-620-1106. The Division Chief is represented by IAFF Local 4378 and the classification is a rank within the Vancouver Civil Service System. Eligibility Lists are created which contain the names of candidates who have passed the exam process that has been certified by the Civil Service Commission. For Division Chief, eligibility lists are valid for up to eighteen (18) months following certification and can be used to fill multiple vacancies in that time period. The City of Vancouver is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to create a working environment that includes and values employees from all races, religion, color, sex, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age or any other condition protected by federal, state or local law.
Waldron is honored to work with City of Vancouver Fire Department in their search for a Division Chief. The Vancouver Fire Department does amazing work, and we are doing our best to recruit talented team members who will accelerate this mission. As the consulting partner strategic leaders choose to help attract, engage, and inspire effective leaders, Waldron provides a unique combination of executive search, leadership development, and career transition services across sectors and industries. Our passion is helping people and organizations realize their full potential and increase their impact. Seattle Portland San Francisco waldronhr.com