EDMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT CIT Y OF EDMOND FIRE C HIEF

EDMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT CIT Y OF EDMOND FIRE C HIEF

CITY OF EDMOND FIRE CHIEF PROFILE The City of Edmond, Oklahoma seeks a highly motivated, experienced and visionary fire service professional to serve as the next Fire Chief. This is an exceptional opportunity to provide leadership and management to the City of Edmond Fire Department in one of the fastest growing and most progressive city governments in the United States. Edmond is a city with a rich, rewarding quality of life and tremendous community spirit. A mere 20 minutes north of Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Edmond offers all of the advantages of a small community with the nearby cultural and entertainment resources of a big city. THE DEPARTMENT The City of Edmond Fire Chief is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the activities, operations and staff of the Fire Department. This position reports directly to the City Manager and provides key leadership to the Fire Department that has a proud history of operational effectiveness and service to Edmond residents. Under the Chief s direction is the Deputy Fire Chief, 116 sworn personnel, of which 84 are EMT s, 32 are Paramedics, and 7 general employee s as shown below: Rank / Title No. of Positions Chief 1 Deputy Chief 1 Assistant Chief-Prevention 1 Assistant Chief-Training 1 Assistant Chief-EMS 1 Battalion Chief 3 Fire Prevention Specialist 4 Assistant Training Officer 2 Assistant EMA Officer 1 Fire Captain 15 Fire Lieutenant 9 Fire Apparatus Driver 24 Firefighter/Relief Driver 9 Firefighter 46 Fire Protection Specialist 2 Administrative Support 5 Edmond operates 5 fire stations across the City s 90 square miles. Services provided by the Fire Department include fire suppression, fire prevention, basic and advanced emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, accident response, rescue and a lake marine unit. Departmental front line apparatus and specialty teams include (3) engine companies, (2) quint companies, (1) ladder company, (1) heavy rescue, (1) heavy rescue boat, (3) brush pumpers, (1) 3500 gallon tanker/tenders, (1) 2500 gallon tanker/tender, regional hazmat response unit/team, regional technical rescue response unit/team and dive rescue team. Edmond Fire is also home to a 52 acre Regional Fire Training Center. The Department has maintained an Insurance Services Office classification of 3/5 during 2013. The total operating fire budget, including capital improvements, for FY 2013/2014 was $16,857,633. The Fire Department has successfully operated the twenty-four hour, seven day per week service within the revenues designated for the Fire Public Safety Limited Tax Fund. The Fire Department has a strong commitment to safety and public education. Each year the Fire Department conducts a very successful Citizen s Fire Academy. The Fire Department constructed a 1.6 acre Children s Safety Village. The village is complete with a city park, buildings, streets, traffic lights and vehicles. Children learn fire, traffic, water, pedestrian and other personal safety skills from uniformed firefighters, police officers and public works employees. In addition to responding to fires and other incidents within the city limits of Edmond, there are automatic aid agreements with several volunteer departments that border our response district and mutual aid agreements with all the departments in the Oklahoma City metro area. Despite the current local and national economy the Fire Department has not laid off any staff or closed any fire stations, maintaining current levels of service. The City recognizes the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 2359, as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent of the sworn fire employees.

THE CITY GOVERNMENT The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government established by Home Rule Charter. The Council consists of a mayor, elected to two-year terms, and four Council members representing each of the City s four wards elected at-large for staggered fouryear terms. The Mayor and Council are the policy making and legislative body, and appoint the City Manager who is responsible for management of municipal government on a day-to-day basis. Edmond is a full service City with a total of 710 full and 40 part time employees and a total budget for Fiscal Year 14/15 of $268,809,373. The financial forecast projects an all-funds balanced budget over the next five years. The benefits, incentive programs and career opportunities result in a low turnover rate of approximately 6.29 percent. Longevity is at an all time high with approximately 84 percent of the employees having five or more years with the City. For the second consecutive year the City of Edmond has experienced sales tax revenue growth that has significantly outpaced projections. The City will again end the current fiscal year with a double-digit growth percentage from the actual totals two years ago, as compared to the conservative 6% budget projection. Through the first ten months of fiscal year 2013/2014 the City is 15.4% above the actual collections from two year ago, and also 7% above last year s collections. The City relies on the three sales taxes approved by local voters in 2000, including the Public Safety sales taxes for police and fire operations and the capital improvements sales tax. The sales tax for police is cent, ¼ cent for fire, and the capital improvements tax is ¾ cent approved in 1996. Two-thirds of all General Fund revenue (66.8% of $47,457,592) is dedicated to fire and police operations. The municipal government uses approximately 33 citizen-based boards, commissions, and task forces to assist in critical decision making. The City is focused on attracting high technology with its related industries, and retail and light industry while still providing a quality life style for its residents. THE COMMUNITY The City of Edmond is located immediately north of Oklahoma City and the cities share a common boundary. Edmond is considered the most innovative and progressive suburban community. The City is best known for its award winning schools, its commitment to parks and recreation, well-attended parades and festivals, and strong community emphasis on quality of life issues. The City places a great emphasis on arts and culture and the role of special events. It is a friendly, energetic, and an innovative community. Edmond, a growing suburb of approximately 83,000, has a committed active citizenry. The city limits covers 90 square miles; the Edmond school district covers 130 square miles. Major interstate highways I-35 and I-44 serve Edmond, with I-40 located 14 miles to the south. Edmond is a community of young families attracted by the reputation of the Edmond Public School District. Edmond is the site of the University of Central Oklahoma and borders the Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts.

CANDIDATE PROFILE The Chief will be a key member of the Edmond management team and will require highly developed technical skills, polished communication and presentation skills, the ability to perform under pressure, the capacity to meet deadlines, and the ability to develop and maintain credibility and trust with the Department and City staff, the public and cooperating agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. The ideal candidate for this position will possess the competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities described below: Be an individual with a strong sense of self who demonstrates the highest levels of personal and professional integrity and behavior and who leads by commitment, example and ethical standards. Have in-depth knowledge and experience in the management of municipal fire departments, along with significant operational experience in the various ranks of a fire department as his/her career has progressed. Have proven ability to manage staff resources within the confines of a collective bargaining agreement, Civil Service system, and an annual operating budget. Manage its personnel, budget, programs and activities with an eye for continuous improvement to meet the needs of the community. Have a strong and visionary style of leadership, both engaging and personable, emphasizing the needs of Edmond s internal and external customers. Ability to establish and maintain highly effective, collaborative working relationships with elected officials, City administration and managers, employees, the media and citizens. Have a proven track record in creating cohesive teams, establishing a strategic direction, developing momentum, motivating staff, and managing change, along with the ability to create strategic long-term plans. Be committed to leading change, willing to make tough, often unpopular, decisions that benefit the organization, maximize its human and equipment resources, and provide the best possible services to the residents and businesses the Department protects. Operate as a decisive leader willing to collaborate with staff while remaining responsible and accountable for the final decision. Have a commitment to mentoring, training, staff development and involvement, while valuing employee input into decisions and developing the leadership for tomorrow s Department. Will be astute politically without engaging in politics and display impeccable character, candor and professional reputation. Have a background that will demonstrate a record of outstanding professional accomplishment and the ability to maintain productive professional relationships with elected officials, peers, staff and collective bargaining units. Possess outstanding communications, negotiation and management skills. Demonstrate professional resolve, strength of character and resilience in the face of criticism or challenges. Be highly accomplished in the fire service, committed to a long term relationship and dedicated to change management for the long-term good of the Edmond Fire Department and the community. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE A minimum of six years of fire service management experience at a command staff level of a municipal fire department (plus a minimum of three years actual experience as a paid firefighter based on state pension law). AA degree in fire science or related field from an accredited college. A Bachelor s degree or above in fire science, public administration, or a related discipline is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of fire department operations and management, public administration of local governments, and knowledge of best practices in the management of municipal fire and emergency medical services, and the principles and practice of emergency preparedness and disaster response. The successful candidate will have completed ICS/NIMS training. Advanced training such as the National Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) and/or the Oklahoma Executive Fire Officer Leadership Program (EFOLP) is preferred. National Certification as a Fire Officer I/II is also preferred. The individual backgrounds of candidates will be reviewed and the combination of experience, education and training will be considered.

OKLAHOMA PENSION REQUIREMENTS Reference: Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System - www.ok.gov/fprs The candidate shall meet the age, agility, physical and other eligibility requirements required by law to become a member of the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System ( the System ). Candidates applying for Fire Chief shall have had at least three (3) years actual experience as a paid fire fighter. (Actual experience may include out of state fire fighter experience.) Candidates may apply for Fire Chief if he/she is under the age of 45 or already a member of the System; or he/she has retired from a municipal fire department in the State of Oklahoma, unless member participated in the System s deferred option plan (Plan B). COMPENSATION Starting salary range is $94,936 to $142,405 with the starting salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. A city issued vehicle and city business cell phone or cell phone allowance, is provided, as well as an attractive benefits package. Benefits include a self-funded group health, dental, vision, and life/disability insurance package, 11 paid holidays per year, generous vacation and sick leave plans, pension plan, supplementary retirement plan, longevity bonus and other benefits and incentive programs. HOW TO APPLY For additional information on this exceptional opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 505-660-7725; jmercer@mercergroupinc.com Position open until filled. First review of cover letters and resumes to occur late September, 2014. Confidential cover letters and resumes should be sent to: James L. Mercer, President/CEO The Mercer Group, Inc. 1000 Cordova Place #726 Santa Fe, NM 87505 Fax: 505-466-1274 E-Mail: jmercer@mercergroupinc.com The City of Edmond is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Edmond does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, political ideas or disability in employment of the provision of services. CITY OF EDMOND CORE VALUES CUSTOMER SERVICE INTEGRITY TEAMWORK ACCOUNTABILITY PROFESSIONALISM COMMUNICATION INNOVATION TRUSTWORTHY SERVICE THROUGH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT CITY OF EDMOND LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS Earn trust and respect by always speaking the truth and leading by positive example. Create an environment of openness and sharing of ideas to encourage employee engagement and empower them with confidence. Present your viewpoint and disagree when needed. However, once a decision has been made, own the final decision. Be willing to make a tough decision and deal with the issues in a timely manner. Recognize the big picture of city operations beyond your direct areas of responsibility. Seek partnerships with other city departments and outside agencies. Communicate with your team and ensure the water of knowledge and understanding gets to the end of the row. Challenge your team to answer these three questions: o What is the core service I provide? o What is my role in the organization? o What keeps me from doing my job better?

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