Position Summary
Plans and directs the operation and activities of the Fire Department. Performs a variety of
technical, administrative, and supervisory work in planning, organizing, directing and
implementing fire prevention, suppression and emergency medical services to prevent or
minimize the loss of life and property by fire.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Five years of experience in chief officer or assistant chief officer capacity or equivalent
leadership experience in paid fire department;
• Current NFPA Fire Officer I, NFPA Fire Instructor I, and EMT certifications;
• College degree with discipline in administration desired, or any combination of
experience and educational training that demonstrates provision of knowledge, skills, and
abilities listed above;
• Three to five years of experience preparing written and oral presentations for governing
bodies, managers, or other supervisors;
• Possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license;
• Have acceptable driving record and be insurable by the City’s insurance carrier;
• Must possess ability to act promptly and use good judgement in emergencies and to deal
tactfully with the public;
• Must pass an annual physical and Bruce Protocol Stress Test based on job related duties
and consistent with business necessity.
• Must be bondable and insurable through the Fire District’s insurance agent for fiscal
responsibilities.
• Must pass the Fire District’s background check, medical and physical agility
requirements including drug screen.

Essential Functions
1. Directs and delegates direction of fire prevention, fire-fighting, training, maintenance and
administrative activities for the department.
2. Oversees performance of human resources duties within the department, including the
hiring, disciplining (up to termination), conducting employee evaluations, and promoting
of all staff, both paid and volunteer, consistent with city policy. May also be required to
develop City labor relations strategy and/or serve as Chief Negotiator.
3. Analyzes municipal fire problems, develops plans and techniques to provide adequate fire
protection for the city; directs and assists in the investigation of all fire causes and origin.
4. Plans for the maintenance and replacement of department facilities and equipment; works
with City Manager on specifications of new apparatus and equipment.
5. Formulates an annual departmental budget estimate; monitors controls departmental
budget expenditures; prepares and maintains required fire records and reports for both
state and city needs.
6. Prepares written and oral presentations of a professional quality for City Council
approval; leads or assists the process of writing grants for department needs;
7. Provides help and service to public in fire and safety problems; answers inquires. Works
cooperatively with rural fire district and other local, state and federal agencies to provide
appropriate and effective fire and emergency services.
8. Maintains current knowledge of Oregon State Fire Plan, laws relating to fire protection;
coordinates departmental fire efforts with other cities as needed; maintains current
knowledge in order to effectively operate department.
9. Directs the work for the general education of public in fire prevention and fire safety
procedures; makes and/or directs school and other public presentations.
10. Responds to all general fire alarms and may direct activities at the scene of major
emergencies as required.
11. Monitors departmental training programs to ensure departmental needs are met;
coordinates fire inspection and fire suppression/prevention training programs.
12. Works effectively as a positive, cooperative, team-oriented member with public, coworkers, subordinates, and supervisors.
13. Ability to work a 24-hour work day.
14. Maintains required certification and licensing requirements.
15. Attendance and punctuality.

Other Identified Task Statements/Duties
1. Oversees insurance permits for burning and use of fireworks and use of model rockets, in
compliance with state and city statues.
2. Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field; represents
the department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings.
3. Patient privacy:
a. Serves as the City’s Privacy Officer.
b. The employee is expected to protect the privacy of all patient information in
accordance with the City’s privacy policies, procedures and practices as required
by federal and state law, and in accordance with general principles of
professionalism as a health care provider. Failure to comply with the City’s
policies and procedures on patient privacy may result in disciplinary action up to
and including termination of employment or of membership or association with
the City.
c. The employee may access protected health information and other patient
information only to the extent that is necessary to complete their duties. The
employee may only share such information with those who have a need to know
specific patient information you have in your possession to complete their job
responsibilities related to treatment, payment of other city operations.
d. The employee is encouraged and expected to report, without the threat of
retaliation, any concerns regarding the City’s policies and procedures on patient
privacy and any observed practices in violation of that policy.
e. The employee is expected to actively participate in City privacy training and is
required to communicate privacy policy information to coworkers, students,
patients, and others in accordance with City policy.

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities must be possessed or individual must be able to
explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without
reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
KNOWLEDGE:
Considerable knowledge of:
• Modern fire suppression and prevention principles, procedures, techniques, and
equipment;
• Fire department administration;
• Department policies and procedures;
• State law and city ordinances related to fire prevention;
• Fire investigative methods and techniques;
• Supervisory methods and techniques;
• Departmental training programs and/or training availability;

Knowledge of:
• Human resources functions and labor relations;
• Departmental record and filing system;
• City permit requirements relative to fire department activities;
• Building inspection for fire safety purposes;
• Safety rules as set forth by OSHA and city standards.

SKILLS:
• Self-motivated / takes initiative;
• Use of computer and knowledge of Microsoft Office programs;
• Operate motor vehicle;
• Operate tools and equipment as listed below.

ABILITIES:
• Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with the public and employees;
• Assess departmental needs for maintenance, equipment, and supplies;
• Learn departmental budgeting preparation and monitoring of expenditures;
• Maintain current and concise records, prepare required reports;
• Review building and site plans to determine compliance with appropriate state
regulations;
• Make public speaking presentations and communicate effectively with public;
• Direct effectively and with good judgment, the operation of personnel and equipment
under emergency conditions;
• Effectively motivate personnel performance, recognize lack of personnel effectiveness
and bring it about;
• Work and cooperatively with public, co-workers, subordinates and city administrators;
• Coordinate fire department activities and efforts with those of other city departments and
agencies;
• Understand the follow oral and written instructions;
• Perform recurring tasks with little or no supervision and make decisions independently in
accordance with departmental policies and procedures;
• Physically manipulate large and heavy pieces of equipment, materials, and/or tools;
• Operate communication equipment including telephone and two-way radio system;
• Work under pressure;
• Organize and plan own work schedule and those of subordinates to meet work flow
demands in timely and efficient manner;
• Demonstrate well developed personal qualities of persuasion, patience, perseverance,
thoroughness, firmness, flexibility, understanding, and independent decision making;
• Analyze and understand technical information and reports and apply to departmental
operations;
• Perform essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibility:
Supervises and directs the fire-fighting personnel both paid and volunteer, and the operation of
the department in fire control and prevention; assigns non-routine tasks and reviews work for
conformance to departmental policies and procedures.

Supervision Received:
Works under the general supervision of the City Manager. Works with other department head
staff.

Tools and Equipment Used:
Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting
equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, and phone.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential function of this classification. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. Work is performed primarily in office, vehicle and outdoor setting in all weather
conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night. Work is often performed in
emergency and stressful situations. Work is occasionally performed in confined spaces and/or in
complete darkness. The employee will be exposed to hazards associated with the above job
functions, including fire, smoke, noxious odors fumes, chemicals, solvents, and oils. The
employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places, and
is occasionally exposed to wet/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise levels in the work environment are
usually quiet in office settings and loud at an emergency scene.

Physical Demands:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by
employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification inclusive of duties
of subordinate Firefighter and EMS classifications. Reasonable accommodations may be made
to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the
duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, read, communicate, reach
and manipulate objects, tools or controls. The position requires mobility over all terrains and
throughout buildings that may necessitate working in cramped spaces, crawling, climbing
ladders and stairs, as well as related physical ability required for structural/wildland firefighting
operations. Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis and
may exceed 100 pounds on an infrequent basis. Manual dexterity and coordination or required
over 50% of the work period while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator,
motorized vehicles, instruments and tools used for fire investigations and inspections, fire
suppression equipment, etc.

Other Requirements:
• Within sixty days of hire, the incumbent must establish residency within Baker City
limits, if not already residing within city limits. With City Manager approval, an
exception may be made for extenuating circumstances.
• This a full-time position. The incumbent may be required to work afterhours and on
weekends and may be required to respond to emergency calls 24 hours per day. (Position
is not overtime eligible.)
• Travel is primarily local or regional during the business day, although some out-of-area
and overnight travel may be expected.

NOTE: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive
listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time without notice.

This position is appointed by the City Manager and is an at-will position.

EEO Statement: Baker City is an equal opportunity employer, and as such, we consider
individuals for employment according to their abilities and performance. Employment decisions
are made without regard to age, disability, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, veteran status, military status, association with members of a protected class,
marital status, injured worker status, union participation, non-supervisory family relationships,
or any other protected class or work relationship. All employment requirements mandated by
State and Federal laws and regulations are observed.