CITY OF WEST SACRAMENTO
FIRE DIVISION CHIEF
DEFINITION: The Fire Division Chief is responsible for the supervision and management of a
functional division of the fire department and provides professional and technical assistance to
the Fire Chief. The Fire Division Chief performs responsible management, administrative and
technical work as a division manager and plans and supervises the activities of firefighting
personnel. The Fire Division Chief assists in the general management and administration of
the department. This position may also act as a department head in the absence of the Fire
Chief. This is an at-will position that is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City
Manager.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives general direction from the Fire Chief
and has responsibility for providing direct supervision to assigned subordinate personnel.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This classification acts as a division manager responsible for
any combination of the following divisions: emergency response operations, fire prevention
and support services, training, and administration.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Illustrative Only): Management reserves the
right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make
reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions
of the job.
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Keeps current with public management practices and technical fire subjects and issues.
May assume command of emergency incidents as required.
Responsible for and directs the operation of emergencies that occur within the City.
Assists in planning, budgeting, organizing, directing, and coordinating the various activities
of the department such as preparation and administration of the operating budget for the
department.
Purchase and maintenance of communications equipment and Emergency Medical
Services operations.
Maintenance of department buildings and grounds.
Purchase and maintenance of department vehicles and mechanical equipment.
Determine the deployment and assignment of personnel and equipment in order to provide
the most optimum level of fire protection and life safety to the City.
Administers the daily operations of emergency response functions of the department
through Fire Battalion Chiefs.
Evaluates firefighting, fire prevention, and other related activities performed by subordinate
personnel.
Plans and provides for the delivery of training and training programs for subordinate
personnel.
Prepares performance evaluations on assigned subordinate personnel.
CITY OF WEST SACRAMENTO
Fire Division Chief (Continued)
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Maintains employee discipline and assures that the policies and procedures of the
department are adhered to.
Performs research and prepares necessary reports and implements programs relating to
department operational activity and records relating to personnel, facilities, equipment and
operations.
Represents the department and the City to outside agencies and groups in matters of
interest to the City.
Ensures compliance with City and department policies, rules, regulations, goals, objectives
and priorities.
Ensures compliance with all applicable local, regional, state and federal laws and
regulations.
May serve as Duty Chief on an as-needed basis.
May act as department head in the absence of the Fire Chief.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of: Management principles, practices, and procedures of modern firefighting and
protection of lives and property; operation and maintenance of firefighting and rescue
operations; geography, types of building construction, water supply, and major fire hazards
within the City; federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes pertaining to fire
suppression, prevention and hazardous materials; concepts, sound principles and practices of
organization, administration, budgeting, procurement and personnel management; Emergency
Medical Service procedures and applicable laws and regulations governing the operation of
the fire service.
Skill in: Making sound decisions and directing fire operations; training and engendering
respect of subordinates; establishing and maintaining effective, cooperative relationships with
superior and subordinate personnel, other City departments and the general public;
communicating clearly and effectively both orally and in writing in a concise professional
manner; serving effectively and efficiently as a fire suppression strategist and tactician as
required; effectively interpreting, implementing, and enforcing provisions of federal and state
laws, City and departmental rules, regulations, and policies, labor negotiation agreements and
all other pertinent regulations and policies; administering and evaluating suppression,
prevention and emergency medical programs; making policy and budgeting recommendations;
planning, organizing and participating in comprehensive fire prevention, loss management, and
hazardous materials programs; developing and implementing fire loss management and
hazardous materials policies and procedures; maintaining physical condition to perform
essential duties as specified by firefighter certification; maintain physical condition appropriate
to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include performing life
threatening firefighting activities in an emergency situation; running, walking, crouching or
crawling during emergency operations; moving equipment and injured/deceased persons;
climbing stairs/ladders; performing life-saving and rescue procedures; walking, standing or
sitting for extended periods of time; operating assigned equipment and vehicles; effectively
dealing with personal danger which may include exposure to fire encompassed surroundings,
dangerous persons, dangerous animals; hazards of emergency driving; hazards associated
with traffic control and working in and near traffic and natural and man-made disasters;
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CITY OF WEST SACRAMENTO
Fire Division Chief (Continued)
maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations,
communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating assigned equipment and
vehicles; maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of exercising sound judgment
and rational thinking under dangerous circumstances; evaluating various operations and
alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable course of action; and demonstrating
intellectual capabilities during training and testing processes.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of training and experience which would
provide the required knowledge and skill. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and
skill would be:
Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration,
Business Administration or related field supplemented with courses in technical areas related
to the fire service such as: Fire Command (Major Fires, High-Rise, Major Hazardous Materials
Incidents and Wildlands), Fire Prevention, Emergency Management (Large Scale Disaster
Planning, Response and Recovery), Strategic Planning, Organizational Development and
Labor Relations.
OR
Equivalent to an AA/AS degree in Fire Science/Technology or sixty (60) college semester units
with major coursework in Fire Science/Technology; two (2) additional years’ experience at the
level of Fire Battalion Chief may be substituted for the required semester units on a year-foryear basis.
Possession of a Chief Officer certificate issued by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office is
desirable.
Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years paid experience including at least two (2) years at
the Fire Battalion Chief level or five (5) years at the Fire Captain level or above in a municipal
or public safety department or fire district.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES: Possession and maintenance of a valid Class “3” or “C”
California driver’s license.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Due to the critical response time criteria required of the “Duty Chief”
position, the incumbent must live within thirty (30) minutes of the City of West Sacramento.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Incumbents will be required to wear the appropriate Fire
Department uniform; work in a non-emergency or emergency firefighting environment; work in
intense life-threatening conditions; exposure to fire, smoke, bodily fluids and noise; running,
walking, crawling, climbing, stooping and lifting; work in inclement weather conditions.
Incumbents will be assigned to a forty (40) work week, but may be assigned to a fifty-six (56)
hour work week.
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CITY OF WEST SACRAMENTO
Fire Division Chief (Continued)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Mobility to work in a standard office environment, use standard office
equipment and attend off-site meetings. On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods
of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist and reach while performing office duties;
lift light weights. Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and supplies and to
manipulate both single sheets of paper and large document holders (binders, manuals, etc.);
vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to
communicate in person and by telephone.
If assigned as a Duty Chief: Must maintain stamina, strength, coordination and dexterity
necessary for the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities including running,
walking, crouching, or crawling on uneven or slippery surfaces; moving equipment and
injured/deceased persons; climbing stairs/ladders; performing lifesaving and rescue
procedures, and operating equipment and vehicles. Performance of duties requires sensory
abilities of smell for distinguishing odors of potentially hazardous materials; hearing for
distinguishing audible alarms; acute vision for making observations; and the ability to project a
voice that can be heard in a noisy environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS: Employees work in an office environment with moderate
noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical
substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives
in interpreting and enforcing department guidelines, policies and procedures. Performance of
duties may involve exposure to environmental conditions such as smoke, heat, inclement
weather, traffic hazards, communicable diseases, electrical currents, and hazardous materials.
Adopted:
Revised: 10/2/1991; 8/18/1993; 8/16/1995; 11/1/1995;
11/17/1999; 9/26/2012
Maintenance Update:
Title Change: 10/2/1991
Job Category: Administrators and Managers
Bargaining Unit: Fire Management
At-Will:  Yes
 No
Form 700:  Yes  No
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt  Exempt
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