HomeMy WebLinkAbout15D5020 BATTALION FIRE CHIEF 20221101PART I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
COUNTY OF KAUAI 15D5020
Class Specifications for the Class:
BATTALION FIRE CHIEF
EM-03, BU-11X
Duties Summary:
Commands a battalion of firefighting and search and rescue personnel on an
assigned shift; plans, directs and coordinates the activities of the battalion in firefighting
and other emergency operations; may plan and administer the activities, functions and
programs of other bureaus and administration; and performs other related duties as
required.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This class is distinguished by its responsibility to perform the following:
a. Commands a battalion of firefighting and search and rescue personnel on an
assigned shift; or
b. Plans and administers the County-wide activities of a specialized bureau or group of
bureaus of the fire department.
Examples of Duties: (The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily
descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of specific duties statements does
not preclude management from assigning such duties if such duties are a logical
assignment for the position).
Fire Operations:
• Establishes and maintains a battalion of firefighting, search and rescue personnel,
equipment, and facilities;
• Plans and enforces drill and training activities and organizes operations consistent
with department policies and procedures for the most efficient utilization of staffing
and resources;
• Conducts regular inspections of companies to assess needs and assure operating
readiness;
• Organizes pre-planning activities and fire safety and prevention inspection schedules;
• Coordinates fire prevention and code compliance efforts with the fire prevention
bureau and the public;
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• Assesses staffing needs, improvements in equipment and company facilities and
prepares recommendation and budget requests;
• Authorizes expenditures consistent with approved budget;
• Makes temporary assignments, transfers, and movements of personnel to meet daily
operational requirements;
• Recommends personnel transfers, and selection for promotions and vacancies;
• Exercises disciplinary authority consistent with department policies and civil service
rules and regulations;
• Reviews and investigates complaints and grievances and takes appropriate action for
their resolution;
• Attends staff meetings and participates in the development of and improvement to
policies and procedures, methods of operation, acquisition of new or modified
equipment and department training programs;
• Responds to and takes command at major fires, search, and rescue calls;
• Evaluates the nature and extent of the emergency and elects proper strategy
including the placement of equipment and deployment of fire personnel;
• Decides on the need and extent for additional support from other companies, public
utilities and federal government fire and rescue agencies;
• Assesses the nature and cause of fires and estimates losses;
• Determines when the fire is under control or the emergency mission is completed
and returns personnel and equipment to their stations;
• Assures that cleanup and salvage operations are completed, and alarm equipment
and devices are restored to working order;
• Prepares and submits periodic reports regarding battalion activities and needs;
• Instructs relief commander in the duties to be performed;
• Plans and administers a comprehensive departmental training program involving fire,
search and rescue, safety, and other functions;
• Participates in planning for major disasters and serves as departmental liaison for
emergency management programs;
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• Plans and administers communications and maintenance program activities
including the selection, purchase and modification of communications and fire
equipment;
• May relieve or represent superior officers; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Bureau Assignments:
• Plans, administers, and commands the activities of a large, specialized bureau or a
group of bureaus;
• Reviews the performance of the bureau(s) to ensure optimum utilization of
personnel, equipment, and facilities.
• Participates in the development, establishment, review, revision and implementation
of policies, procedures, and methods of operations applicable to assigned areas;
• Reviews and evaluates personnel and equipment assignments as they may be
affected by varying and changing conditions and reassigns them based on the most
efficient utilization of available resources;
• Reviews activity reports to determine compliance with departmental policies,
practices, and procedures;
• Holds meetings to review activities, discuss problems and develop ways of improving
operations;
• Attends staff meetings, participates in various personnel processes, and
recommends selections for promotions and other personnel movements;
• Reviews and investigates complaints and grievances and responds appropriately;
• Prepares and submits periodic reports regarding activities and needs; instructs relief
commander in the duties to be performed;
• May relieve or represent superior officers; and
• Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge of:
Fire organization and administration, including supervision and training, budget
preparation and control; principles, methods and techniques of the functional area to which
assigned (e.g. training, fire prevention, firefighting, ocean rescue, etc.), and types and uses
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of pertinent equipment; local and state rules, regulations, ordinances and laws relating to
fire department operations; department policies, rules, regulations, practices and
procedures; the geography and physical characteristics of the County of Kaua‘i and adjacent
waters.
Ability to:
Plan, organize, direct, and administer the functions and activities of a battalion; apply
principles and knowledge affecting the functional area to which assigned in development of
an effective firefighting and rescue operation; conduct inspections and investigations of
performance and conditions; apply good judgment in making decisions; establish and
maintain effective working relationships with subordinates and the general public; keep
records and prepare reports.
This is an amendment to the specification for the class, BATTALION FIRE CHIEF,
which was approved on September 19, 1997, amended on May 9, 2002 and on October 26,
2021, and is to be substituted for that specification.
Approved:October 16, 2022
(date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON
Director of Human Resources
PART II DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
COUNTY OF KAUAI 15D5020
Minimum Qualification Specifications
for the Class:
BATTALION FIRE CHIEF
EM-03, BU-11X
Training & Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to completion of
two (2) years of accredited college or university course work, and:
•six (6) years* of firefighting experience in the Kaua‘i Fire Department (*Includes
time as a Fire Fighter Trainee); and
•two (2) years as a Fire Captain in the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
Substitutions Allowed:
The following may be substituted for education:
Work experience in firefighting in the Kaua‘i Fire Department may be substituted for up to
two (2) years of the education requirement.
An Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited community college or
university may be substituted for the education requirement.
If a degree is used to substitute for the education requirement, it may not be used
again towards the experience requirement. If work experience is used to substitute for
education, it may not be used again to meet the experience requirement. If the applicant
holds more than one degree, transcripts must be provided, and a thorough review will be
conducted by the DHR staff in order for more than one degree to be credited towards the
minimum qualification requirements. Additional degrees can be considered if obtained
independently through mutually exclusive classes from another degree being considered.
Substitutions will be used to the advantage of the applicant.
Quality of Experience:
Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be
accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must
have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that
he/she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which he/she is being
considered.
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License Requirement:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license (Hawai‘i Type 3 or equivalent)
and the appropriate licenses or certifications as required of the position.
Selective Certification:
Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of
some positions. For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be
established, and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent
experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position.
Agencies requesting Selective Certification must show the connection between the
kind of training and/or experience on which they wish to base selective certification and the
duties of the position to be filled.
Tests:
Applicants may be required to qualify on an appropriate examination.
Special Working Conditions:
Irregular hours shift and weekend work, and exposure to hazardous and obnoxious
conditions as required.
Health and Physical Condition Requirements:
Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and
physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential
functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Special
This is an amendment to the specification for the class, BATTALION FIRE CHIEF,
which was approved on September 19, 1997, amended on May 9, 2002, October 26, 2021,
and is to be substituted for that specification.
Approved: November 1, 2022
(date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON
Director of Human Resources