THE COMMUNITY

Seeley Lake, Montana, is in Missoula County. Population is variable with about 4,500 full-time residents October to April and grows to approximately 10,000 residents in the summer. Seeley Lake is rural/remote community about one hour from Missoula, an hour and half from Helena and an hour and forty minutes from the Flathead Valley. Montana Highway 83, which runs through the community, is a main through fare for traffic from Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park. Recreationists flock to the area for its hiking trails, lakes, views, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiling and cross-country ski trails.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

• Receives administrative direction from the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Trustees
• Exercises direct supervision over the district’s paid and volunteer personnel

STATUS:

• Exempt; Full time

DEFINITION

The Fire Chief serves under the direction and management of the District Trustees. The District Fire Chief plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the activities of fire suppression, investigation, training, fire prevention, rescue, and supportive services for the Fire District; coordinates the operations of the Fire District with other jurisdictional departments and agencies; and performs other tasks as may be assigned by the Trustees.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work within the framework of the power and duties as directed by Trustees and will comply with all State and Federal regulations pertaining to the functioning of a district fire department.
• Supervise the maintenance of the district’s website,
• Direct and coordinate the overall activities of the fire department, including fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical response, fire prevention, education and investigation, fire equipment maintenance, and employee training.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to advance the department goals and objectives to provide efficient, effective fire service and emergency medical services to the community of Seeley Lake.
• Supervise the application for all grants that would apply to district
• Work with district Medical Director in developing policies and procedures for the district emergency medical
• Negotiate and maintain mutual aid and automatic aid agreements with surrounding fire protection
• Inter-agency cooperation and operations through cooperative
• Coordinate with private, state, federal and county departments to maintain cooperation and coordination for public safety.
• Efficient, effective, and safe deployment of staff and equipment to ensure that fire and medical scenes are controlled as quickly and effectively as possible.
• Maintain readily retrievable accurately indexed policies, resolutions, along with employee manual and annual benefit packages.
• Oversee training function of the department to ensure that volunteers are prepared to provide fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical services in a safe effective and efficient manner.
• Present information to citizens groups, the community council, county commissioners, fellow department members and public agencies in the community and outside agencies if required and approved by the District Chair. Submitting a written report on such activities at the next monthly District Board Meeting.
• Direct fire suppression and public safety emergency operations at major
• When called upon, serves as the district’s representative in the incident command structure.
• Supervises maintenance of department vehicles and equipment, including fire engines, trucks, ambulances, hoses, pumps, fans and tools.
• Ensure readiness and availability of materials and equipment to perform fire suppression and emergency medical operations.
• Oversee fire safety inspections of local businesses in compliance with State regulations pertaining to the functioning of a district fire department
• Oversee investigation of arson and other fire
• Review and update standard operating procedures, special reports, and research papers, that relate to the responsibilities of the department.
• Prepare an annual budget and exercise control to stay within the
• Act as the district HIPPA privacy officer and ensure that the fire district meets all objectives regarding HIPPA compliance.
• Act as Seeley Lake Fire Department program director with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
• Maintain all District aspects of the Seeley Swan Fire
• Oversees district communication plan and is responsible for ensuring the programming of district
• Attend fire service conferences, conventions and other educational meetings to keep abreast of modern firefighting methods and administration, with budget consideration and prior approval of
• Represent Fire District at the local, state and national level regarding legislative
• Recommend to the District Trustees selection of sites, building and equipment necessary for the efficient use, operation and maintenance of the district’s physical properties.
• Plan for adequate future replacement of apparatus, equipment and
• Represent the Fire District in all disaster operations and assist in the County’s disaster planning efforts.
• Direct the preparations and analysis of District reports and records to ensure efficient operation to meet service demands and to comply with official requests for information

regarding activities and personnel of the Rural Fire Department.

• Perform annual job performance review for District employees with written report to Trustees at the next monthly Fire District Board Meeting.
• Responsible for District employees’ performance and their
• Respond to questions, complaints and requests from citizens.
• Distribute department directives and
• Maintain, upgrade and purchase District computers, pagers, & radio equipment within approved budget, including all licensing that conforms to the latest FCC rules and
• Recruit and retain
• Arrange for CDL training for
• Work with and supervise the compliance of the Montana Board of Medical Examiners Pre-Hospital Treatment
• Maintain security system and access to District
• Supervise, manage and enforce all volunteer fire department regulations, SOG’s and bylaws. Follow the firefighter code of ethics.
• Maintain accurate call/run reports for yearly totals to be presented monthly at District Board meetings and ensure accurate billing.
• Maintain accurate training records for state reporting under MVFCA and EMS
• Ensure compliance and administration of all related policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• The administration and operation of a Rural Fire Department.
• Knowledge and thorough understanding of fire administration, fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, training and methods to facilitate the determination of varied work
• Knowledge and skill in operating all fire department vehicles, equipment, tools and
• Applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and codes pertaining to fire prevention, inspection, and suppression.
• Principles and practices of organization, business administration, and personnel
• Working knowledge of organization and management of a combination fire department.
• Emergency medical aid and rescue techniques.
• Basic computer skills and software specifically written for emergency

Ability to:

• Work independently in supervising all technical and general operations and in seeing that desired work results are achieved.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the fire department, both emergent and non-emergent
• Plan, direct, organize, and participate in fire prevention, suppression, and support activities of a rural fire district.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of
• Supervise and train personnel.
• Formulate and administer sound departmental policy.
• Provide administrative direction.
• Foster and promote Esprit de corps.
• Speak effectively to public organizations, media, council, boards, constituents, and at public
• Maintain physical condition necessary to perform the duties of Firefighter and EMT if

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• The ideal candidate should have At least ten years’ experience in combination fire agency
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, public or business administration or related field preferred.
• Supplemental course work in fire science and public administration from a college or recognized fire training
• Progressively responsible supervisory and managerial experience as a chief officer.
• Possess excellent communications and leadership skills.
• Experience in management practices, collective bargaining, cost containment, and organizational relationships, experience in working with volunteer firefighters desired.
• Experience in Emergency Medical Services, ambulance operations, and maintain EMS license of EMT or higher at both state and national levels.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• The Seeley Lake District Chief will reside in a location within a 10-minute response time of Fire Station

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee

encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs work both at stations and at incident scenes, which may involve exposure to conditions including extreme heat, cold, rapidly changing temperatures, hazardous and/or toxic materials, working at heights, climbing steep inclines and stairs, and working for extended periods of time.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The selected candidate will:

• Pass a criminal background check:
• Pass a drug and alcohol test.
• Maintain a Montana driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance with liability limits not less than $100,000 each person/$300,000 each accident/$100,000 property damage liability.
• Submit a formal application and resume.

The scoring of candidates will be based on several factors, including but not limited to the following:

• Education and experience.
• Oral interview
• Reference checks

Please respond with resume to Gary Lewis, Chair at slk3018@blackfoot.net and/or Susan Monahan, Secretary at susan.monahan198@gmail.com.

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