Fire Chief

Westchester Fire Department

Contact Information

Address:

Website:

• www.westchester-il.org/departments/fire-department

Email:

• nora.ackerley@administrativeconsultingspecialists.com

Application Deadline:

• 06/07/24

Salary:

• Anticipated Hiring Annual Salary Range: $125,861 - $152,693, +/- dependent on experience and qualifications

  Excellent insurance, holiday, and paid time off benefits.

  Exact compensation may vary based on skills, training, and experience.

Population:

• 16,892

Position Details

Located in Cook County, Illinois, Westchester is a western suburb of the City of Chicago. The population was 16,892 at the 2020 census. The Village infrastructure covers an area of 3.69 square miles. It has over 6,811 homes, and 4,385 families residing in the Village.

The Village of Westchester operates under the Village Manager form of government, and has a Village President and 6 Trustees. There is a strong commitment to professional management within the organization. The Village Manager is contracted for appointment with the consent of the Village Board. Westchester's authorized workforce is 105 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees, which includes the elected/appointed positions of 6 Trustees, 1 Village President, 1 Clerk and 1 Treasurer. There are seven Department Heads. Departments include Administration, Finance, Community Development, Fire, Police, and Public Works.

The Village seeks its next Fire Chief to lead a well-respected and professional Fire Department.

The Fire Chief is appointed by the Village Manager. The Fire Chief reports to the Village Manager. The Fire Chief is the administrative head of the fire department providing direction and general management for the administration and operation of the department within the Village and supervises the activities of the fire department staff in accordance with the policies determined by the Village Board, and applicable laws and ordinances.

The Fire Chief plans, organizes and administers a comprehensive Village fire protection and prevention system, including fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical response, public information and education, rescue activity, training; provides expert professional assistance to Village management staff in areas of expertise. As Fire Chief of the Village, the position represents the Village in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional and business organizations, employee organizations, and the public; makes presentations to the Village Board, Board of Fire and Police Commission, and others; manages and directs all Fire Department financial planning, personnel, operations, programs and services through the Village Manager; coordinates with all other Village department heads, responds to and interacts with residents, employees, and/or others within and outside the organization in a courteous, professional, and effective manner.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTED EXPERIENCE:

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and experience. Any combination of experience and education that would demonstrate the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration or related field (master's degree preferred); AND
• Five (5) years of fire command experience in a municipal setting;
• OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Illinois Driver's License.
• Advance Fire Officer (or equivalent) Chief Fire Officer preferred (CFO must be obtained within 2 years of date of employment).

Required Knowledge and Skills Required Knowledge:

• Principles of fire management, suppression, prevention and education in an urban setting.
• Principles and practices of emergency medical response.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and the management of employees through multiple levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of fire investigation.
• Principles and practices of developing teams, motivating employees and managing in a team environment.
• Applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Record management principles and practices.
• Techniques for making effective public presentations.

Required Skills:

• Planning, organizing and administering a comprehensive fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical response.
• Administering programs and staff through subordinate supervision.
• Planning, assigning, supervising, reviewing and evaluating the work of assigned staff.
• Training others in policies and procedures related to the work.
• Developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
• Developing effective work teams and motivating individuals to meet goals and objectives and provide customer services in the most cost effective and efficient manner.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining related federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Working collaboratively with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Conducting effective oral presentations to large and small groups.

The Fire Chief Position applications are due on June 7, 2024.

Interested candidates must submit required paperwork (cover letter, resume, and a list of five references) in confidence via email to:

Nora.Ackerley@administrativeconsultingspecialists.com

Applicants for this position who are selected as finalists will be subject to a background screening.

Pre-employment process following conditional job offer will include a full background investigation, including but not limited to drug and alcohol screening, physical examination, and psychological evaluation.

References will be contacted only following candidate approval.

The Village of Westchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, unfavorable discharge from the military, handicap, disability, or any other legally protected status, in accordance with applicable legal standards.

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