CITY OF EUSTIS, FLORIDA

Transcription

1 CITY OF EUSTIS, FLORIDA Fire Chief Recruitment HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit an electronic application including: a cover letter, resume, and at least 10 professional references as soon as possible. Please visit the City of Eustis Website at for more information.

2 INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY Eustis City Hall The City of Eustis is located in Lake County, Florida, about 25 miles northwest of Orlando. The City has a population of 19,000+ and is located on beautiful Lake Eustis within easy driving distance of Orlando, as well as the Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches, the Ocala National Forest and the Florida Space Coast. The City has a diverse economy with businesses and industries in agricultural technology, food products, graphics, forest products, manufacturing and regional transportation. It is a welcoming atmosphere for entrepreneurship, small business, light manufacturing, and a sustainable technology. A few of the nearby major industries located in or near Eustis include Florida Food Products, Mercer Products, Inc., Service Trucking, U.S. Nutraceuticals and Lake Mechanical Contractors. Eustis has great attractions for visitors and residents including extensive outdoor activities. The Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District offers unique shopping, dining and live entertainment venues. Eustis Live! provides a family-friendly community social event promoting downtown businesses and showcases the Historic Downtown. Other highlights include the Lake Eustis Museum of Art, Eustis Historical Museum (Clifford House) and the performing artistry of the Bay Street Players at the Historic State Theatre. The City s George Washington Birthday Festival and Parade, also known as GeorgeFest, is the nation s second oldest commemoration of the Nation s first President. It is also the longest running festival of any kind in the State of Florida. A variety of excellent public and private schools and a City public library, which celebrated its Centennial anniversary, are indicative of the value placed on education. Nearby, Lake Sumter State College, Lake Technical College, and the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Stetson University, St. Leo College, Nova Southeastern University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University provide paths for continuing education. Lake Eustis

3 GOVERNANCE The City utilizes a Commission/Manager form of government. Five (5) Commission members are elected to staggered four (4) year terms. Each year, the Commission chooses a new Mayor from the existing group of Commissioners. The current estimated population is over 19,000 with the expectation that there will be growth to about 22,000 by The City provides a full range of services including Public Safety (Building, Fire and Police), Finance (Financial Services, Payroll, Purchasing, Utility Billing and Information Technology), Public Works (Engineering, Streets, Stormwater, Garage, Cemetery and Building Maintenance), Human Resources, Library, Parks and Recreation, Development Services (Planning, Building and Code Enforcement), and other General Government Services. There are a total of 212 full-time and 47 part-time employees. THE POSITION The Fire Chief reports to the City Manager and is responsible for directing all the operations and services of the City of Eustis Fire Department including emergency response, fire suppression and fire prevention activities. He/she implements and directs departmental goals and objectives, formulates departmental policies and coordinates all administrative aspects of the department. The Fire Chief is also a key member of the City s senior management team and is expected to add to the strategic leadership and best practices of the organization. Station 22 The Fire Chief serves as a technical resource and advises the Commission and City Manager on emergency response and fire related matters. The Chief ensures compliance with federal, state and local laws relating to public safety and fire protection. He/she develops and oversees the Department s annual budget, and controls and monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility and cost consciousness. The Fire Chief also participates in operational tasks, as required.

4 The Fire Chief is expected to forge effective professional relationships with other public safety officials and cultivate positive community relations by interacting with citizens, civic and community groups. The Chief must demonstrate fairness and consistency with employees, and inspire loyalty and dedication within the Department. THE DEPARTMENT The Eustis Fire Department provides administrative, inspection, prevention, suppression, emergency medical/advanced life support and rescue services within the City of Eustis. There are a total of 24 departmental employees including 22 sworn personnel. The FY 14/15 budget for the Fire Department is $2,411,430. Established in 1883, the Eustis Fire Department serves a 10+ square mile area, with a population of more than 19,000. The City's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating was recently upgraded from a Class 3 to a "Class 2", based on the average response time, equipment, dispatching services, water flow, service area, and the professional training of department personnel. Station 23 Until recently, there was only one fire station located on Norton Avenue that responded to approximately 4,000 calls annually. In October 2014, a new station opened on Hicks Ditch Road, featuring 1,850 square feet of living space and a 1,600 square foot vehicle bay. This new station serves north Eustis including mobile home parks, shopping centers and the heavily populated Bates Avenue area.

5 INTERLOCAL SERVICES The Eustis Fire Department provides automatic response to all automatic alarms and structure fires within the cities of Mount Dora and Tavares, in accordance with the terms of an interlocal agreement. A separate interlocal agreement with Lake County also provides fire response and assistance within a defined service district outside the city limits. In addition, the department stands ready to assist the City of Umatilla and the State of Florida, through mutual aid agreements. ISSUES AND PRIORITIES In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of running the Department, the incoming Fire Chief will be expected to address the following issues and priorities during the early stages of his/her employment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Department s structure, resources, and service demands; evaluate data, training, policies and performance standards/practices and develop a plan for needed changes and/or improvements. Make a visible, concerted effort to meet and establish a rapport with all key stakeholders within the City and the community, including the City Commission, City Manager, department heads and staff, citizenry and others. Develop and implement succession planning to help the department meet future human resources demands at the supervisory and management levels; Emphasize and develop a respect for diversity within the department and establish a recruiting program that is proactive in the recruitment of officers who reflect the gender, race and ethnicity of the surrounding community.

6 Uphold consistent performance expectations for departmental employees across all ranks, holding individuals accountable and providing praise, constructive feedback and discipline in a consistent manner. Look for creative ways to maintain adequate staffing, improve morale and foster internal growth within the department. Work effectively with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and continue to foster a positive rapport and relationship during the collective bargaining process. Develop productive relationships with other fire service agencies in the area. Establish positive working relationships with all City Departments. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate must be a proven and exceptional leader who has current/previous experience in a fire service agency with a strong, community oriented emphasis. The Fire Chief must be a personable and approachable individual who can forge and strengthen ties with citizens and existing neighborhood groups. He/she must demonstrate a genuine respect for a diverse community and be highly visible and personally active within the community. Impeccable personal character and integrity coupled with common sense and sound judgment, even during highly stressful times, is a must. The Fire Chief must be capable of balancing a multitude of priorities and demands and exhibit an energetic, proactive and results-oriented management style. Applicants for this position must have executive or mid-level management experience with in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of emergency and fire service policies, practices and procedures. Having a fresh perspective toward fire operations, including tactical operations and emerging technologies to maximize efficiency and effectiveness and a personal orientation toward action and accepting responsibility will be important.

7 The Fire Chief must possess outstanding communication, listening and negotiation skills. He/she must be an exceptional presenter, whether to the Commission, pension board, employee groups, outside agencies or other stakeholders within the City. He/she must provide consistent communication and outreach within the community and schools and promote citizen awareness and involvement in fire prevention. The Fire Chief must be able to create a positive work environment that is supportive of employees, providing for employee growth through mentoring and professional development. He /she must be able to hold subordinates accountable and impose discipline when appropriate. Although an open and accessible management style is desired, the Fire Chief must be able to preserve the respect and dignity of his/her position by maintaining the utmost professionalism in his/her interactions with departmental employees and instilling a strong respect for the chain of command. QUALIFYING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE This position requires a Bachelor s Degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Public Administration, or related field, supplemented by ten (10) years increasingly responsible operational and command experience in a full time fire department, including five (5) years administrative and supervisory experience, preferably at a Battalion Chief or higher command level. Experience in the State of Florida, Florida EMT and Paramedic certification and supervisory experience in a collective bargaining environment, is preferred. The City may substitute comparable experience for degree requirement at its discretion. Requirements also include State of Florida Firefighter Certification and valid Florida Driver s License (or ability to obtain) and an acceptable driving record. COMPENSATION The salary range for this position is $72,326 - $108,540, depending on qualifications. The City has a competitive benefits plan, including health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as paid leave and other benefits. The Fire Chief may choose to participate in the Fire Defined Benefit Pension Plan or the ICMA 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan. An ICMA 457 Deferred Compensation Plan is also available to

8 interested employees. Detailed information on the City s benefits is provided on the Human Resources page of the City s website at TO APPLY Applicants may apply by using the City s on-line Application Builder at The City asks that a cover letter, resume, at least 10 professional references and a 10 year salary history be attached to the electronic application. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. A supplemental questionnaire may be requested and preliminary telephone interviews may be conducted before on-site interviews. Final candidates are subject to a thorough background check including criminal history, credit and driver s license check. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of an employment physical and drug testing. Under Florida law, all applications materials are public record and subject to public scrutiny. The recruitment is considered open until filled; however candidates are encouraged to apply immediately, with the first review of applications to begin by the end of May IMPORTANT INFORMATION The City of Eustis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from minorities and females. The City does not discriminate in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, or any other personnel action because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, age, national origin, citizenship, genetic information or any other factor protected by law. The City provides Veteran s Preference per FS and encourages qualified service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of service members and veterans to apply for employment. The City encourages applications from qualified individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation to the extent provided by law. A variety of excellent public and private schools and a City public library, which celebrated its Centennial anniversary, are indicative of the value placed on education. Nearby, Lake Sumter State College, Lake Technical College, and the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Stetson University, St. Leo College, Nova Southeastern University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University provide paths for continuing education.