Suffield - Fire Captain

Job Announcement:

Town of Suffield
Job Posting

Position:         Fire Captain

Post Date:       July 28, 2023 (Revised Posting)

End Date:       Open Until Filled

Salary:            Union Position – Annual salary $81,390

 

The Town of Suffield is a quintessential New England town with a longstanding pledge to preserving its historic architecture and agricultural roots. The many people who serve Suffield through town government as employees and volunteers alike remain committed to developing and fostering a strong sense of community among its residents.

The Town of Suffield is seeking a Fire Captain for the Suffield Fire Department. The Captain shall maintain a leadership role and promote and encourage discipline, safety, and training of personnel for the effective and efficient operation of department activities. Serves the residents of Suffield in a customer-oriented manner that promotes a positive and professional image for the Town government.

Supervision Received:
Works under the general direction of the Fire Chief.

Supervision Exercised:

Supervises a combination department with current staffing of thirty-five (35) plus members consisting of career and volunteers. In the absence of a Senior Officer, the Captain, on arrival at the scene of an emergency, is responsible for fire operations and shall assume the responsibilities of Incident Commander when appropriate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Non-Emergency

1. Develop a monthly schedule for performing routine inspections of assigned apparatus and equipment per department guidelines.

2. Review inspection reports to ensure inspections are completed, forms are properly filled out, all deficiencies are corrected, and forms are appropriately filed.

3. Inspect assigned apparatus and equipment on a routine schedule. Check the general condition of the vehicle and equipment for compliance with test and maintenance requirements and overall condition and readiness for response. Arrange corrective action as needed.

4. Coordinate, oversee, and document annual pump, ladder and hose tests in accordance with Department guidelines.

5. Schedule, coordinate, oversee, and document yearly inspections of personal protective equipment, radios, and other department equipment issued to company personnel in accordance with department guidelines.

6. Schedule, coordinate, oversee, and document equipment inventory on assigned apparatus.

7. Assumes command of Fire Department operations until relieved by a superior ranking officer.

8. Schedule work details as needed. Attend scheduled Officer's meetings.

9. Delivers all required paperwork to the appropriate Officer as department policies and standard operating guidelines require.

10. Attend and participates in department drills and training to maintain and enhance skills and safety in firefighting, rescue techniques, medical care, and related

11. Inform committee of training needs, and assist with company and department personnel instruction

12. Schedule, coordinate, and oversee the training of personnel. Participate in review or oral boards when appropriate.

13. Maintain positive working relationships with neighboring colleagues, town and school officials, community groups, and the public. Promptly and cordially respond to citizen inquiries, feedback, and complaints about services and facilities.

Emergency Response

1. Exercise sound judgment on arrival at all emergency and incident situations. Obtain assignments from Incident Commander, coordinate assigned personnel into functional team(s), and whenever possible, stay in direct contact with personnel in carrying out assigned

2. Perform rescue work in various emergencies and assists in emergency aid to the injured when primary emergency medical response agencies are unavailable or require assistance.

3. Responds to emergency incidents, performs complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies as a team member, and independently controls or extinguishes fire, rescues people, and deals with other emergency conditions that may arise.

4. Direct personnel to function safely and effectively while performing assigned tasks. Provide routine progress reports to the immediate incident

5. Drive department vehicles; operate apparatus pumps and other equipment and hand tools.

Other Job Functions:
1. Perform other related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Education & Experience:

1. High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a recognized municipal fire department.

3. Minimum of two (2) plus years’ as Fire LT or above and Fire Officer II Certification.

(Union Members-Eligible to be Captain currently holding rank of Lieutenant and completion of Fire Officer II Certification)

4. Certified Firefighter I, II and EMT-B certification in accordance with CT Fire Academy.

5. Certified Officer II, prescribed by the State of Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control or coursework approved by the Chief, which meets the requirements of NFPA I021.

6. Certified Fire Instructor I, as prescribed by the State of Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.

7. Must meet annual training requirements for an interior firefighter and Officer.

8. Maintain Department Driver/Operator skills for assigned apparatus.

9. Meets requirements of Hazardous Materials First Responder - Operational level as established in CFR 1910.120

10. Demonstrate competency in the Department's Operational Chain of Command and Incident Command System.

11. Maintain a valid driver's license with Q endorsement or equivalent that meets the requirements to legally operate assigned vehicle in the State of Connecticut.

12. Suitable experience may be substituted for education attainment if deemed appropriate by the First Selectman.

Special Requirements:

1. Ability to meet departmental physical standards

2. Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of appointment, a valid State Driver's license with commercial driver's license or "Q" endorsement

3. Applicants must reside within fifteen (15) miles of the Suffield Department Main station within one (1) year from the date of hire

4. Hiring Process:

The selection process will include, at a minimum, a detailed review of application packet, and the successful completion of the department’s selection process which includes but may not be limited to the following:

1. Written Examination (Passing 70%)
2. Oral Examination (Passing 70%)
3. Chiefs Interview
4. Fire Commission Interview
5. Must submit to pre-employment drug and alcohol testing and fitness for duty testing
6. Detailed background investigation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Ability to assume responsibilities of Incident Commander.
2. Ability to lead effectively and provide clear and concise instruction.
3. Ability to apply sound supervisory principles and practices
4. Ability to handle emergencies in a calm and professional manner
5. Ability to serve as a mentor and coach to all officers.
6. Ability to hold staff accountable and maintain discipline through example and acceptable
leadership practices.
7. Ability to detect problems, analyze situations, make recommendations, implement solutions, and apply policy.
8. Knowledge of department rules, regulations, and procedures.
9. Ability to facilitate training and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
10. Ability to perform firefighting duties while wearing full protective equipment, including
using self-contained Breathing Apparatus.
11. Ability to operate department telephones, radio equipment, alarm systems, and other essential equipment.
12. Ability to perform routine station(s), apparatus, and equipment maintenance.
13. Considerable knowledge of organization, planning, management, and supervision methods.

Tools and Equipment Used:
1. Must be able to operate and use all tools and equipment required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
2. Emergency medical and first aid equipment
3. Fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment.
4. Computer programs such as Microsoft Suites, Munis, CAD, Fire Records, IA Responding,
ESO
5. Computer, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, two-way radio, fire apparatus, ancillary vehicles, various power tools and equipment, and firefighting personal protective equipment as required by the assigned task.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate fire/office equipment and to reach with hands and arms and is regularly required to drive a motor vehicle. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear.

1. Tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing duties in hot, humid
atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling
mechanisms.
2. Rely on senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the
emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic,
and potentially life-threatening environment throughout the operation
3. Work for long periods, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.
4. Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods:
Ability to lift forty (40) pounds frequently and heavier weights occasionally
5. Ability to carry or drag one hundred (100) pounds a minimum of seventy-five (75) feet
while wearing structural firefighting protective clothing and using a self-contained
breathing apparatus.
6. Ability to climb a fully extended twenty-four (24) foot extension ladder placed on a
seventy (70) degree angle while wearing structural firefighting protective clothing and
using a self-contained breathing apparatus.
7. Must have good health and sufficient strength, stamina, agility, and visual and auditory
acuity to perform all the position duties.
8. Will be required to meet department medical and physical requirements as established by
the Board of Fire Commissioners.
9. The employee regularly interacts with people about matters that generate conflict and
disagreements. Employees must be firm but flexible and endure stress while maintaining
a courteous and positive attitude.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally work in outside weather conditions. The employee may occasionally work near moving mechanical parts; in precarious places; may occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individuals are exposed to hearing alarms
and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, and oils.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderately noisy, too noisy in the field.

General Guidelines:
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of functions, activities, duties, or responsibilities that the employee requires for this job. Functions, duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Travel:
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area travel and
overnight for conferences and seminars may be expected.

EEOC Statement:
It is the policy of the Town of Suffield to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Town of Suffield will provide reasonable accommodations that do not present an undue hardship for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Hours:
This position is a collective bargaining unit member of the Fire Union.

The Fire Captain works a rotating shift as assigned by the Chief. This position is expected to be on call 24/7. The position is full-time, forty (40) hours per week. The Chief has the right to require employees to work over their normal forty (40) hours to provide adequate coverage and safety to the residents.

Compensation and Benefits:
The starting salary is $81,390. Compensation and benefits follow the Fire Union Collective
Bargaining Agreement. The contract is amended from time to time.

 

 

The Town of Suffield is an equal opportunity employer m/f/d/v.
The above posting is intended as a guide and is not a complete description of the position or

process

Please direct questions regarding this position to sfoley@suffieldct.gov