Employment Opportunity – Fire Chief
The Village of Crete (population 8,465 covering 10 square miles) is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Fire Chief/Fire Administrator. This is a full time position that requires a variety of knowledge, skills, education, and abilities necessary to lead a department that currently utilizes contract firefighter/PMs, part-time firefighter PM’s and EMT’s as well as Paid on Call employees of varying certifications to meet the needs of the community that it serves.
Job Qualifications: The applicant must be well versed in dealing with a combination style department. It is imperative that the candidate have excellent “people skills” and will need to have the talents to operate in a small department culture requiring flexibility, innovation, and forward thinking.
Education: An Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or similar credentials is desired as well as a significant amount of actual fire ground and department management experience. The applicant must be an EMT or Paramedic in good standing and licensed in the State of Illinois. All other related training and relevant credentials should be included with the submission.
Experience: The applicant should have good working knowledge/experience with principles and practices of organization, administration, budgets, personnel management, and fire ground tactics and management. The applicant must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills as they will be looked at as a leader with the goals of the Department and Village in mind. They must also be an innovative thinker and problem solver who can adapt to this fast and ever changing climate.
Training: The applicant should also be a skilled instructor and communicator, as chief officers are required to provide training on a regular basis as well as provide direction and guidance to the staff.
Additional Responsibilities: The Chief also oversees the Fire Inspector, assists in providing fire prevention training, safety inspections and fire code enforcement. They will be the face of the Fire Department and Village to the public and will interact with the Crete Village Board, Village Administrator, EMA, Police Department, Public Works, and other local units of government and civic organizations. They will also be involved with various other fire related organizations including regional dispatch services. The Chief is also responsible for assisting in planning for the future needs of the Department and the Village, and for the care and maintenance of all fire department related equipment. The Chief also assists in budget preparation and coordinates and maintains resources for emergency responses.
Compensation and Benefits: The Village is prepared to offer a comprehensive and competitive salary and benefits package to the successful candidate based on qualifications and experience.
BACKGROUND
The Crete Fire Department (CFD) is a municipal fire department organized in 1889 to meet the fire protection needs of the Village of Crete. The Department now provides emergency services, which includes fire protection, rescue services, emergency medical services, hazardous materials emergency response, and related services for the protection of life and property. During the last calendar year, the Department responded to 1,956 calls for service, 16% of which were mutual aid responses. The Department staffs each of its two stations with a full time contract FF/Paramedic and a part time Firefighter/EMT. They are supplemented by a small staff of paid on call members. Equipment includes two engines, one squad/engine, three ambulances and several utility and staff vehicles. The applicant must be well versed in dealing with individuals of varying abilities, personalities, education and skill levels and must have excellent “people skills.” The applicant will need to have the talents to operate in a small department culture which requires flexibility and innovation within a tight budget. The incoming Fire Chief/Administrator must live within a reasonable response distance of the Village, or be willing to relocate shortly after hire. The current compensation salary for the Fire Chief is $80,000 annually and is considered as a base for the new Chief. The Village offers a normal benefits package including IMRF Retirement, 10 paid holidays per year, shared cost medical/dental/vision insurance for the employee and their dependents, term life insurance fully paid by the Village for the employee, and vacation time accrues based on length of service.
Interested parties should submit their resume, certifications and statement of qualifications by one of the following methods:
By mail: Village of Crete, Fire Chief Position Application P.O. Box 337 Crete IL 60417-0337
In person: Crete Village Hall 524 W Exchange Street Crete IL 6017
By email: meinhorn@villageofcrete.org
This employment opportunity will remain open until a qualified candidate is chosen.