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Assistant Fire Chief I Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: City of Cortland Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 4/12/83 Revised: 12/21/1999; 9/13/2016; 12/16/2025 ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF I DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is an important administrative position involving responsibility for assisting the Fire Chief in carrying out the responsibilities in Fire Code Enforcement, apparatus and facilities maintenance, fire prevention, emergency operation planning and training. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Fire Chief and in accordance with applicable laws and departmental policies and procedures. This position may also function as the Deputy Fire Marshall. The incumbent may be required to supervise departmental and volunteer staff on an assigned rotation basis. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Develops policy standards to unify departmental activities; Schedules and coordinates shift activities in Fire Code Enforcement, apparatus and facilities maintenance, fire prevention and emergency operations planning and training; Secures budget estimate data, makes budget estimate studies, assists in the preparation of the budget and maintenance of budget control; Prepares or assists in the preparation of a variety of written reports as required; Participates in the departmental chain-of-command for Fire/Emergency Incident control; Oversees training program for paid and volunteer members of the Fire Department; Assists in the inspection of buildings in compliance with the City Fire Code and New York State Law; Investigates the cause, origin and circumstance of fires of a suspicious nature; Function as liaison officer between the volunteer and paid staff; Investigates reported fire code violations; Attends outside seminars, conferences and training sessions to keep abreast of new developments in the field; Assumes command in the absence of the Fire Chief for departmental activities. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of fire prevention and firefighting principles, practices, equipment and safety precautions; Thorough knowledge of the provisions of the applicable fire prevention codes and ordinances to be enforced; Good knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the various types of apparatus and equipment used by the fire department; Good knowledge of training practices, procedures and techniques; Working knowledge of governmental budgetary procedures; Ability to plan, organize and implement policies; Ability to secure the cooperation of others; Ability to prepare oral and written reports; Good professional judgment; Initiative; ---PAGE BREAK--- Assistant Fire Chief I Page 2 I 2 Flexibility; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Possession of an associate degree in Fire Protection Technology or a similar field and three years of full time paid or its part-time paid equivalent in firefighting and fire prevention, six months of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; OR Possession of a high school diploma or equivalency diploma and five years of full time paid experience or its part-time paid equivalent in firefighting and fire prevention, six months of which must have been in a supervisory capacity. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 1. Candidates must be eligible for an operator's license issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. Possession of the license at time of appointment. Failure to maintain an operator’s license after appointment will result in disciplinary action or dismissal. 2. Candidates are required to have a certification as a NYS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at time of appointment. Failure to maintain an EMT Certification after appointment will result in disciplinary action or dismissal. 3. Candidates are required to have a NYS Code Enforcement Certificate at time of appointment. Failure to maintain the NYS Code Enforcement Certification may result in disciplinary action or dismissal. 4. Candidates are required to enroll for NYS Fire Investigation Certification within 6 months of appointment and must have the NYS Fire Investigation Certification within 18 months of appointment. Failure to maintain the NYS Fire Investigation Certification may result in disciplinary action or dismissal. NOTE: Degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If the degree was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. Applicants must pay the required evaluation fee.