Fire Chief (Lopez Island)

FIRE CHIEF

San Juan County Fire District #4

Lopez Island, Washington

Salary: $100,000 - $120,000

Located in the northwest corner of Washington State on Lopez Island, the third largest of the San Juan Islands, the San Juan County Fire District #4 (Lopez Island Fire & EMS) is a scenic ferry ride from the mainland. The San Juan Islands enjoy more sunshine throughout the year and about half the rainfall of Seattle, thanks to the rain shadow effect of the Olympic Mountains. The islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales, and are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream for fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. Many citizens yearning for the slower, rural pace of life make the islands their home. Lopez Island is an unincorporated community having approximately 2,500 full time residents.

Organized in 1961, Lopez Island Fire & EMS provides emergency response to Lopez Island for incidents involving emergency fire, rescue, and medical services. The District is a combination department governed by a three-member Board of Fire Commissioners. Lopez Island Fire & EMS operates on a 2020 budget of $1,257,830 from four strategically placed fire stations. The District has 43 on-call volunteers, 25 firefighters, 18 EMTs and 3 FF/EMTs, 3 paid full-time firefighter-paramedics, and 1 full-time office staff. The District employs a full-time support technician. Services are provided by 4 fire engines, 2 ambulances, 1 rescue and extraction vehicle, and 2 tenders/pumpers. The District responded to 533 calls in 2019, of which 76% were EMS based and 24% were fire based.

Under the direction of the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Fire Chief is responsible for the administration, operations, and functions of all Fire District activities, personnel, equipment, properties, assets, and liabilities. This requires a broad knowledge and a thorough understanding of modern emergency services administration, personnel management, fire and accident prevention, and fire and EMS training. In addition to administrative responsibilities, the Fire Chief may be expected to direct and supervise activities at emergency incidents.

A bachelor’s degree in fire administration, public administration, or a closely related field is highly preferred, though an AA degree with a successful combination of education, training and experience that clearly demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered. Candidates must have 10 years of progressively responsible, full-time, paid experience in a career or combination career/volunteer department, and at least 4 years of which are in a command, management or a supervisory level position of Battalion Chief or higher. The ideal candidate will have experience working in a combination career and volunteer workforce, management experience in the delivery of training and paramedic EMS programs, and experience in interagency coordination with wildland fire protection agencies.

The selected candidate must relocate and reside within the fire district within 60 days of appointment to the position, pass the District’s medical requirements and a thorough background investigation, and have or be able to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license.

For a complete position profile/full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/, click on "Open Recruitments" and then click the position title. To apply, click on "Apply Online" and follow the directions provided. For questions, call 206-368-0050. Lopez Island Fire & EMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. First review of applications: September 27, 2020 (open until filled).