Kansas City, Missouri Fire Chief

The Fire Chief must be well-versed in all operational and administrative aspects of comprehensive emergency service operations including fire suppression, fire prevention, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, and associated services. The Fire Chief provides administrative direction for all Fire Department functions, operations, and personnel through the supervision of subordinate staff and review of their activities. Responsibilities include: reviewing the general operation of the department to determine efficiency, providing direction on major projects or problem areas, developing and implementing policies and procedures, administration of the merit system; administration of the labor relations program; and providing policy guidance. Also, the Fire Chief is responsible, through study and consultation with the City Manager and elected officials, for developing recommendations for the protection of life and property in City of Kansas City, Missouri. The Fire Chief will exercise strategic and visionary thinking that will have long-term organization-wide application and impact, including the development and implementation of critical programs, and supervision of multiple assigned functions, divisions, and significant resources. The City Manager appoints the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief receives general supervision from the City Manager, who reviews work based on overall results achieved. The Fire Chief may consult with the City Manager on problems relating to policy planning but works independently in supervising the global operations and is responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the Fire Department.

Essential Functions:

• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with staff, board members, community organizations, other agencies, and the general public.
• Represent KCFD with effective verbal and written presentations.
• Inform public groups on the plans, programs, and goals of the Fire Department.
• Advise Department management and the City Manager on progress.
• Respond courteously and tactfully to a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, explaining department policies, and handling complaints.
• Plan, organize, and direct a progressive public Fire Department with several functional areas.
• Organize and direct the activities of staff engaged in providing emergency services.
• Plan, direct, and control department activities such as recruitment of personnel; purchase of equipment; assignment of personnel and equipment; and the budgeting and control of expenditures.
• Coordinate Fire Department activities in accordance with federal, state, and local emergency services organizations, and city departments.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, prepare, administer, and monitor the Fire Department budget.
• Responsible for all personnel matters, which include employment and termination of all department personnel.
• Analyze and resolve operational, procedural, and personnel problems.
• Resolve complex problems involving diverse functional areas.
• Analyze information, statistics, and reports on department activities.
• Develop plans designed to maintain department efficiency and responsiveness.
• Analyze Fire Department needs, as well as the availability of resources, existing programs, and other related factors in developing departmental programs to meet those needs.
• Provide direction on major projects or problem areas.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures applicable to administrative functions and provides policy guidance.
• Maintain a cooperative and collective relationship with KCFD membership in the labor/management process with the leadership and membership of Local 42 and Local 3808 of the International Association of Firefighters.
• Work more than 40-hours in a workweek without additional compensation to perform assigned job duties, including weekends, evenings, early morning hours, and holidays as required.
• Maintain a level of physical agility and fitness sufficient to engage in walking, and physical activity consistent with the other essential functions.
• Operate job related equipment.
• Drive a motor vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements:

• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of effective public administration, with particular reference to Fire Department policies, personnel, and budget administration.
• Knowledge of modern management techniques, supervisory practices, and evaluation methods.
• Knowledge of the modern principles and practices of human resources.
• Knowledge of governmental organization management.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective administration with particular attention to short- and long-term strategic planning.
• Knowledge of the activities, objectives, and ideals of fire services and operations.
• Knowledge of the facilities, equipment, and personnel needed to provide fire and medical services and operations.
• Knowledge of the methods, equipment, and materials used in providing fire and medical services.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations as they pertain to Fire Department activities.
• Ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles and methods of governmental funding, budget presentation, and monitoring.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct a progressive public agency with several functional areas.
• Ability to organize and direct the activities of staff engaged in providing optimum fire department services.
• Ability to plan, prepare, and administer an annual departmental budget.
• Ability to effectively analyze and resolve operational, procedural, and personnel problems.
• Ability to develop formal agreements and contracts with other agencies and communities.
• Ability to make effective verbal and written presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, elected officials, community organizations, other agencies, and the general public.

Required Training and Experience:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a major in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• Preferred master’s degree in Fire and Emergency Management, Public Administration or related field.
• Minimum rank of Deputy Chief or comparable rank.
• Extensive experience (10 years plus) and progressive responsibility, including administrative, supervisory, and budgetary experience in fire prevention and suppression work, preferably with a large complex urban municipal, county, or state fire department or district.
• Minimum certifications/license:
  • Fire I & II or equivalent training
  • EMT-B Certification
• Preferred certifications/license:
  • Chief Fire Officer Certification
  • Executive Fire Officer

All certifications must be current and remain current through the duration of employment.

About Kansas City:

Kansas City, Missouri is a growing, world-class community of just over 500,000 residents that serves as the central hub for a thriving bi-state, 18-county metropolitan area of 2.5 million residents. The City is governed by a 13-member City Council and Mayor that appoint a City Manager to oversee a municipal organization with over 4,000 employees, 16 departments, and a total annual operating and capital budget exceeding $1 billion. A diverse and culturally rich community located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, Kansas City is known for its long traditions as the home of spectacular BBQ, jazz, beautiful boulevards, fountains, and parks. Kansas City boasts celebrated cultural traditions including jazz; theater, and history, including the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Kansas City is also the proud home of professional sports teams including the Chiefs, Royals and Sporting KC, and has served as host of several NCAA tournaments over recent years. The City of Kansas City is generally recognized as one of the most livable cities in America and looks forward to showcasing our city on the national and world stage as host of the 2023 NFL Draft and the 2026 World Cup. The City of Kansas City, MO seeks to attract and retain a qualified and progressive workforce to provide high-quality services to Kansas City, MO residents and visitors.

Salary Range: $12,389-$19,147/month
Main Office Location: 635 Woodland, Kansas City, MO
Application Deadline Date: Open Until Filled