Fire Chief

As the Fire Chief the incumbents overall management and supervision, administrative, operations, fire prevention, training, and health and safety responsibilities for the entire fire and emergency services division, without traditional supporting deputy or assistant chiefs. The FHM FD is an all hazards fire and emergency services response to the Fort Harrison Montana VA Campus including 41 residential low-income veteran housing units and complex surrounding mutual aid jurisdictions.

As the Fire Chief for the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center the incumbent provides overall management and supervision, administrative , operations, fire prevention, training and health and safety responsibilities for the entire fire and emergency services division, without traditional supporting deputy or assistant chiefs other duties may include but not limited to: Ensuring the success of the Joint Commission Compliance, The Fire Chief must comply with and enforce extensive policies, VA Directives, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Oversees the fire and emergency service operations, fire prevention, department safety and health, and training division duties. The Fire Chief serves as the on scene incident commander on complex emergencies, directing activities and personnel, requesting resources, transmitting instructions to firefighters on the scene or other personnel as to the procedures to be followed. The chief also serves as an operations employee covering empty shifts throughout the year and must maintain full annual training and fitness requirements. The Fire Chief is the Contract Officer Representative (COR) for the FHM and Miles City fire sprinkler systems and extinguishers, COR for the FHM and Miles City fire alarm panel system, COR for FHM mutual aid agreements, and the primary point of contact for the Fort Harrison Natiotional Guard agreement. Works with supervisors, leaders, group coordinators, or committee chairs to direct, coordinate, or oversee work; or provide similar oversight of contractors Exercise significant responsibilities in dealing with officials of other units or organizations or in advising management officials of higher rank Assure reasonable equity of performance standards and rating techniques between organizational units and assuring equity in assessment of contractor work Direct multiple programs or major program segments with significant resources Make decisions on work problems presented by subordinate supervisors/leaders Evaluate subordinate supervisors or leaders and serve as the review official for evaluations they prepare for non-supervisory employees Make or approve selections for non-supervisory subordinate positions Recommend selections for subordinate supervisory positions Hear and resolve group grievances or serious employee complaints Review and approve serious disciplinary actions involving non-supervisory employees Make decisions on non-routine, costly, or controversial training needs and requests Determine whether contractor work meets standards to authorize payment; Approve expenses comparable to WIGI, extensive overtime, and employee travel Recommend awards and bonuses for non-supervisory employees and changes in position descriptions, subject to higher level approval Find and implement ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production, team building, and improving business practices. Plan work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short-term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work Assign work to subordinates based on priorities, consideration of the difficulty of work and capabilities of employees; Evaluate work performance of subordinates Give advice, counsel, or instructions to employees on work and administrative matters Interview candidates for subordinate positions, recommend appointments, promotions and reassignments, Hear and resolve complaints, refer group grievances and serious, unresolved complaints to a higher level Work Schedule: 0800-1700 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 0800-0800 Wednesday; (position works a 56- or 60- hour schedule and may be required to cover empty shifts) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Fire Chief/PD130380 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants must have all required professional certifications. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.