Battalion Chief (Internal Promotional Only)

Job Description:

Battalion Chief (Internal Promotional Only)

Description

Description



THE POSITION
This is a Department Only Promotional Opportunity for employees in permanent, allocated positions in the Fire Department of the City of Vallejo.

This recruitment is being conducted to establish an active promotional list. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to two years.

The Battalion Chief position reports to a Fire Deputy Chief and serves as a mid-manager and field commander assigned to a 24-hour work shift or, an administrative 40-hour work schedule. Battalion Chiefs are expected to actively engage in and direct assigned personnel in fire suppression, fire prevention, training, and community activities; to assist and support fire administration in ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to; and to perform additional related work duties as assigned.

Successful candidates will possess the following highly desirable attributes: effective leadership skills; detail-oriented; professional; astute; proactive; responsive; timely; accurate; excellent oral and written communication to internal and external constituents; collaborative approach; solution-oriented; trustworthy; and ethical. Must be efficient and capable of managing fireground activities and command & control; have the ability to train subordinates; be proficient and effective with handling personnel management matters and conflict resolution.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the Fire Chief.

Exercises direct supervision over sworn and non-sworn personnel.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

- Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Responds to alarms and makes decisions as to firefighting methods to be employed, and the need for additional assistance; and directs crews in firefighting and related life and property protection.
• Supervises the upkeep of apparatus and equipment assigned to the department.
• In accordance with department wide plans, conducts training and drills in all phases of firefighting, rescue resuscitation and prevention.
• Makes inspections of commercial and residential properties to discover and eliminate potential fire hazards and to educate the public in fire prevention.
• When required, operates any fire apparatus or equipment assigned to the department.
• Supervises salvage, rescue and first aid activities.
• Answers questions of the public and investigates complaints.
• Inspects buildings, grounds quarters, equipment and supplies, acts for the Fire Chief in his absence, as assigned.
• May be required to work irregular hours, to stand by for calls, and to be quartered overnight at a fire station.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• The modern principles and practices of fire prevention and suppression.
• The proper use and maintenance of firefighting equipment and supplies.
• Departmental rules and regulations and of laws pertaining to fire prevention and safety.
• City geography, fire hazards, and firefighting resources such as personnel, equipment, water supply, and communications; first aid, rescue and inhalator methods.

Ability to:

• Lead and train others, plan and direct their work and maintain discipline and morale.
• Operate all types of firefighting equipment and to instruct others in such operations.
• Keep records and prepare reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and the public.
• Physical endurance and agility.
• To meet the essential functions and physical requirements contained in the Physical Analysis of Job Assignment attached to this specification and incorporated herein by this reference.

Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
Five (5) years of experience in the Vallejo Fire Department as a Fire Captain, at least three (3) years of which shall have been in Fire Suppression.

Training:
Additional desirable qualifications: advanced education at the collegiate level in Fire Science or a closely related field; State of California Certification as a Fire Officer.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Recruitment & Selection Process
1. Applications are due by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, April 11, 2025. Applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application by the posted deadline in order to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered further.

NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

2. Applications will be screened for promotional eligibility pursuant to the experience and training guidelines set forth in the classification specification above, and Section 10 of the IAFF labor agreement. Only those who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to attend the Candidate Orientation and Assessment Center Examination process.

Pursuant to section 10(G) of the IAFF labor agreement, employees applying for promotional examinations within the Department shall receive a notice at least ten (10) days in advance of the dates on which each general phase of the examination shall be conducted. Examination dates and details are as follows:

Candidates who pass the screening for promotional eligibility will be sent an invitation to attend Candidate Orientation, which will be held on April 16, 2025. Candidates who receive an email invite are strongly encouraged to participate.

3. Candidate Orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Candidate orientation will be held virtually. Orientation will last approximately 60 minutes.

4. The Assessment Center is tentatively scheduled for the Week of April 21st. The Assessment Center examination will consist of the below exercises. Scores for the examinations will be weighted as listed below:

• • Incident Command/Fire Simulation Exercise - 60%
  • Role Play Exercise - 20%
  • Oral Presentation Exercise (The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin) - 20%

Note: Candidates will be notified via email of their scheduled date(s), time(s) and location(s) for each exercise of the Assessment Center. Any changes to the email address listed on the candidate's application materials must be communicated immediately to Human Resources in order to ensure candidates receive timely notification regarding their invitation to appear for Candidate Orientation and the examination subjects.

5. Candidates must achieve a general average of at least seventy percent (70.00%) once all scores are calculated as stated above in order for their name to appear on the Register of Eligibles. Pursuant to Civil Service Commission rule 9.6, an applicant who has failed in a subject of examination having weight sufficiently great to make it impossible for him/her to attain a general average of seventy percent (70.00%) or more, assuming the maximum degree of excellence in all other subjects shall be excluded from further examination and shall be considered as having failed the entire examination. Candidates are encouraged to reference Civil Service Commission Rules 9, 10, 11 and 12 governing open and promotional competitive examinations and the report of examination and protests.

Scores: Tentative scores will be emailed to each candidate after all candidates have completed the assessment center, and scores have been tabulated.

***ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Recommended Resource Material for Battalion Chief Examination Process:
The following reading materials are not an exclusive list, these resources may assist you in preparing for the assessment center process.

• The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
• MOU's- Memorandum of Understanding
• SOP's- Standard Operating Procedure
• SOG's- Standard Operating Guidelines
• Manual of Operations
• Firefighter Bill of Rights

6. Inspection of Scored Answers Period: Pursuant to Civil Service Commission Rule 12.3, after all parts of an examination have been completed and scored, the candidates shall be allowed a period of five (5) working days during which they may inspect their scored answer sheets and any rating forms which they have been rated during any part of the examination.

Candidates who wish to inspect their scored answers, in accordance with the CSC Rule above, must schedule an appointment by emailing Marie Cruz in writing. Email is the preferred method of contact. Email addresses is listed below:
Marie Cruz, Personnel Analyst II
marie.cruz@cityofvallejo.net

7. Following the resolution of any protests filed by candidates, each candidate will receive an email listing their final score and ranking on the Register of Eligibles. Candidates must achieve a minimum overall score of 70.00% in order for their name to appear on the Register of Eligibles.

8. Names of candidates who qualify for placement on the Register of Eligibles list will be forwarded to the Department in accordance with applicable Civil Service Commission Rules and the currently applicable collective bargaining agreement between the City of Vallejo and the International Association of Fire Fighters - Local 1186. Candidates placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) will be referred to the department for final interviews.

9. The Department holding the current vacancy will conduct all final interviews and make the final candidate selection. In accordance with Section 10 (A) of the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Vallejo and IAFF- Local 1186, the "Rule of Three" shall apply. This section states, "Promotions to the classifications within the bargaining unit represented by the Union shall be made from the lower ranks serving in the Fire Department, provided the candidate or candidates competing are qualified for the vacant position, using the rule of three."

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Marie Cruz at: marie.cruz@cityofvallejo.net.

PRIOR TO HIRE
The selected candidate will be required to: 1) Submit to reference checks 2) Submit to and successfully pass a pre-employment background check, including fingerprint check. 3) Successfully complete a job-related pre-placement medical exam. 4) Provide proof of legal right to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers - All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Veteran's Preference - Veteran's preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Click here for benefit information for International Association of Firefighters Employees (IAFF).

Closing Date/Time: 4/11/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$142,026.66 - $172,634.72 Annually