Fire Chief

Onalaska Web • Full-time • Onalaska, WI, US • 1d ago

JOB REQUIREMENTS: The City of Onalaska is seeking to hire a Fire Chief.

Under the direction of the Mayor, this position directs, sets goals and

objectives, and oversees all department operations. This position holds

the highest-level management position within the Fire Department and is

ultimately responsible for the complete control, operation, and

representation of the City\'s fire department and its employees. The

Chief is responsible for managing the physical facilities and equipment;

promoting fire prevention; developing and improving the City

firefighting and emergency medical response; improving the City

firefighting forces with methods and techniques of firefighting and fire

prevention; supervising departmental activities; formulating and

enforcing department rules of conduct and policies; coordinating

department activities with outside agencies; preparing and justifying

departmental budgets; making recommendations for hiring, promotions,

commendations, and discipline; and making major changes in procedures

and organization. The Chief also provides information to the Common

Council, business groups, service organizations, special committees, and

representing both the City and the department to the general public,

governmental agencies, news media, etc. This position is appointed by

the Police and Fire Commission and supervises all employees hired by the

Police and Fire Commission that serve as employees of the Onalaska Fire

Department. Essential Job Functions: Oversees all activities of the

department for adherence to established policies and work methods;

assures enforcement of statutes, fire codes and local ordinances. Plans,

reviews, and coordinates departmental activities with the Mayor, City

Administrator, Department Heads, the Police and Fire Commission, and

other appointed and elected officials. Supervises the day-to-day

activities of fire department officers and staff; evaluates and monitors

fire department policies and procedures and the institution of an

appropriate chain of command. Performs or directs the performance of

tasks related to fiscal, personnel, property, records management, and

other administrative tasks. Participates on the City of Onalaska Plan

Review Team to assure projects are planned and completed in accordance

with the Fire Code. Facilitates occupancy inspections and fire detection

and prevention inspections within the response areas of the Onalaska

Fire Department. Develops and projects a good public image of the

department and its employees with the general public, other

firefighter/EMS agencies, governmental officials, and the news media.

Monitors the planning, organization, and conduct of activities related

to the provision of emergency medical services and disaster management,

and conduct of fire suppression activities, including readiness planning

for man-made or natural disasters in the City of Onalaska and

neighboring municipalities. Monitors the planning, organization, and

conduct of departmental activities related to the inspection of

properties for fire hazards and code enforcement, arson prevention and

investigation, fire prevention and community education. Responsible for

the recruitment and retention of firefighter/EMS personnel; evaluates,

schedules, trains personnel, administers discipline and grievance

processes within the Fire Department. Monitors the planning,

organization, conduct, and evaluation of departmental training

activities of personnel; reviews programs of instruction designed to

equip department personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to

perform the tasks they are assigned. Represents the fire department at

meetings and hearings conducted by other governmental bodies and

agencies on matters directly related to the department\'s operations;

acts as a liaison with other organizations and groups on matters related

to the department\'s operations. Develops rules of conduct, policies,

mission statement , goals and objectives and work procedures to be

followed by members of the department based on trends in city

government, firefighter/EMS requirements and city growth patterns.

Serves as legal custodian of fire department records; maintains

appropriate records and prepares reports; supervises and assures

maintenance of departmental equipment. Prepares, reviews, approves, and

submits the fire department\'s budget for consideration by the Mayor and

Common Council; and supervises expenditures of departmental

appropriations. Attends meetings of the City Common Council, as well as

meetings of the Police and Fire Commission and other committees of

jurisdiction. Develops and annually reviews the department\'s long-range

plan for capital improvements, including the acquisition of capital

equipment and fiscal requirements associated with such a plan. Develops,

coordinates, and annually reviews assistance agreements entered into

with other jurisdictions. Serves as Director of the City\'s Emergency

Management Team; develops, coordinates, reviews, trains staff tasked

with Emergency Operation Center (EOC) duties ensuring the EOC is

operational at any given time. Obtain Incident Command System (ICS) 100,

200, 700, 800 (on-line) within 1 year of hire and 300 (in-person)

certification within a reasonable time. To Apply: To be considered for

this excellent opportunity, submit an online employment application by

accessing https://onalaskawi.gov/jobs by July 1, 2026. For additional

information please contact: City of Onalaska Human Resources City Hall

(1st Floor) 415 Main Street, Onalaska WI 54650 Phone: 608-781-9530 ext.

260 Email: afrandsen@onalaskawi.gov Additional Information: Initial

interviews anticipated for mid-July and 2nd interviews anticipated for

August 3rd. Selected candidate subject to background screening,

post-offer/pre-employment drug screen/physical and psychological.

EOE/Drug Free Workplace. \*\*\*\*\* OTHER EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor\'s degree in Fire Service or a closely related field. Master\'s

Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related

field desired. Related course work at the National Fire Academy (e.g.

Executive Fire Officer program) preferred. Ten (10) years of

progressively responsible experience in the fire service, including five

years of supervisory experience and five (5) years\'

experience/training in emergency management; or equivalent combination

of work experience. Wisconsin or International Fire Service

Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Fire Officer II or III, and WI or

International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Fire

Instructor II or III preferred. Valid driver\'s license with good

driving record. Establish and maintain residence at a distance not

greater than 15 miles from the nearest corporate boundary of the City,

per ordinance. \*\*\*\*\* APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Apply Online:

www.cityofonalaska.gov