Job description
Class Title
Fire Captain
Class Code
602
Salary
$8,416.00 - $12,653.00 Monthly
Basic Function
Under direction, commands a fire station and participates in, directs, and supervises firefighters in fire suppression, emergency medical care, fire prevention, rescue operations, public education, and maintenance activities; and performs related work as required.
If Assigned to Marine Safety Division:
Under general direction, plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of the Marine Rescue Services Division; recommends goals, implements policies, and establishes procedures related to this division; develops and manages the Marine Rescue Services budget; oversees all activities related to the division; performs related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Fire Captain is the first level field supervisor who provides direct and indirect supervision of fire department personnel. Fire Captains will be continually trained and tested consistent with nationally recognized standards of professional competence. Fire Captains can be assigned to a 24-hours rotating shift schedule averaging a total of 56 hours per week or to special assignments which may require a 40-hour work week. Fire Captains supervise a team of fire personnel who respond to EMS incidents, fire alarms, or other types of routine and emergency calls for service. Additional duties include, but are not limited to, fire prevention, public education, emergency preparedness, and completion of written reports. Fire Captains may be assigned as a project or program leader and have the organizational and fiscal responsibilities associated with that assignment. This classification is distinguished from the next lower level classification of Fire Engineer in that the latter is responsible for driving and maintaining fire vehicles and apparatus and is distinguished from the next higher level classification of Fire Battalion Chief in that a Fire Captain provides supervision to a company of fire personnel rather than an assigned shift with multiple companies.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to those duties listed below.)
- Responds to calls for fires, medical emergencies, rescues, fire alarms, hazardous materials, and other calls for service as needed.
- Drives and operates department vehicles as needed.
- Supervises the application of extinguishing agents to fires using hoses, nozzles, hydrants, pumps, hand tools, and other firefighting equipment.
- Supervises the entry into burning structures to affect rescues and to extinguish fires. Supervises the use of ladders, hand tools, protective breathing apparatus, and power tools in the process.
- Performs rescues and removes people from burning buildings, cliffs, the ocean, bodies of water, and other hazardous conditions.
- Performs technical rescue and extrication using rope, hydraulic tools, ladders, and other specialized equipment.
- Supervises, trains and evaluates firefighters as assigned.
- Supervises pre-fire planning, inspection, public education and related fire prevention activities.
- Commands a fire station.
- Schedules daily activities and provides input to monthly training schedule; assigns personnel and oversees and participates in training programs and drills.
- Supervises and assigns the maintenance of the fire station grounds, apparatus, and equipment.
- Prepares reports on incidents or runs; maintains a daily journal of activities, unusual occurrences, training, fire prevention inspections, activities and reports as assigned.
- May be assigned specialized areas of responsibility, i.e. first aid and rescue; forms and reports; water distribution; apparatus and equipment; training and lesson plans; fire science coordinator with colleges and California Fire Academy; fire prevention; and administration.
- Assists in fire suppression, takes initial command of a fire situation and assists in related life and property protection.
- Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
If Assigned to Marine Safety Division:
- Plans, directs, and coordinates a variety of activities designed to safeguard the public by ensuring adequate Lifeguard coverage of City beaches, providing accident preventative measures, aquatic safety education, municipal code enforcement and emergency response.
- Analyzes operational and service demands and develops comprehensive plans to satisfy needs for Marine Rescue Services; confers with legal advisors, citizens, and city officials on lifeguard services; develops and implements marine safety policies and procedures.
- Prepares and manages the budget for the Marine Rescue Services Division; originates and implements organizational and staffing patterns to effectively address operational needs, prepares work schedules, initiates all purchase orders and payment requisitions, and manages payrolls for Marine Rescue Services Division.
- Advises and otherwise assists the Fire Department Chief, City Manager and City Council in understanding and developing policies governing City responses to marine safety issues; develops and recommends changes or additions to the Municipal Codes; assigns and conducts special projects; assigns and prepares statistical reports.
- Assists in coordination of hiring process for Marine Rescue Services Division employees; plans and organizes work; develops and establishes work methods and standards; reviews and evaluates employee performance; investigates complaints against division employees; executes disciplinary action; maintains personnel records.
- Coordinates staff training and development to ensure staff currency in marine safety, rescue operations, first aid and CPR knowledge and skills; directs the preparation of training manuals and instructional materials.
- Represents the City, or delegates such authority, in relations with the community, advisory committees, other local, state, and federal agencies, and professional organizations; responds to inquiries from the media and prepares press releases.
- Coordinates marine safety activities with those of other agencies.
- Assumes command and/or participates in difficult emergency situations; administers first aid and performs CPR and (if qualified) initiates and/or assists with the provisions of advanced life support care; coordinates the posting of appropriate warning signs when dangerous ocean conditions exist; investigates complaints and accidents; monitors and conducts safety checks of city beaches.
- Monitors division daily activities and operations and directs same through subordinate supervisors; conducts field inspections of marine safety operations; prepares special reports on marine safety issues and various other written communications; coordinates the maintenance of related facilities, equipment and vehicles.
- Participates in the preparation and organization of special events; beach construction projects, civic group functions and special aquatic activities.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking and running on level, rough, rocky, uneven, steep, and slippery surfaces, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when assessing emergency situations, performing inspections and reading documents. This position requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and acute hearing to hear pager, radio communications, human voice, sirens, alarms and other auditory warning devices clearly in both emergency and non-emergency situations. This position requires the ability to smell in order to detect odors, such as smoke, gases and other odors that could indicate harmful or dangerous environments. The need to lift, carry, drag and push tools, equipment, supplies, victims and patients weighing up to 165 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position may be exposed to a variety of working conditions, including wet, extreme heat and cold and may be exposed smoke and products of combustion, explosions, electrical hazards, toxic or caustic chemicals, structurally compromised buildings/facilities, and biological/radiological hazards. This position may be exposed to loud noises such as helicopters, fire engines and chainsaws. The nature of the work may require the incumbent to climb ladders, work in confined spaces and wear a breathing apparatus. The incumbent may be required to respond to after hour emergency calls. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:
High school graduation or tested equivalent; and- Five years of experience as a paid full-time firefighter OR four years of experience as a paid full-time firefighter and 36 units of college courses in fire science or a related field.
Knowledge
:
Supervisory techniques;- Report writing and form procedure;
- Modern principles and practices of fire department administration, fire-fighting procedures, techniques and equipment;
- Local, state and national safety codes, ordinances and laws, including OSHA regulations;
- Principles of combustion and extinguishment;
- High quality customer service methodology and principles;
- Hazards and generally accepted safety standards;
- City ordinances and administrative rules and regulations affecting departmental operations and personnel matters;
- General City operations;
- Departmental policies, procedures and practices;
- Fire enforcement codes and firefighting and fire prevention techniques;
- Building materials and construction.
Abilities :
Supervise, train, motivate, lead and evaluate others;- Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public;
- Maintain physical health, strength, stature and ability to meet the physical demands of fire work;
- Learn technical concepts, procedures, and the operation of equipment utilized in firefighting, fire prevention and education;
- Use manual and/or power tools safely and effectively to perform essential duties;
- Assess situations quickly and adopt effective courses of action;
- Work effectively as a member of a team;
- Follow both verbal and written instructions;
- Read, comprehend, retain, and apply a large number of technical procedures, policies, codes and orders;
- Work under physically demanding conditions and in potentially hazardous or stressful situations;
- Tactfully and effectively interact with all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, or economic status;
- Maintain a level of performance consistent with the standards of the department;
- Work a 24-hour continuous shift and to be subject to recall during emergencies.
In addition to the above Knowledge and Abilities, if assigned to Marine Safety Division :
Knowledge :
Marine safety principles, practices, and techniques;- Ocean rescue safety procedures;
- Ocean shoreline currents and conditions;
- Beach and coastal erosion;
- Related municipal codes;
- Boat rescue procedures; first aid and CPR;
- Maintenance of safety equipment and facilities;
- EMS protocols and procedures;
- Marine safety organization, administration and management; physical layout and composition of the City including special marine safety problems.
Licenses and Certificates
Possession at time of application of the following (must be maintained throughout employment):
- Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class B commercial driver's license, with a Firefighter Endorsement certificate and safe driving record.
- Possession and continued maintenance of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate or State of California Paramedic license.
- California State Fire Marshal Fire Command 1A, 1B and 1C; or Company Officer 2D and 2E certificates.
- California State Fire Marshal Fire Instructor 1A and 1B; or Training Instructor 1A, 1B, and 1C; or Instructor 1; or Training Instructor certificate.
- S-231: Engine Boss and S-290: Intermediate Fire Behavior (classroom version) certificates.
- Course equivalencies for required courses are acceptable from recognized training organizations like, but not limited to, California State Fire Marshal, CalFire, National Fire Academy, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Institute, US Forest Service, California Specialized Training Institute, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.
(If assigned to Marine Safety Division) Certificates :
- United States Lifesaving Association certification in “Aquatic Rescue Response Team.” (ARRT)
- Certified Personal Water Craft Operator
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Completion of California State Fire Marshal courses for “Fire Officer” or “Company Officer” certification
- Completion of Santa Cruz Fire Department Acting Engineer program or equivalent from another organization that meets the standards of NFPA 1002
- California State Fire Marshal “Fire Officer” certification
- P.C. 832 certificate
- Hazardous Materials On Scene Commander certificate
- CICCS ENGB qualification or open Task Book
- Completion of Santa Cruz Fire Department Acting Captain program or equivalent from another organization that meets the standards of NFPA 1021 (Fire Officer I).
- Completion of California State Fire Marshal courses for “Chief Officer” or “Chief Fire Officer” certification.
- If assigned to Marine Safety Division, possession of California State Paramedic License with local accreditation for Santa Cruz County
Career Ladder
- Fire Chief
- Fire Division Chief
- Fire Battalion Chief
- Fire Captain/Deputy Fire Marshal
- Fire Engineer
- Firefighter/Fire Prevention Inspector II
- Fire Prevention Inspector I
Class Detail
If assigned to 56 hours: Reports to Assigned Chief Officer
Supervises Firefighters and Fire Engineers
If assigned to 40 hours: Reports to Fire Division Chief - Operation.
Supervises Firefighters, Fire Engineers, and assigned Marine Rescue and Lifeguard personnel
Bargaining Unit: Fire
Classification No: 602
Date of Issue: 07/16
Update: 07/15
Review: 04/22
SALARY
- This classification has a seven-step salary range. Appointment is normally made at the first step of the range. Employees are advanced to the next step upon successful completion of the probationary period. See Fire MOU documents on the City website for further details.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to Firefighter bargaining unit positions are subject to a twelve-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to Firefighter bargaining unit positions are subject to a twelve-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVE
40 hr Employee
Vacation – 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.
Sick – 8 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program.
Holidays – up to 11 days/year, plus 3 floating holidays
56 hr Employees
Vacation – 12 hours/month up to 5 years, 18 hours per month 6-10 years, plus 1 hour per month for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 24 hours/month.
Sick – 12 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program.
Holidays – 192 hours/year
INSURANCE – (available to employee and eligible dependents)
Medical – Minimal cost to the employee depending on plan selected; participating members make an additional $48 contribution per pay period to health care benefits.
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program – City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage.
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program – City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage.
Life – City provides a $30,000 life insurance policy.
Long Term Disability – City pays 80% of premium for long term disability plan.
BILINGUAL PAY
The City shall provide a monthly allowance of 5% of base pay for bilingual speaking skills, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Fire and the approval of the Director of the Human Resources Department.
RETIREMENT
All new regular employees become members of Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) 2.7% @ 57 plan (3 year average final compensation). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 15.75% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis per MOU agreement. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Accident Protection Insurance
Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance
Direct Deposit
Education Incentive
Discount Bus Pass Program
Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care
Longevity Pay (after 6 years, 15 years, 20 years and 22 years)
In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month
Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Uniforms provided & maintained
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