Deputy Chief of Emergency Services

Grade
Job Class
Work Comp
EEO Class/Code
Tier Status
BCO-4

Supervisory

9410

1/Officials-Administrators

1

Nature Of Job
The Deputy Chief of Emergency Services performs highly responsible administrative and operational work in support of the Chief of Emergency Services, assisting with the overall development, leadership, and management of the Department of Emergency Services (DES). This position oversees key functional areas including Emergency Management, Fire Rescue, 911 Communications, the 800 MHz Intergovernmental Radio System, Administrative Support Services, Logistics, Professional Development, and Professional Standards. The Deputy Chief exercises considerable judgment, initiative, and discretion in managing daily operations, provides command and scene management at emergency incidents, and ensures effective coordination with internal departments and external partners to deliver efficient, countywide emergency services. The position serves directly under the Chief of Emergency Services and acts on their behalf in the Chief's absence.

• Assists the Chief in managing departmental operations, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.
• Oversees policy development, budget preparation, personnel management, and compliance with all applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Supervises division managers and ensures accountability, fairness, and consistency in performance evaluations and disciplinary actions.
• Provides oversight for departmental quality assurance, accreditation, and ISO compliance.
• Serves as Department Compliance Officer for the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.
• Represents DES at public meetings, professional conferences, and interagency workgroups.
• Coordinates recruitment, hiring, and promotional processes in coordination with Human Resources and the Chief.
• Develops and implements training, leadership, and continuing education programs to support employee growth and operational readiness.
• Promotes professionalism, accountability, and succession planning across all divisions.
• Provides command and control at major emergency incidents; ensures safe, coordinated, and effective field operations.
• Oversees apparatus deployment, staffing, and maintenance of facilities, vehicles, and equipment.
• Ensures compliance with NFPA, ISO, and state standards for training, testing, and readiness.
• Serves as ISO Rating Officer and leads continuous improvement initiatives related to community risk reduction.
• Supports countywide disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs.
• Oversees development and implementation of emergency operations plans and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal standards.
• Coordinates with public agencies, municipalities, and community organizations to enhance emergency capabilities and resilience.
• Represents the department during EOC activations, serving as an incident advisor or liaison during major emergencies.
• Provides executive oversight for the County's 911 Communications Center (PSAP), ensuring operational performance, compliance, and reliability.
• Oversees maintenance and integration of emergency communications technology and interoperability systems.
• Evaluates and implements emerging technologies to improve dispatch efficiency, response times, and coordination among public safety partners.
• Oversees fire prevention, inspection, and life safety programs to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Serves as liaison with building officials, contractors, and the public on fire and life safety issues.
• Oversees the County's Surf Rescue program and ensures proper staffing, training, and safety protocols.
• Manages hazardous materials incident reporting and mitigation in compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Serves as departmental spokesperson and subject-matter expert, providing public presentations, media briefings, and stakeholder engagement.
• Represents the County in multi-jurisdictional planning efforts and regional emergency management coordination.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. The County reserves the right to modify, add, or remove responsibilities as necessary to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of emergency services to the public.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in fire science, emergency medical services, emergency management, public administration, or a closely related field; AND
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public administration within an emergency services organization, including a minimum of seven (7) years in a supervisory or management capacity, of which at least three (3) years must have been served as an Assistant Chief or equivalent command-level position; AND
• Must meet Career Firefighter Minimum Standards as prescribed by Florida Statute Chapter 633, or the ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Possession of Florida Fire Officer III certification is highly desirable; however, a Master's degree in a related field may be used in lieu of Fire Officer III certification.
• A comparable amount of training and/or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications, as determined by the County.

Licenses And/Or Certifications

• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid Florida driver license upon offer of employment with a driving record acceptable to the County Driving Policy and insurance program.
• Possession of and maintain Florida Paramedic certification.
• Possession of or obtain and maintain Florida Career Firefighter Minimum Standards within one (1) year of hire as a condition of employment.
• Knowledge of public administration, budgeting, and personnel management within emergency services.
• Knowledge and expert understanding of Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, 911 Communications, and related operational frameworks.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, including Florida Statutes, NFPA, OSHA, and ISO standards.
• Knowledge of modern methods, techniques, and practices of Emergency Management, Fire Suppression, and Emergency Medical Services.
• Knowledge and understanding of the harmful effects of hazardous materials and the appropriate response and mitigation procedures.
• Knowledge of project management and organizational skills.
• Knowledge and/or experience in 911 Communications operations is highly desirable.
• Knowledgeable in the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) with the ability to assume command roles during major incidents.
• Proficient in emergency response, risk assessment, and prehospital medical operations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, CAD, GIS, and incident management software.
• Skilled in incident command, strategic planning, and interagency coordination under NIMS/ICS.
• Skilled in presenting technical information and ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral form to professional, public, and media audiences.
• Skilled in performing prehospital emergency care in accordance with Florida Department of Health and Bureau of EMS standards when required.
• Ability to coordinate countywide disaster planning, training, and recovery operations to ensure readiness and resilience.
• Ability to maintain reliable full-time attendance and work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as operational needs require.
• Ability to prepare, manage, and monitor large and complex departmental budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with procurement policies.
• Ability to have excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills in the English language.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and perform effectively under stressful or emergency conditions.
• Ability to lead and manage fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical operations while maintaining responder safety and incident efficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other agencies, public officials, and the community.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions
Work is primarily performed indoors but requires some exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights and/or dust.

This is primarily office work requiring limited physical effort. This position requires stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, visual acuity (i.e. seeing up close, seeing far away, depth perception), kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, climbing, finger movement, repetitive motions. Frequent lifting of 10 to 15 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds, and may require lifting up to 50 lbs.

Special Requirements

• Must be available be on-call duty to respond to incidents or emergencies after normal hours

WORK LOCATION:
Remote Eligible
- This position is assigned to a county worksite. However, in the sole discretion of Bay County BOCC, this position may be eligible for telework within the State of Florida.