Deputy Fire Chief - Operations

The City

The City of Courtenay is situated on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, within the traditional lands of the K'ómoks First Nation. Accessible by land, sea or air, Courtenay is a culturally diverse community that offers supernatural beauty at its doorstep. The City (approximate population 25,000) is the urban and cultural hub of the larger community, the Comox Valley (approximate population 65,000).

The City is governed by a Mayor and six Councillors. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
is responsible to Council for managing all City operations. The organization consists of eight departments reporting to the CAO including Corporate Support Services, Development Services, Engineering Services, Financial Services, Legislative Services, Public Works Services and the Fire Department.  Our organization's culture is demonstrated by our Corporate Mission and Core Values.

The Fire Department is responsible for providing fire prevention, suppression and rescue services to the residents of Courtenay and contracted areas as well as emergency preparedness planning.

The Opportunity

The Deputy Fire Chief - Operations assists in the administration of a Fire Department consisting of full time personnel and a volunteer contingency of fire fighters. Responsibilities include participating in the planning and development of fire prevention and fire fighting programs and coordinating the implementation of department activities; supervising personnel and participating in the management of the volunteer fire brigade; performing fire-fighting duties during and after regular hours; and in the absence of the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief-Operations assumes overall command of the Fire Department.

Reporting to the Fire Chief, the Deputy Chief – Operations participates in the planning and development of fire prevention and firefighting programs, policies and procedures, and coordinates the implementation of activities to enhance the protection of life and property in the municipality as well as outside the municipality where contracted within the Fire Protection District. 

This position reviews plans, drawings and specifications of building construction or alteration to ensure compliance with the Fire Code, regulations and bylaws; makes recommendations to issuance of business licenses; supervises the work of Fire Department staff including coordinating, assigning, training, scheduling and reviewing the work.  Monitors the quality and quantity of work, resolves routine staff issues, and handles routine discipline problems. Participates in hiring, promotions, higher-level discipline, and grievance processes. 

This position assists the Fire Chief in the preparation and control of the department’s operational and capital budgets; coordinates all record keeping for the department and assists in the preparation of reports.  This position will assume overall command of the Fire Department in the absence of the Fire Chief.

To be successful in this role, you will have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the field of municipal fire fighting; sound (3-4 years) experience in crew supervision.

Additional Qualifications

• Grade 12 diploma or equivalency
• Courses in Fire Service Leadership or other relevant discipline
• Certified NFPA Fire Fighter Level 2
• Fire Officer Level 3 or equivalent
• Fire Service Instructor Level 2
• Fire Inspector NFPA 1031 level 1
• Fire Investigator Level NFPA 1033 level 1
• Certified First Responder Level 3
• Incident Command System level I-400
• Valid Class 3 Drivers License with Air Endorsement

This full-time position is available soon. 

We offer the opportunity to live and work in a community surrounded by natural beauty along with an attractive salary and a comprehensive benefit package including:

A comprehensive health benefits plan including the City’s Employee and Family Assistance Plan

• Enrolment in the Municipal Pension Plan                 
• Annual vacation, cumulative sick plan and other paid leaves
• Professional development & training opportunities
  

If you have the qualifications along with the passion to help Courtenay be the most livable City in British Columbia, then submit a resume outlining how you meet the qualifications with a covering letter.

Submit your application online at www.courtenay.ca/jobs where you can also view a full job description.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those short listed will be contacted.

Deputy Fire Chief - Operations [PDF - 39 KB]