The Fire Lieutenant/Firefighter position serves as a company officer supervising a crew of firefighters assigned to the Blacksburg Fire Department. Position works under the direction of the Fire Chief and performs technical work providing fire suppression and fire prevention, drives and operates department vehicles and assists in the maintenance and repair of station and equipment. Duties are performed under emergency conditions and frequently involve considerable personal hazard. The Fire Lieutenant/Firefighter must work well with other emergency services personnel, often under hazardous and stressful conditions. Performs other duties as assigned. This position is normally assigned to a 10-hour shift.

The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V

*This position is not eligible for telework

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department apparatus and fire personnel, including the Firefighter/Fire Code Inspector(s), Firefighter/Fire Code Official, and volunteer Firefighters
Supervises employees to include prioritizing and assigning work; assists with the conduction of performance evaluations; ensures staff are trained and developed, and makes operational decisions as permitted by departmental policy
Implements and expands the ICS system as necessary while assuming the most appropriate role for any given incident; The Fire Lieutenant should be able to assume the role of Incident Commander for the initial 20-30 minutes of most incidents
Provides emergency response while on duty
Directs complaints and inquiries from external entities to the Fire Chief or his/her designee
Maintains inventories of supplies, forms, and equipment; ensures availability of adequate resources to complete work activities
Communicates effectively and coherently over public safety radio channels
Directs and/or performs rescue from life-threatening situations
Drives emergency vehicles and operates equipment on emergency vehicles
Prepares electronic reports and other documentation as required according to department policy
Monitors the health, safety, and physical condition of other responders on the scene of an incident
Maintains working relationships with all volunteer fire and rescue personnel
Collaborates with volunteer fire and rescue personnel on emergency scenes and in all other settings
Assists with Departmental administrative duties as assigned by the Fire Chief
Adheres to all applicable Blacksburg Fire Department policies and procedures
Serves as a member of the Department’s leadership team and provides input and assistance to the Department Chiefs
Attends and conducts meetings, seminars, and training sessions as required to maintain knowledge of departmental and County operations, to promote improved job performance, and to maintain knowledge of changing policies, procedures, codes, laws, and accepted practices
Ensures subordinate personnel receive training and education as determined by the Department Chief or as otherwise applicable
Instructs and directs subordinates regarding proper procedures and protocols of the department
Participates in training and education activities to remain informed and skilled in the latest techniques for fire suppression, technical rescue, and fire prevention
May manage and/or assist with various projects for the betterment of the Department
May serve on various department, local, and/or regional committees
May serve as the Department’s liaison with other public safety entities while operating at the scene of calls for service

Thorough knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions
Thorough knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process as relevant
Experience with administrative and clerical procedures and systems, such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology
Extensive knowledge of fire suppression, technical rescue, Hazmat response, fire investigations, and inspections
Familiarity with the geographical layout of Montgomery County and the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, including streets, roads, and major landmarks
Ability to handle stress effectively without it interfering with performance
Ability to organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility
Ability to operate a computer, using word processing, spreadsheet, database software, and other standard office equipment
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
Ability to supervise other emergency services personnel, often under hazardous or stressful conditions
Ability to manage major emergency incidents, making appropriate decisions related to life safety, property, and the environment
Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations
Ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds
Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of others
Ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted
Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with elected officials, department heads, other employees, employees of other agencies, members of the media, and the general public
Must be able to successfully complete a written and physical agility test, and pass an NFPA 1582 annual physical; be in excellent physical condition and maintain good physical fitness standards
Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate to other emergency personnel, patients, family members, and the public

Education and Experience

High school diploma required; Associate’s Degree in related field preferred
Minimum of 5 years of experience as a firefighter required
8 years as a firefighter in a supervisory/management role preferred

Special Requirements

Virginia ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
Virginia approved emergency vehicle operator’s course
VDFP Firefighter I, VDFP Firefighter II, VDFP Hazmat Operations, VDFP Driver/Pump Operation (within 1 year of hire)
ICS 300 (within 1 year of hire), VDFP Fire Instructor I, VDFP Fire Officer I (within 1 year of hire)
Valid driver’s license in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a satisfactory driving record

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds for force
Work regularly requires standing, walking and speaking or hearing, frequently requires using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and tasting or smelling and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions
Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception night vision and peripheral vision
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken work and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
Work regularly requires exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
Frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts and exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), work is generally in a loud noise location

Blacksburg, Town of (VA)

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Fire Lieutenant/Firefighter