City of Stratford

Deputy Fire Chief/CEMC 

External Posting

Job Posting#: 24-2025(e)

Status: Permanent, Full Time

Union/Non-union: Non-union

Date Posted: March 7, 2025

Annual Salary: $163,431. 

Closing Deadline: March 21, 2025  

Department/Division: Fire

Location: On-Site (Stratford, ON)

Duties:

Reporting to the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief’s responsibilities include the management and evaluation, coordinating, and directing the day-to-day operations of the Stratford Fire Department. This also includes acting as the subject matter expert on Community Emergency Management for the Corporation. 

The Deputy Fire Chief assumes all responsibilities of the Fire Chief, in their absence.

Work Performed:

• Contributes to the strategic direction through involvements in the planning, management and administration of major initiatives
• Assists the Fire Chief in providing leadership and strategic direction for the operational activities of the Stratford Fire Department
• Manage and oversee the departmental administrative, suppression, prevention, training and education, and communication services, including staff performance management, grievance management, budget monitoring, reporting, facilities, sourcing safety equipment and uniforms, and compliance adherence.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection, training, coaching, motivating, disciplining, and performance management of Department staff.
• Oversee fire suppression emergency response operations and training as it pertains to crash/fire/rescue incidents, at the Stratford Municipal Airport
• Oversee the maintenance, repair and replacement of facilities, equipment, and apparatus, and assist the Fire Chief in the creation of fleet and equipment purchases and capital project specifications, during the sourcing/bidding/tendering process.
• Effective communication, presentation, negotiation, leadership, and general management skills.
• Participates with the Chief in the development of the annual operating budget, preparation of the Capital budget, budget administration and control, and in the procurement process.
• Liaise with internal departments, other stakeholders, and the public, in the areas of public awareness, education and legislative compliance, exhibiting tact and diplomacy.
• Comply with all workplace Health and Safety Policies and Procedures including but not limited to: attend and participate in all H&S training and education activities; identify and report all H&S risks, accidents, incidents, injuries and damage, and ensure all activities are carried out in a safe manner, including the proper use of all assigned personal protective equipment.
• Prepares information, reports, letters, and memoranda; attends Council/Committee meetings, public hearings, community, and other public meetings, as required.
• Share in on-call responsibilities, respond to emergencies and assume command when required. Consistently evaluate emergency operations and provide leadership and direction to officers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Degree or diploma in Fire Service Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or other related discipline, is an asset
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level 3 or equivalent (Fire Officer Level 4 preferred)
• NFPA 1041 Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Level 1
• NPFA 1035 Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator/Public Information Officer Level 1
• Minimum 10 years of operational fire suppression experience with 5 or more years of increasingly responsible experience in the fire service, including experiences in a supervisory capacity, Incident Command role, or combination of training and experience

Specialized Skills, Abilities, Training, License, Memberships, or Certifications

• Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) certification or willingness to obtain within 1^st year
• NFPA 472 HAZMAT certification (Awareness & Operations, Technician, or Incident Command level)
• Experience/exposure to Airport Rescue Fire Fighting operations (NFPA 1003 Airport Fire Fighter certification preferred)
• Minimum of active Class G Driver’s licence
• Ability to work under pressure, stress, and meet tight deadlines
• Experience in Fire Prevention, Inspections and Education
• Ability to lead and plan departmental activities, motivate personnel, and foster relationships.
• Ability to delegate duties and responsibilities, when appropriate
• Experience in providing and coordinating training with a thorough knowledge, and experience in the application of modern firefighting and rescue standards and fire prevention methods, techniques, and procedures, and of the operation and maintenance of all equipment and apparatus
• Excellent written and oral comprehension, expression, and communication skills
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate work of team members, including the ability to motivate, mentor, and enable the career development of team members
• Problem Sensitivity/Resolution
• Deductive Reasoning and Negotiations skills

Applications will be received until Friday, March 21, 2025 at 4:30 pm.

The City of Stratford is committed to building a culture where difference is valued.  The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be on behalf of the community we serve. We are committed to continuously improving our systems, policies and practices to remove barriers, promote respect and ensure our employees, in all their diversity, can succeed. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants with a diverse range of perspectives, skills and lived experiences to apply.   

Accommodations are available for people with disabilities throughout all stages of the recruitment process.  Applicants should make their needs known in advance.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Personal information collected in response to this advertisement is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 to determine eligibility for employment with the City of Stratford.  Please direct inquiries to the Human Resources Department at 519-271-0250 x 336.

Human Resources Department 

City Hall, P.O. Box 818

Stratford, ON N5A 6W1