For a complete description of the SMFR organization and the Fire Chief position, please read through this informative brochure.
SOUTH METRO FIRE RESCUE
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF
South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) is located just south of the Denver metro area in the beautiful state of Colorado. SMFR serves an approximate population of 564,000 residents and nearly 300 square miles across Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties. This includes 13 cities, Centennial Airport, and 3 large office parks. SMFR is governed by an elected Board of Directors that oversees an annual budget of over $213 million. The District is primarily funded by property tax, which is a significant challenge currently due to potential legislative changes in Colorado which may impact the District in future years.
THE DEPARTMENT
South Metro Fire Rescue exists today as a result of several fire service agencies consolidating services over the past decades. SMFR’s origin comes from the Castlewood Fire Protection District established in 1951 and renamed South Metro Fire Rescue. Numerous consolidations have occurred since that time, including mergers with the Parker Fire Protection District in 2008, the Cunningham Fire Protection District in 2018, and a final consolidation with Littleton Fire Rescue in 2019. The department is an ever ‐ evolving organization focused on providing world ‐ class fire and emergency services to the community. South Metro Fire Rescue is currently one of the largest fire ‐ based EMS transport departments in the nation.
Today, SMFR deploys all ‐ hazards emergency services from 30 stations that are strategically located throughout the nearly 300 square miles of coverage area, responding to over 50,000 calls for service annually. The District has enjoyed and benefited from strong, consistent leadership, with only two Fire Chiefs serving the District since its first merger with Parker Fire Protection District in 2008. The current Chief is set to retire after forty ‐ one years of service to the community, the last ten of those serving as the South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Chief.
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The District has approximately 775 full ‐ time employees, with approximately 630 line and 145 staff personnel. In addition to the 30 fire stations, the District operates administratively out of a headquarters building and two training centers, the Joint Service Facility (JSF) and the Troy Jackson Training Center (TJTC). The District holds several distinctions as a result of the high ‐ quality services, training standards, equipment, staffing, and related support functions provided. SMFR is among the leaders in the State of Colorado, being one of twenty ‐ one departments to receive accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). The District received formal recognition in 2018 and 2021 for attaining a Class 1 ISO (Insurance Services Organization) rating. There are 39,200 fire departments in the United States, 411 of those hold an ISO Class 1 rating, and only 119 are both a Class 1 and Accredited. SMFR is one of only eight fire departments in Colorado that holds an ISO Class 1 rating. SMFR has a strong organizational culture focused on providing the highest quality service to our citizens and treating them like family with professionalism, accountability, compassion, and engagement. Personnel are focused on achieving the mission and vision and are committed to the core values of the District.
SMFR Mission
SMFR Vision
SMFR Values
To be a best ‐ in ‐ class, all ‐ hazards prevention, mitigation, and response organization that supports a safe, healthy, growing community; a leader in risk reduction, preparedness, service delivery, and operational effectiveness; highly valued as a community and business partner and as an employer of choice; and well ‐ positioned to proactively meet the needs of our changing demographic and businesses while maintaining fiscal strength and stability.
South Metro Fire Rescue is a world ‐ class organization that serves the public by protecting lives and property through our dedication to training, prevention, mitigation, and response.
We are stewards of the public trust who value the equitable treatment of all. We foster strong community ties through integrity, compassion, and unwavering professionalism.
The District is fully supported by a strong Board of Directors committed to providing the highest quality of services to the community and being the Employer of Choice in Colorado. The Employer of Choice commitment was clearly demonstrated recently with a new three ‐ year working agreement through 2027 signed by the Board and our proud IAFF Local 2086. This new agreement ensures firefighter total compensation, including salary, workweek, and comprehensive benefits, will be the best in the State throughout this contract period. The Board of Directors, the Fire Chief and the District’s Executive Team, line personnel, and staff personnel have a shared vision of service excellence.
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The South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Chief is the top executive appointed by the Board of Directors. The Fire Chief is responsible for providing administrative leadership to the department and performing executive level activities related to fire prevention, fire education, and emergency response. The Fire Chief oversees and directs through the Executive Team all services, activities, and operations of the District in a manner consistent with Board policy and legislative mandates. The Fire Chief performs long range, strategic planning efforts to ensure the safety, health, and wellbeing of individuals and protection of property within the community. The Fire Chief provides direct oversight of all fire suppression, emergency medical services, and other rescue and hazardous emergency response; adopting and enforcing laws and resolutions pertaining to fire prevention, inspection of buildings, and investigation of all fires to determine the cause; and oversight of all uniformed personnel and staff support functions necessary to meet the District’s obligations. With the support of our legislative team, the Chief will stay informed and actively participate in discussions related to Colorado's legislative landscape including ballot measures and legislation. This collaborative approach will be essential for adapting operational protocols, managing resources, and effectively leading the department through legislative changes.
Essential Job Functions: Set and Execute Strategy
1. Works with the Board of Directors to develop the District’s Strategic Plan to meet current and future community needs; leads the implementation of established District strategy consistent with the vision, mission, and overall direction of the Board of Directors. 2. Oversees the development, implementation, and administration of all District programs and services, including fire protection response, emergency medical services, business operations, training and professional development, prevention programs, safety, and emergency management programs, emphasizing safety of first responders. 3. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources; initiates, coordinates, and enforces systems, policies, and procedures. 4. Continuously develops and enhances effective working relationship with Local 2086; negotiates collective bargaining agreement on behalf of the Board; maintains connectivity with Local 2086 through the Meet and Confer process and disciplinary process. Allocate Resources 5. Oversees the development and presentation of the operating and capital budgets for public review and Board approval; ensures the District meets all fiscal obligations and operates within available revenue and the District’s long ‐ term financial plan.
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Build Senior Leadership Team and Set Culture 6. Hires and develops senior leadership team; plans and implements leadership development programs throughout the organization; identifies high potential leadership candidates. 7. Establishes and regularly measures positive organizational culture; models organizational values; creates a welcoming culture of belonging, inclusivity, accountability, candor, and transparency; builds and strengthens relationships with all members of the organization. 8. Ensures proper personnel administration is practiced by all levels of supervision throughout the District, including, but not limited to, the selection and training of employees; providing comprehensive training and professional development; evaluating employee performance; providing effective coaching and mentoring; identifying and resolving problems; and taking corrective measures, including appropriate disciplinary actions. Communicate & Work Effectively with All Stakeholders 9. Serves as the primary point of communications to the Board of Directors; advises the Board on complex and significant organizational matters; provides Board with information, data, and reports on plans, proposals, alternatives, and recommendations. 10. Meets with citizen groups regarding the activities of the District; presents, explains, justifies, promotes, and defends various programs and priorities. 11. Actively coordinates with contiguous fire departments fostering positive relationships and collaboration; develops mutual assistance programs, where appropriate. 12. Participates in metro, state, and national professional fire organizations; represents the District to the legislature, special interest groups, and appropriate officers of local, state, and federal government; promotes District successes and needs; shares information and data, influences initiatives; participates in finding impactful solutions to challenging situations. Emergency Response 13. Responds to major incidents as a senior advisor and as an interface with the community, community leaders, and other elected officials.
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Required Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum of ten (10) years progressively responsible experience in the fire service with emergency medical response, with at least five (5) years of experience as a chief officer or executive role in a similarly situated, complex organization. Possess (or obtain within a reasonable time) a valid Colorado driver’s license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with the SMFR Driving Records Policy.
Maintain Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer Certification (or approved equivalent). Residency within Metro Denver area.
Desired Education and Experience: Master’s Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field. Possession of National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO), Center for Public Safety Excellence Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation, or completion of Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI). Residency within District boundaries. Required Leadership Competencies: Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer ‐ centric solutions. Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
Develops Talent: Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals. Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Drives Vision and Purpose: Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action. Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi ‐ mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. Demonstrates Self ‐ Awareness: Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses. Being Resilient: Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. South Metro Fire Rescue 6
South Metro Fire Rescue offers a total compensation package, which includes a competitive salary and attractive benefits package:
Salary ‐ $290,000 – $320,000 annual salary range. The starting salary will be negotiated with the selected candidate upon final offer of employment.
Retirement – The District contributes 12% of base salary into a defined contribution plan (401a), with a mandatory employee contribution of 12%. The District also contributes 2% to a deferred compensation plan (457b), with no required employee contribution. Retiree Health Savings – The District contributes 1.5% to a Retiree Health Savings Account (RHS) based on an established salary grade to assist in building a tax ‐ free fund for retirement health care expenses. Education Differential – An education differential of $5,000 annually is provided for a master’s degree. Designations or Certifications – A differential is provided for EFO or FSEDI and/or CFO Designation/Certification (4% and 2% of base salary respectively). Health Insurance – A variety of medical, vision, and dental plans are available. Employee contributions vary by plan selection. Life Insurance – Life insurance of 1.5 times base salary to a maximum of $400,000 is provided. Life insurance is also provided for spouse and dependents under age 26. Long ‐ Term Disability ‐ Income protection provided if unable to work due to disability. Leave Benefits ‐ Paid Holidays, vacation, and sick leave are provided. Other Benefits ‐ Additional supplemental employee ‐ paid benefits are provided based on individual needs. Vehicle – A District take ‐ home vehicle will be provided.
Wellness Program – A variety of wellness services are provided, including an annual physical examination. Tuition Reimbursement – Tuition assistance is available for completion of master’s degree or higher. Relocation Assistance – Financial assistance will be provided if relocating to Colorado.
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Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume directly to Camie Chapman, Director of Human Resources, at camie.chapman@southmetro.org . Letters of interest will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024. Review of resumes will begin in September. Candidates will be evaluated based on the qualifications outlined above. Candidates who best meet the needs of the District may be invited to participate in a multi ‐ phased selection process that may include virtual screening interviews, in ‐ person interviews, and/or informal site visits. A very thorough background screening will be conducted on the final candidate or candidates, which will include site visits to the candidate’s current employer. References will be requested and contacted at this time. Candidate information will be kept as confidential as possible, until such time as public interviews are conducted. Approval from candidates will be obtained prior to any contact with candidate references.
APPLY
PROCESS
CONFIDENTIALITY
Please contact Camie Chapman at 720 ‐ 989 ‐ 2421 or camie.chapman@southmetro.org with any questions.
CONTACT
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