Chief of Emergency Services

Chief of Emergency Services 

Salary Range: $70,788 - $106,182 (Commensurate with Experience)

King and Queen County Virginia is recruiting for a Chief of Emergency Services to manage and direct the work activities of the King and Queen County Fire and EMS system and to be responsible for emergency management planning, coordination, and implementation for the managed agencies.  The Chief is the head of the Emergency Services Department.  The position is responsible for coordinating the activities of both the paid employees and the independent volunteer agencies to achieve an integrated and effective fire, natural disaster, hazardous materials and emergency medical services system within the County. The Chief is appointed by the County Administrator and reports directly to the County Administrator.

This role is a full-time position, but part-time (minimum of 30 hours per week) or flexible arrangements will be considered for qualified applicants. 

This position is open until filled.  Applications received before July 1, 2026, will receive first consideration.

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:

This job involves both office and field work and may be called upon to perform work 365 days a year at any time during the day or night. The employee may occasionally exert up to 50 pounds of force. The employee may be subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, hazards, atmospheric conditions, oils, and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus. The employee may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens. The position may require sitting for long periods of time and focused work on a computer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & TYPICAL TASKS:

This position requires the ability to plan, organize and direct the operation of the Fire & EMS employees and to collaborate with volunteers within the coordinated emergency response system. The Chief of Emergency Services plans and organizes the overall delivery of fire suppression, emergency medical services and other emergency services for the County within a coordinated combination Fire and EMS system as provided by State law. The Chief manages emergency planning for all man-made and natural disasters and coordinates disaster and hazardous materials responses. Must have the demonstrated ability to perform complex professional level work requiring judgment and strong competency in communication and human relations skills.

•  Provides oversight and management of the coordinated system’s functions.

• Plans, directs, and supervises through subordinate officers, the activities of the Fire/EMS departments following departmental policies and procedures.

• Plans strategy with department leadership to serve the community in a timely and safe manner.

• Provides oversight and management of training & development for both the career employees and the volunteers.

•  Evaluates performance of staff, making recommendations on personnel matters, and coordinating and implementing remedial training.
  

• Directs financial operations of the department, including development and monitoring of the budget.

• Assists in the development and planning for construction and maintenance of stations within the county.

• Creates and maintains requirements for department apparatus and equipment; makes recommendations regarding fleet size and type.

• Makes day-to-day operations decisions necessary for an effective coordinated system on matters not addressed by systemwide policies.

• Establishes long-term strategic goals and objectives for the department, planning for the future needs of the County.

• Provides general management, planning, preparation, response and recovery for any disaster relating to fires, hazardous materials, natural or man-made events, weather or emergency medical services.

• Assumes responsibility to develop and carry out agreements for mutual aid, disaster preparedness and the provision of services related to hazardous materials, rescues, fire suppression, investigation, medical services or other emergency response services.

• Exercises all powers authorized by state law as necessary for the provision of coordinated Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

• Participates in emergency response operations as required in a declared emergency by County officials.

• Plan with local Officials, County departments, independent volunteer agencies and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.

• Develops and maintains liaisons with other County departments, independent volunteer agencies and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of employees and equipment.

• Coordinates disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.

• Prepares emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.

• Maintains and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.

• Prepares plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.

• Develops and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.

• Collaborates with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.

• Designs and administers or arranges for administration of emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach employees and citizens how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.

• Keeps informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, response efforts, or plan implementation.

• Inspects facilities and equipment, such as emergency management centers and communications equipment, to determine their operational and functional capabilities in emergency situations.

• Reviews emergency plans of individual departments to ensure their adequacy.

• Keeps informed of federal, state, and local regulations affecting emergency plans, and ensures that plans adhere to those regulations.

• Attends meetings, conferences, and workshops related to emergency management to learn new information and to develop working relationships with other Emergency Managers.

• Proposes alteration of emergency response procedures, based on regulatory changes, technological changes, or knowledge gained from outcomes of previous emergency situations.

• Provides instructional materials for the public and makes presentations to citizens' groups to provide information on emergency plans and their implementation processes.

• Applies for federal and state funding for emergency-management-related needs and administers and reports on the progress of such funding sources.

• Performs related tasks as assigned and/or required. 
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Comprehensive knowledge of fire, EMS, emergency management and disaster planning management. Extensive knowledge of laws and regulations controlling fire, EMS and emergency management. Demonstrated management and administrative skills. Demonstrated ability to lead, direct and manage the activities of volunteer and career employees. Must have the ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with volunteers, career employees, government officials and the public; ability to manage projects, especially in collaboration with other County departments and independent volunteer agencies; ability to prepare technical and informative reports and present complex information to diverse audiences; ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in emergency situations is a critical skill requirement. Must have effective written and oral communication skills. Must have computer competence and technical skills. Requires the demonstrated ability to perform complex professional level work requiring judgment and strong competency in communication and human relations skills.

A preferred qualification is knowledge of the physical layout of King and Queen County, residence within close proximity of the County, ability to provide regular on-site presence for staff and volunteers daily, and a timely in-person response to emergencies.  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the position and extensive experience in fire, emergency services, and emergency medical services. Must have ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in Fire & Emergency Medical Services, including a minimum of three (3) years of career supervisory experience, preferably at the rank of captain or higher in Fire & EMS.

The following certifications/designations are preferred but not required:

Advanced EMT or Paramedic; Fire Officer III; Fire Instructor Level II; and Advanced Professional Emergency Manager or VDEM Emergency Manager Academy Completion; Certified Emergency Manager; Chief EMS Officer; Chief Fire Officer; NFA Executive Fire Officer; ICS Certifications (100, 200, 300, 700, 800); Virginia Education Coordinator/EMS Instructor.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

All employees of King and Queen County may be called upon to serve the citizens of the county in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, flood, fire, and/or any other event classified by the county as an emergency.

King and Queen County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer