Assistant Fire Chief
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Midlothian, Texas is offering an excellent leadership opportunity for a contemporary, well-rounded fire service leader seeking to work alongside a group of committed career professionals as Midlothian’s first Assistant Fire Chief overseeing the department’s administrative services. This position is a benchmark opportunity for an established executive to assist the Fire Chief with leading an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 rated organization dedicated to providing outstanding pre-hospital care, fire suppression, fire prevention, and customer service in a growing community.
ABOUT MIDLOTHIAN
Located in northwest Ellis County, Texas, about 25 miles from either Dallas or Fort Worth at the juncture of US Highways 287 and 67, Midlothian is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, the economic and cultural hub of North Texas. Midlothian, the gateway community to the peaceful suburbs of Ellis County, encompasses a land area of 64.42 square miles.
As Midlothian experiences increased residential and commercial development, it is revitalizing its historic Downtown. The new Public Library and City Hall serve as the heart of the new town square. A new public safety facility is in the planning stages. Capitalizing on Midlothian’s reputation as one of Texas’ safest cities, the City’s Downtown Master Plan focuses on making Downtown a safe, walkable, and vibrant destination with ample green space. With a strong local economy and a beautiful, rural atmosphere, people are drawn to Midlothian for its charm, well-regarded public schools, and plentiful job opportunities.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Midlothian Fire Department (MFD) was formed in 1906 and has progressed from being an all-volunteer department to a combination volunteer and career organization. MFD is an all-career organization serving a 115 square mile service area that includes the City of Midlothian and Ellis County Emergency Services District 2, a 51 square mile unincorporated area adjacent to Midlothian. As a suburban fire department, with a significant geographic footprint, MFD serves a population of more than 53,000 people. MFD provides mutual aid to its surrounding communities while also providing contract ambulance services to the nearby city of Ovilla.
The Midlothian Fire Department has an administrative headquarters, three fire stations, and a fire training center. On an annual basis, MFD currently responds to more than 6,000 emergency calls for service, 65 percent of which involve a medical emergency. MFD staffing consists of 81 full-time employees. The Fire Department consists of two major functional areas: Administration and Operations. The Fire Department’s operating budget for FY 2024-2025 is $14.7 million.
THE POSITION
Appointed by and working under the general direction of the Fire Chief, the Assistant Fire Chief is an essential member of the Fire Department’s senior executive leadership team. Accordingly, the Assistant Fire Chief must be a proven fire service professional with broad-based contemporary job knowledge and excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. The Assistant Fire Chief will direct the day-to-day activities of the Administrative Division which includes providing direct oversight and supervision of the Fire Marshal and Training Divisions.
As a crucial member of the Fire Department’s leadership team, the Assistant Fire Chief’s key duties and responsibilities include modeling leadership behaviors and actions that are consistent with the Department’s mission and core values; promoting effective working relationships with department personnel, city employees, and members of the community; developing, administering, and forecasting within the city’s budget cycle, including developing specifications for needed apparatus and equipment; coordinating service testing and evaluation of department apparatus and equipment; and functioning in any level of the Incident Command structure.
The ideal candidate will have an established reputation as a mentor, collaborator, and team builder who can connect with all levels of the Fire Department; have a strong leadership presence while being approachable and accessible; be a solid communicator with the ability to engage others with tact and diplomacy; be able to operate with independence and initiative while remaining aligned with the Fire Chief's policy directions; and be a respected leader with an elevated level of emotional intelligence, strong organizational skills, and a keen sense of community.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of equivalent experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may qualify. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Fire Administration, Public Administration, or a related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: A minimum of 12 years of progressive fire service experience including four years of supervisory experience at the rank of Battalion Chief.
Advanced Training: Graduate of at least one of the following -Texas A&M TEEX Fire Service CEO Program, Texas Fire Chiefs Academy, or the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
Required and Preferred Certifications: Refer to the detailed recruitment brochure for an extensive list of both required and preferred certifications.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $128,448 - $162,528 with final placement in the range dependent on qualifications and experience. An excellent executive benefit package is provided including Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): 7% employee contribution with an employer matching contribution at 2/1 for the employees’ retirement program. The City of Midlothian requires contributions to Social Security and Medicare. In addition, the City provides medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with a variety of plan options for employees and dependents; paid vacation and holidays; sick leave; relocation assistance; long-term disability insurance; employee life and dependent life insurance options; and an assigned vehicle.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a compelling interest letter and comprehensive résumé online by Monday, December 2, 2024, at:
https://www.mosaicpublic.com/careers
Due to the public nature of searches in the State of Texas, confidential inquiries are recommended before submission of materials should you have any questions:
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
Jacqueline “Jackie” Seabrooks | [email protected] | (916) 550-4100
