Title: Virginia Fire Marshal Academy (VFMA) Division Chief #00043

State Role Title: Emergency Coordinator Mgr I

Hiring Range: $80,000 - $100,000.00

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Fire Programs

Location: Henrico1

Agency Website: www.vafire.com

Recruitment Type: State Employee Only - E

Job Duties

About the Agency
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs serves the citizens of the Commonwealth by enhancing public safety through supplemental funding to local governments, providing education and training to first responders, and delivering fire prevention and life safety education through community risk reduction and statewide fire code enforcement.

About the Position
The VFMA Division Chief will plan, provide oversight, and manage all aspects of training related to the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy, including Basic Law Enforcement (BLE). This position is responsible for directing all programmatic, budget (approximately $400,000), personnel and operational activities within the program as related to both VDFP delivered/supported training and emergency response (field and EOC). The Division Chief will work in close coordination with other VDFP staff members to maintain agency accreditation/certification. This position is responsible for providing overall supervision of all VFMA training activities and personnel, to include but not limited to the VDFP staff, adjunct instructors, and VDFP assets (training trailers & props). In this position, the Chief will serve as a subject matter expert and Agency point of contact responsible for establishing and maintaining effective partnerships and serve as a liaison to the local jurisdictions and to regional, state, federal, and non-government organizations within the state and providing direct access to the full array of services and assistance offered by VDFP.

This position has a Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) assignment and is designated as essential personnel and serves as the first-level of response during an incident within the EOC and support recovery operations. This position is required to ensure 24/7/365 situational awareness throughout the state for potential and/or actual threats, incidents, or disasters both natural and manmade. The incumbent of this position will serve as an Agency technical spokesperson if needed, and as the Agency Duty Chief as scheduled. Employees may be required to work during emergency situations, such as inclement weather and natural or man-made disasters/events as directed. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may also include duties other than those specified in the employee’s official job description.

Minimum Qualifications

•Considerable knowledge of fire code development and implementation at the local, state, and federal government levels.
•Considerable knowledge of training principles and practices including adult methods of instruction, curriculum development, training delivery, and testing assessment/evaluation.
•A work history demonstrating knowledge, experience, and abilities to oversee all aspects of training programs.
•Experience demonstrating knowledge skills and abilities, to direct planning, safety, and field operations activities to ensure training activities are coordinated and delivered in a manner that is safe for both instructors and students.
•A work history demonstrating knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
•Working knowledge of state budget development and management principles/practices.
•Experience compiling and analyzing data from a wide range of sources, prioritizing requests for assistance, and allocating resources.
•Experience demonstrating the ability to monitor and direct activities of organizations and personnel from various levels of government and private stakeholders during emergency/disaster situations.
•Experience demonstrating program management and organizational skills including the ability to oversee multiple projects, set objectives, and independently solve problems while exhibiting sound judgement in high-stress environments.
•Experience interpreting government policies, regulations and guidance, and applying it to program aspects as appropriate; and working effectively and cooperatively to align program strategy with new information.
•Experience demonstrating excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with all levels of staff, the public, and public officials.
•Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record required; must have successfully completed the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) or possess the ability to complete the course within the first month of hire.
•Proven ability to build rapport, consensus and collaboration among diverse public safety professionals and various stakeholders.
•Considerable skills in the use of computers – Microsoft Office and associated software.

Additional Considerations

•Considerable experience in the fields of fire inspection/code enforcement, fire investigation, fire service course development, fire service course delivery, and fire code development, is required.
•Licensure / Certification: Certification or experience as a Fire Inspector II (NFPA 1031) or Fire Investigator (NFPA 1033) and certification or experience as a Law Enforcement Officer in accordance with COV §9.1-101 or as a Fire Marshal with police powers in accordance with COV §27-34.2:1 is desired.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 pm on the closing date through the Recruitment Management System (RMS). Applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax, or in person will not be considered. Applicants are expected to fully represent qualifications and work history on the State applications and or in resumes. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided in the application, resume, or other relevant documents provided; therefore, it is essential for applicants to supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete state application/resume, or a state application/resume lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS Account to check the status of your application for this position.

State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet. You may apply for this position at http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov . Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact Ethel White at (804) 249-1992 for assistance. VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

“The Department of Fire Programs is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force.”

Equal Opportunity Employer

Special Requirements
Criminal History: The individual has not been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if convicted in the Commonwealth, have not been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to (a) any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to petit larceny under §18.2-96, or any offense involving moral turpitude that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the Commonwealth, (b) any misdemeanor sex offense in the Commonwealth, another state, or the United States, including but not limited to sexual battery under §18.2-67.4 or consensual sexual intercourse with a minor 15 or older under clause (ii) of §18.2-371, or (c) domestic assault under §18.2-57.2 or any offense that would be domestic assault under the laws of another state or the United States.

Other: Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and at least 18 years of age. Occasional Overnight travel required. A one-year probationary period is required of all newly hired and re-hired employees. The candidate selected for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check. Ability to successfully qualify for U.S. Government Security Clearance required.

Contact Information

Name: Taris Harmon

Phone: 804-292-6482

Email: taris.harmon@dhrm.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.