FIRE CHIEF / Templeton Community Services District Calif.

THE COMMUNITY Templeton is nearly at the halfway mark between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the heart of California’s beautiful Central Coast. It is a small, quiet community with a strong spirit and a vision to preserve its colorful past. It is one of several unincorporated areas in San Luis Obispo County that has land available for development. Our small community has a current population of approximately 8,000 with an estimated build-out population of 15,000.
Templeton is recognized for its scenic open space, temperate climate, friendly lifestyle, a local farmer’s market, and award-winning wineries, breweries and distilleries. Our old-town neighborhoods blend well with newer homes to create an excellent residential atmosphere, served by a school district with all sites accredited as “California Distinguished Schools”, three area parks, and numerous churches. Templeton’s small-town atmosphere belies its big town amenities including Twin Cities Community Hospital – the community’s largest employer and only in-patient facility in northern San Luis Obispo County, Trader Joe’s, destination restaurants and specialty shops, and a variety of service clubs and activities.

Templeton is a half hour drive to the Pacific Ocean, with many popular beaches, and lakes, such as, Nacimiento, San Antonio and Santa Margarita – providing ample opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to indulge in a myriad of water sports, camping or Fishing, while avid bicyclists can be seen cycling through the rural countryside. All of these attributes coupled with the town’s truly community supported events including, year-round Saturday Farmers Market, Concerts in the Park, Templeton Wine Festival, Fourth of July Celebration, Founder’s Day, and many more, make Templeton a truly exceptional place to live, work, and recreate.

THE DISTRICT Established in 1976, the District provides water, wastewater, ?re and emergency services, parks and recreation, refuse collection and disposal services, street lighting, and drainage for about a 3.5 square mile area. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors that is elected at large to staggered four-year terms. The District is supported by a dedicated full-time staff of 19, and an annual budget of about $6 million. THE DEPARTMENT Templeton Fire and Emergency Services has been providing services for more than 125 years to the community, dating back to the first Templeton Hose Company. Throughout much of the 20th century, the Department was all volunteer, and like many small-town fire departments, has been in a state of transition for many years, becoming more dependent on career staff. In August 2019, Templeton voters approved Measure A, a parcel tax expected to generate $486,000 annually for Fire and Emergency Services staffing, allowing Templeton Fire and Emergency Services to move to 24/7 staffed coverage. Beginning in later this year, the Department is expected to have 3 full-time Fire Captains, a Fire Chief, and an Engineer – it has only two full-time Captains today. Currently the station is staffed from 8-5 daily (full-time employees on a 4 on 2 off schedule), supplemented with part-time firefighters, with incentives for firefighters to stay the night to provide overnight coverage. The plan for implementing 24/7 station staffing, anticipated to begin in summer of 2020, staffing will increase to one full-time captain on 48/96 shift, with one part-time firefighter on 24 hours shifts to provide 24/7 coverage. This consists of a 6-day cycle where each team works one 48-hour shift followed by 4 consecutive days (96 hours) off duty. Additionally, a full-time Engineer will work a day shift, and will be available to relieve full-time Captains for vacation, training, etc.

The Department responded to nearly 1,000 calls for service in 2019, and enjoys very good relationships with neighboring agencies, including having reciprocal automatic and mutual aid agreements. Templeton Fire and Emergency Services also has its own training facility in the northern part of the District.
The Department provides Basic Life Support services, with Advanced Life Support services provided by San Luis Ambulance. All Templeton firefighters are registered EMTs.

THE POSITION Templeton has not had a full-time Fire Chief since 2012. In the years since, we have relied on part-time Chiefs to lead the Department. The current Chief has served Templeton for nearly 5 years in a part-time role, providing needed stability, support and developing the direction of the department.
The Fire Chief works under the direction of the General Manager and is a key part of the District’s Management team. The Chief performs a variety of technical and administrative work relating to the operations of the Department and is expected to participate directly in responding to calls for service of a non-routine nature, and participate as needed on more routine calls. Of?ce hours for the Department are Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, although the Chief is expected to monitor the Department’s calls and services after hours, and respond to calls where his/her skills and leadership may be needed.

The Fire Chief is expected to perform routine plan reviews/inspections for new development, oversee the Fire Works booth permits, weed abatement, and fire inspection programs within the District.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE Ideal candidates will be attracted to Templeton’s small-town environment and bring a desire to become a contributing member of the community in addition to providing strong leadership to the position of Fire Chief. The diverse nature of the Department provides great opportunities for those who enjoy multi-tasking and being hands-on. The ability to communicate timely and effectively and work collaboratively, both the part-time firefighters, as well as career staff along with staff members from other departments within the District is critical. An open-minded, diplomatic approach to problem solving and implementing changes will be expected.

Ideal candidates will also have experience with combination departments, reserve firefighter programs, or part-time or volunteer firefighters. Candidates should also demonstrate recent experience leading a shift or crew, at a minimum of Battalion Chief or Captain (or equivalent) level. This is a unique opportunity for individual to lead a department that is transitioning to providing staffed 24/7 coverage. The next Fire Chief will have critical decisions regarding the selection of staff, building of a new culture, all while overseeing the implementation of new 24-hour staffing program.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES The following duties are considered essential for the Fire Chief’s position:

• Recruitment, training, retention, supervision and evaluation of full-time, part-time staff

• Chief Command Officer on all major emergency incidents within the District

• Supervising and implementation of fire prevention activities:

   – Ensure compliance of fire code/life safety standards

   – Plan review and field inspections

   – Business inspection program

   – Public education

   – Weed and hazard abatement

• Provides written and oral reports to the Board of Directors and community groups regarding Department Operations

• Oversees the Community’s Fourth of July Activities which includes processing permits to sell fireworks, booth safety     inspections, and enforcement of all State codes related to same

• Maintains appropriate records to ensure Department maintains compliance with local, State and Federal regulations

• Ensures station facilities, apparatus, and equipment are maintained at a state of readiness

• Provides administrative leadership (budget, purchasing, personnel) within the Department

• Represents the Department at professional meetings; build and maintain close and productive relationships with     neighboring agencies

• Grant writing and administration

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Optimistic and positive

• Possess high level of ethics and integrity

• Hands-on, willing to work

• Creative; visionary but pragmatic

• Independent thinker

• Believes in the importance of participatory management

• Ability to manage a variety of diverse and complex projects

• Excellent communication skills – both written and oral

• Enjoys community involvement

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• State Fire Officer certified  – State Chief Officer preferred

• EMT-1B (Minimum)

• Class C California Driver’s License with Firefighter endorsement or Class B  – Must have acceptable driving record

• Minimum of 5 years of professional/technical experience with a combination department comprised of full-time,  paid call firefighters and/or volunteers, involving the management of emergency operations  – Three or more years experience as a Captain (with administrative responsibilities), Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Chief,   or Fire Chief in combination department is highly desirable

• A combination of education and training equivalent to an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or a related field is required  – Education and training equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration or a related field is desirable

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: The successful candidate will be required to reside within no more than a 30-minute response time to the Fire Station within six months of employment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS The compensation and benefits for this position is currently under review as a part of a District-wide compensation study for all positions. This study is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020.

Compensation: $8,422 – $10,238 per month. Placement within the range is dependent upon experience. This is a FLSA exempt (from overtime) management position.

Retirement: The District participates in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees who are currently employed with a PERS agency (or reciprocal retirement system) as a classic member shall be enrolled in the 3@55 retirement tier. New employees subject to PEPRA shall be enrolled in the 2.7@57 retirement tier.

Medical: The District’s contribution in the cafeteria plan for each employee is: If only the employee is enrolled in CalPERS health insurance, the District shall contribute $605.45, or if health insurance is not elected – $466.45 monthly; and if the employee and one or more dependent(s) are enrolled, the District shall contribute $1,105.46 monthly.

Health Reimbursement Account: Employees are reimbursed up to $2,000 each year for dental, vision, and health coverage expenses not covered by insurance.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year, and sick leave conversion to service credit with PERS upon retirement.

Vacation: Employees accrue vacation at the rate of 10 days per year during the first 5 years, 15 days after 5 years, and 20 days after 15 years.

Administrative Leave: Management employees receive 40 hours per fiscal year.

Take Home Vehicle: A take home command vehicle is assigned to the Fire Chief.

Additional Bene?ts: A Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan is available.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS The filing deadline is April 13, 2020 (postmarks not accepted). Please submit a completed District application, resume, cover letter, and five work-related references to:

Jeff Briltz,

General Manager

Templeton Community Services District

P.O. Box 780 • Templeton, CA 93465

Fax: (805) 434-4820

Email: jbriltz@templetoncsd.org

Website: www.templetoncsd.org (complete on-line job application)

Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this brochure. A supplemental questionnaire may be used to further evaluate the candidates after the closing date. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to participate in an assessment center in Templeton. Oral panel participants are anticipated to be made up of industry experts and community members. Additional assessments may include a writing exercise and presentation. Candidates will be notified via email of their invitation to participate in the selection process. An offer of employment is expected following comprehensive reference and background checks. Employment is conditional on the passage of a physical exam, drug screen and criminal background check.

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