FIRE CHIEF - 60006951

Requisition No: 885701

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: FIRE CHIEF - 60006951

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60006951

Salary: $45,000 - $67,446.91 Annually (Salary is negotiable)

Posting Closing Date: 10/23/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders .

Florida State Hospital (FSH) is a mental health treatment facility owned and operated by the State of Florida and is part of the Department of Children and Families. The department’s mission is to “work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.”

FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

Salary is commensurate with experience

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as a Fire Chief at Florida State Hospital. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

- This position is assigned the rank of Fire Chief at the Florida State Hospital Fire Department with all authority and responsibility normally assigned to the rank. The rank of Fire Chief is immediately below the position of Emergency Services Director, and the immediate supervisor is the Emergency Services Director. The Fire Chief is responsible for the management and administration of all emergency and non-emergency operations and day-to-day activities of the fire department and their personnel.

- This Position is assigned all the authority and responsibility of the rank of Fire Chief at the Florida State Hospital Fire Department. The Fire Chief will outline work to be accomplished, projects to be started and completed, shift structure guidelines, enforcement of all rules and regulations of the fire department. The Fire Chief is the primary representative of the Fire Department in all fire and emergency medical incidents at Florida State Hospital. The Fire Chief is responsible for the operation and supervision of the fire department, facilities, vehicles, equipment, and personnel. Responsible for supervising and monitoring the scheduling of shift personnel; duty assignments, time keeping, approval of leave, or other personnel staffing issues for the efficient delivery of services and operation of the fire department. Responsible for supervising and leading subordinate staff, including, but not limited to, communicating with, planning and directly working with, training, completing performance reviews, motivating, compliance with and enforcement of Florida State Hospital Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures, compliance with and enforcement of Florida State Hospital rules and regulations, compliance with and enforcement of Florida State Hospital Operating Procedures. Will use methods approved by Department of Children and Families and Florida State Hospital in dealing with personnel matters, payroll, disciplinary actions, or other employee actions. The Fire Chief is responsible for monitoring compliance of all certifications and training for personnel in the Fire Department to meet all applicable State and Federal Standards.

- Responsible for supervising fire, medical, and emergency response within the Florida State Hospital Facility and incidents involving service/mutual aid agreements. Serves as Incident Commander when necessary for fire ground operations and assures command of other emergencies as designated by hospital administration. Assures proper firefighting methods, emergency medical protocols and rescue procedures are followed by fire department personnel during emergency and non-emergency incidents. Responsible for familiarization and knowledge of buildings (occupied and unoccupied), fire hydrants, staff housing, and any special response procedures required for occupied or unoccupied buildings.

- Responsible for supervising the scheduling and completion of Life Safety inspections conducted by the Fire Department to ensure compliance with State of Florida Fire Marshal Administrative Code mandates, Florida State Hospital Operating Procedures, and Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures. Life Safety Inspections will include, but not limited to inspection of state-owned buildings, routine checks and maintenance of fire alarm systems, automatic sprinkler systems, fire hydrants, standpipe systems, and other fire protection systems utilized at the Florida State Hospital. Responsible for the supervision and completion of all documentation of all fire drills/life safety activities and instruction of employees and residents in evacuation procedures, reporting of fires or emergencies, fire extinguisher operation, and Fire Safety Training programs.

- Contract for Fire Suppression Hood Maintenance and Tagging, consisting of five systems.

- Cleaning contract for all Facility Cooking Equipment System, consisting of five systems.

- Contract for all annual Fire Sprinkler Inspections, consisting of thirty-one systems (buildings), one Fire Pump, one Jockey Pump and twenty-one Back Flow Preventers.

- Contract for all Fire Sprinkler System repairs throughout the year depending on malfunctions and repairs due to damage from Residents. Coordinate with Contractors/Vendors in person, by phone and via email in reference to said contracts as well as all onsite quote prep, etc.

- Complete all completed contractual services agreement for all service work.

- Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

- Ability to lift, pull, squat, carry loads, climb ladders, use hand tools, use of power tools, and similar hard labor, while wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus, in moderate to severe heat and cold ambient conditions.

- Knowledge of fire-prevention techniques.

- Knowledge of fire-fighting techniques.

- Ability to supervise people.

- Ability to use a variety of fire-fighting equipment.

- Ability to use first aid techniques.

- Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

- Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

- Ability to prioritize work load.

- Ability to manage a fire-fighting and prevention program.

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

- Ability to communicate effectively.

- Ability to plan, organize and direct fire prevention and fire-fighting activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Two years of supervisory experience in the prevention and suppression of fires.

- In accordance with Florida Statute 633, any person employed in this class must:

Be a high school graduate or the equivalent, as the term may be determined by the Division of State Fire Marshall.

- Not have been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor.

- State of Florida Current/Active Certificate of Compliance of Certificate of Tenure as Firefighter registered with Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

- Maintain Current/Active State of Florida recognized certification as Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic registered with the Florida Department of Health.

- Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) Certification of Completion for 16-hour EVOC course.

- Current and Valid State Issued Driver's License.

- Selected candidates shall be required to submit to a pre-employment medical examination and a physical agility evaluation. The medical examination and physical agility evaluation shall be administered per State of Florida statutes and Bureau of State Fire Marshal rules and regulations, and Florida State Hospital codes, standard operating procedures, rules, and regulations. Employee will submit to an annual medical certification and as required by the department.

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

- Current employment with Florida State Hospital.

Candidate Profile (application) Requirements:

Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.

- Work History - entered with the most recent/current listed first:

- Any and all State of Florida jobs

- Any and all Florida University jobs

- All periods of employment

- Periods of unemployment

- Gaps 3 months or more*

- Education

- Volunteer Experience

- Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment.

- * Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.

- Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.

- If claiming Right to First Interview (https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=60L-33.004&Section=0) , candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

- Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.

- For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com (http://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/) .

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire . For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov .

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website:

https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.