Assistant Fire Chief at City of Cleveland Heights, OH

About the Department

1. The promotional examination for the position of Assistant Chief in the Division of Fire will consist of an Assessment Center Process by a panel of Fire Chiefs, selected by the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association (OFCA). A minimum passing grade of 70% must be achieved to be placed on the Eligibility List.

2. Eligible applicants may submit application on-line at www.clevelandheights.com.  Click on the Employment Opportunities tab and select the appropriate examination.   Applicants must have served for at least 84 months with the Cleveland Heights Fire Department.  Applications will be accepted Saturday, November 1, 2025 through Wednesday November 5, 2025.

3. The examination will be administered on Imani Temple Ministries 2463 N. Taylor Rd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 at 8:00am. Parking will be available behind the church. Please enter through the side gray door. All candidates are to report at the same time and plan to be here approximately 4 – 5 hours.   There will be a voluntary orientation with the OFCA at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Fire Station 1.

4. Eligibility. No Battalion Chief in the Division of Fire shall be eligible to take an examination for promotion to a position in a higher grade or rank who has not served at least twelve (12) months in the next lower grade or rank; provided, however, that in those cases where there are less than two (2) persons in such next lower rank who have served twelve (12) months therein and are willing to take the examination, the twelve (12) month service requirement shall not apply. If the non-application of the twelve (12) months service requirement to persons in the next lower rank does not produce two (2) persons eligible and willing to compete, then the same methods shall be followed by going to successive lower ranks until two (2) or more persons are eligible and willing to compete in an examination for the vacancy.

Candidates arriving later than the posted times for the assessment center portion of the process will be excluded from participation and therefore ineligible for placement on the Civil Service list.

5. When two or more candidates have received the same total score, the person with the greater seniority in the Division shall have priority. If the candidates have the same total score, then the candidate first filing the application shall have priority.

Position Duties

SUMMARY:   Performs administrative and managerial work planning and directing the activities and operations of large divisions within the Fire Department.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed.

• Plans, organizes, directs and supervises the administration and management of major divisions of the department; plans, develops, and implements goals, objectives, policies and procedures for the department
• Coordinates divisional areas within the department; reviews division activities to identify problem areas; directs and participates in planning of division activities
• Prepares and maintains records and statistical reports on division activities and incidents
• Develops, administers and monitors divisional budgets
• Prepares or directs the preparation of bid documents or Council communications for major purchases; serves as project manager for new department facilities
• Analyzes response time data from Fire Dispatch; analyzes data to evaluate service effectiveness; prepares recommendations and reports for department, City management and City Council
• Responds to all major incidents; takes command or assists the shift commander on scene
• Provides direction for the hiring and promotion processes of employees
• Directs the investigation of citizen complaints; prepares recommendations or disciplinary actions
• Attends meetings and workshops representing the fire department
• Makes public appearances and speaks on fire safety, and fire department operations
• Acts as Fire Chief in the absence of the chief
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality
• Performs other related duties as required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES:
Exercises supervision of personnel in related area of responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:

• Fire command and municipal Fire Department administration
• Principles, practices, and procedures of modern fire fighting
• principles and practices of public administration and personnel management
• Principles of employee supervision, training and performance evaluation
• Use, operation and maintenance of fire equipment and apparatus used in fire fighting
• Federal, State and local laws, codes, regulations and standards governing the delivery of Fire Department services
• Disaster Preparedness and major emergency incident command and operation
• Budget planning, development and monitoring practices

Skill in:

• Using a computer and related software applications

Ability to:

• Assume command-level responsibilities; make life and safety decisions
• Plan, coordinate, direct and evaluate the functions and activities of large divisions within the Fire Department
• Supervise, train, and develop employees effectively
• Prepare, administer and monitor a budget
• perform research, analyze findings, prepare and present reports and recommendations on Fire Department issues
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City Staff and the general public
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing 

 EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Management, Public or Business Administration and eight years of fire department experience including two years as a Battalion Chief. Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. 

CERTIFICATION/ LICENSURE:
Must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license.

Other Qualifications

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
May be required to perform necessary field activities when responding to a major incident.
  
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The majority of time will be spent in a typical office environment, however, may respond to major incidents.

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