LOCATION: Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

POSITION: Director of Fire and Emergency Services

SALARY: Mid-point $75,209 -- Salary Negotiable, Depending on Qualifications

The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, with a population of 107,000; 122 square miles, home of the University of Georgia, seeks experienced fire service professional with strong leadership, management and interpersonal skills to serve as the Director of Fire and Emergency Services. The City of Athens and the Clarke County government unified in 1991 and is governed by a part-time Mayor and ten (10) part-time Commissioners elected from districts. Athens-Clarke County is a Manager form of government. All Department Directors are appointed by and report to the Manager. The Director of Fire and Emergency Services is responsible for a staff of 171 certified firefighters and 3 civilians with a FY 05 operating budget of $ 9.1M. This position represents the department at public functions, oversees all daily operations of the department and provides direction over a wide range of fire/rescue activities, that includes protection of life and property, emergency management, and community awareness of Fire Safety. Daily activities focus on managing Fire Suppression and Rescue, Fire Marshal and Prevention, Emergency Management, Hazardous Materials Response and Training Divisions. The Director, in the role as Fire Chief, plans, organizes, directs, and controls a department of professional firefighters who serve the community from a headquarters facility and eight station locations operating 24/7. Athens-Clarke County recently earned a Class 2 ISO rating.

Minimum requirements include a bachelors degree in public administration, fire science, business administration, or a closely related field with ten years of experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Experience in fire administration, management/supervision, at the command level as Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Battalion Chief/Shift Commander for a jurisdiction of 75,000+ is preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a high degree of integrity are required.

The selection process will include assessment center exercises with the finalists being invited to a panel interview with the Manager's Office.

Final candidates must successfully pass the pre-employment process that includes a thorough background investigation of employment, education history, driving history, criminal history, credit history, psychological evaluation, medical, and drug test.

Deadline for submitting application: September 03, 2004

APPLY: Human Resources Department, 375 Satula Avenue, Satula Governmental Building, Athens, GA 30601, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Forms for present Athens-Clarke County employees to request promotion are available in the Human Resources Department. Applicants may obtain an application package at www.athensclarkecounty.com/jobs.