The City of Camas, Washington (population 15,360) is one of the fastest-growing communities in the State of Washington. Camas is a full-service city located on the north shore of the Columbia River 12 miles east of Vancouver, Washington. With picturesque views of downtown Portland, Mt. Hood and the Columbia River, the community offers easy access to hiking trails, ski resorts, the Pacific Coastline, Mount St. Helens Volcanic Park and the Columbia River National Gorge and Scenic Area. Camas originated as a paper mill town in 1883, and today, the City's diverse economic vitality stems from the mill's operations as well as serving as the home for high-tech, international companies, including Sharp Micro-electronics and Sharp Laboratories of America, Linear Technology, Wafer Tech and Underwriters Laboratories. Both residents and business leaders are proud of the City's family-oriented neighborhoods and excellent educational system, where SAT scores are among the highest in the State.

Camas is a non-charter code city with a strong Mayor-Council form of government and an active, participatory citizenry. In 1923, the Camas Volunteer Fire Department was created after a major fire destroyed most of downtown Camas, and in 1948 the City hired its first full-time Fire Chief. The Camas Fire Department (CFD) operates from two fire stations, each with one ALS ambulance, and provides a full range of fire services as well as regional paramedic services for East Clark County. The Fire Chief oversees a staff of 35 sworn and three civilian personnel, as well as Volunteers who support major emergency operations and in-town medical incidents. The Department receives approximately 2,700 calls annually, with 90% of the calls related to Emergency Medical Services. CFD has been consistently praised and appreciated for its EMS services by the communities served. Operational priorities for 2004 include emergency response, operational readiness, training, mental and physical fitness, and enhancing support activities/systems.

Requirements for the position include a minimum of an Associates Degree in Fire Sciences, Fire Administration or related fields, with a Bachelor's degree in Fire Sciences, Fire Administration and/or Public Administration preferred. Credentials as a Chief Fire Officer Designate (CFOD) and/or attendance at the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Development Program, CAPSTONE EMS Management or similar endeavors are highly desired. In addition, seven years of senior or executive command level service, with at least five years as a Chief, Assistant/Deputy Chief or ten years as a Battalion Chief, in a comparable or larger sized fire department is needed.

The successful candidate must demonstrate experience in a collaborative labor relations/collective bargaining environment, and possess superior skills in strategic planning, fiscal and budget management, and communications. He/she will be a proactive leader with an inclusionary style, who will establish a strong vision and motivate the staff to explore new ideas and concepts. Since the new Fire Chief will be given considerable latitude to manage the Department, it will be imperative that he/she possess the ability to look at the big picture for both the Department and the City. Excellent listening and conflict resolution skills will be required, as well as the need to be accessible to elected officials, the CFD staff, community leaders, residents and representative groups.

Qualified individuals should submit a statement of interest, r?sum? and current salary information, NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2004 to Pete Lucarelli or Jerry Oldani at: