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The City of Modesto (population 190,000+) is centrally located slightly more than one hour east of the San Francisco Bay Area and is easily accessible to California's famed Gold Rush Country, the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. It is a community that offers an outstanding living environment, unique heritage and multicultural life styles as well as the advantages of metropolitan living without the traditional problems associated with urban centers. The Seat of Stanislaus County, Modesto is situated at the center of one of the areas' most vibrant economies and the community boasts outstanding recreational opportunities, affordable housing and a unique relaxed lifestyle that is uncommon in today's urban centers.

The City of Modesto is a full-service City with approximately 1,200 fulltime employees and 400 seasonal personnel. The operating budget is $185 million and Modesto is governed under the Council-Manager form of government. The Fire Chief reports through one of two Deputy City Managers and is considered an integral part of the Senior Management Team (eight Department Directors).

Retirement of the Fire Chief, after 26 years of service and five years as Chief, creates an outstanding opportunity for a highly experienced fire services executive. The Chief will lead an organization with 144 uniformed and 15 civilian employees plus an operating budget of $16 million annually. The Modesto Fire Department has ten stations, with an 11th station planned for construction by 2004, and responds to over 18,000 calls for service per year; 85% of those calls are EMS related. The successful candidate should posses seven to ten years senior/executive command experience with at least five years as a Chief Officer in an urban or suburban department where similar aspects of modern fire fighting, emergency medical services and disaster preparedness are encountered. A Bachelor's degree in

Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, Management or related fields is required. A Master's degree is preferred along with advanced management education and training through such programs as the Executive Fire Officers Course or similar management academies.

The preferred candidate will have a comprehensive background in all aspects of fire ground command, fire prevention, hazardous materials response, disaster preparedness, community education programs and emergency medical services. In addition, considerable expertise must be demonstrated in strategic/master planning, fiscal and capital budget management, labor relations and community outreach. The Chief will be a resolute decision maker, inclusive in style, and one who will proactively and regularly communicate decision-making processes throughout the Department and with the Senior Management Team and citizens.

Modesto offers an excellent fringe benefit package including participation in California PERS with a public safety retirement formula of 3% at age 50. Qualified individuals submit resume, salary history and statement of interest no later than August 12, 2002 to: