City of Westminster, Colorado
Fire Chief
Pay Range: $173,223-$216,528 (includes comprehensive benefits)
Job Posting: March 14 - April 25, 2022
The City of Westminster, Colorado is currently seeking the next Fire Chief to lead our accredited Fire Department. Come see why the City of Westminster is where you want to be!
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THE COMMUNITY
A place where you can thrive.
Centrally located between Denver and Boulder along the US 36 high-tech corridor with a population of 117,000, Westminster is a well-planned, flourishing community with superb recreation opportunities, beautiful neighborhoods, and thriving businesses.
As Westminster continues to grow, the City has maintained more than 30% of its land for open space, parks, and recreation. Westminster is a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive community known for its high quality of life, safe neighborhoods, and beautiful open spaces.
Already known for its majestic views at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Westminster is augmenting its traditional neighborhoods with the thoughtful redevelopment of key communities in the City, including the development of Downtown Westminster—an economic, cultural, and social hub for the community.
There are over 4,000 businesses in Westminster, including small family-owned businesses, service companies, high-tech manufacturers, and national and international headquarters. Companies like Ball Corporation, Maxar, Zimmer Biomet, and Trimble have put down roots in Westminster. This strong and diverse business community attracts more amenities such as local, regional, and national restaurants, hotels, and shopping and entertainment experiences.
Whether by car, bus, bicycle, rail or international airliner, Westminster moves easily. The City has an extensive multimodal transportation network, including an enhanced public transportation system, two well-maintained highway systems, and a superior regional trail system that connects over 145 miles of trails. With the arrival of commuter rail, the transit-oriented Westminster Station area is quickly maturing and adding excellent connectivity to downtown Denver. Add in magnificent retail and entertainment districts and a historic neighborhood that is the true heart of the City, and Westminster has a place for everyone.
Located in both Adams and Jefferson counties, Westminster offers three exceptional public school systems, charter schools, and private schools. Advantages of a Westminster education include low student-teacher ratios, gifted-and-talented programs, International Baccalaureate programs, STEM programs, and challenging curricula and learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of students. Major universities, colleges, and professional schools in metro Denver and Boulder are served by mass transit and a quick commute from Westminster. Front Range Community College is a premier community-focused college and is centrally located in Westminster, serving students from around the region.
Westminster is more than a unique, vibrant community. It is a home where individuals, families, and businesses thrive.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Westminster is a “values”-driven organization that is firmly committed to maintaining and growing its winning culture. The City’s values are embodied in SPIRIT:
Service
Pride
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwork
The City of Westminster has a Council-Manager form of government with a long-standing history of collaboration and partnership. The quality of life within the Westminster community is the direct result of purposeful and strategic governance meeting current community needs while giving thoughtful consideration to the future. Strategic efforts are demonstrated in the Fire Department with updated, proactive building code and enforcement efforts and the utilization of state-of-the-art equipment. The community support for public safety remains strong, as demonstrated by the approval of a public safety tax passed in 2003 that helps fund fire, police and supporting operations.
Westminster is a full-service city with over a thousand full-time employees and an annual budget of nearly $300 million.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Westminster Fire Department’s (WFD) mission is to protect community interests through exemplary service. The department is comprised of 144 personnel, with 123 working line operations and 21 administrative staff. The fire department’s personnel serve from six strategically-located, multi-company fire stations and the Public Safety Center.
WFD is an all-hazards agency, and its primary functions include emergency medical services with advanced life support transport, fire suppression, emergency services, fire prevention, and public education. WFD responds to over 14,000 calls per year, with the nearly 67% of those responses being related to EMS. The department also collaborates with neighboring north metro-area agencies in a number of programs and services that results in enhanced efficiencies and greater effectiveness through our automatic and mutual-aid agreements. The City and Fire Department Management Team also engage in a collaborative and transparent bi-annual negotiation process with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2889 union that enhances our already strong working relationships and produces a great outcome for the city and our citizens.
In 2019, the WFD was accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). This accreditation demonstrates that Westminster meets or exceeds industry best standard practices. The City of Westminster also achieved Class 1 designation through the Insurance Services Office (ISO).
You can learn more about WFD operations and statistics in our 2020 Annual Report as well as in our Standards of Cover.
QUICK FACTS:
- Accredited in 2019 through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI)
- FTE: 144
- Budget: $22.5 Million
- Class 1 designation through the Insurance Services Office (ISO)
- Over 14,000 call per year with 67% EMS related
- Labor Union, International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2889; two successful Collective Bargaining Agreements using Interest Based Bargaining; third negotiation in process February 2022
THE POSITION
The Fire Chief serves as a senior leader and key member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT). As a member of the ELT, the Fire Chief operationalizes the City’s strategic plan through development of policies, leadership, innovation, and resource allocation and management. As the leader of the department, the Fire Chief is responsible for establishing major departmental policies, planning long-term programs, and making executive-level decisions in fulfillment of the City’s Mission and Vision.
The primary duties of the Fire Chief involve overseeing all fire prevention, fire code compliance, suppression, and emergency medical response activities of the City, including developing recommendations and plans for the protection of life and property within the community. Responsibilities include determining major departmental policies; planning long-term programs; and supporting citywide and department sustainability, innovation, and communication initiatives. This position is also responsible for leading, managing, and administering the department’s operations and requires executive-level technical and administrative decision-making skills. The Fire Chief serves as an important community ambassador.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Critical Attributes for Success:
- Accountable
- Collaborative Team Builder
- Community Ambassador
- Courageous Leader
- Embraces Change
- Empowering
- Ethical
- Innovative
- Positive Leadership
- Strategic
- Visionary
Qualifications:
Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college with major coursework in Public Administration, Fire Administration, or a related field
- Supervisory experience at the Battalion Chief level or above
- Experience in fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical response, and emergency preparedness, in any combination
- Maintenance of a valid driver’s license and safe driving record throughout employment
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Fire Administration, or related field
- Minimum six (6) years of senior management and administrative experience in a public sector or military setting, or six (6) years of experience in an executive-level city management position combined with public sector experience
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary range for the Fire Chief is $173,223 – $216,528 with salary to depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate.
The City of Westminster is a high-performing, values-based organization with a strong commitment to serve the community by investing in its employees. Westminster offers an exceptional compensation and benefits package, along with a dynamic training program and quality work environment.
The City’s retirement benefit includes a 401(a) defined contribution plan in lieu of Social Security contributions. Employee contributions of 11% are pre-tax and fully vested and the employer contribution of 11.25% vests at 60% in year three, 80% in year four, and fully vests in year five. The Fire Chief has the option of selecting the City's retirement plan, OR opting into the FPPA retirement plan.
For a complete list of all the City’s benefits, please visit Employee Benefits. Relocation assistance is available.