HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3.F 02/24/2020Agenda Item #3.F
DATE: February 24, 2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Charles Castillo, Director of Human Resources
Jeff Schach, Assistant Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Resolution Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by Revising the
Classification Specification of Fire Battalion Chief
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution Amending the Classification
and Compensation Plan by Revising the Classification Specification of Fire Battalion Chief.
BACKGROUND
To prepare for natural attrition, alleviate recruitment challenges, and to update the name changes to
the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) professional certification programs, the Fire Department
and Human Resources collaborated to review the current job description for Fire Battalion Chief.
Through the review process, internal inconsistencies were discovered between Fire Battalion Chief
and Fire Marshal, similar mid -management level classifications, as well as with external
qualification standards for Fire Battalion Chief. In addition, California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
State Fire Training has recently changed the names of several professional certification programs.
The prior certifications remain valid, but for market consistency purposes, it's recommended that
new titles be recognized in the job description update.
In 2014, the minimum educational requirement for Fire Battalion Chief was modified to require a
bachelor's degree in lieu of an associate degree. A market analysis of education qualification
standards was conducted that showed most of the City's comparable agencies desired a bachelor's
degree rather than it being a minimum requirement. Similar to the City of Petaluma, comparable
agencies highlighted the requirements of professional fire service certifications, which in many
cases are more relevant to the job requirements, as well as education levels required in the position
to be successful.
DISCUSSION
Market analysis is a common exercise in which the City of Petaluma is analyzed in relation to
recognized comparable agencies, typically local agencies within roughly 50 miles, with a
comparable size, operation, and staffing needs to give an idea of how similarly situated positions
compare in the market and Petaluma's market placement. Recognized comparables can result from
various processes including negotiations, past -practice, and/or a classification and compensation
study. Fire Battalion Chief is represented by the Petaluma Public Safety Mid -Management
Association (PPSMMA), Unit 10. Unit 10's Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) does not include
a list of comparable agencies, therefore, comparables listed in MOUs for Unit 6 and Unit 7, rank
and file public safety classifications, have been used in the past. Additionally, the City is working
with Ralph Andersen and Associates (Consultant) to conduct a classification and compensation
study. Unit 10 is included in the compensation piece of the study. As a part of the compensation
aspect of the study, the Consultant provided a longer list of comparables based on standard
parameters, including nature of services, geographic area, employer size, and economic similarity.
The list from rank and file units and the Consultant's recommendations overlap significantly and of
the nine recommended comparable agencies, eight list a bachelor's degree as desirable rather than a
minimum requirement. Most use the State Fire Training professional certifications as requirements
for this and other fire service supervisory job classifications. In the current market, recruiting and
retaining qualified and experienced staff is an ongoing challenge. In many cases, the City of
Petaluma is competing directly with these comparable agencies for top talent. For the purposes of
internal and market consistency, staff recommends revising the classification specification of Fire
Battalion Chief as included in Exhibit A.
PPSMMA has reviewed the revised job description for Fire Battalion Chief and is supportive of the
action.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This item was listed on the February 24, 2020 City Council Agenda, published in accordance with
public noticing requirements. Additionally, the City and PPSMMA representatives have discussed
the proposed action both in meetings and through email correspondence.
COUNCIL GOAL ALIGNMENT
The City Council has identified "A City That Works for Everyone" as one of its key strategic
initiatives for 2019-2021. Objective #1 seeks to "ensure a fiscally and organizationally sustainable
City;" including recruiting and retaining a skilled, talented, and prepared workforce to meet the
demands of a full-service City.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There are no financial impacts with this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution with Exhibit A — Revised Fire Battalion Chief Classification Specification
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ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION
PLAN BY REVISING THE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION OF FIRE
WHEREAS, Petaluma Municipal Code Section 3.04.020, in paragraph (D) authorizes the City
Manager as the City's Personnel Officer to:
prepare or cause to be prepared a position classification plan, including class
specifications and revisions of the plan; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to keep its Classification and Compensation Plan current, and in
accordance with Petaluma Municipal Code Section 3.04.020, amendments or revisions to the
Classification and Compensation Plan are effective upon approval by the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager, acting as the Personnel Officer, has determined that certain
duties and responsibilities are appropriately allocated to the classification of Fire Battalion Chief,
and,
WHEREAS, the results of the proposed changes accurately reflect updates in required
certifications and align minimum educational requirements to internal and external qualification
standards by requiring an associate degree and desiring a bachelor's degree; and,
hereby:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma
Approves the amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan as
written in this Resolution, including an amendment in the Competitive
Service of the Personnel System as noted above.
2. Revises the classification specification of Fire Battalion Chief.
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CLASS SPECIFICATION
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Date: 02/24/2020
8 $ Job Class: I 017113
Fire Battalion Chief
Summary
Plan, assign and direct both emergency and non -emergency activities for his/her shift; command
emergency response scenes; plan, organize and direct the activities and programs of a
division/shift within the Fire Department; provide administration assistance for overall
department operations.
Class Characteristics
General direction is provided by the Assistant Fire Chief; direct and indirect supervision may be
provided by the Fire Chief; responsibilities include the direct and indirect supervision of
management, professional, technical, and support services positions.
Essential Duties, Skills, and Demands of the Position
The duties, skills, and demands described here are representativefor 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 a disability to perform the essential
duties, skills, and demands.
Duties:
Plan, organize, coordinate, administer, direct, and evaluate the work of staff in a division/shift.
Supervise multi -company response to emergency fire, medical aid, hazardous material, rescue
and other situations and direct stations responding to the emergency; relieve subordinate officers
of command upon arrival and assess emergency situation requesting additional companies as
appropriate.
Direct and coordinate the location and work of incoming companies; brief management on the
situation, explain strategy and tactics being employed; confer on and coordinate station
operations and personnel issues with management and Fire Captains; maintain command of
emergency operations until relieved by Fire Chief.
Plan and supervise a specialized area of the department such as training or maintenance and
upkeep of equipment and apparatus; participate in fire prevention activities; monitor changes in
equipment and methods and recommend the incorporation into department activities.
Develop specific proposals for action on current and future City needs; conduct analytical and
operational studies and prepare recommendations and findings; evaluate public complaints
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pertaining to activities or individuals in the department; may direct the investigation within the
department.
Assist in the selection of staff, appraise employee performance and counsel employees regarding
work performance and procedures.
Interpret City regulations, policies, and procedures to staff, maintain records using a computer
and prepare periodic, special, and technical reports relating to assigned area of responsibility.
May be called upon to give staff reports to City Council or management staff, may serve as the
acting Fire Chief as required; act as Fire Department liaison in various city, county, and state
committees; perform a variety of public relations and public speaking duties.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Skills/Abilities:
Make appropriate plans and tactical decisions in multi -company response situations.
Plan, assign, direct, review, and evaluate the work of others.
Select, train and motivate assigned staff.
Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and supervisory
controls.
Assess emergency incidents and develop, implement, and direct appropriate response strategies.
Develop and conduct classroom and practical training courses and programs.
Render emergency medical care at the basic life support level.
Maintain accurate records and prepare clear and concise reports and other written materials using
a computer.
Operate a variety of tools, equipment, and apparatus used in fire, medical, and other emergency
response.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the
work.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use
hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach
with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The
employee must frequently lift and/or move weight up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities
required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth
perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is
frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to
fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Supervisory principles and practices, including work organization and delegation, employee
supervision, training and evaluation.
Principles, techniques, materials, equipment, strategy, and tactics used in fire suppression,
investigation, prevention, and incident command.
Principles and practices of providing emergency medical response.
Hazardous material and chemical spill response.
Applicable federal and state laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work.
Geographical layout of the City and location of various fire suppression utilities.
Basic computer report production techniques.
Budget and financial planning.
Strategic planning.
Special Requirement:
Must pass and maintain physical requirements as specified by the City and be able to wear self-
contained breathing apparatus.
Education and Experience:
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required
knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A tvpical way to gain such knowledge and abilities
would be:
Education:
An Associate degree from an accredited college, with major course work in fire science, fire
prevention, fire administration, public administration, business administration, engineering,
environmental science, hazardous materials, or related field is required. A Bachelor's degree is
desirable.
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Coursework, training, and or certificates from the California Specialized Training Institute
(CSTI), California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Training curriculum or other accredited training
consortium in subjects related to fire command, hazardous materials, supervision, fire
prevention, fire investigation, emergency medical response, emergency management and/or other
general management skills is desirable.
Experience:
Three years of municipal fire experience equivalent to the rank of Fire Captain and has served in
the capacity of Acting Fire Battalion Chief
Certificates/Licenses:
Possession of a CSFM Fire Officer or Company Officer certificate or out of state equivalent.
Current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, either through the National Registry
EMT or State of California. Must maintain local certification requirements.
A CSFM Chief Officer or Chief Fire Officer certificate is required prior to the completion of the
probationary period as a condition of continued employment.
Possession of a valid Class C driver's license.
Revised: 02/24/2020 — Resolution
Revised: 10/20/14 - Resolution 2014-164 N.C.S.
Revised: 01/05/09 - Resolution 2009-002 N.C.S.
Revised: 06/05/06 - Resolution 2006-095 N.C.S.
Established: 03/90 - Resolution 1990-147 N.C.S.
Department: Fire
FLSA Status: Exempt