NOW HIRING CITY OF GARDEN CITY FIRE CHIEF - Kansas State Firefighters Association

NOW HIRING
  CITY OF GARDEN CITY
       FIRE CHIEF

COMMUNITY
                                                               1883                   29.9
                                                               Incorporated           Median Age

                                                               31,293                 2.88
                                                               Population             Average Household Size

                                                               10.99 sq miles         40
                                                               Area                   Languages spoken in
                                                                                      school district

Garden City, located 75 miles east of the Colorado state line and 200 miles west of Wichita, KS, is the regional
hub of western Kansas and the county seat of Finney County. The community is home to several financial
institutions, medical facilities, churches, and retail shopping areas.

With 40 languages spoken in the local school system, Garden City’s diverse culture makes it a unique place to
live, work and play. Garden City is home to Lee Richardson Zoo, the largest zoological park in western Kansas. It
is also home to two regulation golf courses, a nationally recognized community college, Garden Rapids at the
Big Pool, and several parks. A number of special public events are held in Garden City throughout the year.

The opportunity to learn and the art of learning are central philosophies for our educational system. Private and
public schools include 16 elementary schools, two middle schools, two fifth and sixth grade centers, a high
school and a community college that offers diverse learning opportunities to all age and interest levels. The
community passed a $97.5 million bond issue and opened a new state-of-the-art high school in August 2012.

Agribusiness has long been the base of our economy and supports a multitude of related industries that have a
worldwide impact. Because of the tremendous volume and wealth of agribusiness, manufacturers and
marketers locate to the Garden City area to better serve this broad consumer base. Industries in and around
Garden City offer products and support services such as water well technology, systematic irrigation, box
fabrication, metal casting and fabrication, extrusion of plastics and many more. The Garden City area is also
rich in natural resources and welcomes both traditional and renewable energy production. Economic diversity
is key and a high quality of life abounds in Garden City as we serve the extended region with retail, services,
education, and healthcare.

St. Catherine Hospital is the regional health center for the southwest Kansas region. This hospital, complete
with the latest in medical technology and equipment, has 24-hour emergency services, a Level II Newborn
Intensive Care Unit, a Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, a Cancer Treatment Center, a Multi-Specialty clinic, an
Ambulatory Surgical Center, along with Telemedicine facilities. It serves as headquarters for more than 50
physicians and 600 employees.

In 2017, voters approved a quarter cent sales tax that funded a roadway improvement, improvements to Lee
Richardson Zoo, a gun range, and a third fire station. The new station is planned to be open and fully staffed in
2025. This is a joint project between the City and County which will house parts of the Garden City Fire
Department and Finney County EMS.

GOVERNMENT
The City operates under a Commission-Manager form of
government with the five member City Commission elected to
overlapping four-year terms of office. An election for City
Commissioners is held every odd-numbered year. The Mayor is
elected to a one-year term by the Commissioners.

The City Manager is appointed by the City Commission and is
charged with the efficient and effective administration of the
City.

OVERSIGHT
The Garden City Fire Department is responsible for fire
prevention, code enforcement, fire suppression, technical
rescue, hazardous material response, airport rescue and
firefighting, vehicle extraction, fire investigations, assisting
Finney County Emergency Medical Services, providing mutual
aid for neighboring fire departments, and department
administrative services.

The Fire department provides full service to the City of Garden
City and Finney County through two locations: Central Fire
Station and Labrador Fire Station. Service to the Garden City
Regional Airport (GCRA) is provided at the GCRA Aircraft
Rescue and Firefighting Station.

ORGANIZATIONAL STUDY
The City of Garden City recently hired the professional
consulting firm McGrath Consulting Group to perform a full-
scale organizational study of the Garden City Fire Department.
The results of the study will be used to provide guidance for
future planning, growth, and operations. The study is complete
and a final report will be presented to the Governing Body on
November 2, 2021. Following the Governing Body’s approval, the
report will be made public, and candidates will have the
opportunity to review it before the first round of phone
interviews.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Fire Chief provides administrative direction and leadership for
all Fire Department functions, operation, and personnel through
the supervision of staff and a review of their activities. The Fire
Chief is responsible for working with City Officials in
recommending and developing projects, policies, procedures, and
guidelines for the protection of life and property in the City, in
addition to planning for the future development of the
department.

  Analyzes fire service needs, evaluates the department’s ability to
  fulfill those needs, and develops plans to ensure that the
  department can meet those needs in the future.

  Reviews the general operation of the department to determine
  efficiency; implements procedures that promote efficiency and
  ensures that they are followed.

  Plan, directs, and controls department purchases and
  maintenance of equipment/vehicles/supplies.

  Plans, organizes, coordinates, prepares, administers, and
  monitors the department budget.

  Oversees the recruitment, training, and professional
  development of personnel. Promotes high morale.

  Ensures that the department has a positive, visible relationship
  with the community.

  Develops educational programs and materials related to fire/life
  safety and prevention. Ensures staff is trained appropriately to
  deliver the programs and materials to the general public
  through schools and community organizations.

  Evaluates new ways in which the department can serve the
  community and develops plans to expand into that role.

  Oversees the investigation of the fire scene to determine origin
  and cause.

  Oversees the inspection of structures and equipment of
  structures to ensure code compliance and life safety.

  Performs contracted duties as Finney County Fire Chief.

QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates should have skills in leadership, professional development, and discipline. Must be proficient in key
administrative tasks, including planning, coordinating, and evaluating a variety of department work activities. The
candidate will be a strong communicator, capable of respectably representing the GCFD when talking with City
employees, other government agencies, the City Commission, and the general public. Technical skills include
modern municipal fire administration theory and practices, knowledge of firefighting principles, procedures,
codes, and ordinances, the ability to command and control major incidents as directed by NIMS, and preferably
experience in EMS. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and be a graduate of the National Fire Academy
Executive Fire Officer Program, or be able to pursue and finish those programs upon being hired. At least seven
years of experience in a supervisory firefighting position with a considerable responsibility with Fire
Administrative and command staff is preferred.

COMPENSATION
The City of Garden City offers a competitive benefits package.
Salary range: $43.79 - $55.56/hour ($91,083.20 - 115,564.80) DOQ.

HEALTH INSURANCE
The City provides a full family medical package through Blue
Cross Blue Shield that includes medical, prescription and dental
insurance. All employees pay a share of insurance premiums
(wellness rates) through payroll deduction. Presently, that share
will vary based on the contribution tier.

GROW WELL CLINIC & WELLNESS PROGRAM
The benefits you will receive from Grow Well include a yearly
health risk assessment, an individualized review of your
assessment results with a registered nurse, access to the Grow
Well Clinic, coaching for improved lifestyle management, lab
rechecks and onsite wellness training if applicable.

RETIREMENT
The City participates in the Kansas Police and Fire Retirement
Program (KP&F).

DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The City offers deferred compensation programs to all
employees on a voluntary basis for additional retirement
savings.

                                                LIFE INSURANCE
                                                The City provides life insurance plans through Advance and
                                                KPERS. Additional coverage may be purchased through KPERS.

                                                 HOLIDAYS
                                                10 holidays are granted annually.

                                                LEAVE
                                                Vacation leave is accrued at the rate off 12 days per year for
                                                0-5 years, 16 days per year for 6-10 years, 18 days per year for
                                                11-15 years and 22 days per year for 16+ years. Personal leave of
                                                2 days per year, with 3 personal days allotted after 5 years of
                                                service. Sick leave is also an available benefit.

                                                PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
                                                The City is committed to providing employees with
                                                exceptional training opportunities including regular
                                                attendance at State and National professional conferences
                                                within their relevant disciplines.

                                                OTHER PROGRAMS
                                                Flexible Spending, Educational Reimbursement, Employee
                                                Recognition Plan, hearing aid purchase program, and
                                                Computer/Exercise Equipment Purchase programs are all
                                                offered as well, depending on time with the City.

HOW TO APPLY
Qualified individuals should submit a City application, cover letter, resume, and three
work-related references online on the City's website at www.garden-city.org/jobs.

For any questions or inquiries regarding this position, please contact:
Human Resources
City of Garden City
Phone: 620.276.1175
Email: human.resources@gardencityks.us

The position will be open until filled. The application process will consist of a group
of finalists to participate in an assessment center to identify the top candidate and to
offer finalists an opportunity to fully evaluate the community so that they can better
assess the professional and personal opportunity.

The City of Garden City is proud to be an EEO employer.