Class Specification: CHIEF, LIFEGUARD SERVICES, FIRE
ITEM NUMBER: 2935
APPROVAL DATE: 03/23/2006
DEFINITION:
Directs the Lifeguard Division of the Fire Department.
CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
The one position allocable to this class reports to the Deputy Fire Chief. The incumbent assists in the management of the Department with particular responsibility for directing, through subordinate managers, beach lifeguard and rescue boat operations along the coast of Los Angeles County as well as these operations and paramedic services on Catalina Island. The incumbent must exercise a thorough knowledge of personnel and employee relations principles, budget administration, operations forecasting and planning, administrative and organizational principles, beach ordinances and regulations and their intent, departmental philosophy on protection of life and property, and services provided by other agencies, in order to plan and manage a full range of 24-hour safety and rescue activities.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Plans, assigns, directs and evaluates the work of the Lifeguard Division of the Fire Department.
Approves and directs the implementation of all standards, policies, and procedures of the Lifeguard Division.
Evaluates existing ordinances for adequacy of coverage; revises or drafts new provisions when needed and recommends submission of proposed changes to the Board of Supervisors.
Reviews the performance of the Division by personal inspection and review of reports and records; identifies trends, needs, or deficiencies and reallocates resources; directs preparation and administration of recertification, operational, rescue and safety training programs; recommends the establishment of new services and the acquisition of new equipment.
Evaluates the performance of subordinate supervisors and managers; recommends and justifies appraisals of promotability for all divisional personnel; approves selection and performance standards for all personnel.
Commands major departmental rescue operations such as large vessels on the rocks or sinking, major airplane crashes into the ocean or complicated underwater rescue efforts.
Directs the preparation of the Division budget, reviews the proposal for conformance to departmental policy and instructions, approves and justifies budget to departmental administration, and ensures appropriate distribution of resources.
Monitors and tracks all Services and Supplies (S&S), overtime, and salary expenditures; reviews and approves all division purchases (68's), construction, communications and fleet repair.
Oversees grant programs; coordinates all Capital Projects within the Division.
Negotiates employee Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and is liaison with the Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard Association (LACOLA).
Negotiates the five City contracts; drafts contract for review by Fire Chief; monitors compliance of all contract elements.
Represents Lifeguard Division on departmental committees, councils, and task forces.
Coordinates department's response to minimize the effects of oil and other pollutants along County shoreline and harbors.
Assists in the preparation of news releases and other information provided to the news media regarding departmental activities.
Coordinates, with the Department of Health Services, a plan to advise beach users of any contaminated or suspected contaminated ocean water.
Acts as liaison to other agencies such as local law enforcement, fire and paramedic service agencies; represents the Fire Department before city councils, chambers of commerce and other groups.
Meets with departmental administrators and representatives of other agencies to evaluate responses to major incidents, with concerned citizen groups to explain beach service levels or provisions for access to public beaches, and with representatives of cities to present provisions of proposed ordinances, or to explain departmental activities.
Oversees Lifeguard Division's Information Technology (IT) and network administrations.
Engages in the physical fitness program established by the department in order to maintain sufficient capability to perform ocean lifesaving duties.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience at the level of Section Chief, Lifeguard Services, Fire in the service of the County of Los Angeles.
LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS:
4 - Arduous.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Ability:
Positions assigned to this class must have the ability to swim 500 meters within ten minutes.
Certification:
(1) Emergency Medical Technician I Certificate
(2) SCUBA Certificate
