THE ORGANIZATION: CITY OF COQUITLAM One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam (“Coquitlam” or “the City”) offers meaningful career opportunities to over 2,000 employees to make a difference within the local community. As the sixth largest city in BC, Coquitlam is home to more than 150,000 residents. The diverse municipality is a great place to work as it continues to grow through innovative urban design, inspiring arts, culture and recreation programs, and state-of-the-art transportation systems. Coquitlam’s brand is built on managing its resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre.
Corporate Values: Organizational values form the foundation for the City’s decision-making framework and relationships with its interest holders, including employees, residents and clients. The City of Coquitlam strives to be an organization recognized for its excellence in City governance and employee, resident and client relations.
Coquitlam Fire Department Leadership Philosophy: While Coquitlam Fire Department’s Executive Team carries the responsibility for decisions related to policy, discipline, operational direction, and overall staff management, the approach is collegial and grounded in what they know: that a collective experience, with effective teams facing challenges and success together is always best. Leadership in this model is successful when, through effective communication, leadership hears and connects to the values and needs that hold “us” together as a fire service, rather than “us and them,” and leads by fostering a culture of belonging from bottom-to-top. Fostering a positive, collective, and values-based culture has far greater impact on staff behavior and mental health challenges than enforcing rules ever can.
THE OPPORTUNITY: ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF - OPERATIONS Reporting to the Deputy Fire Chief – Operations, the Assistant Fire Chief – Operations (“Assistant Fire Chief”) is responsible for the supervision, administration and operations for emergency and non-emergency activities, including training, fire prevention and investigation, station/vehicle maintenance, scheduling, participating in the hiring, public education, and contract negotiations, as well as other committees.
This is a skilled supervisory and administrative position; the Assistant Fire Chief is an integral member of Coquitlam’s Fire & Rescue Services Management Team. The position is responsible for:
Managing and supervising Operational staff (a total team of 41 professionals);
Managing and supervising portfolios and duties as illustrated on the Coquitlam Fire/Rescue (CCFR) Organization Chart and Chief Officer Duties and Responsibilities Chart;
Monitoring and investigating all WCB claims, accidents, illnesses and absences;
Manages, liaises, and assists in the Platoons’ training in conjunction with the Training Division;
Manages Platoons’ Personnel Evaluations, and assists in personnel planning and development;
Manages administrative portfolios as identified by the Deputy Fire Chief; and
Provide preceptorship or practicum guidance for Acting Assistant Chiefs.
The Assistant Fire Chief serves as key leader within Coquitlam’s growing Fire & Rescue Department, effectively leading, engaging, and galvanizing their Platoon, while seeking opportunities for operational continuous improvement and best practices. The Assistant Fire Chief should want to make a departmental impact, and participate in the ongoing coaching and mentorship of developing leaders. As a skilled leader of fire and rescue professionals, the Assistant Fire Chief will possess the credibility and track record to lead effectively.
Specific Accountabilities:
Assists in carrying out administrative duties and may assume the duties of the Deputy Fire Chief - Operations in their absence; assists in the supervision of enforcement of Provincial and Municipal fire and related bylaws; supplies technical advice to the administrative team on such matters as personnel, firefighting and fire prevention techniques, fire equipment and fire defense;
Participates in policy formulation and other related departmental operational matters; attends meetings as required by the Fire Chief;
Participates in senior staff on-call duties; when dispatched to incidents, may assume Command;
In conjunction with the Captains, assigns and supervises the maintenance of manning as per policy;
Conduct preliminary investigation of fires to determine origin; gathers and presents evidence in suspected incendiary fires; refers suspicious fires, or fires of known origin, to the Fire Prevention Office;
As required, investigates complaints for resolution or recommended action;
Prepares Operational Platoon activity reports; enforces discipline throughout the Platoons;
Responds to and takes charge of emergency incidents as requested by Dispatch;
Ensures Firefighting Techniques are consistent with City of Coquitlam Policy and Operational Guidelines;
Ensures Platoons’ certifications and licenses are current;
Advises the Management Team regarding Platoons’ personnel and labour issues;
Ensures safe working practices as per WCB and City of Coquitlam Fire/Rescue Policy;
Processes Leave of Absences, Medical and Back to Work Forms;
Coordinates New Product Evaluations in conjunction with Operational Captains and the Training and Fire Prevention Divisions;
Ensures Platoon follows safe practices and ongoing direction of the Safety Committee; and
Coordinates repair and delivery of Fire Apparatus and Equipment.
THE PERSON The successful Assistant Fire Chief candidate will have deep technical expertise gained from a progressively more senior firefighting career, well-developed leadership and interpersonal skills, and strong labour relations, financial acumen, and experience leading a large, busy, multi-function division. The Assistant Fire Chief will possess superior communication skills with the ability to make public presentations and prepare reports to a variety of audiences. They will administer divisional operating budgets, while maintaining responsibility for monitoring results. The Assistant Fire Chief will also provide guidance and leadership to a multi-level team, displaying excellence in people leadership and the ability to coach and mentor staff to succeed in their own career development goals. They should possess a continuous improvement mindset, instilling a customer service mindset in the division, while seeking ways to find efficiencies in the permitting process.
Professional and Personal Qualifications:
NFPA 1021 – Fire Officer 2 Certificate (Pro Board or IFSAC accredited);
ISO (Incident Safety Officer) required;
Completion of 12th grade from a provincially recognized institute; working towards a post-secondary -certificate in Business, HR or Fire Executive Management, or equivalent;
Enrolment in an approved educational program as defined in the Fire/Rescue succession plan; completion of technical courses related to the position;
Extensive related Fire Service experience of a progressively responsible nature, in a supervisory capacity;
Extensive knowledge of instructional techniques, modern firefighting, related emergency services, and fire prevention methods, as well as contemporary techniques and procedures and the operation and maintenance of apparatus and equipment;
Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, operational guidelines, and fire service standards; ability to apply Fire Service Policies and Operational Guidelines in a equitable and timely manner;
Refined people and team leadership skills; ability to provide effective leadership to Platoons and promote team building;
Ability to apply sound judgment when making decisions;
Ability to communicate effectively, prepare clear and concise reports; and effectively interact with media;
Experience administering collective agreements and sound knowledge of labour relations practices;
Valid BC Driver’s License with Class 3 and air brake endorsement.
Competencies and Personal Characteristics: Leadership – Achieves desired organizational results by encouraging and supporting the contribution of others; a proactive and positive team player who acts with a sense of urgency and leads by example; sets and communicates clear goals. Accountable – Holds self and others accountable for responsibilities; focuses on results and measuring attainment of outcomes in a business focus. Strategic – Develops a plan in support of organizational strategic direction. Demonstrates an understanding of the link between one’s job responsibilities and overall organizational goals. Integrity and Honesty – Demonstrates a resolute commitment to and respect for the spirit behind the rules and core values of the organization, setting an example of professionalism and ethical propriety. Influential and Collaborative – has an open and consistent approach to working with others and possesses strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and develop / maintain partnerships with interest groups, local First Nations and stakeholders. Creativity and Innovation – Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/processes. Effective Working Relationships – Treats colleagues, and stakeholders with respect; resolves conflicts in a timely manner, negotiates effectively, and provides effective feedback to colleagues/employees. Communication – Clearly presents written and verbal information; writes with clarity and purpose; communicates effectively in both positive and negative circumstances; listens well. People Development – Fosters learning and development of others through coaching, managing performance and mentoring; has a genuine desire to develop others and help them succeed; formally and informally recognizes deserving staff and colleagues. Resident Focused – Anticipates and attends to the needs of internal and external stakeholders of the organization; keeps resident interests in the forefront.
COMPENSATION: The 2025 salary range is $157,722 - $177,415. Coquitlam offers an attractive vacation and extended benefits package, including the Municipal Pension Plan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Nick Lay or Tony Kirschner LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH #880—609 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5 Phone: (604) 688-8422 Email: vancouver@leadersinternational.com
