CITY OF SALINAS, CALIFORNIA
INVITES YOUR INTEREST IN THE POSITION OF
FIRE CHIEF
THE COMMUNITY
The City of Salinas is the 34th largest City in the state with a population of approximately 161,042. It is located in beautiful Monterey County, California. Salinas offers a great career opportunity for a Fire Chief.
As the city with the largest population in California’s Central Coast, Salinas is a multicultural and diverse community and a key asset in today’s global economy. The City’s diverse community is comprised of an approximate 75% Hispanic population. The median age of the community is 29.3 years young. The region offers various cultural family events and consistent Mediterranean climate for year-long outdoor activity. Salinas also boasts about being among the top ten cities in the nation with the cleanest air.
With world-class events that take place in the city each year, such as the California Air Show, California Rodeo, and Forbes Ag Tech Summit, and world-renowned amenities right next door, including the Pebble Beach Golf Resort and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Salinas is a place that truly has it all. The city is also home to a wealth of cultural and historic assets, including the Steinbeck museum– the only museum in the country devoted to a single author - along with Steinbeck’s family home. Additionally, Salinas is home to educational institutions such as Hartnell Community College founded in 1920 and California State University Monterey Bay.
Although agriculture forms the economic base, more than 100 manufacturing, financial, and medical related firms call Salinas home. Salinas has a global reputation as an agriculture and innovation hub. It is a source for agricultural research and resources and is developing the latest technology and advancements. Some of the largest employers in the city include the County of Monterey, Taylor Farms, D’Arrigo Bros, and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Salinas was incorporated in 1874 and became a Charter City in 1903. The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Manager is responsible for all City departments except the appointed City Attorney. The seven-member City Council includes six members elected by district for four-year staggered terms on a nonpartisan basis, plus the Mayor who is elected at-large and serves a term of two years.
The City employs 728 full and part-time employees with a FY 2018-19 budget of $280M. The City Manager leads and directs the City’s seven departments: Administration, Community Development, Finance, Fire, Library and Community Services, Public Works, and the Police Department.
MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
The Salinas Fire Department is dedicated to preserving and protecting the safety of our community with integrity, pride and commitment. We will do this with diversity of thought and people while ensuring fiscal responsibility. Our steadfast belief in each other and our mission guides us in providing dynamic, professional service to our community through emergency response and community risk reduction.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department provides 24-hour prevention, response, mitigation, and recovery efforts for fires, hazardous materials, emergency medical services, traffic collisions and aircraft emergencies, and all other emergency and non-emergency service requests within the City of Salinas corporate limits, approximately 23.5 square miles. The primary goal of the Fire Department is the protection of life, property, and the environment for those that live, work, and visit the City of Salinas. All divisions of the Fire Department—Administration, Suppression and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Prevention, Disaster Preparedness, Training, Vehicle Maintenance, and Hazardous Materials—work in conjunction to support this goal.
The Department has six stations and is working on a plan for a seventh station. Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District also contracts with the City for fire protection services for a portion of its district on the northwest side of the City, bringing the total area protected to approximately 35 square miles.
The department has 100 employees with three operational shifts working a 48/96 hour schedule. Each shift includes a Battalion Chief, 8 Captains, 8 Engineers and 12 Firefighters staffing six Advanced Life Support (ALS) engines and two tiller trucks. The department has one regional mobile command-communications vehicle, one Type-3 engine and one Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) apparatus.
In addition, the Salinas and Seaside Fire Departments provide Hazardous Material (HazMat) response teams for Monterey County. Department Administrative support is provided by the Fire Chief, a Deputy Fire Chief, Battalion Chief-Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief – Training, Administrative Secretary, Office Technician, EMS Officer, and 3 Fire Inspectors. The department budget for FY 2018-2019 is $24M.
The Salinas Fire Department is committed to providing professional services to Salinas residents, businesses, and visitors with integrity, respect, and compassion.
THE POSITION
• The Fire Chief is an at-will position reporting directly to the City Manager.
• Oversees all divisions of the Fire Department.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and administers operational activities.
• Analyzes operational costs and directs preparation of annual budget requests and justifications.
• Administer the annual budget.
• Attends City Council and community meetings.
• Facilitates the counseling and disciplining of personnel.
• Determines service levels and staffing requirements.
• Fulfills emergency response obligations on a 24/7 basis, as needed.
• Most importantly, builds and maintains positive working relationships with other departments, coworkers, other City employees, community groups and the public.
• Please visit the City website for a complete job description.