Position Description
The Lieutenant in the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office (HCFMO) is a mid-level supervisory position responsible for overseeing multiple teams, groups, or employees within a designated branch or service. The Lieutenant serves as an integral part of the command structure, directly managing and coordinating operations, and ensuring that assigned resources meet the strategic objectives of the HCFMO. In addition to providing leadership and subject matter expertise in HCFMO core services, the Lieutenant is also tasked with more extensive administrative duties and complex problem-solving responsibilities. This role requires close collaboration with senior leadership to implement policies, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure community and employee safety.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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Response Ready:
- Ensure the daily response capacity and capability of the hazardous materials team is maintained.
- Maintaining oversight of staffing amongst the shifts to ensure proper management is occurring.
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Safety Culture:
- Develop, implement, improve, and promote a safe working culture within the team.
- Direct and supervise the HazMat team, providing guidance, training, and support as necessary.
- Providing an environment of teach, coach, and mentor to all team members.
- Develop and maintain relationships with neighboring jurisdictions and external organizations to enhance service delivery and customer service.
- Develop Branch leadership not only within your shifts but across the branch and organization.
- At the direction of the HazMat Chief and Captain, conduct administrative duties as assigned.
- Emergency Response Leadership: (as necessary)
- Assume command and coordinate response activities between our HazMat team and other stakeholders during hazardous materials incidents, ensuring the safety of responders and the public.
- Assess the severity and nature of hazardous materials incidents, determining appropriate response strategies and tactics.
- Utilize advanced knowledge of hazardous materials to evaluate risks and develop mitigation strategies and tactics in collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders.
- Integrate into the incident command system and ensure effective communication among response teams and stakeholders.
- Allocate resources effectively during response operations, considering the severity of the incident, available personnel, and equipment capabilities.
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Resource Management:
- Participate in the identification, recommendation, placement, procurement, and maintenance of specialized equipment, vehicles, and personal protective gear required for hazardous materials response.
- Manage and oversee the inventory of hazardous materials response supplies, ensuring an adequate stock is maintained and conducting regular inspections through coordination with HCFMO Logistics and Quartermaster.
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Planning and Preparedness:
- Provide input and collaboration in the development and updating of comprehensive hazardous materials response plans, policies, and procedures, considering potential risks, regulations, and recommended practices.
- Conduct risk assessments and identify vulnerable areas within the jurisdiction, developing strategies to minimize potential hazards.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders throughout the Agency to foster partnerships and enhance preparedness efforts.
- Collaborate with other emergency response agencies, organizations, and industries to foster partnerships and enhance preparedness efforts.
- Stay abreast of emerging hazardous materials trends, regulations, and technologies, and integrate new practices into response plans and training programs.
- Participate in drills, exercises, and training sessions to ensure readiness and proficiency of response personnel.
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Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to hazardous materials response, including reporting requirements and documentation.
- Maintain responsibility for the QA/QI (quality assurance/quality improvement) of all reports (e.g. NFIRS reports, daily reports) within your assigned shifts.
- Prepare detailed incident reports, documenting response actions, lessons learned, and recommendations for improving future response operations.
- Provide expertise and guidance to internal and external stakeholders regarding hazardous materials regulations, guidelines, and compliance measures.
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Public Outreach and Education:
- At the request or in collaboration with HCFMO Outreach, conduct public education and outreach programs to raise awareness about hazardous materials risks, prevention, and response protocols.
- At the request or in coordination with HCFMO Training, conduct training and education with community organizations, schools, and businesses to enhance their resiliency on hazardous materials safety and emergency preparedness.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in public meetings, conferences, and media interviews, providing accurate information and addressing community concerns.
- Handle ad-hoc tasks and special projects as assigned.
Other Duties:
- Perform other duties as assigned that align with HCFMO policies, procedures, and strategic vision. The duties listed above are not meant to limit the assignment of work, nor should they be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally performed or list all duties that may be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email [email protected]
Requirements
Experience and Experience:
- High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution and
- Ten (10) years of relevant experience plus
- Four (4) years of management experience.
OR
- Associates degree from an accredited college or university and
- Eight (8) years of relevant experience
- Plus four (4) years of management experience.
OR
- Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university and
- Four (4) years of relevant experience plus
- Two - Four (2 - 4) years of management experience.
Please Note: Management experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, supervising and coordinating teams and or groups. (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).
TCOLE Required Positions:
- At the time of appointment, be eligible to be commissioned by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as a Peace Officer
- Pass a TCOLE and general criminal background check to include L2, L3
- Pass a TCOLE-certified weapons qualification.
Special Requirements:
- Must complete NFPA 1582 Hazardous Materials Physical with signed "Fit for Duty" at the time of appointment.
Notice: Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).
Automatic Disqualification:
- Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.
- Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
- Open arrest for any criminal offense. (Felony or Misdemeanor)
- Family Violence conviction.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
- TCFP Structural Fire Certification (Advanced).
- TCFP Hazardous Materials Technician Certification.
- TCFP Instructor 1 Certification.
- Texas Driver's License Class B Exempt.
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Regular Full-time | 40 Hours per Week
- Monday - Friday | Weekends (if necessary)
- The job is subject to flex time, after-hours, night, holiday, and weekend work, possibly without prior notice.
- Work requires assignments to be performed during normal administrative hours and may be requested to work overtime and weekends for special program events.
Salary:
- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 Pay Periods
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
- Accrual rates increase based on years of service
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
- Professional development opportunities
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
- Healthcare Reimbursement Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
- Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
- Flexible schedule (varies by department)
- Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
https://benefitsathctx.com/
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