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VACANCY NOTICE
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for appointment to the post of
DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, CRIME PREVENTION AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (SAINT LUCIA FIRE SERVICE).
RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
1. To manage operational functions; contribute to strategy and policy development and delivery; coordinate and mobilise fire prevention and suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, disaster and hazardous material response; and monitor and evaluate established systems, in compliance with legislative requirements and promote the protection of life and property.
2. Responds to the Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary and liaises with the Saint Lucia Fire Service Association, Water and Sewerage Company Inc., Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited, Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Millennium Heights Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, and the National Emergency Management Organisation on matters relating to work in progress.
DUTIES AND TASKS
- Leads and manages assigned staff through target setting, continuous dialogue, mentoring, coaching, assessment of staff performance, identifying training needs and gaps and managing leave, to ensure effective performance management and promote employee wellbeing.
- Assists in the preparation of the work programme for the Division in line with the Department’s strategic objectives, through strategic planning exercises, consultation with stakeholders and reviewing key evidence-based information, to enable the determination of targets, milestones and deadlines.
- Contributes to the development and implementation of firefighting strategies and plans, through consultation, spearheading research and analysis, developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks and making recommendations, to enable effective operations in accordance with established legislation.
- Manages the operations of the Division through planning, coordinating and overseeing work schedules and assignments, directing workflows and reporting major responses and critical incidents, to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Participates in local and regional emergency response activities for natural and man-made disasters by consulting with stakeholders, attending planning meetings, overseeing the preparation of safety and fire prevention emergency response plans, to support a national incident command system that can effectively mitigate disaster emergency incidents.
- Oversees fire emergency and safety and rescue situations by coordinating responses to major incidents, serving as incident commander, assessing risks and hazards, implementing tactical response plans and managing emergency scenes, to enable protection of life and property and for efficient management of and resolution of operational incidents.
- Monitors and evaluates established systems, processes and procedures for fire emergency and safety and rescue, through continuous review, applying prescribed tools and methodologies, conducting risk assessments and inspections, reviewing requisite documents and recommending control measures and corrective action, to determine programme effectiveness and ensure compliance with established legislation and standards.
- Coordinates facility management activities by conducting site visits/inspections and drills, assessing relevant reports, consulting with team members and other stakeholders, and contributing to the implementation of preventative maintenance measures, to foster operational efficiency and ensure conducive working conditions in compliance with established occupational safety and health standards.
- Conducts inspections of firefighting equipment through the examination of fire appliances and apparatus and undertaking market research, to make recommendations on the upgrade/improvement, replacement and/or repair of equipment and ensure functionality and availability.
- Serves as parade commander for Saint Lucia Fire Service and national parades by coordinating practice sessions, executing words of commands and reporting to the superior officer, to promote discipline and national pride, in recognition of national and fire service celebrations.
- Participates in the resolution of grievances and industrial relations matters through consultation, reviewing reported complaints and other relevant documents, preparing reports and presenting recommendations, in accordance with established grievance procedures, to foster transparency and maintain favourable employee relations.
- Provides advice and guidance on matters relating to fire prevention and suppression and emergency, safety and rescue through consultation, research and analysis, reviewing existing policies, preparing reports and making recommendations, to facilitate advancements in fire service delivery, enable informed decision-making, and foster consistency.
- Supports the review of relevant legislation, policies and procedures through consultation with stakeholders and making recommendations that are constitutionally sound to enable legal reform and decision making.
- Facilitates continuous learning through training, workshops and meetings by applying effective training methodologies and to build capacity in fire prevention, suppression, emergency safety and rescue.
- Assists with the development of the annual budget and coordination of the budgetary process of the Saint Lucia Fire Service by assessing programme initiatives, to establish strategic linkages, conducting research and analyses and participating in budget planning meetings, to ensure availability of funds for programme implementation, in alignment with strategic objectives.
- Establishes linkages with relevant stakeholders through collaboration and networking at the local, regional and international levels, to enable information sharing, knowledge transfer and the identification of requisite resources to fulfil the mandate of the Division.
- Represents the Department on committees, conferences and meetings at the local, regional and international levels to articulate government’s policy position and foster networking and alliances.
- Prepares status reports on the work programme of the Division in accordance with standard operating procedures, to allow for a review of set targets and objectives, facilitate decision-making and promote accountability.
- Performs any other job-related duties as may be assigned.
CONDITIONS
- Congenial accommodation is provided within a general administrative office within a fire station setting with field work conducted.
- Institutional support is provided through the Constitution of Saint Lucia, civil service rules and regulations, collective agreements, standard operating procedures, Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, Occupational Safety and Health, Part IV of the Labour Act, Cap 16.04, Public Health Act 1975, Public Finance Management Act 2020, Fire Service Act, National Emergency Management Plan and other relevant policy documents.
- Opportunities exist for personal development through established orientation and training programmes, as outlined in the Training and Development Policy for the Saint Lucia Public Service.
- May be required to work beyond the normal working hours.
- Required to remain current on practices and developments in strategic leadership and management, fire science and national topography.
- Required to demonstrate political acuity.
- Required to maintain integrity, confidentiality and professionalism in the conduct of duties.
- Required to be punctual and present for work, meetings and other official appointments and activities.
- May be exposed to varying temperatures, fumes, noise, smoke, dust and hazardous materials and chemicals in the conducted of duties.
- Required to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to lifting, bending, standing, climbing, shifting, carrying, pushing or pulling items of moderate to heavy weight.
- Required to conduct duties in varying locations, inclement weather and erratic situations.
- Required to use personal protective equipment in the conduct of duties.
- May be exposed to strenuous, dangerous or stressful conditions.
- Functions in a scheduled travelling post with travel allowance in accordance with that stipulated in the terms and conditions of employment.
- Required to own and maintain a motor vehicle for the proper performance of duties and to possess a valid driver’s license.
- May be required to travel regionally and internationally in the conduct of duties.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with that stipulated in the terms and conditions of employment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Expert knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply fire science theories, practices, and techniques, including fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation and emergency management.
- Expert knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply operational characteristics of fire apparatus and equipment including vehicles and communications
- Expert knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply standard operating procedures, Fire Service Act and other relevant policy documents.
- Advanced knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the provisions of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, civil service rules and regulations, collective agreements, Occupational Safety and Health, Part IV of the Labour Act, Cap 16.04, Public Health Act 1975, Public Procurement Legislation, Public Finance Management Act 2020 and National Emergency Management Plan and other relevant policy documents.
- Advanced knowledge of the structure of the public service and ability to interpret and apply its administrative policies and procedures.
- Intermediate knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the provisions of the Constitution of Saint Lucia.
- Expert interpersonal skills and consistently demonstrates emotional intelligence.
- Expert negotiation and mediation skills.
- Expert oral and written communication, listening and presentation skills.
- Advanced leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff.
- Advanced analytical and conceptualisation skills.
- Advanced business process management and organisational skills.
- Intermediate computer literacy skills; with the ability to manipulate software applications such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentation programmes and fire department management software.
- Ability to effectively develop and maintain working relationships with team members and other stakeholders.
- Ability to manage time, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
- Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in the execution of duties.
- Intellectually acute, visionary and innovative.
- Ability to adapt to organisational change.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply fire science theories, principles and practices, methods and techniques, including fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation and emergency management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of operational characteristics of fire apparatus and equipment including vehicles and communications devices.
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the provisions of the Constitution of Saint Lucia, civil service rules and regulations, collective agreements, standard operating procedures, Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, Fire Service Act, Occupational Safety and Health, Part IV of the Labour Act, Cap 16.04, Public Health Act 1975, Public Procurement Legislation, Public Finance Management Act 2020 and National Emergency Management Plan and other relevant policy documents.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the structure of the public service and ability to interpret and apply its administrative policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
- Demonstrated negotiation and mediation skills.
- Demonstrated effectiveness of oral and written communication, listening and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
- Demonstrated analytical and conceptualisation skills.
- Demonstrated business process management and organisational skills.
- Demonstrated computer literacy skills.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively develop and maintain working relationships with team members and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to manage time, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain integrity, confidentiality and professionalism in the conduct of duties.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and judgment in the execution of duties.
- Demonstrated intellectual acuity and ability to be visionary and innovative.
- Demonstrated ability to complete assignments and tasks as defined by performance targets.
- Demonstrated political acuity.
- Demonstrated ability to remain current on practices and developments in strategic leadership and management, fire science and national topography.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare and submit reports that meet established standards.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to organisational change.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Master’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration or related field of study plus one (1) year experience in a post at Grade 14 or above; or one (1) year relevant professional experience; OR
- Bachelor’s Degree plus Post Graduate Diploma in Fire Science, Fire
Administration or related field of study plus two (2) years’ experience in a post at Grade 14 or above; or two (2) years’ relevant professional experience; OR
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, or related field of study plus three (3) years’ experience at Grade 14; or three (3) years’ relevant professional experience.
SALARY
Salary is at the rate of EC$78,012.36 per annum (Grade 17, Step I).
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be made on the prescribed Government of Saint Lucia Employment Application Form, and should be accompanied by certified copies of documents pertaining to qualifications, two (2) recent references and one (1) passport sized photograph along with other specified requirements.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Secretary
Public Service Commission
Sir Stanislaus James Building
The Waterfront
Castries, St. Lucia
Applications are to reach the above address no later than Monday August 19, 2024.
Only suitable candidates will be acknowledged.
Please be advised that candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and experience may not be considered for an interview; only the candidates with the best qualifications and experience will be short listed for interviews.
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