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Home My WebLink AboutBattalion ChiefUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Battalion Chief Department: Fire Division: Administration & Support, Emergency Operations, Training & Equipment Supervisor: Deputy Fire Chief FLSA: Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 30 Job Number: 3001 Job Summary Performs advanced supervisory and command functions in directing, coordinating and monitoring the emergency operations of the Fire Department on an assigned shift, or supervises the Fire Prevention Bureau. May be assigned as Fire Marshal. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Manages speciﬁc programs or special projects, addresses organizational needs and performance. • Plans and schedules work assignments of personnel at assigned stations including annual maintenance scheduling of quarters, apparatus and equipment. • Conducts shift inspections and maintains discipline. • Appraises performance of shift and shift personnel and takes necessary action to improve collective and individual performance to improve overall operation. • Develops and administers emergency operations policies, guidelines and training/certiﬁcation programs. • Develops, implements and monitors compliance of Fire Department regulations and standard operating procedures. • Responds to all multiple company alarms as incident commander; determines methods of ﬁreﬁghting and directs the ﬁreﬁghting operations. • Administers emergency medical care as outlined in the scope of practice pertaining to an Emergency Medical Technician. • Operates radio equipment, mobile data computers, computer equipment and related software. • Provides detailed research into capital items for budget preparation; monitors budget expenditures for speciﬁc divisions/programs; and approves routine daily expenditures. • Performs administrative duties to include preparing and maintaining various records and reports; maintains and supervises logs of calls and responses; maintains and supervises information regarding ﬁres, including information relative to the cause, nature and extent of ﬁre damage. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Researches and develops speciﬁcations for Fire Department vehicles, equipment, protective clothing and other items for purchase. • Develops and coordinates specialized department training activities between the Training Oﬃcer, Captains, and outlying stations. • Develops and coordinates hazardous materials operations for department and Johnson County Hazardous Materials Response Team. • Performs detailed on-site analysis of building ﬂoor plans to develop tactical pre-ﬁre plans in preparation for an actual emergency. • Serves as department’s labor management committee representative. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs all other related duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and three to ﬁve years of related experience; and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Five years as a company oﬃcer with the Iowa City Fire Department. Experience in ﬁre and safety operations. • Instructor I certiﬁcation. Iowa or National EMT certiﬁcation. Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Must live within 25 miles of the corporate limits of Iowa City, Iowa within one year of appointment to the position. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Master’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two to four years of related experience; and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in Public Administration or Fire Science emphasis. • Oﬃcer I, Instructor II and Inspector I certiﬁcations. NFA Executive Fire Oﬃcer. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to deﬁne problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. • Ability to direct and evaluate ﬁre prevention activities, public education, ﬁre cause determination, and departmental operations. • Ability to eﬀectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. • Ability to participate in physical requirements, must be in good physical condition and participates in the department physical fitness program. • Ability to perform mathematical calculations in ﬁre prevention activities, such as Code compliance, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. • Ability to read and interpret codes and professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations, blueprints, speciﬁcations, and contracts. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to write such items as ﬁre accident/loss reports, business correspondence, procedure and training manuals, and court case documentation. • Knowledge of ﬁre codes, ﬁre safety practices, building construction, ﬁre behavior, ﬁre strategy and tactics, investigative/legal procedures, computers and oﬃce software applications. • Knowledge of the use of self-contained breathing apparatus. • Skill in public communications and relations. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Oﬃce – Word, Excel, Outlook). Supervision Assists with the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a program function or unit for the department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include supervising direct reports including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; writing and delivering performance reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; and terminating employees. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee regularly lifts and/or move up 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 25 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Participates in the department physical fitness program. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, smoke, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, traffic hazards, and blood/body fluids. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, dampness, direct sunlight, Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Employee may be exposed to dangerous situations, dangerous fumes while engaged in firefighting or cause determination activities, exposed to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system, and use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. Involves some exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reviewed/Approved by: Scott Lyon, Fire Chief (4/2024) I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________