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Home My WebLink AboutFire CaptainUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Fire Captain Department: Fire Division: Fire Administration Supervisor: Battalion Chief FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 37 Job Number: 3701 Job Summary Performs work in the supervision of shift personnel and equipment. Performs related work as required. 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. • Acts as shift commander in the absence of the Battalion Chief. • Assigned to departmental committee established to give overall direction of department training program. • Trains and drills shift personnel in all phases of ﬁreﬁghting, hazardous materials mitigation, rescue and emergency medical care in accordance with departmental goals, policies and guidelines. • Provides input to the budget process. • Responds to alarms, directs the activities of one truck or rescue company and coordinates the activities of shift companies. • Administers emergency medical care as outlined in the scope of practice pertaining to an Emergency Medical Technician. • Produces and maintains shift duty roster and daily log. • Maintains, reviews, and submits all required documents and reports (incident reports, purchasing card statements, evaluations, timesheets, payroll change forms, inspections, etc.) consistent with department policies and deadlines. • Operates radio equipment, mobile data computers and computer equipment. • May determine ﬁreﬁghting method at scene and need for additional assistance. • Directs and assists in extinguishing ﬁres. • May operate ﬁre apparatus and equipment. • Supervises maintenance of Fire Station and apparatus. • Inspects and tests ﬁre equipment and apparatus. • Participates in ﬁre prevention activities. • Assigns and assists in performing inspections and code enforcement. • Maintains a work environment conducive to high morale and welfare of personnel under his/her command. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Advises and explains to assigned shift personnel all department rules, regulations and directives from ranking oﬃcers and assures they are followed. • Assists in investigation and ﬁre cause determination. • Responsible for completing various goals and objectives as assigned. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Other related duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree or 60 hours of coursework in Fire Science or related, experience one year as Lieutenant with Iowa City Fire Department. • 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 • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in Fire Science. Experience in public education, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and the Fire Prevention Bureau. • Instructor II certiﬁcation. Fire origin and cause training from State Fire Marshal or National Fire Academy. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to calculate ﬁgures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. • Ability to eﬀectively communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. • Ability to maintain minimum required certiﬁcations, such as emergency medical status and also retain and improve professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, participating in scheduled drills, studying applicable federal, state, and local laws and standards, and by reviewing departmental policies and procedures. • Ability to operate technical equipment, such as computers and related software, deﬁbrillators, combustible gas indicators, power tools and equipment, etc. • Ability to participate in physical requirements, must be in good physical condition and participates in the department physical fitness program. • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. • Ability to use strength and ability to do prolonged strenuous manual and mechanical work under adverse conditions. • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. • Knowledge at a specialized level in one or more special operations, such as hazardous materials, conﬁned space rescue, high-angle rescue, vehicle extrication, etc. • Knowledge at advanced level in the areas of ﬁre behavior, ﬁreﬁghting evolutions, ﬁreﬁghting tactics, the incident management system, emergency medical services, technical rescue and inspection techniques and methods; instructional methodology, Fire Department Rules and Regulations, City Administrative Policies, and other related standards and regulations associated with emergency response. • Knowledge of management fundamentals. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Oﬃce – Word, Excel, Outlook). Supervision Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to permanent staff in completing daily tasks and assignments. May perform additional supervisory duties at the direction of the Department or Division Head to include disciplinary action, assisting with hiring or firing, and writing or delivering performance reviews. 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 must push, pull or lift varying amounts. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 25 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to and excess of 100 pounds with or without 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. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) 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, 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 ________________________________ __________________