CITY OF COMPTONFIRE CHIEF

HISTORYKnown as the Hub City because of its location in nearly the exact geographical center of Los Angeles County, Compton is between the greater Los Angeles and Long Beach areas. The City of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and the eighth to incorporate. The territory was settled in 1867 by a band of 30 pioneering families, who were led to the area by Griffith Dickenson Compton. The settlement became known as Compton in 1869. The City of Compton was officially incorporated on May 11, 1888, with a population of 500 people.

LOCATIONThe City of Compton is one of the largest cities in the Southeast Los Angeles County region with a total population of 98,056 as of 2015. The City’s boundaries encompass an area of approximately 10.6 square miles. Known as one of the Gateway cities, the City of Compton is a part of the nation’s major entrance to international communities of Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific Rim. Located within 30 minutes of some of California’s finest beaches, and 60 minutes from ski resorts in nearby mountain ranges, the City of Compton is close to a host of recreational activities. Furthermore, the ocean breeze and warm southern California sun provide moderate temperatures.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTUREThe City of Compton operates under a City Council/City Manager form of government, as stipulated by the City Charter. The five-member City Council (elected to four-year terms) consists of a Mayor elected at-large and four Council members elected by District. The City Council establishes the policies which govern City operations. The City Council appoints the City Manager who carries out Council policies and administers the operations of the overall management of the City government structure. The City Manager directs the City’s departments, and approximately 400 employees who make up City government. The City of Compton’s adopted Fiscal Year 2016-2017 (FY 17) all funds budget is $185,527 million and includes a general fund FY 17 budget of $56,543 million. For

more budget and city information visit www.comptoncity.org. The City Attorney, City Clerk and City Treasurer are elected officials and the City Charter governs their responsibilities.

At present, the priorities of the City Council focus on enhancing the quality of life through community and economic development, public safety, infrastructure improvements, service excellence, transparent and accountable government, and an informed, active and engaged citizenry. City government has moved forward with a concerted effort to make Compton more competitive through the ongoing development and implementation of a strategic visioning for the City. The voters of Compton recently passed Measure P, “The Vital City Services and Neighborhood Protection Measure,” which added a one percent sales tax increase to fund general city needs including local streets, sidewalks and pedestrian street lighting repairs and upgrades; public safety enhancements; youth job training, gang and drug prevention programs; stimulating sustainable economic development; improving local parks and stabilizing basic services throughout the City. The estimated annual revenue to the City is over $7 million and requires citizens’ oversight.

FIRE DEPARTMENT MISSIONThe mission of the Fire Department is to create a safe, self-reliant and viable community through prompt and efficient emergency services; effective fire prevention and environmental control; and community outreach and training in fire safety, emergency medical treatment, and disaster preparedness.

FIRE DEPARTMENTThe Compton Fire Department was established in 1901, with a small force of volunteer firefighters. In 1925, the department converted to professional status, hiring its first paid fire chief and five firefighters, supplementing its staff of 20 volunteer firefighters.

In addition to emergency services, the Fire Department maintains the James Shern Fire Academy, partnering with Compton

Community College to provide an accredited program of Firefighter Training; offers a Fire Explorer program for youth ages 14 to 21; provides public information and training in fire safety and disaster preparedness; and provides free blood pressure screenings at all four fire stations.

The Compton Fire Department ranks among the five busiest departments in California, responding to an average of 10,000 emergency calls per year. Approximately 75% of all calls are for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The Department’s average response time is 4 minutes and 30 seconds. This response is faster than the national average, as well as the response times of nearby cities served by Los Angeles County Fire Department. Its resources include four fire stations and nine front-line emergency vehicles comprised of four fire engines, one truck, two paramedic squads, and two basic life support transport ambulances.

The Fire Prevention Bureau performs activities designed to help reduce fires and hazardous material incidents in the City. Their activities include code compliance inspections, inspection of buildings for fire and life safety, investigations of fires of unknown origin, and review of all building plans to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes. The Fire Prevention Bureau also manages the Hazardous Materials Disclosure Program.

FIRE CHIEF The Fire Chief reports to the City Manager, with responsibility for accomplishing department objectives and goals within guidelines established by the City Manager and City Council including policy development, program planning, fiscal management, administration, and operational direction of the City’s Fire Department. Specifically, the Chief plans, organizes, directs and administers the activities and operations of the Fire Department including prompt and efficient emergency medical services (EMS);

fire suppression, effective fire prevention and environmental control; community outreach and training in fire safety, and emergency management/disaster preparedness; coordination with other City departments and outside agencies; and other related duties as assigned.

The Fire Chief leads a department of 77 sworn employees and 14 civilians. The Department’s FY 2016-2017 budget is $16,523 million. Therefore, the ideal candidate must have excellent executive leadership skills and possess comprehensive management knowledge of all aspects of EMS and the fire service.

Candidates must have a demonstrated history of proactive, progressive program development experience. He or she must possess the ability to provide strong leadership with a strategic vision for the Department’s current and future fire service delivery challenges. A comprehensive knowledge of technology and analytics is critical. The next Chief must be mission driven and results focused. The Chief must be able to establish accountability among staff, and be innovative in creating and sustaining a positive work environment supported by comprehensive team building. Candidates must be strong mentors and support individuals with their goals to promote and achieve positions of leadership.

The ideal candidate will need to demonstrate strength of character and integrity accompanied with an inclusive organizational leadership style. This selected candidate must be able to foster a culture of accountability throughout the Department. To achieve this, the new Chief must think and plan strategically and communicate with all stakeholders in an effective and efficient manner. The new Chief must function as a member of a progressive city administrative team that performs for the ultimate benefit of the

community. The Chief shall possess a set of core values that are community and service oriented. He or she must possess the ability to effectively and efficiently present and promote fire department needs within the confines of the City administrative team setting, as well as being prepared to assist and manage effectively a broad spectrum of City matters. It is imperative that the Chief possesses the knowledge and ability to be proficient in managing departmental fiscal affairs including capital improvements and budget management. The ideal candidate must also exhibit a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the traffic phenomena between the City’s day and night populations within the residential, commercial and industrial areas, and how this impacts City services.

The ideal candidate must possess the knowledge and ability to design and develop a citywide comprehensive and objective Multi Hazard Disaster Plan. The candidate must also have the operational knowledge of the California Master Mutual Aid plan as well as possess an understanding of the responsibility that comes with being a fire chief in Los Angeles County. Candidates must possess a comprehensive understanding of fire prevention and fire code compliance requirements. The ideal candidate should possess the knowledge of how to operate and maintain a local fire academy for the benefit of training, recruiting and hiring members of the community. The ideal candidate should have an established history of working successfully with unions in a collective effort to foster a meaningful, objective labor/management environment. It is imperative that the new Chief can communicate effectively within the community and fire department. The new Chief must possess self-initiative and the ability to develop and sustain collaborative relationships with other regional fire service agencies. The new Chief should prioritize and embrace community participation, and he or she should recognize the importance of engaging in community events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Education and Experience:Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Business/Public Administration or a related field; AND ten (10) years of increasingly responsible professional and administrative experience in all major functions of fire service, including at least three years in an administrative or supervisory capacity at a chief officer level; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications: • Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

SALARYThe salary range for the Fire Chief position is $134,772 to $158,028. The FY 2016-2017 salary is currently under review.

BENEFITSThe City offers an attractive benefit package (subject to change, pending labor negotiations) including:

• Retirement: The City participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) under a 2.7% @ 55 formula (for Classic members) with a one-year final compensation period. New CalPERS members are under a 2% @ 62 retirement formula with a three-year final compensation period.

• Health Benefits: Employer paid health care benefits – CALPERS health benefits program with choice of 10 health plans. City pays for the entire premium up to the Kaiser rate.

• Lifetime Medical: Funded retiree lifetime medical insur-ance once vested after 5 years of service.

• Dental: Employer paid HMO and PPO dental care.

• Vision: Employer paid Vision Care.

• Life Insurance: Employer paid life insurance policy of $85,000

• Vacation: Accumulate Vacation Leave days at the rate of 7.334-17.334 - depending on years of service.

• Holidays: The City observes 15 holidays annually, including employee birthday.

• Personal Leave: Accumulate Personal Leave days at the rate of 8 days per year.

• Sick Leave: Accumulate Sick Leave at the rate of 10 hours per month for a maximum of 120 hours per year.

• Education Reimbursement: Reimbursement of a mini-mum of $2,000.00 per year.

• Auto Allowance: $350.00 per month vehicle allowance.

• Cell Phone Allowance: $100.00 per month.

APPLICATION PROCESS The Fire Chief recruitment is being conducted on a national basis. The process for this recruitment is highly confidential. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. All applications and candidates will initially be screened and eval-uated by The Hawkins Company.

Interested and qualified individuals are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume, electronically, to W.D. Hawkins, The Hawkins Company, 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 110-216, Los Angeles, CA 90045; compton.fc@thehawkinscompany.com. Materials received by January 20, 2017 will receive first consideration. This position is open until filled. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Bill Hawkins at 213-308-0945; bill@thehawkinscompany.com or Ms. Brett Byers at 323-403-8279; brett@thehawkinscompany.com.

THE HAWKINS COMPANY8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., #110-216

Los Angeles, CA 90045www.thehawkinscompany.com