The City of Bellevue, Washington
“Through a dedicated, well-trained, and safe work force, the members of the
Bellevue Fire Department are committed to delivering the highest levels of fire
suppression, emergency medical, fire prevention, and disaster services to
citizens, businesses, and visitors.”
seeks a progressive and visionary
Fire Chief
The Mercer Group, Inc.
The Community
Bellevue is located about eight miles east of Seattle and lies in the heart of the Puget Sound region in the western part of Washington State. The city is nestled between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish and is surrounded by the scenic vistas of the Cascade Mountains to the east and Olympic Mountains to the west.
Bellevue has grown over the last decade from a quiet suburban bedroom community, to a dynamic, multi-cultural city. Bellevue is an economic powerhouse. Some of the country’s best known companies – Microsoft, T-Mobile, PACCAR, and Expedia, to name a few, have a large presence in the city. Coupled with the many smaller and medium sized businesses, they are the source of approximately 140,000 jobs found within city boundaries. Employment remains strong, with an unemployment rate of 4.3 percent in June, 2014. By 2030, the city anticipates that the current job number will grow by 40,000.
Quality of life matters to Bellevue’s residents. Clean and safe are words used frequently to describe Bellevue. Surrounding a vibrant, urban downtown are the many outstanding neighborhoods that define Bellevue. In close proximity to downtown, there is excellent medical care, including a major hospital (Overlake Medical Center), Group Health Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital Clinic and Surgery Center, all conveniently located adjacent to downtown.
The city’s population is culturally diverse and growing. Between 2005 and 2010, the downtown, which covers 410 acres, added 4,000 residential units and the city has continued to grow. Bellevue’s school district is technologically progressive, and there is high parent support for the district’s children. Two of the City’s high schools ranked in the nation’s top 100 in Newsweek’s America’s Best High Schools for 2013, and four of the five were ranked in the top 250. The U.S. News and World Report rankings are very similar. The schools’ athletic programs are excellent as well. Bellevue High School, for example, won the Washington State 3A Football Championship, ten times between 2001 and 2012. Residents value city services. Annual customer surveys conducted by the city reflect that 97 percent of those surveyed rank Bellevue as a good or excellent place to live, and 83 percent feel they are getting their money’s worth for their tax dollars; that is no surprise given the commitment of the workforce to excellent community service.
Cultural activities are abundant. Bellevue’s own Meydenbauer Center is home to artistic attractions such as the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra, the City of Bellevue’s Youth Theater, Village Theatre’s Pied Piper touring school performances, the nationally recognized Bodyology touring program, and the Evergreen City Ballet’s youth training program.
The Seattle area hosts several professional sports teams, including the Seahawks (professional football), Mariners (major league baseball), Sounders (major league soccer), and Storm (women’s professional basketball) as well as the University of Washington’s well-respected Huskies. If you would rather participate, you can find locally practically any activity that interests adults and youth. The city offers traditional sports (football, baseball, soccer, track and field, and basketball) as well as other activities like martial arts, lacrosse, and cricket. Water sports, such as kayaking and sailing, are popular on Lake Washington and nearby Puget Sound. Hiking and skiing in the mountains are available in less than an hour’s drive. Put all of the preceding together and the result is many awards. Money Magazine named Bellevue one of the 100 Best Places to live in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. America’s Promise Alliance named Bellevue one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
The Bellevue Fire Department
Since its formation in 1965, the Bellevue Fire Department has embraced the guiding principles of exceptional public service, integrity, stewardship, innovation, and commitment to its employees. As a result, the department has enjoyed consistently high levels of customer satisfaction for the services residents have received over the past 50 years. Bellevue Fire has fostered continuous improvement in its personnel and its standards for operational performance to keep pace with the robust economic and population growth the city has experienced.
Bellevue Fire has maintained its international accreditation standard since 1998, most recently receiving re-accreditation in 2013 from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. Bellevue Fire proudly maintains a Class 2 rating within the State of Washington, conferred by the Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau, a distinction that places the Bellevue Fire Department among the top three fire departments within the state and in the top one percent of 46,699 rated fire departments within the nation. The State of Washington’s rating system is generally considered to be more rigorous than the common Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) rating currently used to assess the performances of fire departments throughout the United States.
The Bellevue Fire Department currently provides fire suppression, prevention, and emergency medical services (BLS & ALS) to the City of Bellevue and contracts for fire and emergency medical services with the surrounding communities of Beaux Arts Village, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Medina, Newcastle and Yarrow Point, representing approximately 153,000 residents over a 41- square - mile area. In Bellevue, fire and emergency medical services are provided within a highly diverse geographic area that combines urban, suburban, rural, and water environments.
The Bellevue Fire Department operates seven (7) Engine Companies and two (2) Ladder Companies, with nine (9) strategically located fire stations operating through a central 911 dispatch center and unified communications system that is managed by the North King County Regional Public Safety Communications Agency (NORCOM). In 2013, the Bellevue Fire Department responded to over 16,945 calls for service with more than 80 percent of those for medical emergencies. The department’s nine stations are staffed 24/7 with at least 47 firefighter/EMTs and eight firefighter/paramedics on duty at all times. The Department’s Public Safety Training Center is located in Bellevue and the fire department’s administrative headquarters and NORCOM operate out of Bellevue City Hall. The Bellevue Fire Department is a transport, basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) provider. Through the King County regional EMS system (Medic One), Bellevue Fire currently serves as one of six ALS providers within King County. Bellevue’s Medic Units #1 and #2 are located in Bellevue, Medic Unit #3 is in North Bend and Medic Unit#14 is in Issaquah. Medic One paramedics are graduates of the University of Washington/Harborview Medical Center paramedic training program, an intensive 2,000 hour program recognized as one of the best in the world. The total area served for the provision of ALS services by the Bellevue Fire Department expands to approximately 300 square miles, serving a population of approximately 250,000.
The Fire Chief Position
Following the retirement of Fire Chief Michael Eisner, after 40 years of distinquished service with the Bellevue Fire Department, the city is seeking a progressive and visionary leader to lead one of the finest fire departments in the country.
The new fire chief will administer an operating budget of $56.89 million (combined fire suppression, EMS, and fire prevention) and provide leadership to a staff of 236 (195 suppression/EMS personnel). The fire chief is supported by a deputy director – Bureau of Operations; a deputy director – Bureau of Support Services; a fiscal manager; an emergency manager; and a fire marshal, in addition to shift commanders, captains, battalion chiefs and cross-trained firefighters. The fire department is currently organized as follows:
The Bellevue fire chief is responsible for management of the day-to-day operational activities of a large, complex, and decentralized department. The new chief’s primary focus will be to provide leadership and management to a highly competent department to maintain and continue the exceptional levels of fire and emergency medical services the residents in Bellevue and its surrounding communities have come to expect. It is also a period of robust growth in population and economic development in Bellevue with expansive growth anticipated in the foreseeable future. The new chief will be expected to be a key player in the ongoing discussion of potential expansion and improvement opportunities in the regionalization of fire, training, and emergency medical services with other representatives in King County.
The fire chief’s role in the department will include becoming an active and contributing member of the city’s high performance organization. The fire department has developed excellent ongoing relationships with Police and other internal city departments. The chief will be looked upon to foster continued improvement in interdepartmental communication, cooperation, and strategic planning, as the city’s management team works together to shape the city organization of the future.
The City of Bellevue places a high value on the operational principal of “managing for results” with an emphasis on spending limited resources effectively and efficiently while providing value to stakeholders. Bellevue Fire and its partner departments within the city organization utilize a data driven approach to budget management and cost-recovery, where the costs of services, acquisitions and capital improvements are fully understood, measureable, and defensible. The level of the chief’s involvement with the city’s management team should be expected to be significantly greater than the fire chief’s role in most cities.
For additional information about the Bellevue Fire Department and the City of Bellevue, please visit the city’s main website at: http://www.bellevuewa.gov/
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The future provides an array of opportunities and challenges for the fire department and the new fire chief to address. Among those are:
n Strengthening the department’s representation within King County and expanding positive regional relationships/partnerships wherever increased efficiency and cost savings for fire and EMS service delivery can be achieved.n Providing ongoing review and implementation of the long range fire facilities master plan in a manner that will be prioritized, measurable, affordable, and defensible to the City Council and community.n Managing effectively the department’s budgetary, training, and staffing needs that will maintain the current level of services that are expected by the communities served by the department.n Continuing exceptional EMS service delivery to the city, county, and its participating communities.n Addressing fire suppression, prevention, and EMS needs for emergency response in the rapidly developing downtown area (e.g., multiple high rise structures, planned transportation corridors/tunnel, etc.).n Addressing future planning and funding issues related to Fire Station #5, the Public Safety Training Center, and a possible downtown fire station. n Embracing and facilitating the future implementation of Bellevue’s Emergency Management Plan.n Designing and implementing an ongoing succession plan through evaluation, training, and recruitment to replace needed experience, specialized knowledge, and institutional memory within the department, especially at the management and command staff levels.n Working to insure that the fire department remains sensitive and knowledgeable on the cultures, languages, and ethnic diversity of the Bellevue community.
The Ideal Fire Chief for Bellevue
The new fire chief in Bellevue will have the opportunity to take a leadership role in maintaining and building upon a foundation of excellence with an exceptional fire department. The ideal candidate for the chief position will be a forward-thinking, progressive fire services manager and executive; one who will be able to draw upon his/her career experiences and achievements, and successfully lead and motivate subordinates, proactively manage the department’s budget and resources, and keep the fire department ahead of the curve in its planning and operations. The ideal fire chief for Bellevue will be an individual who offers a track record of accomplishment in prudent budget management, strategic planning, and the business side of regionalization of fire and EMS service delivery.
In addition to possessing the requisite skills that are required to be an effective fire chief in Bellevue, the ideal chief would also be a person who:
m Models integrity, honesty, respect and work ethic within the dapartment and the community.
m Will appreciate the long-standing, professional working relationships the fire department has developed and benefited from for many years.
m Views this career and leadership opportunity as one that must be earned and not just a stepping stone to another position.
m Knows the differences between management and leadership and is skilled in both areas.
m Brings a demonstrated track record of making the tough decisions and getting things done.
m Commits to and is skilled in mentoring/developing staff to maximize their potential and capabilities, while valuing delegation.
m Values the fire prevention and emergency medical services side of the fire business and understands the longer term value offered by effective code enforcement and community outreach.
m Is an active listener, has exceptional interpersonal skills, relates well to others, and has an approachable, participative management style.
m Is receptive to sound ideas and calculated, measurable, innovative approaches to problem solving, where appropriate.
m Works toward staffing that represents the diversity of the available workforce within the communities served by the Bellevue Fire Department.
m Brings substantial experience with labor relations processes and is familiar with both interest-based and collective bargaining methods.
Reasons to Consider the Bellevue Fire Chief Opportunity
There are some factors that are outside of the control of the new fire chief that will contribute to his/her success in leading the Bellevue Fire Department. Bellevue has historically enjoyed robust growth in its population and economy, stable political leadership, an enviable tax base, and a City Manager who is highly respected by the City Council and the community.
Other favorable factors that potential candidates for the fire chief position may consider are:
Q The Bellevue Fire Department possesses a highly disciplined, cohesive workforce that has the desire to see the new fire chief succeed.
Q The fire department has continuously maintained a sterling reputation in the region for operational performance and innovation in fire service and EMS delivery, resulting in the continuous accreditation of the department since 1998. The City of Bellevue’s Police, Parks and Community Services, Transportation, and Utilities Departments have also earned this distinction, underscoring the city’s historical and ongoing commitment to operational excellence.
Q The fire department receives extraordinary support and maintenance of infrastructure, apparatus, and equipment from critical city partners in the Information Technology, Human Resources, and Civic Services Departments.
Q The Fire Chief will be a key member of the city’s management team with the opportunity to play a significant role in helping to define the future shape of Bellevue.
Q Bellevue and its surrounding communities have been consistently supportive of their fire department and feel highly positive about the emergency services they receive – public trust in the Bellevue Fire Department has never been higher.
Q The Bellevue Fire Department is a progressive organization that promotes progressive solutions for strategic planning and problem solving.
Q The organizational culture of the Bellevue Fire Department has the feel of a tight-knit, extended family that has worked closely together effectively and efficiently for many years.
Q The quality of the region’s schools, health care options, cultural assets, recreational opportunities, in addition to many other amenities, make Bellevue and its surrounding communities a premier location in which to live, work, and play.
Education and Experience
A minimum of ten years of previous management level experience in a similar size fire department or larger at the battalion chief rank or higher. Bachelor’s degree or above in public administration, business, fire sciences or fire administration although an equal combination of relevant training, development programs, and experience may be considered as a substitute for the degree. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of fire department operations and management, public adminstration of local governments, best practices in the management of municipal fire and emergency medical services, and principles and practices of emergency preparedness and disaster response. An Executive Fire Officer certification from the National Fire Academy is required and an Emergency Manager certification is preferred. The position provides excellent benefits and salary up to $175,326, depending upon qualifications.
Compensation and Benefits
• Health Benefits - Medical, dental, and vision.
• Retirement Benefits*
Mandatory participation in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems LEOFF plan.
Optional participation in the City’s Municipal Employee’s Benefit trust (MEBT). This is a 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contributions that vest on a 10-year schedule.
Optional participation in the City’s Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, allowing for tax-deferred savings and direction of investments into mutual fund investment options.
• Leaves - Paid vacation and sick leave, provided on an accrual basis, as well as 10 paid holidays and two personal days a year.
• Monthly Car Allowance
• Employee Fitness Center
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The State of Washington does not have a state income tax, but does have a 9.5% sales tax.
*Note: The City of Bellevue does not participate in Social Security, which means employees do not contribute to or earn Social Security credit while employed with the City. The mandatory Washington State retirement plan (LEOFF) provides the required Social Security replacement for employees.
Any Social Security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. For additional information, please go to: www.ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html for Windfall Elimination or www.ssa.gov/pubs/10007.html for Pension Offset.
To Apply
If you would like to be considered for this extraordinary career opportunity, please electronically submit your cover letter, resume, salary history, and four professional references no later than October 6, 2014 to:
Clark WurzbergerThe Mercer Group, Inc.Email: [email protected]; Tel. (530) 637-4559 (PST); Fax (530) 637-1048
Electronic submissions are required. The resume deadline is October 6, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. Following the resume due date, applicants will be screened in accordance with the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will receive preliminary interviews with the Consultant. The most qualified candidates will be referred to the city officials for further consideration. Work history references will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.
The City of Bellevue is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
Tentative Recruitment Schedule
10/6/2014 Closing Date for Submissions
Week of 10/6 Review and Screening of Resumes
10/13 - 10/26 Consultant Interviews and Completion of Supplemental Questionnaire by the more Qualified Candidates
Week of 11/3 Screening of Recommended Semi-Finalist Candidates with Bellevue Possible Selection of Finalists
Week of 11/10 Panel Interviews of Finalist Candidates in Bellevue Possible Selection of Fire Chief Consultant Completes Reference Checks
Week of 12/15 Contract Negotiation and Appointment of Fire Chief
1/5/ 2015 Fire Chief Reports To Work
The Mercer Group, Inc.
