The Sedona Fire District’s Governing Board took a major step in filling the department’s top position.
During its Tuesday, March 19, meeting the board approved an announcement for the opening of fire chief, which was posted nationwide the following day.
The new hire will replace Kris Kazian, who accepted a job in Colorado back in January. Jayson Coil has been serving in that position on an interim basis since Kazian’s departure.
The job announcement states that the ideal candidate will be a dedicated public servant with superior interpersonal and communication skills and a proven track record as a confident and innovative leader who is comfortable operating in a dynamic environment.
This executive must exhibit strong relationship-building skills with an ability to solicit input and ideas from stakeholders and provide options and solutions on an array of fire service issues, always acting in the best interest of the district and surrounding community.
The announcement also states the successful candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of fire science, and have the ability to quickly implement a mitigation strategy that takes into consideration the history of fires throughout the district, including wildland fires and urban interface, significance and impact of the historic fire protection corridors and the sprawling, geographically dispersed region.
Some of the important dates regarding the position include:
- Closing date for recruitment is April 30
- Candidates will participate in a preliminary phone interview scheduled for the week of May 1 through May 3.
- Thereafter, qualified candidates will be invited to a structured interview process, via Skype, on May 22 to May 23.
- Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an in-person assessment center process scheduled June 3 to June 4.
- The successful candidate will then be invited to interview with the board and the public on June 18.
- The new chief will start in July or August.
“This will be a long day for those individuals,” Coil said, referring to the candidates interviewing in person. “They will be tested from several different angles. Part of that is how they deal with stakeholders.”
The candidate is expected to have at least five years of command position experience equivalent to battalion chief, chief officer, commander or higher, in fire and emergency operations and administration such as finance, human resources, risk mitigation and fire prevention.
The pay scale for fire chief is currently $132,958 to $161,611.
“The selected fire chief will have a track record of being a forward-thinking leader who believes in making the right ethical, value-based decisions for the benefit of the District and the community it serves,” the announcement states.
One of the many aspects important to the board was that the incoming chief reside in the District and must do so within three months — whether they are renting or buying a home. That said, the board understands that housing is limited in Sedona.
“There’s definitely difficulty in finding a home here,” Board Member Gene McCarthy said. “I wouldn’t want to be looking for housing right now.”
