The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association is currently inviting resumes for the Executive Director position.
About the NCSFA
The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association is a member driven organization that excels in communicating the needs of fire and emergency services in our state, engaging politically, training our members, and being responsible stewards of the financial resources.
The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, founded in 1887, was incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina in 1889 as the North Carolina State Firemen’s Association. The name was changed by the legislature in 2016 to bring the name more in line with the definitive work of the membership. Throughout its long and active history, the Association has been respected and recognized as a major voice of the Fire Service. Its current membership totals approximately 1,246 fire departments and 53,000 fire service personnel. It has served its membership consistently since its founding in 1887.
That focus has never changed and is still a primary purpose for the organization today. Everything done by the NCSFA today is done to improve the lives of those served by the Association.
In 1889 the NCSFA held their first convention with the idea of stimulating interest among firefighters and citizens in the fire service. They held competitions and training at conferences, the annual get together of the membership. Raleigh was the location of the first conference and has hosted many since, serving as the location of the first South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo in 2009.
In 1891 the NCSFA helped establish the Disabled Firemen’s Act which became known as the Firemen’s Relief Fund when it was established as Public Law in 1907 by the General Assembly, Chapter 831 of the 1907 Session Laws. The original title was “An Act to Create a Firemen’s Relief Fund; and to Increase the Efficiency of the Fire Departments in the Several Cities and Towns of North Carolina”. It is interesting to note that this law only applied to cities and towns and exempted any insurance company from the tax that had 50% of its business in North Carolina. The uses allowed in the original act are very similar to some of the clauses today in the Relief Fund Statutes, except that “destitute” was not used, simply referred to as “keeping firemen out of the alm’s houses” (county homes) as inmates, or for them to be dependent upon charity. It is also interesting to note that Chapter 868 of the 1907 Session Laws also created the elected position of Insurance Commissioner by the people, a position that later in the mid-20th century was given the responsibility of State Fire Marshal.
Over the years the NCSFA created a scholarship program that provides 45 scholarships per year. The NCSFA developed insurance coverage for line-of-duty injuries and deaths and the accidental death and dismemberment program which covers all members 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Association works hard to fight for fire service benefits in the General Assembly, and has worked on funding for grants, relief funds, workers compensation, pension benefits, and workers compensation across the years. The Association works with the Office of State Fire Marshal, the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs, and other partners to promote safety in the workplace and training for the membership.
An annual conference of the Association’s membership is held in or around August of each year. During this conference the Association officers are elected, activity reports are given, and scholarship awards are presented at the Annual Awards Banquet. Four delegates, who are authorized to vote on any official conference business including the election of officers, represent each member fire department at the annual conference. Current topics of interest to the fire service are presented at the workshops. The Past President’s lunch is held each year at the conference to honor former presidents. The lunch is a time for fellowship and sharing of ideas to improve the Association. Members of the group meet to discuss old times and enjoy the fellowship with old and new friends. A 25/50 Year Pin presentation is conducted during the business session at conference to recognize service accomplishments.
The membership of the Association may consist of any rated and certified fire department or fire marshal’s office upon payment of the required annual dues as required by the Bylaws. In addition to the Fire Department itself, the Chiefs, Chief Officers, and all individual members of such fire departments shall be members of the Association. Also, county fire marshals, on active status, are entitled to be members of the Association upon payment of the required annual dues. The amount of the membership dues is set by the annual conference and are payable annually.
Day to day activities of the Association staff involve receiving and responding to relief fund requests, membership questions, handling of benefits, lobbying and advocating for firefighter issues, and assisting fire chiefs with managing their rosters.
Duties/Responsibilities of the Executive Director
Operating under a Board-Director organization, the Executive Director reports to the Full Board of nine (9) members. These Board positions are elected from the three regions (Eastern, Piedmont, Western), and each of the regional director members rotate through the Board, serving as a director for 3 years, running for Statewide Election as 2nd VP, automatic ascension to 1st VP, then President, and then Past President. All of these are 1-year terms. The Statistician and Treasurer positions are elected from a state-wide election and serve a 3-year term.
The NCSFA provides many services, including Line of Duty Death Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (24/7), scholarships, lobbying and advocacy in government, training, etc… The NCSFA also works closely with the NC OSFM in coordinating Relief Fund Benefits, and both the NC OSFM and Treasurers Office on the collection of certified rosters upon which benefits are provided.
Key Position Priorities:
- Directs the implementation of short and long-term objectives, policies, budgets, and operating plans for the Association.
- Represents the Association to the State Legislature, other state government offices, industry groups, trade association members, representatives of governance and regulatory agencies, vendors supporting member organizations, and the general public.
- Responsible for execution of current and long-range goals, objectives, plans and policies.
- Understands the strategic planning process and how to implement the various actions required accomplishing goals set out through a plan.
- Reviews operating results of the association compares them with established objectives and takes steps to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to correct unsatisfactory results.
- Submit timely reports required by Statute to State Agencies.
- Approve all Relief Fund uses requiring approval by the Executive Director under GS-58-84.
- Stays current on trends, changes and developments in the industry through involvement with fire department, Trade Associations, federal fire agencies, etc…
- Conceives research, develops and recommends new association program proposals to the Board for the benefit of members.
- Educates members and potential members on the benefits offered by the Association.
- Responsible for managing administrative portion of the operating budget for the association each year.
- Responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Association’s business office, and all business functions conducted in the office.
- Directs the overall coordination of the annual membership conference.
- Serves on the Board of Directors of organizations representing the Association.
- Performs any other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.
Qualifications:
Education & Directly Applicable Experience:
Education: minimum of an Associate’s Degree that is regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the US Dept. of Education.
Experience: minimum of at least 10 years fire service experience in NC.
Preferred: BS or Graduate degree in a field related to fire or emergency service management that is regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the US Dept. of Education.
Other Preferred qualifications: Certified NC Fire Officer IV, Graduate from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program or a Chief Fire Officer Designee from the Center for Public Safety Excellence
Supervisory Controls:
The Board provides administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.
The employee has responsibility for planning, designing and carrying out programs, projects, studies or other work independently.
Results of the work are considered as technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. Any review of the work concerns such matters as fulfillment of program objectives, effect of advice and influence of the overall program, or the contribution to the advancement of the organization. Recommendations for new projects and alteration of objectives are usually evaluated for such considerations as availability of funds and other resources, and broad program goals.
Supervision Given:
A broad knowledge of management practices and principles is necessary and required to oversee the organizational operations.
Guidelines:
Administrative policies and precedents are applicable but are stated in general terms. Guidelines for performing the work are scarce, of limited use, or subject to major change or amendment.
The employee uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed new policies.
Complexity:
The work consists of broad functions and processes of an administrative or professional field. Assignments are characterized by breadth and intensity of effort and involve several phases being pursued concurrently or sequentially with the support of others within or outside of the organization; and
Decisions regarding what needs to be done include largely undefined issues and elements, requiring extensive probing and analysis to determine the nature and scope of the problems; and the work requires continuing efforts to establish concepts or programs, or to resolve major organizational problems.
Scope and Effect:
The work involves planning, developing, and carrying out vital administrative or professional programs.
The programs are essential to the mission of the agency or affect a large number of people long-term or continuing basis.
Personal Contacts:
The personal contacts are with high-ranking officials outside of the organization. Typical of contacts at this level are those with heads of other organizations and state or federal elected officials.
Purpose of Personal Contacts:
The purpose is to justify, defend, negotiate or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues. Work at this level usually involves active participation in trials, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance to entire organization or community. The persons contacted typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives requiring the employee to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by convincing them, arriving at a compromise, or developing suitable alternative.
Work Environment:
The work is non-strenuous physical exertion such as periods of standing; walking over rough or difficult surfaces; recurring stooping, climbing or walking; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 25 pounds and may require occasional lifting of objects weighing in excess of 25 pounds. The work may require specific, but common physical characteristics and abilities such as mobility, dexterity and full range of motion.
Other:
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of difficulty that will be required of this position. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of the Board to assign, direct, and control the work of this position. The functions listed are not a limit of duties and shall not be construed to exclude other essential functions or responsibilities.
Additional Information:
Salary and Benefits: The salary range for the position is $94,000 – $177,000. The starting salary is commensurate with education and experience. The NCSFA offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, a 401k retirement savings plan, an annual service bonus based on years of service, paid vacation based on years of service, and sick leave.
TO APPLY
Please submit the following to Tim Bradley, Executive Director, NCSFA, 323 West Jones Street, Suite 401, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Resume, including work history, education and training, personal information, and 3 verifiable references.
- Submit an essay response, limited to 200 words per question, to the following:
- What are the three most significant issues facing the fire service in the next decade?
- Provide three examples of instances where you testified/presented before an elected body of government, and the reason for the presentation?
- What do you think should be the prominent three strengths for an Executive Director of the Association?
- How do the previous three strengths align with your experience and strengths?
- Resumes and cover letters must be submitted and received at the office by October 31st, 2024.
- The Board will invite successful semi-finalists to virtual interviews and skill evaluations during November/Early December, with final interviews potentially in December and a decision made soon after.
- Direct inquiries to Tim Bradley, 919.821.2132.
The NCSFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
