Gilroy
– The city expects to hire a new fire chief before the end of
the year, and he’ll need to be ready to jump right into
negotiations, with contracts expiring in December.
Nine months after former Gilroy Fire Department Chief Jeff Clet
left to head San Jose’s department, the field has narrowed from 30
applicants, down to two.
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – The city expects to hire a new fire chief before the end of the year, and he’ll need to be ready to jump right into negotiations, with contracts expiring in December.
Nine months after former Gilroy Fire Department Chief Jeff Clet left to head San Jose’s department, the field has narrowed from 30 applicants, down to two.
City Administrator Jay Baksa was tight-lipped on the two finalists for the position that pays between $108,6000 and $138,444 per year. He said he plans to select a candidate next week, which will initiate a three-week-long screening process before City Council is asked to approve the candidate.
“We are probably a month away from announcing it publicly,” Baksa said.
The finalist will go through a rigorous background check performed on all fire and police personnel that thoroughly scrutinizes work experience, and includes physical and psychological screenings.
“We’re serious when we get to this point,” Baksa said.
A preliminary background screening was done on 20 candidates who were given first-round interviews, he said, which included calling references.
The city began its search in March, after Clet’s departure. Hugh Holden, former Mountain View fire chief, is serving in the interim.
“We hired a consultant, who brought in the folks, did all the initial backgrounding and things of that nature,” Baksa said.
The consulting firm, Peckham & McKenney, recruited applicants with substantial fire command experience, and the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, fire science or related field. The city advertised the position on its own Web site, with fire service publications, Western City Magazine and its Web site, and the League of California Cities job finder.
“That in itself makes it a nationwide search, in that a lot of people … look at California, so we did have applications from across the country,” Baksa said.
Gilroy’s chief directs a full range of fire services including: Wildland and structural fire suppression, Emergency Medical Care, community awareness, hazardous material response, code enforcement and arson investigation. The chief reports to Baksa and the City Council, and provides technical advice during emergencies.
The consulting firm – paid $14,500 plus expenses – interviewed about 20 candidates before making recommendations to the city, said LeeAnn McPhillips, the city’s human resources director.
“From there, we really take it because we’re looking at what will be best for our organization, and what will be best here in Gilroy,” she said.
Eight candidates were chosen for second-round interviews on Oct. 6. The interview panel included a firefighters’ representative, fire chiefs from other nearby agencies, and people from the community, besides city staff, McPhillips said.
Gilroy Firefighters President Art Amaro said he was part of the interview panel.
The candidates interviewed were all men, and all from California – some from this area, some from outside the area, Amaro said. He said he prefers someone from the area.
“That way we know he’ll stay for the long run, and we know his track record,” Amaro said.
The new GFD chief will be jumping right into negotiations between the city and firefighters’ Local 2805. Firefighters’ current contract expires in December. Wages, working conditions, and retirement benefits are the three major issues to be negotiated. The department also is completing the Fire Master Plan, which will be implemented by the permanent chief. In the coming years, GFD will likely fully staff Sunrise Fire Station, and open a fourth station.
Interim Chief Holden, who’s been on the job nearly seven months, said he’s happy to be back in this “great city” and “great department.” He previously served as GFD interim chief for 11 months in 2001-02, while the city found Clet to fill former Chief Art Gillespie’s shoes.
“I loved it, and I was very pleased to get the call to come back,” Holden said.
Holden is not under a contract; he is considered a temporary part-time employee and will stay in Gilroy until a new chief is found. After than, he will return to consulting or serving elsewhere as an interim chief.
He is paid about $10,400 a month.
Job Duties:
– Oversee 3 stations staffed by about 30 firefighters.
– Plan, organize and direct department activities, and oversee annual budget.
– Report and present to city administrator, City Council, and community groups.
Compensation:
$108,600 to $138,444 salary range, with a 2-percent increase in January 2005
Benefits:
– Retirement, medical and dental, life insurance.
Upcoming:
Contract negotiations with firefighters union, completing Fire Master Plan, opening a fourth fire station.
Source:Peckham and McKenney,
city consultants,
