Career Opportunities

Position Summary The City of Girard is seeking an energetic, highly motivated individual willing to accept responsibility for every problem within a 50-mile radius, regardless of actual jurisdiction. The Mayor serves as the City’s Chief Handshaker, Ribbon Cutter, Facebook Complaint...

Position Summary

The City of Girard is seeking an energetic, highly motivated individual willing to accept responsibility for every problem within a 50-mile radius, regardless of actual jurisdiction.

The Mayor serves as the City’s Chief Handshaker, Ribbon Cutter, Facebook Complaint Reader, and Professional Scapegoat.

The successful candidate will possess excellent communication skills, unlimited patience, and the emotional resilience of a Navy SEAL trapped inside a Facebook community group.

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Essential Duties

Public Relations

• Attend every community event.
• Attend every event you didn’t know existed.
• Attend events you were never invited to but were somehow expected to attend.
• Smile for photos immediately after being yelled at.

Citizen Complaints

Must respond professionally to:

• “My water bill was higher than normal.”
• “Why is there a squirrel in my tree?”
• “Can you do something about my neighbor?”
• “Can you make Casey’s bring back that pizza from 2018?”
• “The wind is blowing too hard today.”
• “My dog doesn’t like the new stop sign.”

Infrastructure Management

Will be held personally responsible for:

✅ Potholes
✅ Rain
✅ Drought
✅ Snow
✅ Wind
✅ Mosquitoes
✅ Utility outages
✅ Utility bills
✅ School lunches
✅ Gas prices
✅ Inflation
✅ The Chiefs losing
✅ The Chiefs winning too much
✅ The moon being too bright

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Facebook Operations

Daily responsibilities include:

• Reading comments beginning with:
  • “Not trying to start drama, but…”
  • “I heard from a reliable source…”
  • “This town has gone downhill.”
• Explaining that the city cannot arrest people for parking crooked.
• Refraining from replying: “Ma’am, that’s literally not how any of this works.”

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Required Skills

Conflict Resolution

Must successfully mediate disputes involving:

• Property lines.
• Chickens.
• Lawn clippings.
• Trash cans.
• The speed at which someone’s cousin drives down a side street.

Advanced Investigation Skills

Candidate must determine:

• Which resident called City Hall but refused to leave their name.
• Why a resident’s water pressure changed 0.03 PSI.
• Who keeps stealing flowers from the cemetery.
• Why Karen’s internet is slow despite not being a city service.

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Minimum Qualifications

• Thick skin.
• Very thick skin.
• Ridiculously thick skin.
• Ability to remain calm after hearing: “I pay your salary.”
• Ability to answer phone calls beginning with: “You’re probably not going to like this…”

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Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience herding cats.
• Experience negotiating peace treaties.
• Experience surviving Thanksgiving dinner arguments.
• Ability to identify every resident solely by the sound of their complaint.

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Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk 12 miles during the town festival.
• Ability to consume 17 hot dogs annually at community events.
• Ability to shake hands with someone immediately after they were eating ribs.
• Ability to maintain eye contact while hearing a 45-minute story that could have been one sentence.

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Performance Evaluations

A successful Mayor should expect:

• 10% of residents to think you’re doing great.
• 10% of residents to think you’re ruining the town.
• 80% of residents to have no idea what you actually do.

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Benefits Package

• Unlimited coffee.
• Occasional newspaper photo.
• Random conversations in Walmart.
• Knowing exactly where every pothole is located.
• Learning things about yourself from Facebook that aren’t true.

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Selection Process

Applicants must complete:

Round 1:

Answer 500 Facebook comments without crying.

Round 2:

Explain why the city cannot control the weather.

Round 3:

Attend a two-hour meeting about a trash can.

Final Interview:

Convince a resident that the Mayor is not personally responsible for a squirrel chewing through a power line.

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DISCLAIMER

The City of Girard would like to remind applicants that the Mayor is not responsible for:

• The weather.
• Utility rates set by other entities.
• Your neighbor’s barking dog.
• Your ex-spouse.
• The price of eggs.
• The outcome of Trojan football games.
• The moon.

Although many residents may disagree.

Applications will close immediately after the first Facebook comment saying, “Back in my day…”

Position Summary The Firefighter/Driver is responsible for protecting life and property through firefighting, emergency medical response, rescue operations, fire prevention activities, and operation of fire apparatus. This position performs emergency and non-emergency duties while maintaining department equipment, apparatus, facilities, and...

Position Summary

The Firefighter/Driver is responsible for protecting life and property through firefighting, emergency medical response, rescue operations, fire prevention activities, and operation of fire apparatus. This position performs emergency and non-emergency duties while maintaining department equipment, apparatus, facilities, and readiness standards. Employees in this position must be capable of safely operating fire apparatus and serving as a driver/operator during emergency responses.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Emergency Response

• Respond to fire alarms, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, rescue operations, and other emergencies.
• Perform firefighting duties including fire suppression, ventilation, search and rescue, salvage, overhaul, and exposure protection.
• Provide emergency medical care within the scope of certification and departmental protocols.
• Assist with incident stabilization and mitigation efforts.
• Participate in mutual aid responses when requested.

Apparatus Operation

• Safely operate fire apparatus including engines, tankers, brush trucks, rescue units, and other department vehicles.
• Perform emergency and non-emergency driving in accordance with department policies and state laws.
• Position apparatus safely and effectively at emergency scenes.
• Operate pumps, aerial devices, water delivery systems, generators, and related firefighting equipment.
• Conduct daily inspections and maintenance checks on assigned apparatus.

Training & Preparedness

• Participate in scheduled drills, training programs, and continuing education.
• Maintain required certifications and professional qualifications.
• Assist with training of new personnel and probationary firefighters.
• Demonstrate proficiency in firefighting, rescue, EMS, and apparatus operation skills.

Fire Prevention & Public Education

• Participate in fire safety education programs and community outreach events.
• Assist with inspections, pre-fire planning, and fire prevention activities.
• Promote positive relationships between the department and the community.

Equipment & Facility Maintenance

• Inspect, clean, test, and maintain firefighting equipment and tools.
• Ensure apparatus, equipment, and facilities remain in a state of operational readiness.
• Report equipment deficiencies and maintenance needs.
• Perform station housekeeping and grounds maintenance duties.

Administrative Duties

• Complete incident reports, training records, inspection forms, and other required documentation.
• Attend departmental meetings and briefings.
• Follow department policies, procedures, and safety standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Kansas Firefighter I certification or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe.
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), EMT, or higher certification as required by department standards.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all certifications required by the department.

Preferred Qualifications

• Firefighter I and II certifications.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification or higher.
• Driver/Operator Pumper certification.
• Hazardous Materials Operations certification.
• Previous firefighting or emergency services experience.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain if required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of firefighting principles, tactics, and safety practices.
• Ability to operate fire apparatus and emergency equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during emergencies.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities including lifting, carrying, dragging, climbing, crawling, and operating firefighting equipment.
• Ability to work in hazardous environments, extreme temperatures, smoke-filled conditions, and adverse weather.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Ability to lift and carry equipment and patients weighing up to 100 pounds or more with assistance.

Work Environment

• Work involves exposure to emergency situations, hazardous materials, smoke, fire, bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, and adverse weather conditions.
• Employees may work extended hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-back assignments.

Salary & Benefits

Salary range is dependent upon qualifications and experience. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, uniform allowance, training opportunities, and other benefits as provided by department policy.

Position Summary The Deputy Fire Chief serves as the second-in-command of the Fire Department and assists the Fire Chief in the administration, planning, coordination, and supervision of all fire department operations. This position provides leadership in emergency response, personnel management,...

Position Summary

The Deputy Fire Chief serves as the second-in-command of the Fire Department and assists the Fire Chief in the administration, planning, coordination, and supervision of all fire department operations. This position provides leadership in emergency response, personnel management, training, fire prevention, budgeting, and strategic planning while ensuring the department delivers high-quality services to the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Administration

• Assist the Fire Chief in managing the daily operations of the department.
• Serve as acting Fire Chief in the absence of the Fire Chief.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental policies, procedures, and programs.
• Supervise and evaluate department personnel, including officers, firefighters, and support staff.
• Participate in hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions, and employee development.
• Foster a positive and professional work environment.

Emergency Operations

• Respond to and manage emergency incidents including fires, medical emergencies, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and natural disasters.
• Assume command of emergency scenes as required.
• Coordinate mutual aid responses with neighboring agencies.
• Ensure compliance with established incident command procedures and safety standards.

Training & Personnel Development

• Oversee departmental training programs and certification requirements.
• Ensure personnel maintain required certifications and continuing education.
• Develop leadership opportunities and succession planning initiatives.

Fire Prevention & Community Risk Reduction

• Assist with fire inspections, investigations, and code enforcement activities.
• Participate in public education and community outreach programs.
• Work collaboratively with businesses, schools, and community organizations to promote fire safety.

Budget & Asset Management

• Assist in preparing and administering departmental budgets.
• Monitor expenditures and recommend cost-effective solutions.
• Oversee maintenance and replacement planning for apparatus, equipment, and facilities.
• Participate in grant writing and funding opportunities.

Compliance & Records Management

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain accurate department records, reports, and statistical data.
• Assist with accreditation, audits, and departmental reporting requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in fire service.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or command-level experience.
• Certified Firefighter I & II.
• Certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), EMT, or higher as required by department standards.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certifications required by the department.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field.
• Fire Officer II, III, or IV certification.
• ICS 300 and ICS 400 certifications.
• Fire Instructor certification.
• Experience with budgeting, strategic planning, and personnel management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Thorough knowledge of modern firefighting techniques and emergency response operations.
• Ability to make sound decisions under stressful conditions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively supervise and motivate personnel.
• Knowledge of fire prevention practices, fire codes, and safety regulations.
• Proficiency with computer systems, reporting software, and records management systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities associated with firefighting and emergency response.
• Ability to work in hazardous environments, adverse weather conditions, and emergency situations.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and individuals as required.
• Ability to wear and operate personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).