The City of LaGrange is officially searching for a fire chief.

The city posted the fire chief job on its website Tuesday, listing an expiration date of “until filled.” City leaders first discussed hiring a full-time fire chief during the city council retreat in March. Public Safety Chief Lou Dekmar has overseen both the LaGrange Police Department and LaGrange Fire Department for 10 years. He said in March that now is “a good time to separate those back out.” City leaders cited the growth in both departments, including the growth in both staffs, as the reason for hiring a fire chief.

The job listing says that the new fire chief will oversee supervision of 60 full-time employees and several part-time employees. The LaGrange Fire Department received accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International last week, and the job posting notes that the new fire chief will be expected to retain the fire department’s accreditation status.

The special requirements for the job are listed as the following:

Bachelor’s degree (fire science, business administration, management or related field) supplemented by fire related courses

Minimum of fifteen years’ experience in the fire and EMS service with a Georgia Firefighter certification

Possession of a valid State of Georgia Class B driver’s license

In good physical condition as set forth by LFD minimum physical fitness requirements

Must be able to pass a drug test

Ten years’ experience in the fire department in supervision.

The job description also lists the following as desirable training experience:

Master’s degree (fire science, EMS, business administration, management or related field) supplemented by fire related courses

Management courses and thorough knowledge of, or training in, accounting and bookkeeping

Fifteen  years’ experience in the fire and EMS service

Ten years’ experience in supervision.

To see the full job posting, visit Lagrange-ga.org/employment/jobs.