Fire Chief

CASS LAKE VOLUNTEER RURAL FIRE ASSOCIATION

Job Description: Fire Chief

Reports to: Cass Lake Rural Fire Association Joint Powers Board

(11-member board with representatives from each of the areas covered by the Fire Department. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, City of Cass Lake, and 9 Townships)

Typical Worksite: 213 Cedar Ave., Cass Lake, Minnesota, 56633

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Cass-Lake-Volunteer-Fire-Rescue-61565474217706/

Work Hours: Mainly M – F, 8:00am to 4:30pm, flexible scheduling due to being on-call 24/7 to respond to calls as directed by county paging systems as well as evening meetings & drills

Status: Full-Time Exempt

License/Certification Requirements: Valid MN Driver’s License, current insurance or able to be insured, Minnesota Firefighter License, FFI/FFII and HAZMAT certifications.

Desirable Qualifications for Education and Experience:

· Prior Fire Chief experience working in a combination paid or volunteer fire department

· Minimum of 8 years of increasingly responsible command and supervisory experience as a volunteer/career/paid member in a fire department organization

· Four-year degree in Fire Administration, Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field is desirable, but not required

· Any equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable

· Strong knowledge of the Minnesota State Fire Code, and Incident Command Training and Experience (e.g., Blue Card Certification or similar) are also desired

Job Summary: The Fire Chief is responsible for planning, directing, and administering all activities related to the Cass Lake Rural Fire Association and the area served by the Department. Performs a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory work. This includes, but is not limited to the following: planning, budgeting, organizing, directing and implementing fire prevention, fire suppression, technical and specialized rescue, and hazardous materials work, to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property in the department’s service area. Additional responsibilities include supervising the Volunteer Firefighters; overseeing the development and administration of long and short-range plans, policies, procedures, programs, goals, objectives; and performing related duties as needed or requested by the Joint Powers Board.

Salary

$60,000.00 - $70,000 minimum annually based on qualifications, plus benefits ($10,000 annual stipend in lieu of Employer provided Health Insurance, PERA, PTO, and paid Federal Holidays)

Opening Date: 2/25/2026

Closing Date: 3/20/2026 5:00 PM Central

Submit Resume to: Joint Powers Board Chair Craig Gaasvig via email at cgaasvig@gmail.com

Questions may also be directed to the Board Chair via email or phone: 218-766-9699

Interviews for the position will be held: March 23rd and 24th, 2026, or as feasible

The anticipated start date for this position is April 13th, 2026 or as soon as possible

Scope of Impact:
The duties and responsibilities of this job are performed with latitude for independent judgement in accordance with direction of the CLRFA Joint Powers Board, Federal, State and Local regulations and are based on detailed knowledge of department operations. Work is subject to periodic review by the Joint Powers Board, that provides input and approval of recommendations and discusses assignments, priorities and work.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

This job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

· Plans, directs, and administers the CLRFA’s fire department activities, including but not limited to, overseeing emergency responses to fire, fire inspections, code inspections and training; work may involve overseeing the development and administration of long- and short-range plans, policies, procedures, programs, goals, objectives, and presenting them to the CLRFA Board.

· Supervises the Fire department volunteers to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; coordinating training; and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.

· Coordinates with other Departments, personnel, Fire Association members, the public, contractors, developers and other internal or external agencies or stakeholders. Participates in a variety of meetings and conferences to plan, oversee and/or facilitate department operations, programs, processes, goals and objectives; represent departmental interests; provide specialized or general assistance or education; communication or receive information; and respond to calls. Schedules, prepares agenda, coordinates, and leads all quarterly Fire Association meetings.

· Prepares and administers budgets; work may involve monitoring expenditures; performing cost control activities, assessing department needs, goals and objectives; preparing annual budget requests; and ensuring effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time.

· Ensures that causes of fires are properly determined and prepares insurance and other reports as required. Coordinates with the State Fire Marshal’s office as necessary and with the Police Department on potential Arson Investigations.

· Incident Commander on all fires and designates other operation leaders in times of absence.

· Personally responds to at least 75% or more of fire calls in a calendar year.

· Direct, control, and coordinate the operations and activities of the department.

· Assures that the proper supervision and coordination is available for emergency response.

· Prepare Fire Reports and submit them in a timely manner.

· Assist Fire Marshall with fire investigations.

· Respond to questions from the public and insurance companies.

· Set up training or designate training officer(s) for education of the firefighters and maintain necessary records, including documentation of practices and trainings.

· Keep self and firefighters up to date with credentials.

· Serve as Safety Officer or designate the position.

· Set up fire prevention, safety, and public education programs.

· Keep records, prepare invoices and checks, make deposits and prepares correspondence under the direction of the Board Treasurer.

· Prepare Annual Budget and updates quarterly.

· Provide reports as requested for quarterly Joint Powers Board meetings.

· Provide yearly reports to the Relief Association on firefighter attendance as described in the relief association by-laws.

· Provide exit report of total years served for the Relief Association for retiring firefighters as described in the relief association by-laws.

· Write/update Standard Operating Guidelines and implement them to the department.

· Gather information for grants and apply for grants.

· Work with vendors about equipment, orders, and services.

· Clean and repair or replace fire equipment, make minor repairs to equipment and perform equipment tests and services as required and/or schedule for repairs/services as needed.

· Maintain the fire hall and grounds.

· Set flags at cemetery for Memorial Day.

· Participate or designate to attend services for past or present members of the department.

· Performs other duties of a similar nature or level requested by the Joint Powers Board.

Physical Requirements: Subject to extreme internal and external working conditions

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person