Fire Chief - Director

Description

Anticipated Timeline

• Conditional offer contingent on successful completion of leadership assessment, background check, and pre-employment screenings.

• Having each other’s backs - our lives depend on it
• Working as a team within the department, the city, and the community - we can’t do this job alone
• Mentoring—sharing our wisdom and experience with each other
• Volunteering at community events
• Resisting the drama—treating each other with mutual respect and trust
• Providing and receiving positive and constructive feedback from each other
• Utilizing the individual strengths, skills, abilities, and backgrounds within our team while giving the appropriate respect to rank

• Protecting and safeguarding community lives and property
• Operating with integrity at all times
• Continuing to enhance our training and education
• Recognizing that we are a public face for the city and maintaining that positive public image
• Proactively preventing fire and reducing risk throughout the community
• Participating in opportunities for community engagement and partnership
• Taking care of the equipment, facilities, and other public resources we are entrusted with
• Spending taxpayers’ money and using city resources wisely, efficiently, and effectively

• Caring and showing up prepared to support an individual on their worst day
• Putting in the extra effort - taking the initiative to clean trucks, gear, tools, and the station
• Having a willingness to learn new things and seek self-improvement
• Honoring the public image and legacy of the fire service and the responsibility that comes with that

Duties / Responsibilities

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
The Fire Director is responsible for the comprehensive leadership and strategic oversight of the City of Owatonna’s Fire Department and related public safety programs. This role manages all fire service operations, including emergency response, staffing, financial planning, and regulatory compliance. In addition to traditional fire chief duties, the position leads citywide safety initiatives, coordinates emergency management efforts, and serves as a key liaison to local and regional public safety organizations. The Director develops and manages multiple operating and capital budgets, supervises department personnel, oversees rental and business inspection programs, and collaborates on policy and procedural development.

Specifically, as the Fire Chief - Director, you will...

• Provides direction and leadership to staff, including assigning work, training staff, conducting performance counseling, conducting performance evaluations and making disciplinary, hiring and promotion decisions
• Provides leadership in directing the operations of the department, including strategic planning; evaluating plans to ensure needs are being met; developing, approving, planning, coordinating,
  evaluating and administering projects, processes, policies, procedures, standards, programs and services; and coordinating activities between multiple departments, programs or functions.
• Manages department compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and standards.
• Serves as a representative of the City in negotiations, on committees, in meetings, on boards, or in other public groups
• Manages department financials, including developing budgets; monitoring use of funds; allocating funds to correct programs and services; and approving use of funds.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualifications

ABOUT YOU:

A successful candidate will have some or all of the following ...
Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, or related field; 5 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Licensing in (requirements):

• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Currently licensed firefighter (firefighter I/II certifications) in Minnesota or ability to obtain firefighter license immediately upon hire.
• Currently certified in NIMS 100, 200, 700 and 800.

• Emergency Medical Responder Certification (or higher);
• Fire Inspector II certification
• Fire Plan Reviewer certification
• Fire Investigator (CFI certification preferred)
• National Incident Management 300 & 400

• Managerial and leadership principles and practices;
• Budgeting principles and practices;
• Administrative management;
• Project management principles and practices;
• Program development and administration;
• In-depth knowledge of assigned area:
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances and standards.

• Leading, supervising and evaluating staff;
• Managing projects;
• Interpreting and applying policies, procedures, codes, laws, and regulations;
• Analyzing situations, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of actions, and implementing recommendations;
• Troubleshooting complex systems problems related to area of assignment;
• Preparing and maintaining a variety of reports and records;
• Resolving complex issues;
• Coordinating work of multiple programs;
• Developing and implementing strategies and procedures;
• Interpreting applicable ordinances, policies and regulations;
• Resolving conflicts;
• Using a computer and related software applications;
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, community organizations, public agencies, government officials and the media; etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands

• This is a full-time position. Schedule will vary and will include evening and weekend hours.
• To view the full job description including position specifications and physical demands click here.
• To view the job profile click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.