Fire Chief / Fire Services Director

Salary : $138,320.00 - $181,417.60 Annually
Location : Fire Station #1 - 6700 Portland Ave, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00023
Department: Fire Services
Division: Fire
Opening Date: 04/10/2025
Closing Date: 4/24/2025 11:59 PM Central

Nature of Work

Department Director level position reporting directly to the City Manager. Leads fire prevention and firefighting activities of a paid full-time Fire Department with two stations and staff of 31. Position is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all Fire Department operations to provide rapid and effective responses to all emergency fire and rescue incidents, proper fire training of fire personnel, effective fire prevention work, investigations and inspections. This position is subject to the Richfield Response Time Residency Requirement.

Job Duties

• Responsible for all fire and emergency operations.
• Develop long-range strategic plans and programs that will retain Richfield's high standard of excellence in all areas.
• Plan, direct, and organize Department operations. Determine priorities and objectives subject to review by the City Manager. Ensure proper staffing alignments and work scheduling of Fire Department personnel.
• Supervise, assist and evaluate operations to ensure that all assignments are properly performed in line with established procedures and departmental regulations. Review reports and work with subordinates to stay abreast of needs and solve problems.
• Oversee the proper supervision and development of all subordinates. Conduct and review performance evaluations, utilize effective training opportunities to provide flexibility, broaden expertise, and overall career growth and development.
• Provide effective leadership, promote communications and Department morale.
• Work closely with the department directors to ensure safety and responsiveness to the community.
• Direct fire-training programs and establish minimum training standards and safety practices.
• Direct fire prevention efforts. Guide the development of fire inspection programs, community fire education programs, fire investigation and code enforcement.
• Prepare and administer the annual Department budget and authorize purchases within budget.
• Review and analyze information about fire operations, fire-related laws, regulations, and developments. Compile data and develop recommendations as appropriate for long-term department objectives.
• Supervise fire investigations/inspection activities to ensure appropriate and timely results.
• Prepares and occasionally presents staff reports to the City Council.
• Attend meetings/conferences, address interested groups regarding fire prevention and fire operations.
• Other duties as assigned by the City Manager.

COMPETENCIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of current fire administration methodologies.
• Experience and knowledge of the principles and practices of fire suppression, prevention, inspection EMS, hazardous materials, technical rescue, incident command and emergency management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state and local laws and ordinances pertaining to fire prevention and control.
• Demonstrated skills in leadership, innovation, problem solving, and decision making.
• Skill in listening to the community and staff.
• Ability to promote morale and maintain discipline among Fire Department personnel; to accept input and constructive criticism from Fire Department personnel; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Fire Department personnel, Department Directors, and the City Manager.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City personnel, staff or other agencies, as well as the general public and special interest groups.
• Ability to respond back to work while off-duty for emergencies.
• Ability to communicate the Department's vision for the future.
• Ability to build trust both within the community and with staff.
• Ability to plan, initiate and carry out long range programs in Department administration, employee training and fire prevention.
• Ability to prepare and forecast budget impacts.
• Ability to make clear, concise and effective presentations to City Council.

Qualifications
The RFD has a residency requirement of 20 minutes to one of our 2 fire stations, using Google Maps. Residency is required within 12 months of hire.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum of seven years progressively responsible experience in fire service
• Minimum of five years management/supervisory experience in fire service
• Certified Blue Card incident commander
• NREMT Certification as an EMT-B

• Must possess a valid Class D driver's license.

• Must hold a current MN Firefighter License (or obtain within 60 days of hire)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field.
• Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Certification
• Greater than five years management/supervisory experience in fire service

Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements

• NFPA 1582 medical standards apply.

Lifting and Carrying Requirements (while wearing SCBA & PPE)

May be required to lift very heavy loads

• Ground to Waist Level - 100 lbs.

• Dragging/removing fire victims
• Advancing hose lines at fires
• Carrying fans, rescue tools, foam containers
• Waist to Shoulder Level - 50 lbs.
  • Opening/closing hydrant valves
  • Making hose connections
  • Lifting/carrying ladders, hose bundles and other equipment
• Above Shoulders - 35 lbs.
  • Placing ladders against buildings
  • Pulling ladder halyard to raise ladder
  • Using axe and other equipment to ventilate
  • Lifting items onto fire apparatus

Pushing/Pulling Requirement (while wearing SCBA & PPE)

• 75 lbs. of hand over hand pulling force for ladder halyard raise
• 55 lbs. pushing/pulling force to raise and support ladder

• 100 lbs. pulling for advancing charged hose lines

Walking and/or Mobility Requirements (while wearing SCBA & PPE)

• Must be able to walk and crawl while carrying or lifting.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs and ladders while carrying heavy loads.
• Must be able to balance and possess the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling when walking, standing, crouching, crawling on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces.
• Must be capable of:

Reaching (extending hands or arms in any direction)

Handling (seizing, holding grasping, turning or otherwise working with the hands while carrying items of substantial weight, i.e., fans, rescue equipment, foam containers, ladders and using axes, sledgehammers, hydrant wrenches, pulling ladder halyards or using rope to lift heavy items, dragging victims and hose lines.)

Fingering (picking, pinching or otherwise working with the fingers while manipulating items such as SCBA valves, apparatus controls, small monitoring equipment, alarm panel controls.)

Must be able to use rope and tie knots

Feeling (must be able to discriminate differences in items by feeling. Must be able to determine the difference between hot and cold by touch. Must be able to feel a patient's pulse.)

• Must be capable of applying a leg lock with either leg upon a ground ladder to provide a safe anchor when operating hose lines or performing rescue work.

Work Environment

• Works both inside where there may be protection from the weather conditions and outside where there may be no effective protection from the weather. May encounter extreme fluctuations of temperature.

• May work in extreme cold where the temperature is sufficiently low to cause marked bodily discomfort and variations in temperature, which accompany extreme cold and are sufficiently marked and abrupt to cause marked bodily reaction.
• May be required to work in extremes of heat where temperatures are sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort and variations in temperature which accompany extreme heat and are sufficiently marked and abrupt to cause marked bodily reaction.
• Encounters wet conditions and high humidity where atmospheric conditions have a moisture content sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort.

• Will frequently encounter noise and/or vibration exceeding 80 decibels, constant or intermittent, to cause marked distraction.
• Will encounter a variety of physical hazards, including but not limited to, moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, working on high places, bodies of water, confined spaces, exposure to radiant energy, explosives, toxic chemicals and biological agents.
• Will work in above conditions while wearing various levels of personal protective equipment causing mobility impairments and high temperatures.
• May be required to make critical, time-sensitive, complex problem-solving decisions during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments, including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces, that is further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions.

The City of Richfield, MN offers a complete and comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including:

• 100% employer paid Medical and Dental coverage for single enrollment, plus employer contribution to HSA
• Significant contribution towards spouse, child(ren), and family coverage
• Flexible Spending Account options
• 100% employer paid Short-Term Disability insurance
• 100% employer paid Long Term Disability insurance
• 100% employer paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Opportunity to request participation in our modified work schedule program (choose one regular day off every other week), depending on position
• Opportunity to request to participate in a flexible work schedule with remote work options, depending on position
• Wellness program which includes earning up to 8 hours of paid time off after participation in wellness activities throughout the year
• Vacation Leave and Personal Leave, with additional 12 Holidays per year
• Up to 80 hours paid parental leave for either parent after the birth or adoption of a child
• Enrollment into a pension plan through PERA
• Voluntary enrollment into deferred compensation plans with a variety of partner agencies

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

Check ALL the appropriate boxes to indicate your educational degree history. (If Master's level, please also indicate major for Bachelor's)

• Have not obtained a Bachelor's degree
• Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration or RELATED field
• Bachelor's degree in other UNRELATED field
• Master's degree in Fire Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or RELATED field
• Master's degree in other UNRELATED field

03

Do you have a minimum of seven (7) years progressively responsible experience in fire service?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of management/supervisory experience do you have in fire service?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 or more years

05

Do you have a Blue Card Incident Command certification?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have an EMT-B certification?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have an Executive Fire Officer (EFO) certification?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have a valid Class D Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you live within the residency requirement of 20 minutes of a Richfield Fire Station or are you willing to relocate in the next 12 months?

• Yes, I currently meet the residency requirement.
• Yes, I am willing to relocate in the next 12 months to meet the residency requirement.
• No, I do not currently meet the requirement and cannot relocate.

10

The City of Richfield awards veterans' preference points to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans in accordance with Minnesota State Statute 197.447. Are you requesting Veteran's Preference Points for this position? If so, please select your Veterans status and assure you have attached a copy of your DD-214 and/or documentation verifying your service-connected disability rating if you are deemed a disabled veteran, as defined in state statute, to your application.

• Not Applicable
• Veteran
• Disabled Veteran
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran

Required Question