Maple Grove, MN, a vibrant and growing community, is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as our next Fire Chief, guiding a dedicated team in delivering exceptional fire protection and emergency response services.
The Fire Chief leads the overall management and operations of the Maple Grove Fire Department, ensuring excellence in fire and rescue emergency response, fire code enforcement, and investigations into the cause and origin of city fires. This role encompasses fire prevention and safety education, training and development of department personnel, and oversight of fire station facilities, vehicles, and equipment. The Fire Chief provides strategic leadership to a team of dedicated full-time and paid-on-call staff while also serving as the City’s Emergency Management Director, driving preparedness and resilience for the community.
Initial goals for the position include developing a comprehensive strategic plan to guide the Fire Department’s short and long-term growth, focusing on community safety, operational efficiency, and workforce development. This includes enhancing emergency preparedness, optimizing resources, and fostering collaboration with community partners and neighboring agencies.
Hiring Timeline
*subject to change*
Application window closes: January 31, 2025
First round interviews: Week of February 10, 2025
Management assessment: Mid-late February, 2025
Final interviews: Week of March 3, 2025
Candidate estimated start date: Mid-late April, 2025
Pre-employment requirements:
This position is subject to the successful completion of the following: management assessment, reference check, BCA background check, medical/fitness for duty, and drug screening.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operational Leadership
- Manage and direct all areas of the Fire Department, including operations and prevention divisions and subdivisions such as Fire Fleet/Facilities Maintenance, Personnel/Training, Public Education, Code Enforcement, Fire Investigation, Juvenile Fire Intervention, and Emergency Management.
- Oversee the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for operational and service areas.
- Respond to major emergencies, supervise incident command for large-scale events, and organize emergency scenes by directing personnel and equipment.
- Establish appropriate service and staffing levels and allocate resources based on efficiency and effectiveness.
Strategic Planning and Budget Management
- Perform short- and long-term strategic planning aligned with the city’s goals and priorities.
- Plan, prepare, and recommend the annual Fire Department and emergency management budget, including long-term expenditure projections.
- Assign projects and programmatic responsibilities through subordinate management staff and review work methods and procedures for continuous improvement.
Emergency Response and Investigation
- Manage and evaluate personnel at the scene of emergencies, ensuring effective response strategies.
- Oversee investigations of fire-damaged property to determine fire causes and assess losses.
- Administer the City’s hazardous materials response team program.
Workforce Development and Supervision
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate full-time, part-time, and paid-on-call fire department staff.
- Develop and oversee training, certification, and professional development programs to maintain high performance standards.
- Set performance and behavior expectations, provide coaching opportunities, and enforce personnel policies, administering discipline as needed.
- Work with Human Resources and leadership staff to develop recruitment and retention strategies for top talent.
Emergency Management
- Lead the City of Maple Grove’s emergency management organization, planning, and preparing for emergency operations during disasters, large-scale events, or unusual circumstances.
- Develop and maintain emergency preparedness plans and ensure accurate reporting and record-keeping for all departmental activities.
- Act as the principal advisor and coordinator for city emergency operations, working with other departments, non-governmental organizations, and higher government entities.
Community and Interagency Engagement
- Act as a liaison and facilitator of communication between the Fire Department, other City departments, outside agencies, and community groups.
- Educate the community on fire safety and prevention while promoting equity, inclusion, and respect.
- Represent the Fire Department professionally at public meetings, within the professional fire community, and with the media to maintain a positive public image.
Innovation and Continuous Improvement
- Apply innovative principles and practices to enhance fire prevention, protection, and suppression services.
- Monitor and evaluate departmental methods and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Coordinate efforts to ensure the City of Maple Grove maintains an equitable and inclusive organization aligned with its mission, vision, and core values.
General and Additional Duties
- Lead or attend public meetings to provide information and recommendations to the City Council and City Administrator.
- Engage with community members professionally and courteously, ensuring effective communication with diverse populations.
- Perform other duties as apparent or assigned to fulfill the mission of the Fire Department.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Need to have:
- Associate's degree in fire science, public safety, public administration, business administration or closely related field.
- State of Minnesota Emergency Management certification within three years of hire.
- Registered First Responder or obtain Emergency Medical Responder certification (EMR) within one year of hire.
- Licensed as a full-time Firefighter in the State of MN or obtain required certifications within six months of hire.
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Blue Card Certification within one year of hire.
- 10 years of progressively responsible fire service experience, including a minimum of six years of full-time supervisory experience in a command role as a chief officer on a combination career/ volunteer or paid-on-call fire department.
- Ability to respond to major incidences within Maple Grove city limits in a reasonable amount of time.
- Compliant with NFPA 1582 physical standards to be a Firefighter.
- Must have the ability to perform all essential job functions and physical requirements of a Firefighter.
- Must pass required background, psychological and medical exam including physical standards for firefighters.
Nice to have:
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in fire science, public safety, public administration, business administration or closely related field.
- Executive Fire Officer or Chief Fire Officer Certification by the National Fire Academy or Chief Fire Officer Designation by the Center for Excellence in Public Safety.
- National Registry and State of MN Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
- Fire service experience in a city similar size to Maple Grove
- Prior experience in budget preparation, public relations, incident command and fire service education and training
- Prior experience managing multiple divisions within a department
- Prior experience managing emergency management functions within an organization.
