Assistant Fire Chief

Promotional Opportunity Available to Current City of Bloomington Employees

To assist the Deputy Fire Chief in providing leadership, direction, administrative, and response duties for the divisions that they are assigned. The Assistant Chief is also responsible to assist the Deputy Chief in planning, organizing, staffing, training, and coordinating Fire Department emergency, prevention, and emergency management activities for the City.

CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS

• Develops, supports, and models a positive and productive workplace culture based on respect, dignity, honesty, and integrity
•  Allows staff to grow and succeed by providing opportunities for increased responsibility and creating a positive work culture
• Supports and advances organizational development efforts such as developing a high performing organization,
• employee engagement, workforce development, inclusion and equity, and performance measurement efforts
• Works cooperatively with others; develops and maintains respectful and effective working relationships with diverse
• coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal
• interactions
• Proactively resolves conflicts and misunderstandings in order to ensure a respectful and inclusive workplace
• Seeks to understand the legacy of structural racism, and its impact on employees and the residents we serve; identifies any implications and adverse equity impacts when developing or reviewing policies, projects, activities and interactions with stakeholders
• Embraces the City's shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City's vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly

The Assistant Fire Chief has responsibility, control, and command over all personnel below the rank of Assistant Fire Chief who are members of the Department and has responsibility and authority over the organization, government and discipline of the Department as delegated by the Deputy Chief and Fire Chief.  The Assistant Chief shall enforce such Fire Department rules, procedures, and issue orders as is necessary and prescribed by the Fire Chief.

Serves as a member of the Fire Department’s leadership and management teams:

• Assist the Deputy Chiefs and Chief of the Department in the overall administration of the Fire Department, including developing and enforcing rules and procedures and issuing orders, work assignments
• Assist with preparation and management of the annual budget

Assists with managing and coordinating daily operations and training of assigned personnel:

• Operates with considerable independence under the general supervision of the Deputy Chief as assigned
• Assists and as necessary, directs operations including the planning, scheduling and deployment of personnel to ensure the optimum safety and delivery of fire and EMS services
• Provides formal supervision and evaluation, as well as regular coaching, development, and discipline for assigned staff; assigns work, establishes priorities and ensures proper training; defines the level of expected performance, provides the necessary resources and support, holds staff accountable for achieving performance goals and completing assigned duties, adherence to City and Department policies, and recognizes and rewards staff for a job well done
• Ensures staff compliance with the City’s Employment Rules and policies, regulatory requirements and safety practices and procedures
• Assists the Deputy Chiefs as assigned, in the areas of operations, personnel training, fire inspections, investigations, code enforcement, station and equipment maintenance, repairs, supplies, and logistics
• Recommends, develops, and maintains department policies and training requirements ensuring equity is considered for new and existing programs and policies
• Coordinates assigned operations with other departmental functions and other agency functions, to promote proper communication, cooperation and the overall effective delivery of services
• Ensures documentation and records are maintained pursuant to Department policy, City policy, and State law
• Participates in the research and development of specifications for new equipment
• Assists with establishing and implementing equity and inclusion strategies to achieve strategic city-wide objectives
• Receive, review, and approve requests or recommendations from Department personnel regarding operations, equipment, or stations and forwards items through the chain of command as appropriate

Responds to emergency calls for service:

• Responds to emergency calls and other calls for service as the Chief of the Department may designate, and actively assume or participate in the leadership and command of all emergency situations responded to, such as fires, lifesaving, rescues, first aid, and hazardous materials incidents consistent with Department policy and when necessary, actively engage in all emergency situations
• Assume command and control of all operations and must have the ability to exercise professional judgment to manage increasingly complex incidents involving fires, hazardous materials, and other emergencies that may involve multiple agencies and/or jurisdictions
• Assistant Chiefs will fill supervisory roles at an emergency but still need to maintain the skills and abilities to engage directly with the problem if necessary

Other duties:

• Works variable hours, including nights, weekends, and shifts to meet operational and training needs as required
• Represents the Fire Department and the City in various organizations to protect and/or further the interests of the City and Fire Department
• Stays informed of current issues that may affect the Fire Department and City, including industry trends and best practices
• Works as a member of City senior staff and maintains effective working relationships with other departments and Department and Division heads within and outside of the City
• Keeps supervisor informed of any relevant issues or concerns
• Performs other related duties as apparent or assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Physical ability to perform the essential functions of emergency response and fire suppression and to perform under the working conditions of a firefighter, as contained in the firefighter job description
• Ability to develop and maintain respectful and effective working relationships with a wide variety of City personnel as well as the general public, elected officials and other agencies
• Effective public speaking skills and the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in person and verbally over two-way radio
• Ability to manage a variety of projects and issues and works in a variety of circumstances and situations with City, other Local and State agencies
• Maintains a positive image of the City and Fire Department through effective problem solving and sound coordination of administrative functions
• Demonstrates initiative and develops ideas to solve problems
• Demonstrates the ability to lead a diverse group of fire personnel that provide fire service to the City
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage and maintain response capabilities of assigned personnel

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Current career Battalion Chief with the Bloomington Fire Department
• Thorough knowledge of Fire Service functions, policies and practices including, but not limited to, incident command, fire suppression strategy and tactics, and personnel management and leadership
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associates degree in Fire Science, Public Safety or related field

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration or related field
• Additional experience in fire or emergency services
• Experience in Fire Department administration
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills and experience
• Training in compliance with local, state and national standards as Fire Instructor, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Technical Rescue Technician
• Proficiency in personal computer operation with word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Ability to speak a second language, in addition to English, that has a recognized presence in the community (Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, etc.)
• State of Minnesota Certification as a Paramedic
• Emergency Management Certificate

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS
Provides supervision and direction to career and part time firefighters as assigned.  Assumes leadership and command at fire and emergency scenes as determined by Department policies and procedures.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $113,599– $120,517 Annually

2025 Full Salary Range: $113,599-$151,446 Annually

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• Valid driver’s license
• Blue Card Incident Command certification (must be maintained throughout employment)
• Minnesota Firefighter License (must be maintained throughout employment)
• MBFTE qualified instructor within 2 years of appointment
• Five years as a firefighter
• State of Minnesota Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic and maintained during employment

Full Time; Exempt; Non-Union; Benefits Eligible

The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Salary : $13,599 - $120,517