Fire Chief

Fire Director

Anticipated Timeline

(1) Application Period: July 30, 2026 - August 24, 2026 (3) First Round Interviews: Week of August 31, 2026 (4) Second Round Interviews: Week of September 14, 2026 (5) Extend conditional offer of employment to successful candidate: Week of September 21, 2026 (6) Leadership Assessment will be scheduled and completed on top candidate(s): End of September (7) Desired start date: End of October 2026 *Conditional offer contingent on successful completion of leadership assessment, background check, and pre-employment screenings.

THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE: The City of Owatonna is a growing community strategically placed at the crossroads of I-35 and two major US highways, approximately one hour south of the Twin Cities metro area. The community has a commitment to growth, access to services, and quality of life for its 26,000 residents. Click the link below to learn more about the community this position would have the opportunity to be part of and serve.

ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: We believe that our community thrives when there is a response and support in times of emergency. The Fire Department creates a better tomorrow by preserving life and property when our citizens need it most. As an organization, our Purpose is to create a better tomorrow. We are guided in that work by our organization's 3 Core Values: Better Together, Community Stewardship, and Pride in Our Work.

In our department, the City's values look and sound like:

• 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

COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP:

• 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

PRIDE IN OUR WORK:

• 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

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 oversees all fire, rescue, and EMS operations, including emergency response, staffing, scheduling, training, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness. The Director serves as the City's Emergency Manager and Incident Commander, oversees fire code enforcement and inspection programs, provides guidance to the Building Inspections and Community Development Department, manages township contracts and budget reporting, works with the Civil Service Commission, and coordinates emergency response with local, regional, and state partners to ensure effective service delivery and public safety.

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.

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.

Preferred:

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

Knowledge of:

• Managerial and leadership principles and practices;
• Budget principles and practices;
• Financial Management principles;
• Public Administration principles;
• Strategic planning principles;
• Applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Leadership and management;
• Preparing reports;
• Managing division operations;
• Analyzing and developing policies and procedures;
• Using a computer and related software applications;
• Public relations and public speaking;
• Interpreting laws and regulations;
• Negotiation and persuasion;
• Preparing budgets;
• Program and project management;
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, 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.