The Brooklyn Park Fire Department is seeking an experienced, progressive, and motivated career fire service leader for its next Deputy Chief of Operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong fire service background and experience as a full-time Battalion Chief, District Chief, Division Chief, or higher operational level position in a career-staffed fire department. As a member of the department’s executive leadership team, the Deputy Chief of Operations will directly oversee three (3) battalion chiefs who are responsible for day-to-day emergency response operations split across three shifts. Effective communication, and strong collaboration, negotiation, and team-building skills are necessary for this individual to be successful; advanced written and oral communication skills are imperative. The ability to make sound, data-driven, organizational changes that improve the operational effectiveness of the department is important.
This position is a senior-level manager that is responsible for planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the day-to-day emergency response operational activities of the Department. This includes fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials, and related programs, services, and operations. Reporting directly to the Fire Chief, the position has broad supervisory responsibility across the organization and works collaboratively to ensure the Department is providing exceptional customer service.
The Deputy Chief of Operations supervises the Battalion Chiefs; supervisory duties include instructing, coaching, leading, reviewing, and planning the work of others. The Deputy Chief of Operations must research, determine, and acquire innovative and modern Fire and EMS technology to responsibly provide services to the community.
Application End Date: Recruitment will continue until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received as determined by Human Resources. First review of applications will be on June 10. 2025. If you have interest in this position, it is highly recommended that you apply upon seeing the announcement as the vacancy may close without notice.
Perform senior administrative, supervisory, and leadership functions:- Provide highly responsible and complex planning, project management, and administrative support to the Fire Chief. Assist the Fire Chief in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan and the development of supporting operational objectives
- Supervises personnel through the chain of command; supervisory duties include instructing, coaching, leading, reviewing, and planning the work of others; maintaining standards and excellence; assigning and allocating personnel; assists in the selection of new employees and recommends employees for promotion; acts on and/or recommends employee discipline
- Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers coaching and professional guidance as needed
- Receives and reviews a variety of reports and documents which may include incident reports, personnel action forms, attendance records, maintenance reports, accident and injury reports, training reports, expenditure reports, performance evaluations, etc
- Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence to the Fire Chief, City management staff, and City Council as required
- Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and review with Fire Chief; implement improvements
- Ensures the timely reporting and accuracy of reports to the Minnesota Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS)
- Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire suppression, emergency medical response, hazardous materials, technical rescue, special operations, and fire prevention
- Write routine correspondence and reports
- Place orders with vendor/consultants for supplies, materials, or services
- Serve as acting Fire Chief as assigned in the absence of the Fire Chief
Provide broad oversight of the day-to-day emergency response operations:- Command, directs, coordinates, and provides daily instruction to the Battalion and Operations Division-level Chiefs and other employees to ensure the Department is at a constant state of readiness; provides and ensures operational consistency across groups and divisions
- Assist in the day-to-day management of all front-line operational emergency response services and activities, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, disaster response, and related programs, services, and operations
- Establish within Department and City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels
- Analyzes information, statistics, and reports on Department activities to determine fleet readiness, facility status, and resource availability; evaluates existing programs relating to meeting Department goals
- Ensure daily compliance with all safety initiatives and procedures through subordinate managers
- Works closely with the Deputy Chief of Professional Standards to ensure that response personnel are properly trained
Ensure Department’s fleet, equipment and facilities are at a constant state of readiness:- Provide Department-level oversight to the Department’s building, apparatus, and equipment maintenance program
- Monitors emergency apparatus, equipment, and facilities to determine compliance with safety standards and operational procedures and to ensure that proper care and attention is given to Department property
- Implements preventive maintenance program to ensure that emergency vehicles are in the utmost state of readiness; and, establishes protocol for daily and weekly checks on equipment to make sure it is clean and in proper running condition
Perform emergency response and incident management activities:- Fills incident management roles as necessary, as assigned, and/or as required/outlined by department policies or procedures at fire, medical, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and/or large-scale emergencies
- Provides senior-level incident support leadership and management
- Formulates response strategies in accordance with predetermined policies, standards, and industry best practices. Utilize and enforce recognized safety standards and procedures, and determine level of acceptable risk based upon existing conditions
- Performs, as necessary, fire suppression, ventilation, rescue, salvage, overhaul, extrication, emergency medical care, hazardous materials response, and other emergency response functions
Perform budgetary and financial management activities:- Participate in the development and administration of the Department's annual budget; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments
- Monitor and control division budgets and expenses
- Identify and evaluate vendor/consultant products or services
- Obtain and review bids, quotes, or proposals
- Manage and participate in vehicle and equipment specification writing; supervise bid and purchase processes
- Purchase or requisition vendor products or services
Serve as a Deputy Director of Emergency Management:- Coordinate with the Emergency Management Director to develop and maintain the City’s Emergency Preparedness Plan, as Emergency Management Deputy Director
- Advise departments on their Emergency Plans and coordinate interdepartmental activities
- Design and administer exercises to prepare City staff for effective response to major emergencies and disasters
- Participate in the Emergency Operations Center during planned events and actual emergencies or disasters
Perform other essential job duties:- Regular and timely work attendance
- Follow all safety procedures
- Follows all City and Department policies, procedures, and guidelines
- Participates in required training and maintains appropriate licenses
- Performs other related and assigned duties as assigned and/or required
Education:
Bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration/management, public safety, fire protection technology or related field. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience MAY be considered.
Experience:
Five (5) years training and experience in the fire service; and a minimum of two-years front-line operational experience as a full-time Battalion Chief, District Chief, Division Chief or similar operational chief-level position.
Licenses/Certifications:- Licensed by the State of Minnesota as a firefighter, or the ability to obtain licensing at the time of appointment (Minnesota Statute 299N)
- Current NREMT certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified as a Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer II and Fire Inspector I
- Valid driver's license
Equivalency:
An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position MAY be considered
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:- Proven ability and commitment to racial equity, diversity and inclusion work
- Thorough knowledge of the principles of municipal fire service administration including suppression, emergency medicine, technical rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency management
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of fire service administration in a career fire department including human resources and labor management/negotiations
- Skill in written and oral communication, conflict resolution, and group presentations
- Ability to command incidents, directing overall tactics and strategy for incidents including fire suppression, emergency medicine, technical rescue, hazardous materials, and other related emergency scenes
- Ability to make difficult decisions involving the safety of others and the protection of property
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, associates, officers, officials, and the public
- Knowledge of public education principles, methods, and instruction techniques and practices
- Skilled in organization and planning
- Skilled in word pressing, database management, spreadsheet applications, presentation software, and general computer orientation
- Ability to speak in front of large and small groups of all ages, genders, and diverse backgrounds
- Ability to prepare and implement activity budgets
- Ability to prepare technical reports and present reports to the Fire Chief, city management, and/or City Council
- Ability to work independently and work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
- Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction
- Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement
Desired Qualifications:
- IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified as a Fire Instructor III, Fire Officer III and Fire Inspector II
- Certified by the NREMT as a Paramedic
- Certified Emergency Manager
- Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao, or Vietnamese language(s)
Supporting Documentation Required for Certifications/Licenses:
- State of Minnesota Firefighter License (must have by the time of appointment)
- Current NREMT - Emergency Medical Technician (Basic/Paramedic EMT) Certifications
- IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified certifications
Background Check
The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check are necessary for this job title. Applicants are required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
Drug and Alcohol Testing/Medical Examination
All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test/medical examination once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 86,000 residents and 30,000 jobs. As the 11th fastest growing city in Minnesota, the city has become even more vibrant because of our remarkable racial and cultural diversity. 54 percent of residents are people of color, 22 percent are foreign-born, and more than a quarter speak a language other than English at home.
Our vision, values and goals
Established in 1957, the Brooklyn Park Fire Department is a full-time department serving a population of over 86,000 people within its 27 square mile coverage area. Brooklyn Park is the sixth-largest city in Minnesota and the fourth largest in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Brooklyn Park Fire Department operates 4 fire stations 24-hours a day.
Our Team takes pride in being a model public safety organization and delivering high quality services to the community through a commitment to our core values of Service, Trust, Excellence, and Professionalism.Department/Division: Fire Department/Operations
Anticipated Work Schedule: Position is an exempt, full-time, benefited, non-union position that will work a flexible schedule that includes a standard eight-hour work day, Monday-Friday. Occasional evening hours may be required.
Resume/Cover Letter Requested: To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to provide a resume and cover letter for this position.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications submitted without the necessary certifications may not be considered.We welcome applications from all individuals, including (but not limited to): people of all abilities, persons of color, Veterans, LGBTQ+ and women. If you need these materials in an alternate format or if you have a disability related need and need assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at humanresources@brooklynpark.org.