Battalion Chief (Ft) - Fire Department

This position is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and supervising activities of an assigned shift which includes the management of personnel, training, community relations, and related programs and services. The Battalion Chief is responsible for the mitigation of emergencies through responsive and effective management of fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, hazardous materials, and other man-made and/or natural disasters that pose a threat to public safety.
Application End Date: Recruitment will continue until position is filled. First review of applications will be on January 22, 2024. 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Certifications and Credentials Requirement: To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we require all certifications and credentials to be submitted with the initial application. Directs daily operations and supervises assigned personnel.

• Assure operational daily readiness of personnel, apparatus, equipment, and facilities. Maintains appropriate daily staffing levels and manages personnel vacations, holidays, and other absences.
• 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.
• Ensures the timely reporting and accuracy of reports for all incidents during the shift.
• Carries out planning and survey work; evaluates the effectiveness of the shift for conformance with Departmental methods, procedures and policies, and takes corrective action when necessary to provide for the effective and efficient operation of the shift.

Provides effective emergency scene management.

• Directs 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.
• 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 incident management and oversight.
• 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.
• In absence of the Department's PIO, conducts media interviews and generates written press releases related to emergency incident activities.

Assists with Department training and continuous improvement (CI) and quality improvement (QI) programs.

• Coordinates with the Division of Professional Standards in developing, implementing, evaluating, and updating training programs for Department personnel covering areas such as fire suppression, emergency medical care, technical rescue, hazardous materials, special operations, employee physical/mental health, safe work practices, and officer/leadership development.
• Participates in Department training activities to maintain and enhance emergency response, leadership, and command skills.
• Attends outside training activities.
• Assists with the recruitment, on-boarding, and initial training/recruit program.
• Assists with developing, implementing, evaluating, and updating CI and QI programs and initiatives

Ensures Department's fleet, equipment and facilities are at a constant state of readiness.

• Provide daily oversight to the Department's buildings, apparatus, and equipment.
• 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.
• Ensure that emergency vehicles and equipment are in the utmost state of readiness.

Assists with inspections, fire investigations, fire prevention, and public education initiatives.

• Assists with and/or directs preplanning activities of all multiple dwelling units, commercial, industrial, public places of assembly, and high-risk occupancies.
• Ensures that all fires are investigated in accordance with Minnesota Statute § 299F.04.
• Works with the Fire Marshal Division in ensuring required inspections are completed.
• Appropriately assigns fire prevention, public education, community outreach, and other related activities.
• Promptly reports suspected fire code/life safety violations to the Fire Marshal Division.

Performs budgetary and financial management activities.

• Assists in the development and administration of the Department's annual budget; monitors compliance with approved budget.
• Monitor and control expenses.
• Manage and participate in vehicle and equipment specification writing.

Assists with emergency management functions.

• Assists with developing and maintaining the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• Assist with coordinating interdepartmental activities.
• Assist with designing and implementing exercises to prepare City staff for effective response to major emergencies and disasters.
• Participate in the Emergency Operations Center during actual emergencies or disasters.

Performs 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
Associate degree in fire science, public administration/management, public safety, higher education or related field is required. 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 three (3) years' experience as a full-time Captain or similar position.
Licenses/Certifications

• Licensed by the State of Minnesota as a firefighter, or the ability obtain licensing at the time of appointment (Minnesota Statute 299N).
• Certified by the NREMT as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher.
• IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified as a Fire Officer I and Fire Service Instructor I (or ability to obtain certification within three months of hire).
• Valid Minnesota 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

• Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS).
• Knowledge of the principles of municipal fire service administration including suppression, emergency medicine, technical rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency management.
• Knowledge of the Brooklyn Park fire district, fire stations, resources, and equipment.
• 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 maintain trustful relationships among city leaders and mutual aid partners.
• Ability to correct actions of personnel without defacing their value.
• Ability to present a positive and professional image of the city and the Fire Department.
• Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds
• Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration/management, public safety, higher education or related field.
• Fire Officer II
• Fire Inspector II
• Fire Instructor III
• Minnesota certified Emergency Manager.
• Certified by the NREMT as a Paramedic.
• Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Laotian, or Vietnamese language(s)
• Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds

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 & 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.
Union Representation
This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Brooklyn Park and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Union Local 5031 (Download PDF reader).
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. Approximately 60 percent of our 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 GoalsCertifications and Credentials Requirement: To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we require all certifications and credentials to be submitted with the initial application.
Department/Division Fire/Fire Operations

Anticipated Work Schedule
Full-time, non-exempt, union position with a 24-hour shift schedule.

Anticipated Hiring Wage (based on a 2,912 work schedule)
The city will offer a competitive wage based on prior experience, training, and education.
Prior experience training, and education will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, including the size of the agency the candidate is transferring from and their relative experience working in a similar city, similar call volume, and similar incident types as Brooklyn Park.
Note that wages are based on the 2022/2023 contract and a 2,912 shift schedule.

Vacation Time
Battalion Chiefs can receive up to 120 hours front-loaded vacation time based on prior experience, training, and education.
Sick Time
Battalion Chiefs will receive 72 hours of banked sick leave which can be used right away.
Holidays
Battalion Chiefs assigned to a 2,912 schedule receive a bank of 156 holiday hours annually. New hires will receive a prorated balance based on the remaining number of holidays in the current year.
Benefits
In addition to providing employees with a robust benefits package, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance options, firefighters receive:

• Access to free, confidential mental health check-ins and additional follow-up sessions with a licensed, public safety focused clinician (off-site)
• Two sets of custom-fit firefighting turn-out gear
• Individually issued portable radio
• Individually issued ballistic vest and carrier
• Uniform allowance
• Access to on-site fitness equipment
• Professional development opportunities including on-shift and department-wide training

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 Janis Lajon at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at Janis.lajon@brooklynpark...