Fire Chief – Elk River, MN

Position:
Fire Chief.

Location:

Elk River, Minnesota. Population:
Approximately 27,000 covering 44 square miles. Fire Department Size: 45 paid-on-call members. Annual Calls for Service:
Approximately 450.

Elk River, MN is a vibrant and growing community located approximately 35 miles northwest of Minneapolis in Sherburne County. Known for its beautiful natural surroundings, Elk River offers a high quality of life with excellent schools, parks, and recreational facilities. The city prides itself on being a safe and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

• Recreation and Parks
  :
  Elk River boasts numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities, including golf courses and natural conservation areas.
• Education
  :
  The city is served by the Independent School District #728 (K-12), Spectrum Charter School (6-12), and St. Andrew Catholic (PK-7) which offer high-quality educational opportunities for students.
• Economic Growth
  :
  Elk River is home to a diverse mix of businesses and industries, contributing to a strong local economy and providing ample employment opportunities.
• Community Events
  :
  The city hosts a variety of community events and festivals throughout the year, fostering a strong sense of community and engagement.

• Leadership and Management
  :
  Lead the department effectively, creating strategies, policies, and practices that meet community needs and uphold fire safety standards. Ensure ongoing communication with the city leadership to address public safety priorities and strategic community-wide growth. Is an active member of the senior city management team.
• Community Engagement
  :
  Foster strong relationships with community members, local organizations, and other stakeholders. Promote a culture of transparency, trust, and collaboration between the fire department and the community.
• Operational Oversight
  :
  Oversee daily operations of the fire department, including emergency response/fire suppression, department training and community fire education, emergency management, plan review and fire code enforcement, fire investigations, and administrative functions. Ensure effective deployment of personnel and resources to maintain public safety.
• Budget and Resource Management
  :
  Manage the department budget efficiently. Seek grants and other funding to support departmental initiatives. Collaborate with senior city management to address and implement city-wide budgetary strategies and needs.
• Training and Development
  :
  Promote continuous professional development for all department personnel. Ensure ongoing training in areas such as fire suppression, emergency response, all-hazards response, and firefighter training academy for new firefighters for both the City of Elk River and neighboring communities.
• Policy Development and Implementation
  :
  Create and implement policies that meet legal requirements and improve department efficiency. Work with the senior management team on city-wide policy, strategic plans, and recommendations to the City Council.
• Crisis Management
  :
  Lead the department’s response to emergencies and critical incidents. Ensure preparedness for a wide range of public safety challenges, including natural disasters and major public events.
• Intra-agency Collaboration
  :
  Work collaboratively with other fire safety agencies, governmental entities, and community organizations to enhance public safety and address regional issues.

The City of Elk River is pleased to offer an extensive benefits package to our full-time employees. The compensation range for the next Fire Chief is $160,599 to $178,399.

• Education
  :
  Bachelor’s degree in fire science, public administration, business administration, or a related field is required. A master’s…