Fire Chief

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 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.

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

• 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

• 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

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.

• 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…