The Assistant Fire Chief / Fire Marshal is an executive management position responsible for directing the Community Risk Reduction and Life Safety Division. Under the general direction of the Fire Chief, this position manages and executes fire code enforcement, building plan reviews, pre-fire planning, fire investigations, public life safety education, and assists with departmental training. Serves as a duty officer as needed and provides operational leadership on emergency scenes.
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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement & Plan Review
• Serve as the official Fire Marshal; interpret, administer, and enforce the State Fire Code, national safety standards (NFPA), and municipal ordinances.
• Plan, schedule, and direct periodic life safety inspections for commercial, industrial, institutional, assembly, and multi-family occupancies.
• Conduct comprehensive plan reviews for new construction, remodels, site plans, fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, and hazardous process permits in coordination with building officials.
• Administer special event and mobile food vendor safety compliance through streamlined annual permitting or interagency licensing recognition.
• Issue correction orders, warnings, permits, licenses, and legal citations; explain technical requirements clearly to stakeholders.
• Manage building emergency access systems (Knox Box) and verify operational readiness of protection systems.
Fire Investigation & Analysis
• Lead the department's fire investigation function to determine origin, cause, and circumstances of fires and explosions.
• Preserve evidence, maintain chain of custody, prepare detailed investigative reports, and collaborate with law enforcement agencies and the State Fire Marshal's Office on potential arson cases.
• Testify in legal or administrative proceedings as required.
Community Risk Reduction & Public Education
• Design, implement, and oversee community-wide fire prevention, life safety, and disaster preparedness education programs across all age groups.
• Direct specialized CRR initiatives, including school education programs, Fire Prevention Week, annual open houses, and youth firesetter interventions.
• Manage public communication channels, digital outreach, social media safety messaging, and news media inquiries.
Emergency Operations & Incident Command
• Respond to major fire, medical, hazardous material, and environmental rescue incidents; drive emergency apparatus as required.
• Ability to serve as Incident Commander, Division Boss, or Safety Officer during emergency calls, effectively deploying personnel and apparatus using the Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS).
• Assist in emergency management planning, emergency operations center (EOC) activations, and community disaster response operations.
Administration & Supervision
• Serve as acting chief in the absence of the fire chief and deputy chief. Serve as the duty officer as needed.
• Evaluate, train, and mentor division personnel and fire inspectors; assist in recruitment, promotion, and disciplinary processes.
• Assist the Fire Chief with annual operational budget for the division.
• Maintain accurate records and databases using department software (First Due, ImageTrend, etc.).
QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum Education: Associate’s degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive fire service experience, including at least 3 years in a supervisory officer capacity.
• Required Certifications & Licenses: Valid Minnesota Driver’s License; Licensed Firefighter in the State of Minnesota (or eligible by date of hire); NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II Certification; NFPA Hazardous Materials Operations Level; Minnesota Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification; NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector I & II Certification (or ability to obtain Inspector II within 12 months); Certified Fire Investigator; NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I Certification; NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications; Blue Card Incident Command Certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
• Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Executive Leadership, or related field. Minnesota State Fire Marshal/MFSCB Plan Reviewer delegation or certification. NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor I/II Certification. Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist / Manager Certification. National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) or Managing Officer Program completion.
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Technical Mastery: Comprehensive knowledge of modern firefighting methods, Minnesota State Fire Codes, NFPA standards, building construction types, and fire protection systems.
• Command & Leadership: Proven capability to make rapid, sound decisions under intense stress; effectively command emergency scenes while prioritizing firefighter and public safety.
• Communication & Diplomacy: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex regulatory codes to business owners, lead public presentations, write technical reports, and maintain cooperative interagency relationships.
• Analytical & Administrative: Skill in project management, program evaluation, budget preparation, plan analysis, and data tracking software.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
• Emergency response vehicles and fire apparatus, specialized fire investigation equipment, inspection tools, Knox Box access tools, fire ground communications equipment, emergency medical equipment, standard office computers, and departmental records management software (First Due, ImageTrend, M365).
WORKING REQUIREMENTS
• Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, walking, climbing ladders, reaching, crouching, and maintaining balance on uneven or slippery surfaces. Must be capable of exerting up to 20–50 pounds of force regularly during routine work and occasionally exerting up to 100+ pounds of force while performing rescue or firefighting operations in full protective turnout gear and SCBA.
• Work Environment: Performs work in standard office, station, and technical inspection settings. Emergency responses involve severe physical hazards, extreme hot or cold temperatures, toxic smoke, chemical environments, high noise levels, and potentially hazardous biological materials. Position requires availability for on-call duty, evening meetings, and emergency recall.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA & DISCLAIMERS
• Establishes and maintains effective, professional working relationships with external agencies, city staff, local business owners, and the public.
• Carries out administrative and tactical assignments with sound judgment under general direction.
• Prepares accurate, thorough technical reports, plan review evaluations, and investigative documentation.
• Maintains constant due regard for the health, safety, and welfare of department personnel and the general public.
• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
