Battalion Fire Chief at City of Shakopee, MN

About the Department

The Battalion Chief provides leadership for assigned shifts, directly supervises Captains, and oversees daily operations, training, and administrative functions. Working a 24-hour rotating shift, this role ensures personnel, equipment, and apparatus readiness; responds to emergencies with incident command responsibilities; and supports departmental planning and strategic initiatives. Battalion Chiefs participate in committees, lead community outreach, and contribute to long-range planning while operating with minimal supervision. This position requires strong leadership, sound judgment, and comprehensive fire service knowledge, with an emphasis on identifying priorities, recommending improvements, and enhancing performance through research, observation, and engagement.

Position Duties

Operations and Planning

• Foster and maintain an equitable, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate shift operations, including personnel scheduling and deployment, to ensure safe and effective delivery of fire and EMS services.
• Assume responsibility for all shift activities, programs, facilities, equipment, and apparatus; establish priorities and implement procedures accordingly.
• Manage operational programs and contribute to strategic planning related to budgeting, capital improvements, service delivery, inspections, training, and regulatory compliance.
• Respond to emergency incidents, perform firefighting and rescue operations, and retain command until relieved by a superior officer.
• Represent the Fire Chief as delegated at meetings, emergency scenes, community events, and other official functions.
• Provide on call support for operational support and callback as needed.
• Lead or support fire prevention and community risk reduction efforts, including inspections, code enforcement, public education, and pre-incident planning.
• Supervise and conduct EMS, rescue, and fire training drills; assist in lesson planning and training program development.
• Perform additional duties such as plan reviews, follow-up inspections, and assisting with apparatus and facility maintenance.

• Directly supervise and support the development of shift Captains; provide coaching, performance evaluations, and guidance on personnel matters.
• Participate in hiring, disciplinary actions, and grievance resolution in coordination with the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, and Human Resources.
• Maintain personal operational readiness and stay current with fire service best practices, laws, and regulations.
• Serve as a crew officer on apparatus when required.
• Establish performance standards and ensure subordinates are trained, supported, and held accountable for safe and effective operations.
• Keep command staff informed of significant incidents, personnel issues, and operational developments.

• Oversee administrative functions as assigned, including accurate and timely reporting, documentation, and compliance with department policies.
• Coordinate and support technology systems such as CAD, station alerting, and mobile response platforms.
• Review and approve timesheets, leave requests, and other personnel records.
• Perform other duties as assigned; this list is illustrative and not all-inclusive.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Fire Science or a closely related field
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible fire service experience, including at least one (1) year of supervisory experience as a fire officer
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Minnesota State Firefighter’s License
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, incident reporting software, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems
• Successful completion of the City’s pre-employment and periodic evaluations, including:
  • Physical examination and stress test
  • Drug screening and pulmonary function test
  • Background check and psychological evaluation

• Minnesota or IFSAC-accredited Firefighter II
• Minnesota or IFSAC-accredited Fire Officer I
• Minnesota or IFSAC-accredited Fire Inspector I
• National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic
• Minnesota Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO)
• Hazardous Materials Operations
• Blue Card Incident Command Certification
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200, and 700

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field
• Certification as a Blue Card Incident Command Instructor
• Experience as an EMT or paramedic in a fire-based EMS system
• Incident command experience, including completion of NIMS 300, 400, and 800
• Conversational fluency in a language commonly spoken in the community (e.g., Spanish, Russian, etc.)

Other Qualifications

• Comprehensive understanding of fire codes, building construction, inspection protocols, and regulatory compliance processes, including NFPA standards and municipal permitting.
• Proficient in conducting inspections, leading investigations, and producing detailed reports with strong observational, analytical, and recordkeeping capabilities.
• Effective communicator and collaborator with the ability to lead teams, enforce codes, manage emergency operations, and maintain EMT certification for medical response.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting, documentation, and public interaction
• Capacity to communicate urgent or critical safety issues to department leadership
• Leadership skills in emergency response, investigations, and team coordination
• Proficiency in fire suppression, rescue, overhaul, and salvage operations
• Knowledge of fireground tactics, safety protocols, and operational guidelines
• Certified and current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with knowledge of prehospital care procedures
• Skilled in delivering CPR, First Aid, and patient stabilization during emergency incidents

These positions are part of a department expansion made possible in part by funds provided by the Department of Homeland Security. For more information regarding the FEMA SAFER grant please click here.