Position Summary

The Brooklyn Park Fire Department is actively welcoming both internal and external applications for the Fire Captain position. The City of Brooklyn Park may start candidates at any step within the pay range based on experience, recognizing the valuable skills and expertise that seasoned fire service professionals bring to the role.

Under the general direction of the Battalion Chief, the Fire Captain supervises firefighting companies in the suppression of fires, emergency medical services, fire prevention, and public education activities. This position oversees the maintenance of fire stations, equipment, apparatus, and related work as required; coordinates the scheduling of personnel, equipment, training, and work activity; coordinates line functions within administrative policy and does related work as required.

The Brooklyn Park Fire Department, established in 1957, is a full-service public safety agency serving the city’s 27-square-mile area. The department operates four fire stations staffed 24- hours a day on a three-shift rotation, providing emergency response with three engine companies, one ladder company, and one Battalion Chief. With 57 sworn and 2 non-sworn personnel, the department responded to nearly 9,000 calls for service in 2025, with approximately 72% EMS/rescue and 28% fire calls. Guided by our core values of Service, Trust, Excellence, and Professionalism, we take pride in delivering high-quality services to our community.

Important Notes

Preference may be given to candidates with full-time operational experience who are currently employed by a career fire department.
This position is a non-exempt, full-time, benefited, union position. The IAFF union is currently in contract negotiations for the 2026-2027 contract. Captains are normally assigned to a 2,912 (annual) hour shift.
Certification and Credential Requirements - To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we require all certifications and credentials to be submitted with the initial application.
Resume Requested - To help us evaluate candidates' education, experience and skills, we are asking all candidates to attach a resume to their application to be considered for this position.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Supervises single or multiple unit/company responses to emergency fire, rescue, medical, hazardous material, or other incidents.
Develops and delivers department training activities to maintain and enhance emergency response, leadership, and command skills.
Fills incident management roles as necessary, as assigned, and/or as required/outlined by department policies or procedures at fire, medical, hazmat and other call types.
Supervises firefighters through the chain of command; maintains standards; coordinates activities; allocates personnel; manages employee issues; recommends and/or carries out employee discipline as outlined in City and Department rules, regulations and administrative policies.
Responsible for the general oversight of the fire station, apparatus, and equipment. Maintains the fire station to assure that it is compliant with state building and fire codes as well as OSHA and other regulations.
Reviews the work of staff for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers advice and assistance as needed.
Maintains discipline and develops documentation pertaining to employee performance; provides performance feedback and prepares performance reviews for assigned staff; counsels assigned staff on performance, training and personal development needs.
Assists with pre-planning activities of multiple dwelling units, commercial, industrial, public places of assembly, and high-risk occupancies.
Checks equipment to assure proper maintenance has been performed. Reports and/or schedules required maintenance as needed/required. Reacts accordingly to requests made by firefighters as to the condition of equipment.
Prepares a variety of documents, including incident reports, schedules, directives, work orders, memos, and correspondence. Assure proper reports are complete and accurate prior to submitting them to the appropriate office.
Manages multiple interdepartmental programs.
Ensures all fires are investigated in accordance with Minnesota Statute
299F.04. Investigates assigned fires to determine the cause, origin, and circumstances around the event. Obtain and maintain investigator training to the minimum level of IAAI-FIT.
Responds to emergency incidents and performs assigned firefighting and emergency medical tasks in accordance with department, city, and state standards.
- Engages in fire rescue and suppression operations include pulling hoses lines, securing hydrants, and overhauling fire scenes. Executing search and rescue and water pumping operations effectively. Executing rescue operations to include but not limited to vehicle crashes, extrications, entrapment, water rescue, elevator operations and any/all other rescue operations.
- Applies EMT level skills proficiencies, responding to medical emergencies by administrating CPR, providing wound care, taking vital signs, and other treatments as identified.
- Assist ambulance personnel as needed, administering appropriate medication, and expertly utilizing medical equipment and tools to ensure patient well-being and safety.
- Completes all required reports utilizing assigned computerized record and reporting programs per department and city policy.
- Participates in the exchange of information between off-going and on-coming shifts and in crew meetings, as necessary.
- Provides excellent service to the community and promotes a positive, professional image of the department at all times.
- Develops and maintains positive, effective working relationships with all department employees, city employees, other agencies, and the community.
- Serves as an incident commander in the absence of a chief officer, making informed decisions on all scenes. Provide accurate scene size ups and initial operations decisions and communicate effectively and clearly over the radio to ensure coordinated and efficient response.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum And Desired Qualifications

Education

Requires specialized training beyond high school or equivalent.

Experience

Three (3) years of full-time experience as a firefighter or higher rank in a combination or full-time fire department. Full time experience to be considered 2080+ hours worked annually in an emergency response capacity which includes fire and medical operations.

Licenses/Certifications

Valid unrestricted driver's license or the ability to obtain a Minnesota driver's license per state requirements.
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 Paramedic.
IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified as Fire Instructor I and Fire Officer I.
IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified as Fire Inspector I or First Responder Inspector within 1 year of hire.

Additional Licenses/Certifications required at hire or ability to obtain within one year of hire

Blue Card Incident Command Certification.
IAAI Fire Investigator Certification.
NIMS-IS 0200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents.
NIMS-IS 0800: National Response Framework, An Introduction.
IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified in HazMat Operations.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of education and experience closely related to the duties of the position may be considered.

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

fire department organizational structure, techniques, and processes.
fire suppression principles, methods, techniques, and practices.
purpose and use of various tools, equipment and apparatus used in fire suppression.
first aid, CPR and other related EMT techniques.
fire prevention topics and inspection activities.
street names and locations within the department service areas.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS).
understanding of the department rules, policies, and procedures as it pertains to the operation of the department and the city rules and regulations.
Microsoft Word/Excel and the department’s records management system.

Skills in:

Skills and abilities to apply firefighting techniques and procedures.
Skills in operating and directing various firefighting apparatus and equipment.

Ability to:

set clear goals and expectations, delegate tasks effectively, and monitor team performance to ensure alignment with department and organizational objectives.
work under pressure in environments that are less than comfortable.
communicate well through written and verbal means.
follow and enforce city and department rules and regulations, administrative policies and operational procedures.
work in the Incident Management System during emergency operations.
read, draft and comprehend simple instructions, routine correspondence, reports, and memos.
work and be productive in a team environment.

Desired Qualifications

Five (5) or more years of full-time experience as a captain or higher rank in a full-time fire department.

Front-line supervisory experience.
Associates degree in fire science, fire protection systems, public administration/management, public safety, higher education, or related field.
Certifications in the following:
- IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified as Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer II
- IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified Fire Apparatus Operator
- Certified by the NREMT as a Paramedic
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both in verbal and written formats including effective public speaking and presentation skills and technique.
Proven ability and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive workplace related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
Demonstrated cultural competence and comfort with supporting the city’s strategic objectives for advancing racial equity.
Ability to provide a level of customer service that meets or exceeds customer expectation and satisfaction.
Embrace and engage in cultural shift toward Continuous Improvement.
Proven ability to model and reinforce the department’s STEP Values of Service, Trust, Excellence, and Professionalism, through conduct both on and off duty.
Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Lao, Vietnamese or American Sign Language (ASL) language(s).

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully and safely perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to fully and safely perform the essential duties.

Core business hours are set by departments based on operational needs. Alternative schedules can be arranged, but must comply with the City’s Alternative Work Arrangement policy.
Possible exposure to hazardous equipment, hazardous contaminants, hot or very cold temperatures.
Regular exposure to hazardous situations and conditions.
Required to drive a vehicle, walk, speak intelligibly, hear, stand, frequently sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, firmly grasp, reach with hands and arms, push, pull, twist, lift, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and perform repetitive motions.
Requires the regular lifting/moving 25-50 pounds, occasionally more than one hundred pounds, may be required to life/drag a victim or equipment.
Must have specific vision abilities required by this job to include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Must be physically capable of completing a physical ability test on an ongoing basis.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment, which weighs approximately twenty-five pounds, and also wearing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) which weighs approximately twenty-five pounds.

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

Selection Process/Pre-Scheduled Test Dates

The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience and/or an oral examination (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process may be placed on the eligible list. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process

Tentative Timeline (Subject to Change)

All Dates Outlined In This Hiring Timeline Are Approximate And May Change. The City May Alter, Postpone, Or Accelerate Any Portion Of The Process To Meet Organizational Needs. The Selection Process Will Consist Of One Or More Of The Following Steps

03/27/26

Job posting open

04/22/26

Job posting close date

04/23/26-04/24/26

Application review for relevant education, experience and certifications

Week of 04/27/26

Department review and selection

05/13/26-05/15/26

Fire Panel Interviews: IN PERSON

(WEB OPTION AVAILABLE FOR OUT OF STATE CANDIDATES UPON REQUEST)

Week of 05/25/26

Captain Assessment Center (Approximately 3-hours) - IN PERSON ONLY

Simulator - Command simulations in which you will be evaluated based on the Blue Card Hazard Zone Incident Command standards in responding to a Type 4 and 5 incident. While Blue Card certification is not required, you will be assessed based on the Blue Card Command model. You will be given 1 or more interactive scenarios and expected to react and respond as if you are a Captain assuming Incident Command.
Scenario Based Leadership Assessment (written exam)

Week of 06/01/26

Fire Chief Interviews and Fingerprints/Background Checks

Week of 06/15/26

Conditional Job Offers

Week of 06/22/26

Medical/Pre-Employment Drug & Alcohol Testing/Psychological Leadership Assessment/Reference Checks

Early July

Final Selection and Final Offers

End of July-Mid August

Start date

Brooklyn Park is a thriving northwestern suburb of Minneapolis and the sixth largest city in the state with over 80,000 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 64 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 Goals

Additional Information

Department/Division Fire Department/Fire Operations. Position to be assigned to a shift.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $36.57- $42.39 (2,912 work schedule), depending on qualifications.

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 Human Resources at either 763-493-8016 or via e-mail at humanresources@brooklynpark.org.

Regular, full-time City of Brooklyn Park employees (40 or more hours per week) are eligible for a benefits package including:

Vacation

New employees generally earn 10 days of vacation per year
Vacation accruals increase with longevity up to a maximum of 20 days per year

Sick Leave

Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation

Holidays

12 paid holidays per year
1 floating holiday to be used any day in the year with supervisor approval

Health Insurance

Employees may choose a health plan with an option to waive coverage if covered under another qualified plan
The City contributes a portion to the cost of health insurance
Available to City of Brooklyn Park employees working 30 or more hours per week

Dental Insurance

Employees may choose between two dental plans with an option to waive coverage if covered under another qualified plan

Life Insurance

The City provides term life insurance with an option for employees to purchase additional and dependent term life insurance at group rates

Disability Insurance

Short-term disability insurance available at group rates
Long-term disability insurance available at group rates

Retirement

Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) pension plan (employer/employee contributions)
Optional 457 pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) deferred compensation plans for tax-deferred retirement savings

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Reimbursement account for health care and daycare expenses using pre-tax contributions

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services

Fitness

Free on-site fitness facilities; Wellness program and fitness classes offered

Direct Deposit (mandatory)

Payroll checks are automatically deposited into designated account(s) on payday

Regular, part-time benefited City of Brooklyn Park employees (20-29 hours per week) are not eligible for Health Insurance, but are eligible for the following benefits:

Sick and Vacation at a pro-rated rate
Decreasing Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Account(s)
Deferred Compensation, if enrolled.

Seasonal/Temporary employees

Temporary, Seasonal, and non-benefited part-time employees earn one hour of Sick Leave for every 30 hours worked by an employee, up to a maximum of 48 hours of Sick Leave per year.

Benefits may differ based on union contracts for employees represented by a collective bargaining unit. This summary is for information only and is subject to change or revocation without notice. This summary shall not constitute a contract or guarantee, express or implied.

01

Which best describes your highest level of education in fire science, public administration/management, public safety or a highly related field?

No degree
High school diploma or equivalent
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Degree in unrelated field

02

Are you currently employed as a Fire Captain or higher rank in a full-time fire department? Full time experience to be considered 2080+ hours worked annually in an emergency response capacity (fire and medical).

03

Which level best describes your years of experience in the fire service?

Less than 3 years
3 years to less than 5 years
5 years to less than 10 years
10 years or more

04

Do you possess a fully valid, unrestricted driver's license?

05

Are you currently licensed by the State of Minnesota as a firefighter, or have the ability to obtain licensing at the time of appointment (Minnesota Statute 299N)?

Yes
No
I am an out of state candidate and can obtain by time of appointment

06

I am currently certified by the NREMT as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher.

07

I am currently certified in the following IFSAC and/or ProBoard: (Select all that apply)

I am not IFSAC or ProBoard certified
Fire Instructor I
Fire Officer I
Fire Inspector I or First Responder Inspector

08

I have attached current copies of the following required job-related certifications for application review. (Select all that apply) PLEASE NOTE: Applications submitted without the necessary certifications may not be considered.

National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) or higher
IFSAC and/or ProBoard Fire Instructor I
IFSAC and/or ProBoard Fire Officer I
IFSAC and/or ProBoard Fire Inspector I or First Responder Inspector

09

Do you have any current certifications in the following areas? (Select all that apply) NOTE: These are not required certifications.

State of Minnesota Emergency Medical Technician
National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic
Blue Card Incident Command Certification
IAAI Fire Investigator
NIMS-IS 0200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
NIMS-IS 0800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified HazMat Operations
IFSAC and/or ProBoard Fire Instructor II
IFSAC and/or ProBoard Fire Officer II
IFSAC and/or ProBoard certified Fire Apparatus Operator and/or related experience driving, operating, and pumping fire apparatus

10

Please describe any front-line supervisory experience you may have.

11

Please explain why you are interested in this position and why it is a good time in your career to come to Brooklyn Park Fire Department (300 words or less).

12

Describe what you have done to prepare for the position of Fire Captain. Please describe any leadership accomplishments, officer training, or pertinent experience that has prepared you for this position. (300 words or less)

13

Captain responsibilities will include preparing and delivering department-wide fire and EMS training. Describe your experience with firefighter company-level training and your active participation in training new firefighters.

14

Describe your level of experience managing the emergency scene as a first arriving company officer. Please describe how your current position has prepared you to take command, direct incoming fire companies, and make sound strategic and tactical decisions when arriving on the emergency scene. (300 words or less)

15

Have you received discipline which resulted in the loss of pay or benefits within the last two years?

16

Are you able to fluently speak, write, and understand any of the following languages? (Check all that apply)

Spanish
Hmong
Russian
Somali
Vietnamese
Lao
American Sign Language
None of the Above

17

What is your connection with the City of Brooklyn Park?

Current Brooklyn Park Resident
Active Member of Community Group in Brooklyn Park
Currently enrolled in school in Brooklyn Park
BrookLynk Alumni
None apply
Other
Required Question

City of Brooklyn Park

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