6.2 Emergency Services Director Job Description
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Administration Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources Hille December 12, 2022
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Administration City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty 6.2 – Emergency Services
Director
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
X Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
X Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff is recommending that the City Council approve a job description.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
With the recent decision on November 21, 2022, from the City Council to create a City of Otsego
Emergency Services Department, the City Council directed city staff to begin the development of a job
description to oversee the new department. Staff has prepared a job description for an Emergency Services
Director.
The 2023 General Fund budget reflects the position to be hired. City staff has drafted the attached job
description and are awaiting the position scoring in the SAFE System. The Pay Grade within the City’s pay
plan will be brought as a future recommendation to City Council, as well as the proposed recruitment
schedule.
The Administrative Subcommittee was presented with this information at their December 7 meeting, with
recommendation for consideration by the City Council.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Job Description (DRAFT)
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to approve the Emergency Services Director job description and authorize staff to begin the
preparation of recruitment for later review by City Council.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
General Fund – Fire Protection (42200)
Yes
Position Description
Position: Emergency Services Director
Reports to: City Administrator
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Grade: TBD
Date Approved: XXXX XX, XXXX
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
General Statement of Duties: This position provides effective leadership in establishing,
planning, directing, and coordinating operations of the Emergency Services Department.
Supervision Received: Works independently under the direction of the City Administrator
Supervision Exercised: Provides supervision to the Emergency Services Department staff.
MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Fire and EMS Services:
a. Responds to emergency and non-emergency incidents
b. Writes and implements policies for the Emergency Services Department
c. Provide leadership and direction to personnel in assigned areas, responsible
for the hiring, training, effective performance, discipline, and termination of
personnel under direct purview
d. Oversee the recruitment, retention, supervision, and development of
personnel. Ensure compliance with the City of Otsego Personnel Policies
e. Plans, coordinates, supervises, and evaluates fire, rescue, and Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) operations, including fire ground safety, inspections
and code enforcement, fire prevention and investigation programs and
trainings
f. Addresses residential and commercial property owners’ questions and
concerns with fire safety and risk management
g. Oversee and implement Fire Prevention efforts
h. Develops and executes the development of fire inspection programs,
community fire education programs, fire investigation, and fire code
enforcement
i. Oversee the formulation of department policies, goals, and objectives in
alignment with City Council outcomes
j. Oversee fire training programs and establishes minimum training standards
and safety practices
k. Maintain effective measurement systems for Fire response in accordance
with City goals
l. Coordinate and represent the City of Otsego to the Minnesota Emergency
Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB)
2. Emergency Operations and Management:
a. Serve as Emergency Management Director for the City of Otsego; ensure
preparedness for all disasters by identifying resources and expertise in
advance and planning for and implementation response and recovery actions
as needed
b. Administers and oversees a comprehensive Emergency Management
Program in order to assure quality response to potential emergencies and
disasters
c. Coordinates Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities during
emergencies and disasters in the City of Otsego
d. Maintains and updates the City’s Emergency Operations Plan
e. Writes and implements policy for all City staff in regards to emergency
operations
f. Plans and conducts trainings, drills, and exercises to test the adequacy and
operability of Emergency Management Program.
g. Promotes and provides collaborative relationships with other City
departments, and surrounding municipalities, counties, state, and federal
agencies for coordination of emergency response and protection plans as
well as disaster readiness.
h. Coordinates with City administration to effectively respond to an emergency
situation
i. Coordinates with County Emergency Management to effectively prepare and
respond to emergency situations
j. Educates staff on emergency response protocol and coordinators emergency
response training for city staff
k. Serves as the City’s Public Information Officer
l. Direct and oversee Department public information activities. Develop
positive relations with community groups, residents, businesses, City staff
and other governmental entities
3. Budget and Financial
a. Prepare draft budget and capital improvement plan and supporting
documentation for the Emergency Services Department
b. Monitor and manage budget to ensure expenditures are within approved
budget
c. Follow all purchasing and policies
d. Follow all finance laws and policies including but not limited to the public
purpose expenditure policy
e. Write, coordinate, and administer grants for the City of Otsego Emergency
Services Department
4. Project Management
a. Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant
stakeholders and ensuring budget compliance
b. Works independently to meet timelines
c. Prepares and presents various materials for project updates and annual
reports
d. Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule, and project costs
using appropriate verification techniques
e. Provide general oversight to ensure timely and satisfactory completion
5. Contract Coordination
a. Writing, evaluating, negotiating, and executing contracts covering public
safety and safety coordination
b. Oversee and maintain contracts with the Wright County Sheriff’s Department
c. Oversee and maintain contracts with surrounding municipalities Fire
Departments
d. Creating and maintaining relationships with contract entities
6. Public Safety Commission:
a. Serve as staff liaison to Commission
b. Set agendas in coordination with City Administrator
c. Recommend policies and procedures
d. Present Public Safety Commission recommendations to the City Council as
appropriate
7. Supervision:
a. Perform performance reviews for all department staff
b. Ensure staff is adequately trained and department is cross trained
c. Recommend discipline and pay adjustments to City Administrator
d. Ensure staff attends safety training and follows all safety procedures
e. Assign work and ensure that it is done professionally, efficiently, accurately,
and timely
f. Interview and recommend staff hiring with assistance of human resources
staff
8. General
a. Participate actively in the City’s management team
b. Presents in front of various groups for reports, updates, and community
engagement
c. Attends staff, community, committee, and councils meeting as necessary
d. Treat fellow employees with respect and integrity
e. Promote a positive and motivating environment
f. Provide exceptional customer service
g. Confer with supervisor, peers, and employees to discuss and resolve issues
h. Make decisions that are always in the best interest of the City
i. Perform other duties and projects as assigned
j. Follow all safety policies and procedures
k. Follow all City policies and procedures
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience in emergency operations
• Ability to make rapid decisions under high stress circumstances
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in City operations, ordinances, and practices
related to
• Experience making presentations to government bodies, professional associations,
and community organizations
• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, effectively, and precisely both
verbally and in writing
• Ability to resolve and diffuse conflicts
• Ability to understand, manage, and communicate complex ideas, projects, and
situations
• Applied experience and knowledge ability to work independently and as part of a
team and to coordinate work with other Departments and to lead multi-
departmental or multi-jurisdictional projects.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and organize the department’s work.
• Strong sense of honesty, integrity, and credibility
• Ability to maintain a high level of integrity and ethical performance at all times
• Ability to work successfully under stress, pressure, and changing conditions
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Bachelor’s degree with coursework in fire service management, emergency service
management, public administration, and business administration or a closely
related field.
2. 5 years of experience in emergency services field
3. MN State certified Firefighter I and II, and Hazardous Materials Operations
4. 5 years of supervisory experience
5. Fluent in Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
6. A valid driver’s license
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. State Certified EMT-B
2. Fire Marshal or Code Enforcement Experience
3. Currently certified in National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200, 700
and 800
4. Live or be willing to relocate to within a 30-minute response to City of Otsego Fire
Station
5. Experience with public engagement and communication
6. Experience working for a growing city or county
NOT PUBLIC DATA
The incumbent may encounter not public data in the course of these duties. Any access to
not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill
the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take
reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without
a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonable finished, incumbent
must properly store the not public data.
If a new work assignment requires access to not public data, the incumbent is permitted to
access not public data for the work assignment purposes only. Any access to not public data
must be strictly limited to the data necessary to complete the work assignment and after
the assignment is completed, the employee’s work assignment no longer requires access.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical requirements checked on the attached sheet are representative of those that
must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
Note: This job description does not constitute a contract or employment agreement.