The City of Dickinson is now accepting applications for:

Fire Chief

$90,000-122,000 DOQPlus Excellent Benefits

Apply by March 20, 2020Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson, North Dakota, with a population of around 25,000, is a mid-size community with a small-town feel. Located in southwest North Dakota, Dickinson is home to Dickinson State University and is the regional hub for 200,000 people. Located approximately 100 miles west of the capital city of Bismarck, Dickinson is the midpoint between Fargo, North Dakota and Billings, Montana. As one of the fastest growing micropolitan cities in the US, the City of Dickinson has been ranked as the #6 Best Place to Live in 2017 by Money magazine, and as the #3 Small Town with the Best Economy in 2018 by Forbes. The City’s strong economy focuses on energy, agriculture and manufacturing. The citizens recognize the value of family and social life with a large base of support for events and facilities that keep life exciting and interesting.

The City offers a recreation center, trails, parks, and a museum center that features local history as well as dinosaur artifacts. The region offers a variety of recreational opportunities (golf, disc golf, hiking, biking) and vast areas for hunting, fishing and camping. Dickinson is approximately 30 miles from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands and 250 miles north of Mount Rushmore National Monument. For those looking to explore elsewhere, the Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport is served by United Airlines with convenient daily connections to Denver, which then offers worldwide destinations.

City Government

Operating under the Commission form of government, the City Commission is non-partisan and composed of five members. The Commission President and four Commissioners are elected at-large and serve staggered, four-year terms. The Commission appoints a City Administrator who oversees the day-to-day functions of the city and oversees city departments including police, fire, engineering, finance, assessing, public works, library and museum. The City operates with 200 FTEs and a 2020 general fund budget of approximately $25M and a total budget of $65M.

The Fire Department

The Dickinson Fire Department started as a volunteer department in 1891 and has a rich history in the community. Today, the Fire Department is a combination department with both full-time employees and volunteer (paid part-time) members. The department staffs two stations. Station

1, was at one time City Hall and is located downtown. Station 2 is the award-winning Public Safety Center, constructed in 2015, located on the northwest side of town. The department has 18 full-time staff members made up of the positions of: Chief, Assistant Chief, Fire Marshal, Senior Fire Inspector, Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 9 Firefighters/EMTs, and an administrative assistant. The volunteer staff consists of 2 Assistant Chiefs, 3 Captains, 4 Lieutenants, and 18 Firefighters. All members of the fire department are deeply committed to serving the department and are proud of the City’s recently upgraded ISO Class 3 rating.

City leadership is committed to having a highly trained and well-equipped Fire Department. A fire training site is located south of town and plans for expansion are currently being discussed. Due to a diligent replacement plan, the department fleet and apparatus are up-to-date and well maintained.

Current Apparatus:Engine 1 1500GPM Rosenbauer Pumper Purchased 2018Brush 1 250 GPM Allegiant Quick Attack Purchased 2016Ladder 2 1500 GPM 75’Aerila Sutphen Quint Purchased 2015Engine 2 1500 GPM Crimson Fire Pumper Purchased 2009Rescue 1 American LeFrance Rescue Unit Purchased 2004Ladder 1 GPM 100’ Aerial Pierce Quint Purchased 1996

The Position- Fire Chief

The position of Fire Chief has a history of stability. The current Chief is retiring after 14 years in the position and nearly 42 years of service to the City. The staff throughout the ranks are dedicated to the profession and the department. The Fire Chief reports directly to the City Administrator and serves as a member of the executive leadership team. The new Chief will find that the City leadership values the Fire Department and is committed to its success. City leadership is also committed to find the best candidate and therefore is considering this as a nationwide search.

Challenges and Opportunities

Balancing a Combined Department- Due to significant population growth over the past ten years, the number of full-time staff members increased and the operations of the department also had to adapt. The value and heritage of the volunteer department is irreplaceable, but current times also demand a full-time presence. Maintaining and balancing the combination, full-time and volunteer (paid part-time) is essential. Candidates should have knowledge and experience in managing both paid and volunteer members.

Maintaining Departmental Pride- The commitment and pride of the department is strong. City leadership sees that as extremely important and the next Chief should be focused on maintaining a strong team. This comes with knowledge of fire operations and also being able to lead and motivate a team. Being a natural communicator who is open to talking and listening to department members, city staff and leaders, as well as the community will serve the Chief well.

Working and Living in a Growing Community- Dickinson has seen substantial growth in recent years and is continuing to grow at a steady pace. The Fire Department had to change significantly to keep up with the growth. The next

Chief will need to have the vision and ability to plan for the future. As in all organizations, money is limited and not all needs can be addressed at once. Maintaining a plan for growth and equipment replacement will ensure the department can continue to serve the community.

The Ideal Candidate

Applicants should have 1) a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a related field and; 2) at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a career or combination Fire Department, with a minimum of three years of administrative or supervisory experience at a chief level OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master’s degree and as is at least 5 years of supervisory experience at the officer level is preferred.

The next Fire Chief should be an accomplished firefighter with evidence of career advancement which had prepared them to be a chief. We are looking for a progressive leader to take a well-established, high functioning fire department into the future. Dickinson is a great place to live and work and the next Chief should be ready and excited to join the team.

The Process

The City of Dickinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by March 20, 2020. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and the required City application form that can be found at www.dickinsongov.com. Veterans claiming preference must submit Form DD214 with the application. Any questions regarding the position should be directed to Joe Gaa, City Administrator at joe.gaa@dickinsongov.com or 701-456-7739. Interviews of finalists is tentatively planned in mid-April.