1

Fire Chief Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

The COO builds scalable teams, enhances leadership and technical skills, and adapts operations to market and client needs. With a strong background in Heavy Civil construction, the COO turns ...

The COO builds scalable teams, enhances leadership and technical skills, and adapts operations to market and client needs. With a strong background in Heavy Civil construction, the COO turns ...

Chief Operating Officer

Rogers, MN · On-site

$250 - $400/hr

The COO builds scalable teams, enhances leadership and technical skills, and adapts operations to market and client needs. With a strong background in Heavy Civil construction, the COO turns ...

Chief Executive Officer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$340K - $435K/yr

The CEO oversees the organization's administrative, operational, regulatory, and mission-driven activities; maintains a unified culture in partnership with the President and Chief Operating Officer ...

Showing results 41-60

Fire Chief information

See Minnesota salary details

$30.4K

$103.4K

$179.2K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in Minnesota is $103,403.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,400.00 and $121,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire chief?

Fire Chiefs are the highest-ranking officers in a fire department, responsible for overseeing all operations and administration. They manage personnel, develop policies, coordinate emergency response, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Fire Chiefs also work with local government, budget resources, and lead public education efforts on fire prevention. Their leadership is crucial in both daily department management and during major emergency incidents.

What does a fire chief do?

A fire chief is a public service officer who oversees the operation of the fire department. As a fire chief, your responsibilities include responding to calls and working as a firefighter, but you are primarily the administrator for the department. Your duties are to train and assess firefighters, set schedules, monitor budgets, make requests for new equipment and fire engines, and ensure that the department is functioning properly. You will also work with local government officials to assess community needs and ensure they are being met.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Chief, you need extensive knowledge of fire science, emergency management, and leadership, typically supported by experience as a firefighter and advanced certifications like Fire Officer or Fire Chief credentials. Familiarity with incident command systems, fire reporting software, and emergency communication tools is essential. Outstanding decision-making, communication, and team leadership skills help manage personnel and maintain public trust. These competencies are critical for ensuring effective emergency response, firefighter safety, and overall department performance.

What are the typical challenges a fire chief faces when managing both emergency operations and administrative duties?

Fire Chiefs often juggle the demands of leading emergency response efforts while also overseeing administrative responsibilities like budgeting, personnel management, and policy development. Balancing immediate operational needs—such as coordinating teams during fires or disasters—with long-term planning and resource allocation can be challenging. Effective Fire Chiefs foster strong communication within their teams, delegate tasks appropriately, and remain adaptable to rapidly changing scenarios. This dual focus requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure.

What is the difference between Fire Chief vs Fire Captain?

AspectFire ChiefFire Captain
CertificationsFire Officer I & II, Incident Command, EMT/ParamedicFirefighter I & II, EMT/Paramedic, Incident Command
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, strategic planning, overseeing entire departmentOn-scene incident management, supervising firefighters
ResponsibilitiesDepartment leadership, policy development, budget managementLeading firefighting teams during emergencies, training

The Fire Chief is responsible for overall department management and strategic planning, while the Fire Captain focuses on on-the-ground incident command and team supervision. Both roles require similar certifications and work in firefighting environments, but differ in scope and leadership level.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in Minnesota?

For Fire Chief jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Fire Chief jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Fire Chief job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs in MN?

For Fire Chief jobs in MN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,403 per year, or $49.7 per hour.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)

Central Minnesota Mental Health Center

Saint Cloud, MN • On-site

$135K - $160K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Central Minnesota Mental Health Center rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Description
Position Type: Full-Time (40 Hours per week), Exempt
Pay Range: $135,000 - $160,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Schedule: Monday - Friday business hours, with some flexibility for evening meetings/events.
Location: In-Person, based in Waite Park, MN.
Central Minnesota Mental Health Center (CMMHC) has a rewarding opportunity to serve as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO is responsible for developing and executing the internal operational strategies necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of CMMHC. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO provides strategic leadership, ensures regulatory compliance and supports the delivery of high-quality, accessible and fiscally responsible services to the community.
Description of Responsibilities:
  • Provide leadership and management to the Facility Manager, IS Manager, Director of Access, Data Analysis Specialist, Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance and Revenue Cycle and EHR System Manager; including motivating staff to achieve organizational objectives.
  • Oversee the organization's daily business operations and administration, optimize operational efficiency, manage cross-departmental teams and ensure the company meets its objectives.
  • Evaluate organizational performance including workflow, quality of programming, safety and client experience and recommend strategies to improve results.
  • Establish policies and procedures that promote company culture and mission, vision and values.
  • Facilitate cross department collaboration to ensure that IT and Electronic Health Records solutions positively support the Agency's evolving strategy, operational delivery and data collections needs.
  • Ensure proper liability insurance coverage for property, vehicles, and cyber insurance and manage claims process.
  • Review and approve facility vendor contracts.

Requirements
Required Experience & Skills:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Behavioral Health or related field.
  • 6+ years of progressive leadership experience.
  • Enthusiastic support for the Agency's mission.
  • Broad operations experience and understanding of business functions including quality, compliance, IT, and maintenance.
  • Current Minnesota Special Engineer License through the Department of Labor and Industry, or ability to obtain licensure within six months of start date.

Preferred Experience & Skills
  • Master's degree in Business Administration, Behavioral Health or related field.
  • Licensed as an LP, LMFT, LPCC or LICSW.
  • Operations experience within a nonprofit organization.

What Central Minnesota Mental Health Center employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom