FT Fire Captain

The City of Hopkins is excited to recruit for 3 Fire Captains. These are new positions as part of the SAFER grant implementation. Interviews are expected the week of Dec 15, 2025 with an estimated start date the 1st week of March 2026.

The hiring salary range for 2026 is $85,481 - $104,206 annually. The full salary range is up to $115,432 annually.

Class Summary

The Fire Captain provides first-line supervision of Firefighters and is responsible for the effective performance of fire companies during emergency scenes. This position oversees and assists in rescue operations, fire suppression, and other emergency responses. The Fire Captain ensures that all fire personnel attend and successfully complete department-required training and maintains accurate training records in accordance with applicable Minnesota statutes and NFPA standards. Additionally, this position ensures proper maintenance of equipment and facilities and performs fire prevention, inspections, code enforcement and public education duties to support the department’s mission of safety and community engagement.

Scope Of Impact

The duties and responsibilities of this job are performed with latitude for independent judgement in accordance with Department and City policies, Federal, State and Local regulations and are based on detailed knowledge of department operations. Work is subject to periodic review by the supervisor, who provides input on approval of recommendations and discusses assignments, priorities and work.CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

This job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

• Responds to all types of calls related to fire and other emergencies, including hazardous material incidents; work may involve performing rescue operations, using techniques and operating equipment that prevent, control, and stop property damage; providing medical care as an Emergency Medical Technician; and serving as a hazardous material technician
• Supervises Firefighters to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; coordinating staff training; and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.
• Act as command on scene.
• Provides leadership and administrative support to the Fire Chief, Chief Officers, fellow Captains and Lieutenants.
• Maintains and improves rescue and firefighting knowledge and skills. Attends, supervises and assists with delivering internal and external training and maintains superior knowledge of department standard operating guidelines, city policies, emergency medical protocols, equipment operating procedures and the city street system.
• Ensures mandatory & necessary records are accurately kept and submitted in a timely manner.
• Supervises and assists in the operation of Fire Department apparatus and equipment. Responsible for the preparation, inspection, cleaning and maintenance requests for apparatus and equipment.
• Oversees fire code and city ordinance inspection program.
• Assists in the maintenance of facilities and planning.
• Supervises or assists in fire prevention and public education duties.
• Instructs personnel in department SOG’s, Policies, Rules, Regulations and General Orders.
• Identify opportunities for improving work methods and procedures.
• May act as the Shift Commander in the absence of the Deputy Chief.
• Responsible for completions of special projects.. This may include operations, training, prevention, emergency management, emergency medical services or other projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education And Requirements

• Five (5) years of experience in firefighting
• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D)
• Minnesota State Firefighter II certification
• Minnesota State certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Blue Card Certified
• Hazardous Materials Operations mission specific competencies
• Valid MN Driver's License
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• One (1) year demonstrated experience leading others acting as a coach, instructor, supervisor, or leader.
• Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO)
• Hazardous Materials Technician certified
• Minnesota State Fire Officer 1 Certification
• Minnesota State Fire Instructor 1 Certification
• Minnesota State Fire Inspector 1 Certification
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field
  
  

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of

• Modern firefighting and rescue principles and tactics
• Emergency medical care
• Physical fitness principles
• Vehicle, equipment, and apparatus maintenance principles and techniques
• Best practice record keeping principles
• Code enforcement principles and practices
• Conflict resolution
• Applicable local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Customer service principles
• Environmental Hazards and best practices on how to eliminate them
• Principles of Incident Command System as applicable in major emergencies.
  
  

Skills

• Fire Suppression
• Applying local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Detecting poor workmanship, inferior materials, and hazards
• Dealing with irate and difficult citizens
• Providing emergency medical care
• Maintaining vehicles, buildings, equipment, and apparatus
• Driving emergency response vehicles
• Maintaining physical fitness
• Preparing and maintaining records and reports
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, and others sufficient to exchange or convey information.
• Monitoring and evaluating employees;
• Prioritizing and assigning work;
• Preparing, analyzing, and maintaining clear and concise reports;
• Commanding large, complex fire suppression or other emergency operations;
• Planning, developing and implementing comprehensive fire suppression programs;