08-17 CSC Minutes
RICHFIELD FIRE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
MEETING #266
AUGUST 17, 2020
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mary Stratton President/Commissioner
Jeffrey Bruzek Vice President/Commissioner
Jackie Harris Secretary/Commissioner
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mike Dobesh Assistant Fire Chief
Jenell Wood Fire Captain
Alex Swiggum Firefighter
Nathan Brown Firefighter
Joe Halaska Fire Lieutenant
Kevin O’Connell Firefighter
Mark Watczak Firefighter
Josh Nelson Fire Lieutenant
Mark Armstrong Fire Captain
Charlie Keis Firefighter
Brian Wienholz Firefighter
Krista Guzman Human Resources Manager
Katie Rodriguez City Manager
Pam Dmytrenko Assistant City Manager
Kelly Wynn Senior Administrative Assistant
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Commission President Stratton at 8:00 a.m.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING OF
FEBRUARY 03, 2020.
M/Stratton, S/ Bruzek to approve the minutes.
Motion carried 3-0.
III. UPDATE ON CHIEF KEWITSCH
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh provided an update that Fire Chief Kewitsch is doing well and
focusing on getting stronger. He, along with everyone else, is looking forward to getting back
when possible.
President Stratton thanked Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh for all his hard work during the time.
IV. DISCUSSION OF NEW BATTALION CHIEF POSITION
President Stratton spoke of how the Battalion Chief position has been in the works for many
years and she is excited to see it come to fruition.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh explained how the department wants to find someone that will
complete training to become a Fire Marshall to assist with inspections and other duties. He
spoke of the great options available within the department and the position will be a chance to
take the exceptional talent and promote it. He then described how inspections have become a
consistent and time consuming priority in this growing city. Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh then
reviewed the Battalion Chief hiring process and scoring sheet.
President Stratton asked if this will be an internal hire.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh confirmed they will be hiring internally.
President Stratton asked for the chain of command that will include the Battalion Chief.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh explained it will be Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief followed by
Battalion Chief.
Vice President Bruzek wondered if the required Bachelor’s degree disqualified any long
standing firefighters that have more than enough years of experience but no degree.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh spoke of a couple firefighters not having the required degree but
they have not shown interest or come forward with concern.
Vice President Bruzek stated he hoped that not having a Bachelor’s degree wouldn’t be the
reason for someone to not get the position. He also asked if certain degrees would be more
desired such as an English degree versus an Art degree.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh explained the process looks at the discipline to finish a degree
and not necessarily the type.
President Stratton asked if they would just be looking at applicants having a degree or also
taking into account GPA and other markers.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh spoke of the intention not to compare degrees. He then stated
how competitive the hiring process is in Richfield and the department prides itself on finding
the best people to complete the department.
President Stratton wondered how the process will choose between two candidates that look
the same and how a final decision will be made for one over the other.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh explained all applicants need to provide a cover letter and
experience but they are worth minimal points in the scoring process. Most points come from
the interview and how candidates are able to sell their skills, abilities and experience to the
panel.
Captain Armstrong spoke of how a Bachelor’s degree had always been a requirement in the
discussions around the Battalion Chief position. He then gave various examples of
surrounding area departments and their hiring requirements. He also stated he does not agree
with having a degree as a requirement to apply as it hasn’t always been a prerequisite in the
past.
Vice President Bruzek asked if it would be beneficial to gather information on how many
Assistant Fire Chiefs and/or Battalion Chiefs in Minnesota have degrees. He assumed that all
or most of them have the experience but half the degree. He wondered if the position could be
altered to make a degree points rather than a requirement.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh stated that the decision would fall on the Civil Service
Commission and would defer to Human Resources for other changes.
HR Manager Guzman explained how they are trying to professionalize the fire department and
its positions. They can alter the position to substitute four additional years of experience for a
Bachelor’s degree.
President Stratton spoke of her appreciation of this being bring brought forward and the
comments included improving the position description.
Firefighter Wienholz asked for clarification on how the position will define equivalent
experience to a degree.
HR Manager Guzman explained that a typical Bachelor’s degree is four years of education
and an Associate’s degree is two years of education. The description could be altered to
include a Bachelor’s degree plus ten years of experience, an Associate’s degree plus twelve
years of experience or fourteen years of experience.
Firefighter Wienholz asked if there would be specific educational experience such as tech
classes and trainings to help qualify someone for the position.
President Stratton also asked if Military experience plays a role in the application.
HR Manager Guzman explained all transferable skills will be considered during the process.
She encouraged any applicants to include anything remotely related to fire service or the
position.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh stated there is a Veteran’s preference included that provides
points and those applicants should include all related skills. He also spoke of any tactical
classes taken should be included along with how they have been applied.
President Stratton spoke of how the commission is in place to listen to everyone and she
appreciated all the concerns and questions brought forward.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh summarized the changes to the process and updates to the job
description.
V. APPROVAL OF HIRING PROCESS FOR BATTALION CHIEF POSTION
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh reviewed the scoring will be validated by HR Manager Guzman
and candidates will be ranked by score from highest to lowest. The Civil Service will then be
notified and will certify the top three candidates to move forward.
M/Stratton, S/Harris to approve the scoring process and updates to the Battalion Chief job
description to require applicants to have one of the following: (1) Bachelor’s degree and ten
years of experience; (2) Associates degree and twelve years of experience; and (3) fourteen
years of experience.
Motion carried 3-0
VI. DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR MEETING DATE TO CERTIFY RESULTS REGARDING
BATTALION CHIEF POSITION
Commission agreed upon August 31, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. via WebEx
VII.OTHER BUSINESS
President Stratton welcomed Jackie Harris to the Civil Service Commission as she was unable
to attend the February 03, 2020 meeting. Jackie had been assigned the Secretary position
within the Civil Service Commission.
Secretary Harris thanked the commission and fire department for the welcome. She has been
a Richfield resident for over 30 years and is excited to be able to give back to a city that has
given her so much.
President Stratton thanked everyone from the fire department for all their hard work in these
unprecedented times. She expressed her gratitude for their efforts during this pandemic.
Vice President Bruzek echoed the praise to the fire department. He also thanked Captain
Armstrong and Firefighter Wienholz for the comments regarding the process and requirements
for the Battalion Chief position.
President Stratton reminded fire staff that the commission is always available if concerns
should arise or to contact the union representative.
Assistant Fire Chief Dobesh thanked the commission members for their time and also updated
them on the two conditional offers made for new hires. One has been accepted and will start
August 31st.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
M/Stratton, S/Bruzek to adjourn the Civil Service Commission meeting at 8:42 a.m.
Motion carried 3-0
Submitted by:
Kelly Wynn
Senior Administrative Assistant
Date of Approval: August 31, 2020 _________________________
Mary Stratton, President
_________________________
Jeffrey Bruzek, Vice President
_________________________
Jackie Harris, Secretary