Police Chief

Police Chief

Salary

$134,056.00 - $173,576.00 Annually

Location

Owatonna, MN

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

PD Chief 06 2026

Department

Police

Opening Date

06/18/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 3:00 PM Central

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE:

The City of Owatonna is a growing community strategically placed at the crossroads of I-35 and two major US highways, approximately one hour south of the Twin Cities metro area. The community has a commitment to growth, access to services, and quality of life for its 27,000 residents.

Click the link below to learn more about the community this position would have the opportunity to be part of and serve.

ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:

We believe that our community thrives when lives, property, and rights of all people are safeguarded through trusted partnerships. The Police Department creates a better tomorrow by providing law enforcement services that prioritize the quality of life and maintain a safe and secure community.

As an organization, our Purpose is to create a better tomorrow.

We are guided in that work by our organizations 3 Core Values:

Better Together, Community Stewardship, and Pride in Our Work.

In the Police department, the City's values look and sound like . . .

BETTER TOGETHER:

• Holding each other and ourselves accountable-to our peers and the community
• Trusting our peers will always be there to provide backup and support
• Building the team by helping each other out, mentoring, and collaborating
• Taking our work seriously, but not ourselves-humor is appreciated

COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP:

• Conducting ourselves in a professional and approachable manner in the community
• Operating with integrity at all times
• Participating in opportunities for community engagement and partnership
• Taking care of the equipment, facilities, and other public resources we are entrusted with
• Spending taxpayers' money and using city resources wisely, efficiently, and effectively
• Maintaining a reputation as trusted responders

PRIDE IN OUR WORK:

• Showing up with a caring and positive attitude ready to support any individual on their worst day
• Having a willingness to learn new things and seek self-improvement
• Always giving 100%
• Proudly honoring the positive public image of the police service and the responsibility that comes with that
• Giving and earning respect - within the department, the City, and the community
• Policing with professionalism

HIRING PROCESS:

(1) Application Period: June 18, 2026 - July 13, 2026

(2) First Round Interviews: July 22, 2026

(3) Second Round Interviews: July 29, 2026

(4) Third Round Interviews: August 5, 2026

(5) Leadership and Management Assessment will be scheduled and completed on top candidate(s) Mid August

(5) Extend conditional offer of employment to successful candidate end of August

(6) Target start date: September 21, 2026

Duties / Responsibilities

WHAT YOULL DO:

The Police Chief - Director oversees law enforcement operations, emergency response, and public safety initiatives. This role sets department goals, directs patrol, investigations, and records divisions, and manages personnel, training, and performance. The Director IV serves as a liaison to community partners, stakeholders, and elected officials while representing public safety interests. Responsibilities include policy development, ordinance review, budgeting, risk management, compliance, media relations, and emergency preparedness. Additionally, this position ensures enforcement of state laws, approves city event permits, and upholds confidentiality and regulatory standards.

Specifically, as the Police Chief, you will...

• Direct the work of technical, professional, divisional and management staff of multiple programs, including assigning work, training staff, conducting performance counseling, conducting performance reviews and making disciplinary, hiring and promotion decisions.
• Lead the development of multiple department operations, including development of goals, policies, staffing levels, budget and procedures for all department services; directing management in the development of work plans for the department; and leads strategic planning.
• Act as a technical resource for the City, management, boards, government representatives, and staff to ensure effective service delivery and address community needs; including analyzing and resolving issues associated with daily work, contracts, and projects; ensuring staff work complies with applicable standards, codes and regulations; attending internal and external meetings to answer questions and provide information; providing advice on division work; and providing information on all department activities;
• Serve as a lead representative of the City in negotiations, on committees, in meetings, on boards, or in other public groups
• Direct the management of City finances; monitors and approves expenditures in accordance with City goals; manages and administers operating, capital improvement and capital equipment budgets;
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualifications

ABOUT YOU:

A successful candidate will have some or all of the following ...

Bachelors degree in assigned field of expertise; 8 years related experience, including 4 years command experience (captain or above); or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Advanced leadership training such as FBI National Academy, NUCPS Executive Leadership Award, or Southern Police Institute preferred.

Licensing in:

• Valid drivers license
• MN POST license, or eligible for Peace Officer License in the state of Minnesota upon hire

Knowledge of:

• Managerial and leadership principles and practices;
• Budget principles and practices;
• Financial Management principles;
• Public Administration principles;
• Strategic planning principles;
• Applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and regulations.

Skill in:

• Leadership and management;
• Preparing reports;
• Managing division operations;
• Analyzing and developing policies and procedures;
• Using a computer and related software applications;
• Public relations and public speaking;
• Interpreting laws and regulations;
• Negotiation and persuasion;
• Preparing budgets;
• Program and project management;
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands

Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands

• This is a full-time exempt position. Flexibility is important to us and our employees, schedule may vary based on need.
• To view the full job description, including position specifications and physical demands, click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

2026 BENEFITS OVERVIEW

For a Regular Full-Time Employee

The City of Owatonna provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of your total compensation. The Citys benefits programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or health savings accounts, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings.

The following outline of City offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.

EMPLOYER-PROVIDED BENEFITS

Paid Time Off (PTO): It is the policy of the City of Owatonna to provide employees with necessary time away from work. PTO can be utilized for any purpose, subject only to necessary request/approval procedures consistent with the City Policies and Procedures Manual and labor contracts. PTO accrues at the following rates for full-time employees:

Years of Service Hours/Year

1 144

2 152

3 160

4 168

5 176

6-9 184

10 192

11 200

12 208

13 216

14 224

15 228

16 232

17 236

18 240

19 244

20 248

21 252

22 256

23 260

24+ 264

11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday: All regular full-time employees of the City, except those who are governed by a union contract or different holiday policy, receive the following holidays:

Holiday Date

New Years Day January 1st

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Third Monday in January

Presidents Day Third Monday in February

Memorial Day Last Monday in May

Juneteenth June 19th

Independence Day July 4th

Labor Day First Monday in September

Veterans Day November 11th

Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November

Last working day before Christmas December

Christmas Day December 25th

One (1) Floating Holiday Once per year; must be used by December 31st

Retirement:

PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association)

• Eligible employees Must participate as directed by Minnesota Statutes.
• PERA Coordinated Plan contributions rates (non-police & fire) are: 7.5% employer and 6.5% employees.
• PERA Police & Fire Plan contributions & Fire are: 17.7% employer and 11.8% employees.

Health Insurance Coverage Through Medica:

Coverage for eligible employees becomes effective on the first day of employment.

1. Eligible employees can choose between 3 choices of varying deductible plans with single or family option coverage.

2. The City Contributes $ 650.00 towards single coverage/premium or $ 1,816.00 towards family coverage/premium

3. The City contributes $1,425/single or $2,900/family into an HSA account.

The city pays 100% of the premium and coverage costs of HealthiestYou, a virtual healthcare provider service with a $0.00 co-pay.

Term Life Insurance:

The City provides a $25,000 term life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.

Long Term Disability Insurance:

The plan provides long-term disability income with a 90-day consecutive elimination period. An employee must be a regular full-time employee and have completed six (6) months of employment to be eligible for this benefit.

New in 2026 - Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML):

For the 2026 plan year (January 1 - December 31, 2026), the City of Owatonna will cover 100% of the PFML insurance premium through our provider, Madison National Life Insurance Company.

Fitness Center:

Employees also have access to the City's West Hills Fitness Center at no cost as part of the citys wellness program.

Employee Assistant Plan (EAP):

The City of Owatonna provides an Employee Assistance Plan. This service provides free, confidential, professional assistance to help employees and their families resolve problems such as marital difficulties, financial or legal problems, emotional challenges, or problems caused by alcohol or other drug use that affect their personal lives or job performance.

OPTIONAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE:

The following benefits are available on an elective basis at the employees choice:

• Deferred Compensation Plans (457 and Roth IRAs): Plans available through Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) and MissionSquare.
• Dental Insurance: Coverage through Health Partners.
• Supplemental Coverages: Plans available through AFLAC.
• Supplemental Life Insurance: Plans through MN Life and PERA.
• Health Care and Daycare Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vision Care: Plan available through Eye Med.

Questions regarding benefit information can be directed to Human Resources at 507-774-7346.

01

Do you currently hold a valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you currently hold a Minnesota Peace Officer license or are you eligible to obtain the required license in the state of Minnesota upon hire?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a bachelors degree in assigned field of expertise; 8 years related experience, including at least 4 years of command experience (captain or above); or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job?

• Yes
• No

04

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• None

05

Please list your degree obtained. If no degree type N/A.

06

How many years of work experience do you have in a law enforcement command level leadership position (captain or above)?

• no experience
• less than 4 years
• at least 4 years but less than 8
• 8 years or more

07

Please describe your experience with supervising others. Include how many people you have supervised at one time and what level of employees were you responsible for supervising. If no experience, type N/A.

08

Select the advanced leadership training that you have completed.

• None - I do not have advanced leadership training
• FBI National Academy
• NUCPS Executive Leadership Award
• Southern Police Institute
• Other

09

Please provide detail regarding the advance leadership training you have completed. If you selected None above, type N/A.

10

Do you have experience managing a Department Budget?

• Yes
• No

11

Please explain your budget experience in detail. Please include the highest budget amount you were responsible for. If no experience, type N/A.

12

Do you have strategic planning experience?

• Yes
• No

13

Please explain your experience in detail with strategic planning. If no experience, type N/A.

14

Do you have experience working with and presenting to boards, commissions, or city councils?

• Yes
• No

15

Please explain your experience working with boards, commissions, or city councils. If no experience, type N/A.

16

Which of the following best describes your experience working with individuals from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds than your own?

• Limited - I rarely have worked with individuals from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds than my own
• Moderate - I have occasionally worked with individuals from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds than my own
• Extensive - I regularly work with indiviudals from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds than my own
• N/A - I do not have experience in this area

17

Please describe in detail your experience working with individuals from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds than your own. How will this benefit you in the Chief of Police position? If you do not have experience in this area, please type N/A.

18

Why are you interested in the Police Chief position for the City of Owatonna, and how does it fit into your career goals?

19

Tell us about a specific time you succeeded more as a team than on your own.

20

What do you love about your work?

21

Please share one specific best moment from your work in the past year.

Required Question

Employer City of Owatonna

Address 540 West Hills Circle

Owatonna, Minnesota, 55060

Phone 507-774-7344

Website https://www.owatonna.gov/