Council hears report on new fire chief qualifications; resident warns degree requirement could exclude experienced candidates

The Saint Paul City Council on March 18 reviewed proposed minimum qualifications for the city’s next fire chief that would require a bachelor’s degree, eliminate substitution of experience for education and set experience thresholds intended to standardize executive‑level requirements.

Chrissy Haughey, HR consulting services manager, presented the ordinance (26‑17) and said the chief‑hire process requires setting clear minimums before posting the job. Haughey described the principal changes: a bachelor’s degree (with preferred degrees listed), no substitution of experience for education, cleaned‑up language about required command experience, and the removal of an ‘‘out‑of‑title’’ exception previously allowing six months in an acting role to count toward minimums.

Haughey said the changes aim to ensure candidates have executive‑level leadership skills and that the updated language aligns with how the city uses titles (for example, district chief rather than battalion chief).

Council members asked for context about the education requirement and the 13‑year experience threshold, including whether the new language could disadvantage internal candidates or narrow the applicant pool. Haughey said relatively few applicants had used experience in lieu of degrees in previous recruitments and said the standard is meant to prioritize leadership competencies.

During the public hearing, Sarah Gartner of Ward 7 testified that requiring a formal degree could be ‘‘exclusionary and inequitable’’ and urged the council to value lived experience and internal promotion paths. "Adding a degree requirement can disproportionately filter out highly qualified candidates who have risen through the ranks," Gartner said.

Council closed the public hearing and laid the ordinance over to March 25 for final adoption and additional review of selection‑panel composition and other process details.

What happens next: The council will consider the ordinance again on March 25; staff indicated a separate ordinance will specify the selection panel, and members signaled interest in ensuring the hiring process does not unduly advantage or disadvantage particular internal or external candidates.