We Are Hiring!
We Are Hiring!
West Metro Fire-Rescue District is hiring a Full-Time Administrative Captain of Human Resources!
Please see below for the job description and the 2 forms that must be filled out!
2025 Pay Rate of $47.08
PLUS
Health Insurance
Participation in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
Paid vacation and sick leave
Compensatory Time
Overtime Eligibility
Additional District-Sponsored Benefits and Wellness Programs
Participation in the Duty Officer Program
Feel free to print and manually fill out and drop off with Chief Nelson at West Metro Station 3 or email them to jnelson@westmetrofire.com
4251 Xylon Ave N, New Hope MN 55428
🪓Meet Some the Team🪓
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William Leaf
West Metro Lieutenant 11-Station 1
Theatre teacher by day, William brings a smile that you can’t take your eyes off of. With his experience since 2014, only waffle making is above in skill, with firefighting coming in second.
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Dedric Payne
Firefighter-Station 2
Dedric has served at West Metro Fire since 2018. He works Full-Time at Maplewood Fire and loves serving his community here in New Hope and Crystal. Huge Timberwolves fan even though his jump shot is broke.
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Ryan Master
Firefighter-Station 3
Ryan comes from a background of physical fitness and gym ownership, allowing him to smoothly carry out the tasks of a firefighter from day 1. Ryan’s favorite part of being on West Metro is the ability to drive firetrucks that go WEEEEE WOOOOO! Ryan has been serving since 2018.
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Steph Erven
Firefighter-Station 3
With a fearless attitude and open personality, Steph serves the community at a high level. She plays as THE hockey goalie and is a part of the inspections team for West Metro Fire, meaning she is all about prevention and stopping bad things from happening. Steph has served since 2021.
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Olivia Brown
Firefighter-Station 3
Olivia works Full-Time for the city of Saint Paul. Dedicated and full of energy has allowed for her to serve the cities of New Hope and Crystal. Oliva also dual responds to Station 2 meaning if there is a fire call, you can count on Olivia to be there. She has been with West Metro since 2021.
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Elisha Wolfman
Firefighter-Station 2
Being a Packer fan, Elisha is already an asset to West Metro Fire. Working for the Department of Human Services by day, she has set her self up to always help those in need. Elisha has been with West Metro Fire since 2018.
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Sam Gerlach
Firefighter-Station 1
Sam has been with West Metro Fire since 2022. Dealing with commercial real estate by day and serving the community at night, Sam always has a learning attitude. Sam is also part of the most elite club at West Metro Fire: Stache Squad.
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Lucas Pitra
Firefighter-Station 1
Lucas has been with West Metro Fire since 2022 and only applied because he saw a sign that said “NOW HIRING” while he was on bike ride. His long life dream was to become a firefighter and has now fulfilled it. It might be a rumor but some say he makes better cookies than the mouse from the “If you give a mouse a cookie” book.
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Shelby Wolf
Fire Marshal-Station 3
Shelby has been with West Metro Fire since 2004 and is a massive reason why our fire numbers have gone down. Safety and enforcing code are just half of what Shelby does for the community. Education in schools and businesses is why the people love Shelby. Shelby’s only weakness: Red Mexican hot sauce.
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Jon Tate
Battalion Chief 6
Jon has been with West Metro Fire since 1990. You wouldn’t believe it with his smile as he doesn’t look a day over 35, but it is true. One of the most personable people you will ever meet, Jon serves New Hope and Crystal like family.
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Stache Squad
Most Elite Group at West Metro Fire. The mustaches don’t have to be real to join, just have to be willing to take a photo with the group with a moustache. This group prides itself on waking up every morning and maintaining the stache. Submit an application and join the Stache Squad today!
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Dennis Marquardt
West Metro Captain 7
7 years for Captain 7. Dennis is always the first one to help any firefighter train more to serve the community at a high level. As a commercial construction manager, he has very little time, and he decides to give that time to the people of New Hope and Crystal. Started in 2016.
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Tim Herlofsky
Firefighter-Station 1
Tim has served the communities of New Hope and Crystal since 1992 and has done it being a firefighter all the way up to battalion chief. As one of the more seasoned firefighters, his knowledge and experience bring tremendous value to our department.
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Joe Dvorak
Firefighter-Station 2
Most people would say Joe’s heart and care for other is the biggest piece of who he is. Others would say it is his phone. Either way, you can always count of Joe to serve the community at the highest level. His determination to train and to want only the best for him and his peers is what makes him the ace of Station 2.
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Rescue Randy
Fire Dummy-Station 2
No words can describe how much Rescue Randy means to this department. Always sacrificing his body for the betterment of our training. Never talks back even when criticized and always puts a scare into firefighters hearts when left in the fire vehicle. Voted best hair years 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023.
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Andy Nichols
West Metro Lieutenant 3-Station 3
Andy has been serving with West Metro Fire since 2016. His passion for mechanics is why he is the perfect man for the job when it comes to handling logistics. Whether you need your brakes done or your entire transmission replaced, he is your guy. If you ever want to donate your car, Andy will take it in a jiffy. -
Ben Opem
Firefighter-Station 2
Ben serves as one of our dual responders here at West Metro Fire. His ability to put in more work when it comes to responding calls gives us, the fire department, more flexibility to serve the community at a higher level. The only secret I have on Ben is that he likes to jump into dumpsters…if you need proof, send an inquiry to jsoto@westmetrofire.com 😉
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Bryan Hamilton
Firefighter-Station 1
Bryan has been with West Metro since 2021. Fraud analyst by day, keeper of peace by night. Bryan enjoys the group interaction the fire service provides as well as being able to drive the big trucks with the loud sirens. Bryan thanks everyone and then some for the support in order to become a firefighter.
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Eri Gonzalez
Firefighter-Station 3
Eri has been serving the community of West Metro since 2022. He enjoys Bad Bunny and fishing, deadly combo when he is on the lake. If you are ever looking for a good dad joke, this is your guy.
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Alyssa Anderson
Firefighter-Station 1
Alyssa has been working with West Metro since 2022. With her HR background, she brings a great perspective on how to keep our department improving when it comes to personnel. Advantageous and creative are two words commonly used to describe her.
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Lanoira Duhart
Firefighter-Station 2
Lanoira has been with West Metro since 2021. She works as a Full-Time firefighter with Minneapolis and brings all her knowledge and experience to West Metro during her paid, on-call hours. If you ever talk football with her, your team better have Superbowl’s as she is a proud Cheesehead.
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Dean Synder
Firefighter-Station 2
Dean has been serving since 2021. He is an education assistant. His ability to teach allows our department to have someone who can carry out the plan and execute in efficient fashion. Dean takes home the award every year of asking the most questions. This means he is always learning and up to date on tactics and skills.
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Phil Maki
West Metro Captain 21-Station 2
Phil has been serving the community of New Hope and Crystal since 2014. Phil is one of the hardest workers we have on the department and is always the first one to speak up when a new plan is needed or when. Phil takes leadership to another level. You can ask him to do anything and he will find a way for you. Only downside is that he is a die-hard Vikings fan so he is used to being let down. 👀
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Tara Gray-Retired
Former West Metro Training Captain
Tara went out on top! She put in 10 wonderful years with West Metro and decided that is was time to let others fulfill the goals of the community. Selflessness and grit is what powered her through many calls and we appreciate her years of service.
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Pat O'Malley-Retired
Former Station 2 Firefighter
Firefighter Pat O’Malley has decided to retire from West Metro after 38.4 years of service; Pat started with Crystal Fire in 1986. Pat is the longest serving member EVER of the pre & post-merger fire departments; he is also the last person to ever have started here in the 1980’s!!!
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Ian Watson
West Metro Lieutenant 1
Ian has been with West Metro since 2021 and is a full time inspector at Station 3. He is a great addition to the West Metro team for his ability to learn on the fly and his natural effort to connect with people. It is not easy being a firefighter, but yet every time you see Ian work, you can see that he enjoys serving and helping the community at all faucets that the job entails. There is no better feeling than working with people who want to be there and improve every day and that is what you get with Ian.
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Vance Schwartz
Firefighter-Station 1
Vance has been with West Metro for 25 years. He started in 2000. That's commitment. We have a decent number of firefighters in our department who are younger than 25 years—mind-blowing! Vance has served as an officer in his time with West Metro and currently serves at Station 1. People will tell you that Vance is one of the most, if not the most, knowledgeable firefighter they have met. Whether it's a basement fire or a car smashing into a house, Vance has always given calm and direct orders to other firefighters to accomplish the overall goal.
“This is the best job you will ever have. These people are not only my co-workers but my brothers and sisters who respond to keep this community safe. ” -Captain Eric Grimes🧑🚒
“Most people run away from emergencies, and here I have found myself more confident in general life to handle adversity from what I have learned and experienced at West Metro.” -Eri Gonzalez-Station 3 Firefighter🧑🚒