In the business world the Hiring Manager writes the job description, and interviews the applicants.  So he/she determines the grade level, experience level, and other skills characteristics needed to accomplish the job, and decides which applicant has the right mix.  In the Federal Government it is usually the same,  but I cant speak to Denver PD or FD.  Nor the Denver schools.  How do you know you are getting high quality,  not just higher credentialed reasonable quality?  Do you test?  Or just review resumes?