FIRE CHIEF

Code: 01837 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of a designated member of the local governing body, has charge of the fire department. Manages all fire department operations to ensure their timely, thorough, and cost-effective preparation and conduct; does related work.

Examples of work

• Write memos and Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) to officers to inform, instruct, or direct their activities.
• Ensures all departmental, county, state and federal rules and regulations are followed at fire scene.
• Reviews department training programs to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Reports to fires as determined by need, e.g., indicated in pre-planning Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) or upon request from incident commander.
• Reviews and approves the final written form of Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and departmental regulations.
• Authorizes training courses for department staff
• Monitors monthly reports of sick time, vacation and overtime use so that budget allocation may be checked for compliance.
• Terminates or recommends termination of employees based upon violations of departmental, county, state, or federal regulations.
• Discusses pertinent matters with various union officials to promote harmonious relationship within the Department.
• Recommends major disciplinary actions of uniformed personnel for violations of departmental, county, state, or federal regulations.
• Refers personal problems of fire department personnel to proper resources for guidance/treatment.
• Ensures offender's supervisor reviews Fire Department violations.
• Reviews all monthly reports (overtime, apparatus, drills, and fuel) to initiate appropriate follow-up.
• Provides information on equipment that requires capital expenditures for budget consideration.
• Ensures that all staff violations of Fire Department rules and regulations are documented.
• Assists business manager or municipal fiscal officer in development of the fire department budget.
• Provides equipment replacement schedule for budget consideration.
• Approves expenditures for both budgeted and non-budgeted items.
• Approves specifications for new equipment.
• Reviews bid returns from potential vendors for compliance with specifications, and makes recommendations.
• Ensures that discrepancies in background checks for prospective new firefighters are investigated.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from high school, vocational high school, or possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate.

Experience

Five (5) years of supervisory experience involving the extinguishing of fires.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

<b>MEDICAL EXAMINATION</b>

As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority; any psychological, medical, or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties, will be cause for rejection.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of current technical issues, ideas and technology relating to the fire service.
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques that support effective individual and team performance in a variety of work situations.
• Knowledge of departmental policy regarding corrective and disciplinary action.
• Knowledge of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, including Life Safety Code.
• Knowledge of HAZMAT (e.g., hazardous materials and their effects, SOGs relating to HAZMAT, hazardous materials placards, symbols, names, and labels, etc.)
• Knowledge of Incident Command System (ICS), including current legislation.
• Knowledge of procedures to establish line item budgets.
• Knowledge of fire suppression &amp; incident management (e.g., size-up factors, standardized building marking warning signals as adopted by NFPA/IFSTA/Community Affairs, fireground safety, proper sequence of fire attack, sensor cues that indicate the effectiveness of a fire attack, SOGs relating to ventilation, types and uses of extinguishing agents, search and rescue, etc.)
• Knowledge of fire behavior and characteristics (e.g., fire spread and growth -- radiation, convection and conduction; characteristics of burning material; effects of fire or water on utilities; characteristics of smoke -- color, intensity, volume, odor, etc.)
• Knowledge of building construction (e.g., collapse potential and characteristics, the results of water weight and fire damage on walls, floors, roof, shelving, equipment, merchandise, etc., structure design, construction, and construction materials and their effect on fire behavior, safety considerations dealing with structure design, construction, and construction materials and their effect on fire, fire load, etc.)
• Ability to draw conclusions from a body of facts.
• Ability to be flexible and change one's position, decision or compromise based upon new information.
• Ability to interpret written reports (e.g., NJUFC reports, Division reports, etc.).
• Ability to interview individuals to obtain accurate and complete information.
• Ability to document activities, events in writing (e.g., Department report, journal).
• Ability to evaluate incidents which might lead to discipline or additional training.
• Ability to understand financial information (e.g., statements, reports, contractual agreements).
• Ability to draft policy and procedure statements.
• Ability to recognize subordinates' performance deficiencies.
• Ability to prioritize activities and assignments.
• Ability to recognize subordinates' performance capabilities.
• Ability to delegate.
• Ability to set administrative goals for department.
• Ability to give constructive criticism in a positive manner.
• Ability to match assignments with abilities of subordinates.
• Ability to resolves disputes among subordinates, and between self and others.
• Ability to prepare line-item budget.
• Ability to recognize when a subordinate or co-worker is behaving in an unusual (atypical) manner.
• Ability to set performance goals for subordinates.
• Ability to respond in a sensitive manner to emotionally distraught individuals.
• Ability to give oral orders, instructions and directions clearly and concisely.
• Ability to recognize hazardous or dangerous conditions, actions, or situations.
• Ability to formulate a plan of action in an emergency situation.
• Ability to recognize the significance of the sensory cues on the fireground (e.g., smoke, flames, sounds, odors, etc.).
• Ability to anticipate changing circumstances conditions and outcomes in an emergency situation.
• Ability to make command decisions quickly.
• Ability to interact with citizens in a respectful manner.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braillemay also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Age requirement does not apply in those jurisdictions whose members are not enrolled in the Police &amp; Fire Pension System.

When an applicant has reached his/her 35th birthday, (s)he is considered to be over 35 years old. Age limits are based on the announced closing date for filing Department of Personnel applications.

CERTIFICATION

In accordance with NJAC 5:73-1.6(b), 8 &amp; (d), effective February 17, 2000, applicants for this position must possess a valid Incident Management Level 1 certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.

<b>AGE:</b>

Not less than 18 nor more than 35 years of age at the announced closing date for filing applications for the position. In determining maximum age eligibility of veterans, the time spent in active military service during the periods specified in Civil Service Law and Rules will be deducted from the attained age.