DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES
Career Family: DIRECTOR
Director of Fire Services falls in New Jersey's unclassified service: an appointing authority hires for it directly, without a civil service exam.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Why this title is unclassified
This specification cites N.J.S.A. 11A:3-5(u), political subdivision unclassified service..
(u) Any title as provided by statute or as the Civil Service Commission may determine in accordance with criteria established by rule;
A title in the political subdivision unclassified service sits outside Title 11A unless a provision says otherwise. In practice that means no competitive examination to get the job, and none of the career service protections that come with it: no permanent status after a working test period, and no right of appeal to the Civil Service Commission from a removal. Appointment and removal rest with the appointing authority.
The rule that allocates a title to this service is N.J.A.C. 4A:3-1.3.
Where this title is used
Director of Fire Services is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
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 the Board of Fire Commissioners, acts as chief administrative officer of an all-volunteer fire district; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- Under direction of the Board of Fire Commissioners, directs the day-to-day operations of all-volunteer fire district.
- Manages an all-volunteer fire-fighting force and has responsibility for the recruitment, training and retention of volunteer fire fighters.
- Supervises administrative matters in the fire district.
- Acts as agent of the board of commissioners in the administration of the affairs of an all-volunteer fire district.
- Integrates and coordinates activities related to purchasing, personnel and budget.
- Supervises and assists in the preparation of the budget and administers budgetary controls.
- Advises the board of commissioners on policy matters.
- Prepares agenda and meets with the board of commissioners.
- Monitors actions of the board of commissioners.
- Acts as liaison between the board of commissioners, the fire district attorney and other professionals.
- Maintains liaison with other officials and staff in the municipality and fire district.
- Acts as administrative consultant to the line officers of the fire district.
- Administers programs within the fire district to maintain minimum competencies to meet State and Federal standards and promote safety awareness.
- Receives, distributes, or handles questions, comments and problems presented by interested citizens.
- Advises the board of commissioners and fire district officers on public relations matters.
- May edit and compile public information releases.
- Advises the board of commissioners on volunteer personnel and administrative problems.
- Prepares specifications, manages the bid process, purchasing and budget implementation. Enforces and executes terms and conditions of same received from internal and/or external sources on behalf of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
- Represents the Fire District/Board of Fire Commissioners at meetings, public events as required.
- Completes employee evaluations, supervises work operations, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
- 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 an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree.
NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in administration and management involving program development, establishment of policies and procedures, budget preparation/financial planning and personnel management and administration.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the techniques used to integrate and coordinate varied fire district activities.
- Knowledge of the problems involved in the administration of fire district affairs.
- Knowledge of business and of management principles, practices, methods and techniques.
- Ability to plan for the effective utilization of available funds, volunteer personnel, equipment, and supplies.
- Ability to manage an all-volunteer fire-fighting force.
- Ability to manage the recruitment, training and retention of volunteer fire fighters.
- Ability to provide advice, assistance and consultation on business and administrative matters.
- Ability to supervise the varied business, administrative and financial operations of the fire district.
- Ability to supervise the preparation and administration of the budget.
- Ability to maintain liaison and cooperative working relationships with other officials and staff of the fire district and municipality.
- Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of extensive records and files.
- Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work in situations where diverse demands are involved.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the district.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may 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
Fire suppression and/or other emergency response are specifically excluded, as these shall fall under the direct supervision of the Chief Fire Officer or other designated official.
A Director of Fire Services who is also a member of an emergency response organization within the Fire District may participate in fire suppression and/or other emergency response activities; as well as other activities of that organization in a volunteer capacity. The above-mentioned participation is subject to the orders and supervision of the Chief Fire Officer and/or other superior officers of the organization. In the event a Director of Fire Services shall be chosen as the Chief Fire Officer or other superior officer of such a volunteer organization, any fire suppression and/or other emergency response activity engaged in shall not be construed as performing duties under this title.
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.
Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in Business or Public Administration, Fire Science, or Personnel Management, Management Science or in a program related to the organization, operation, administration and control of private or public organizations, may be substituted for one (1) year of the indicated experience.