DEPUTY FIRE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
Deputy Fire District Administrator is an unclassified role, so it is appointed at the discretion of the hiring authority and does not carry the usual exam-and-tenure track.
On paper it calls for a bachelor's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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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
Deputy Fire District Administrator 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 the direction of the Fire District Administrator (FDA), assists in planning, organizing, and managing the administrative and fiscal functions within a fire district; does other related work as required.
Examples of work
- Assists in the administration of fire district affairs, including but not limited to, providing assistance in integrating and coordinating activities related to purchasing, personnel and budget.
- Assists in the preparation of the budget and assists in the administration of budgetary controls.
- May advise the board on policy matters.
- Assists in the supervision of administrative matters in the fire district.
- Assists in the preparation of agenda and may attend meetings with the board of commissioners in the absence of the FDA.
- Assists the FDA in maintaining liaison between the board of commissioners, the fire district attorney and other professionals.
- Assists the FDA in their capacity as administrative consultant to the line officers of the fire district.
- Receives, distributes, and addresses questions, comments and problems presented by interested citizens.
- Assists in public relations matters.
- Assists in editing and compiling public information releases.
- Assists in preparing specifications, managing the bid process, and in purchasing and budget implementation; assists in enforcing and executing terms and conditions of same from external and/or internal sources.
- May represent the Fire District/Board of Fire Commissioners at meetings and 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.
- May coordinate collective bargaining sessions under the direction of the FDA.
- Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Supervises the establishment and maintenance of extensive 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.
Experience
Three (3) 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 assist in planning for the effective utilization of available funds, personnel, equipment, and supplies.
- Ability to provide advice, assistance and consultation on business and administrative matters.
- Ability to assist in the supervision of varied business, administrative and financial operations within the fire district.
- Ability to assist in supervising the preparation and administration of the budget.
- Ability to supervise staff and evaluate their work performance.
- Ability to assist in maintaining 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 recommendation
- Ability to supervise 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 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 person may not be eligible.
Note
Fire suppression and/or other emergency response are specifically excluded from the above related duties, as these shall fall under the direct supervision of the Chief Fire Officer or other designated official.
A Deputy Fire District Administrator 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 that a Deputy Fire District Administrator 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.
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.
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 organization, operation, administration and control of public or private organizations may be substituted for one (1) year of the above experience.