FIRE OFFICER 3

Code: 09012 Local Non-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 the Fire Officer 4, assists in the management and discipline of fire department operations to ensure their timely, thorough, and cost-effective preparation and conduct, or has charge of a group of battalions engaged in providing fire protection for persons and property; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• At fires, takes charge of responding companies, deploys firefighting forces, orders needed reinforcements, and supervises the use of firefighting forces, equipment, and apparatus.
• Investigates all violations of Fire Department rules and regulations, fire laws, ordinances, codes, and fire hazards, and institutes needed action.
• Reports to fires as indicated in pre-planning SOG or upon request of incident commander.
• Estimates expenses required to keep fire department up-to-date on new devices, concepts, equipment, apparatus, etc.
• Writes memos and SOGs to officers to inform, instruct, or direct their activities.
• Counsels subordinates who are experiencing leadership/administrative problems in order to resolve their issues and improve their performance.
• Reviews and monitors all monthly reports (leave time, overtime, apparatus, drills, fuel) to initiate appropriate follow-up.
• Conducts staff meetings with subordinates.
• Reviews bid returns from potential vendors for compliance with specifications, and makes recommendations.
• Evaluates performance of subordinate officers to inform, and to offer mechanisms for more effective performance.
• Advises subordinates of relevant issues, ideas, technology, etc. in order to increase their job knowledge and performance.
• Reviews maintenance reports submitted by subordinate officers to keep abreast on the current status of equipment and facilities.
• Direct actions which encourage subordinates to adhere to standing policies, procedures, SOGs, etc.
• Ensures all departmental, county, state and federal rules and regulations are followed at fire scene.
• Interacts with union officials in order to comply with contractual matters.
• Determines the training needs of department in order to comply with regulatory requirements, current practice, and for budgetary input.
• Writes narrative reports that detail significant events or occurrences to explain actions, outcomes, and recommendations.
• Monitors the status of various assignments given to subordinates.
• Reviews expenditure requests for non-budgeted items.
• Orders subordinate officers to maintain stations and apparatus.
• Recommends disciplinary actions of uniformed personnel for violations of departmental, county, state, or federal regulations.
• Confers with appropriate departmental or municipal purchasing agents for information in the preparation and submission of purchase approvals, bid submissions or waivers, or specific processes.
• Assigns and directs subordinates at fire scene according to incident strategy and the evolving stage of preparations, issues and prevailing circumstances.
• Ensures the proper complement of apparatus and personnel are available at fire scene.
• Establishes and maintains interactive community educational programs regarding fire safety and emergency evacuation procedures from home, school, and workplace.
• Investigates all discrepancies in background checks for prospective new firefighters.
• 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

Four (4) years of supervisory experience involving the extinguishing of fires.

CERTIFICATION

In accordance with NJAC 5:73-1.6(b), 8 & (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.

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.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

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 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 current technical issues, ideas and technology relating to the fire service.
• 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.).
• 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 Incident Command System (ICS), including current legislation.
• Knowledge of HAZMAT (e.g., hazardous materials and their effects, SOGs relating to HAZMAT, hazardous materials placards, symbols, names, and labels, etc.).
• Ability to draw conclusions from a body of facts.
• Ability to delegate.
• Ability to be flexible and change one's position, decision or compromise based upon new information.
• Ability to interview individuals to obtain accurate and complete information.
• Ability to evaluate incidents which might lead to discipline or additional training.
• Ability to interpret written reports (e.g., NJUFC reports, Division reports, etc.).
• Ability to recognize subordinates' performance deficiencies.
• Ability to match assignments with abilities of subordinates.
• Ability to give constructive criticism in a positive manner.
• Ability to recognize subordinates' performance capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize activities and assignments.
• Ability to document activities, events in writing (e.g., Department report, journal).
• Ability to give oral orders, instructions and directions clearly and concisely.
• Ability to draft policy and procedure statements.
• Ability to recognize hazardous or dangerous conditions, actions, or situations.
• Ability to recognize when a subordinate or co-worker is behaving in an unusual (atypical) manner.
• Ability to set administrative goals for department.
• Ability to resolves disputes among subordinates, and between self and others.
• Ability to understand financial information (e.g., statements, reports, contractual agreements).
• Ability to set performance goals for subordinates.
• Ability to make command decisions quickly.
• Ability to anticipate changing circumstances, conditions and outcomes in an emergency situation.
• 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 respond in a sensitive manner to emotionally distraught individuals.
• 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 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 after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: LG - CGS 9/01/00
• This job specification is for regional entity use only.

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.