AIR GUARD BATTALION CHIEF
Air Guard Battalion Chief 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.
Qualifying takes a bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $72,896 and $106,798, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at Military Affairs.
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: 3-4i, state unclassified service.
(i) Employees in the military or naval service of the State;
A title in the State 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.
Who employs this title
Air Guard Battalion Chief appears on the State payroll at one department, Military Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Military Affairs | 4 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $108,511. The agencies employing the most are:
- Military Affairs (4)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 Air Guard Deputy Fire Chief, or other superior officer in the Department of Military Affairs, has charge of group of fire companies engaged in providing fire protection for persons and property; formulates response strategies and action plans; orders company officers on specific operations to be carried out; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and supervises activities which include the management of personnel, fire prevention and training activities, and oversight of programs. Supervises and serves as a structural and airport firefighter, and HAZMAT responder on a scheduled rotation. Supervises and participates in fire and emergency services to include, but not limited to, fire suppression, aircraft firefighting rescue, emergency medical services, public assistance, fire prevention, pre-fire planning, fire training, public education, and routine maintenance and repair of apparatus, equipment, and facilities. Devises action plans for strategic execution, covering tasks like advancing lines, ventilation, securing areas, and rescues. Advises and provides counsel to firefighting staff regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management. Determines optimal defensive or offensive strategies according to conditions during fire emergency or other emergency incidents. Evaluates scene safety for firefighter involvement and coordinates hose line placement and ventilation to support search and rescue operations. Directs multi-company attacks by providing instructions for ladder and hose line placements, apparatus positioning, and more. Assesses the need for evacuations based on environmental factors, hazardous materials, and fire dynamics. Analyzes incoming incident descriptions and determines appropriate response levels assignments. Monitors compliance with regulations, policies, and protocols among personnel, including appearance and equipment. Initiates requests for additional resources, lines, and personnel. Observes personnel conditions, arranging replacements for fatigue-related issues. Manages rescue priorities in scenarios with multiple victims. Supervises and directs specific fireground operations like ventilation, rescue, exposure control, and salvage. Secures hazardous areas to prevent unauthorized access during spills or HAZMAT incidents. Assigns units for targeted situation assessments via radio or direct contact. Reviews and verifies subordinate officers' reports for accuracy and critical details. Adapts to various recording and information systems for efficient communication. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Ensures that daily inspections of the company and its equipment occur. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with surrounding community paid and volunteer fire fighting companies. Prepares and reviews reports of fires, equipment, and personnel. Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Eight (8) years of experience involved in the extinguishing of fires and/or in performing fire prevention work or as an airport firefighter at another airport/installation, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. -OR- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-referenced experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States. LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Applicants must possess the following IFSAC and/or PRO BOARD certifications: Airport Firefighter Firefighter II Hazardous Material Operations Driver/Operator ARFF, Driver/Operator Pumper, Driver/Operator MWS Fire Officer III Fire Inspector II Fire Instructor II Haz Mat Incident Commander, ICS 100,200,300,400,700,800, and Incident Safety Officer
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of fire protection/prevention theories, principles, methods, techniques, and practices to establish policies and procedures. Knowledge of airport firefighting principles, procedures, and techniques. Knowledge of rescue operations and basic emergency medical procedures. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques. Knowledge of the design and construction of aircraft. Knowledge of Incident Management System (IMS) for emergency operations. Knowledge of extrication and the use of extrication tools. Ability to operate and direct others in operating in stressful and dangerous conditions. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of a shift. Ability to formulate and effectively implement firefighting/emergency response plans and to direct personnel in such operations. Ability to drive and operate firefighting vehicles and equipment. Ability to oversee maintenance activities and do minor repairs on firefighting vehicles, apparatus and equipment. Ability to comprehend training and technical manuals. Ability to organize the work of an assigned company so as to make the best available use of personnel, funds, and equipment. Ability to give assignments and instruction to firefighters and supervise their work performance. Ability to perform strenuous physical activity such as lifting heavy firefighting equipment, climbing ladders, lifting, and carrying people and equipment for rescue and salvage. Ability to work under conditions of heavy physical exertion in extreme heat and dust, in high and confined areas and smoke-filled spaces, and in all kinds of weather, and to maintain physical activity for prolonged periods of time. Ability to understand and apply principles of emergency medical and first aid treatment. Ability to administer first aid, CPR and other emergency medical care. Ability to prioritize emergency medical treatment needs. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Ability to remain calm in emergency situations. Ability to learn how 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 Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the 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. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Appointees must maintain all required certifications; failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or termination. Appointees must possess current CPR and Emergency Medical Responder certification or higher. Appointees will be required to possess a valid US driver's license. MEDICAL EXAMINATION: All appointees must take and pass a NFPA 1582 firefighter physical.