CHIEF FIRE SAFETY
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief Fire Safety is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $106,547 to $157,363, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Community Affairs.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Community Affairs posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $137,037. The agencies employing the most are:
- Community Affairs (1)
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.
Definition
Under the administrative direction of the Division Director, Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs or other supervisory officer, is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations; directs and supervises the activities and staff involved in developing and conducting fire safety programs involving fire code enforcement and/or fire department services; may be responsible for the administration of public information/relations, fire related training and education programs, and/or emergency services; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
IN THE BUREAU OF FIRE CODE ENFORCEMENT: Develops administrative and operational policies/procedures to ensure the municipalities enforce fire safety codes in the manner prescribed by law or which will allow for efficient implementation of State enforcement responsibility if required Directs and supervises the activities and staff involved in the certification of fire inspectors who inspect and enforce the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations in state-owned buildings Enforce the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations in all municipalities in which no Local Enforcing Agency has been created and provides technical assistance to the Local Enforcing Agencies that exist statewide Oversees work programs and staff involved with life hazard use registration data as well as appropriate enforcement actions in cases of life hazard use failure to pay fees and penalties Oversees inspections of institutional buildings and grounds to identify and dispose of fire hazards and to ensure compliance with fire codes and standards; may conduct inspections as required Renders final administrative decisions for the assessment of fines, stop work orders, orders to vacate premises and revocation of licenses and permits Issues smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher and annual carnival certifications and/or permits. Represents the State of New Jersey and its interests at meetings/hearings for organizations such as the International Fire Code, Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA), National Fire Protection Association, and other code organizations which prepare/promulgate/review the codes used nationwide and in the State. IN THE BUREAU OF FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICES: Ensures fire department compliance with fire-related state statutes and regulations Coordinates and ensures statewide compliance with Fire Service Resource Emergency Deployment Act Oversees and coordinates the Division's Emergency Response Team Organizes and oversees special task forces when necessary Supports Homeland Security Efforts Ensures that all New Jersey Fire Departments are trained and are in compliance with the Incident Management System. Evaluates fire departments to ensure objectives are being met and to provide consultation regarding recruitment, retention, staffing, volunteers, and budgeting matters Provides consultation to colleges and universities and/or other educational institutions regarding the development of their firefighting personnel training programs. Oversees fire safety training and education programs delivered pursuant to the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act and oversees the development of related educational print materials. Oversees work programs and staff responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide public education initiative to increase public awareness thereby reducing injuries, death and property loss caused by accidental house fires. Oversees fire investigations unit and may perform investigations of fires on state property and fires involving the injury or fatality of firefighters and fires in municipalities where the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety serves as the Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) per N.J.A.C. 5:71-1.4 GENERAL: Maintains a continuing review of laws administered by the unit and regulations promulgated there under, and initiates and supervises preparation of necessary changes required Maintains an ongoing review of certification regulations; determines the need for revisions, deletions, and additions and initiates the same. Assists in the development of the organization, goals/objectives, establishes policy, and allocates resources. Supervises the development/revision of management systems to accomplish mandated functions of the unit which includes administration/enforcement of fire safety standards, registration of Life Hazard use structures, certification of fire inspectors, certification of installers of fire suppression systems, and the warranting of fire suppression systems. Supervises the development/implementation of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act. Provide technical assistance and guidance to local fire departments, agencies, and municipal officials involved in implementing the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationship with federal/state/local agencies interested in or concerned with the unit's work and serves as liaison with other state departments and agencies to ensure their compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Safety Act. Plans, supervises, and/or participates in research of new programs and/or research into problem areas identified through the enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act. May appear before State/Federal legislative committee on fire safety code issues Delivers presentations before various civic, community and other organizations Conducts public hearings and meetings Directs the establishment of application, permit and licensing fee schedules and penalty assessment procedures. Plans and directs work involved in the collection, preparation and dissemination of print and electronic media materials regarding public fire education, legislation and regulatory matters Establishes the broad administrative guidelines for the development and establishment of training and education programs, certification of inspectors, and meeting the registration and warranty responsibilities as mandated by the Uniform Fire Safety Act. Supervises an ongoing review of revolving funds and revenue accounts Evaluates on an ongoing basis administrative and operation procedures in order to identify deficiencies and/or initiate improved methods of operations Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates Prepares extensive correspondence in the course of official duties Supervises the establishment and maintenance of public records and files. Prepares or supervises preparation of clear, accurate, and informative statistical, financial, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations Attends seminars and professional organization meetings to keep informed of current technical developments in the fire protection services field. 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.
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.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations for Fire Code Enforcement. Knowledge of the Fire Service Emergency Deployment Act. Knowledge of municipal code enforcement procedures and common problems. Knowledge of fire related and fire code enforcement investigative procedures. Knowledge of building and construction methods and materials. Knowledge of applicable laws concerning assessment and collection of administrative penalties and methods of establishing fee schedules. Knowledge of research sources, techniques, and methods and their effective utilization in research studies. Knowledge of supervisory principles and management techniques. Knowledge of the design/operation of advanced fire protection systems. Knowledge of rules/procedures concerning granting or denying variations or exceptions to the requirements of any subcode. Knowledge of education and training programs related to or supportive of fire safety enforcement. Ability to assign, instruct, coordinate, and monitor supervisory staff in the performance of their duties. Ability to work closely with technical staff, college administrators, and teaching staff in the development of a training program. Ability to explain provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act to firefighters and others interested in fire safety. Ability to provide technical assistance to local municipalities in code enforcement. Ability to speak in public. Ability to prepare extensive correspondence in the performance of official duties. Ability to prepare or supervise preparation of clear, accurate statistical information, financial information, and periodic reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to work effectively with education institutions, code enforcement officials, and others in the fair administration of a fire safety certification program. Ability to administer procedures involved in amending technical requirements and in promulgating needed administrative rules/regulations. Ability to administer procedures used and to gather information required in preparation of cases for administrative hearing or trial. Ability to develop administrative and operational policies/procedures and to identify the need for additional or revised procedures. Ability to establish liaison and maintain cooperative working relationships with legislators, public officials, representatives of the press, radio, and television. Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret laws/regulations pertaining to fire safety. Ability to supervise the maintenance of reports, records, and files. 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. Twelve (12) years of professional experience in a fire code enforcement agency with administrative responsibility for fire prevention, protection or investigation OR in fire department administration including fire code enforcement responsibility, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and eight (8) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a master's degree in public administration from an accredited college or university; and seven (7) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions. Appointees must continue to maintain a valid Fire Official Certification and a valid Incident Management Level 1 Certification issued by The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.
CERTIFICATION
Applicants must possess a valid Fire Official Certification and an Incident Management Level 1 Certification issued by the NJ Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs to engage in the enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations.