Job Specification
FIRE CHIEF
DEFINITION
Under direction of a designated member of the local governing
body, has charge of the fire department. Manages all fire
department operations to ensure their timely, thorough, and
cost-effective preparation and conduct; does related work.
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.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Write memos and Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) to officers
to inform, instruct, or direct their activities.
Ensures all departmental, county, state and federal rules and
regulations are followed at fire scene.
Reviews department training programs to ensure compliance with
applicable regulations.
Reports to fires as determined by need, e.g., indicated in pre-planning
Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) or upon request from incident
commander.
Reviews and approves the final written form of Standard Operating
Guidelines (SOGs) and departmental regulations.
Authorizes training courses for department staff
Monitors monthly reports of sick time, vacation and overtime use
so that budget allocation may be checked for compliance.
Terminates or recommends termination of employees based upon
violations of departmental, county, state, or federal regulations.
Discusses pertinent matters with various union officials to promote
harmonious relationship within the Department.
Recommends major disciplinary actions of uniformed personnel for
violations of departmental, county, state, or federal regulations.
Refers personal problems of fire department personnel to proper
resources for guidance/treatment.
Ensures offender's supervisor reviews Fire Department violations.
Reviews all monthly reports (overtime, apparatus, drills, and
fuel) to initiate appropriate follow-up.
Provides information on equipment that requires capital expenditures
for budget consideration.
Ensures that all staff violations of Fire Department rules and regulations
are documented.
Assists business manager or municipal fiscal officer in development
of the fire department budget.
Provides equipment replacement schedule for budget consideration.
Approves expenditures for both budgeted and non-budgeted items.
Approves specifications for new equipment.
Reviews bid returns from potential vendors for compliance with
specifications, and makes recommendations.
Ensures that discrepancies in background checks for prospective
new firefighters are investigated.
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.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Graduation from high school, vocational high school, or possession
of an approved high school equivalency certificate.
EXPERIENCE:
Five (5) 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.
AGE:
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.
NOTE: Age requirement does not apply in those jurisdictions
whose members are not enrolled in the Police & Fire Pension System.
NOTE: 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.
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 AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of current technical issues, ideas and technology
relating to the fire service.
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 HAZMAT (e.g., hazardous materials and their effects,
SOGs relating to HAZMAT, hazardous materials placards, symbols,
names, and labels, etc.)
Knowledge of Incident Command System (ICS), including current
legislation.
Knowledge of procedures to establish line item budgets.
Knowledge of fire suppression & 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 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.)
Ability to draw conclusions from a body of facts.
Ability to be flexible and change one's position, decision or
compromise based upon new information.
Ability to interpret written reports (e.g., NJUFC reports,
Division reports, etc.).
Ability to interview individuals to obtain accurate and complete
information.
Ability to document activities, events in writing (e.g., Department
report, journal).
Ability to evaluate incidents which might lead to discipline or
additional training.
Ability to understand financial information (e.g., statements,
reports, contractual agreements).
Ability to draft policy and procedure statements.
Ability to recognize subordinates' performance deficiencies.
Ability to prioritize activities and assignments.
Ability to recognize subordinates' performance capabilities.
Ability to delegate.
Ability to set administrative goals for department.
Ability to give constructive criticism in a positive manner.
Ability to match assignments with abilities of subordinates.
Ability to resolves disputes among subordinates, and between
self and others.
Ability to prepare line-item budget.
Ability to recognize when a subordinate or co-worker is behaving
in an unusual (atypical) manner.
Ability to set performance goals for subordinates.
Ability to respond in a sensitive manner to emotionally
distraught individuals.
Ability to give oral orders, instructions and directions clearly
and concisely.
Ability to recognize hazardous or dangerous conditions, actions,
or situations.
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 anticipate changing circumstances conditions and
outcomes in an emergency situation.
Ability to make command decisions quickly.
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 the duties of this position.
American Sign Language or Braillemay 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.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 01837 | | L | C | | N/A | 34 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
1/2/2018 |
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