Assistant Fire Chief

NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY CERTIFICATIONS: The additional National Fire Academy Certifications listed below are preferred for the current announcement period (2017) and are required within 24 months after transfer or promotion for designated Division Assistant Chief positions:

Purpose of examination

The purpose of the exam is to establish an employment register to fill any vacancies for the classification that may occur over the life of the register.  If there are fewer qualified applicants for the number of openings, an examination will not be administered (in accordance with Personnel Rules and Regulations, Rule VII, Section 3).  All candidates will be placed on the employment list.

Examination dates

All exercises of the selection procedure for the classification will be scheduled at a later date.  Qualified candidates who apply to compete in the selection process will be notified in writing of specific dates, times, and locations at which to appear for the selection process.

Examination orientation

An orientation session will be provided to familiarize candidates with the examination process.  All qualifying candidates will have the opportunity to attend a session.  Sessions will be scheduled at a later date. Qualified candidates who apply to compete in the selection process will be notified of these dates and times.  The orientation sessions will be held at the Montgomery City/County Personnel Department, 27 Madison Avenue, Board Room. The orientation session is not mandatory.  A candidate orientation guide will be distributed at the meeting.  If you do not attend the orientation, you may obtain a guide after the date of the orientation at the front desk of the Montgomery City-County Personnel Department.

Examination description

The competitive examination process will consist of four types of exercises. These exercises include a Personnel Exercise, Structured Oral Interview, Public Relations Exercise, and Research Exercise. Verbal exercises will be recorded. All exercises will be scored by panels of Fire Department experts at a later date. 

Performance dimensions

The exam has been designed to measure the knowledge, skills, and abilities which are important for an Assistant Chief to possess on the first day of the job. Those knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) which were judged by subject matter experts to be important and which are amenable to testing have been grouped together into areas of similarity to form performance dimensions. It is these six dimensions upon which the assessment has been based. The following information provides a description of these dimensions. More detailed information about the exercises, weights, and KSAs underlying each performance dimension will be provided at the Candidate Orientation and in the Candidate Information Guide which will be distributed at the orientation. If you do not wish to attend the orientation, you may pick up a copy of the Candidate Information Guide from the City-County Personnel Department after the date of the orientation.

OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE (OPS)

The extent to which one possesses understanding and knowledge of the internal rules, regulations, and policies governing the Montgomery Fire Department.

MANAGEMENT/OVERSIGHT (M/O)

The extent to which one can determine necessary resources, manage division activities, monitor division effectiveness, delegate assignments, and balance division and department needs.

REASONING/PROBLEM ANALYSIS (RPA)

 The extent to which one possesses the skills of identifying problems, securing relevant information, and identifying possible causes of problems.

HUMAN RELATIONS (HR)

This dimension includes the ability to interact with subordinates and supervisors in an effective manner to include listening and accepting feedback from subordinates or supervisors, using tact, and demonstrating consideration of the feelings and needs of others. 

ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (OC)

The extent to which one can give an oral presentation and communicate on a one-on-one basis by listening and responding, speaking effectively, communicating at the audience level, and using non-verbal communication to enhance oral communications.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (WC)

The extent to which one expresses ideas, policies, etc. in writing through thoroughness, conciseness, and accuracy of information.  Also, proper grammar, spelling and punctuation will be evaluated in terms of whether or not they meet the department standards.

Disqualification from competition

The Personnel Department and/or expert shall disqualify an applicant or candidate from competition upon determination that:

1. The application was not received by the filing deadline.

2. The applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications specified in the announcement.

3. The candidate fails to appear at the announced time and place for testing.

4. The candidate is found to be cheating. 

Cheating involves any attempt by an individual or group to enhance test scores by means other than actual knowledge or ability, including but not limited to, efforts to give or receive information about the test content or correct responses before, after or during a test. 

Examples of cheating during a test would be:

a) attempting to gain access to the test under false pretenses

b) failing to follow instructions given by the test administrators or proctors

c) talking to another candidate during the test

d) removing or attempting to remove test materials from the test site

e) leaving the testing room, holding room, or other location without permission from the test administrator

f) attempting to use notes, hand held computers or calculators when instructed not to

g) looking at another's test paper or answer sheet

h) working on a test section after time has been called

i) giving or receiving test information to or from another person The Personnel Department may not exercise discretion in waiving these requirements for qualification except as may be required by law in connection with military personnel called to active duty.

The Personnel Department will provide written notification of the disqualification and the reason for disqualification to the applicant or candidate within five (5) days from the determination of the disqualifying circumstance.

Complete an online application by visiting Montgomery City-County Personnel's Online Employment Center. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Completed applications will be accepted online until 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. If there is no closing date, the announcement may be closed at any time without prior notice.