KEARNY –
The Town of Kearny is getting ready to hire more firefighters – quite a few, in fact – but it still won’t be enough to plug the gap created by the onslaught of retirements.
So, in anticipation of the continuing need to fill those vacated slots, the town is encouraging those interested to apply to take the state Civil Service exam for firefighter.
As of July 1, the state began accepting applications and the filing deadline is Aug. 31, 2015. Kearny residents can get them online at www.state.nj.us/csc.
Under terms of an amended 2011 federal consent decree, Kearny is mandated to prioritize applicants from Kearny and Newark for job openings – uniformed and civilian.
To be eligible for a firefighter exam, applicants must be U.S. citizens and residents of Kearny or Newark, as of Aug. 31; have a high school diploma or equivalent; and be between ages 18 and 35, also as of Aug. 31.
Mayor Alberto Santos said the town is shooting to hire 10 firefighters at the July 14 Town Council meeting but will be looking to appoint seven more from the current state Civil Service appointment list, all as replacements for retirees.
“We should have a new list toward the end of the year and that will be good for 2016, 2017 and 2018,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Santos said, the town is also finalizing a list for the appointment of police officers, all to fill vacancies in the ranks. Candidates are currently undergoing background screening and medical testing, he added.
Santos said he anticipated getting some candidates from other law enforcement departments and agencies through intergovernmental transfers.
“We’re shooting for 14 or 15 [police appointments],” he added, possibly by July 14.
– Ron Leir
