SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady Fire Department will operate without an assistant chief for the remainder of the year while it waits to administer a civil service exam necessary to fill the position.
Chief Don Mareno, who was promoted from assistant chief earlier this year by Mayor Gary McCarthy, said a test for his former position will likely be scheduled sometime in December, which means the position will not be filled until the first quarter of next year.
“We currently have requested an exam that will be given probably in December, and by the time that is graded and certified, it probably won’t be until the beginning of 2023,” he said.
Mareno said the department typically has a list of potential candidates to interview, but is without one this time around.
Last week, he requested the City Council approve a budget amendment that would create an additional deputy chief position to help cover administrative duties at no additional cost to the department until a new assistant can be appointed.
“All that work still needs to go on,” Mareno said.
The council’s Finance Committee approved the request and the full council is expected to pass the proposal on Monday.
The additional deputy chief position would carry a salary of $84,012 and would be eliminated once an assistant is appointed, Mareno said.
“In the first quarter, when someone is appointed assistant chief, there’ll be no need for the deputy chief,” he said.
A 31-year veteran of the department, Mareno was appointed chief last month following the retirement of former Chief Raymond Senecal in March.
Contact reporter Chad Arnold at: 518-410-5117 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @ChadGArnold.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady, Schenectady County
