STEUBENVILLE - The city Civil Service Commission will schedule promotional exams for fire chief, assistant fire chief and the lieutenant mechanic positions after City Manager Cathy Davison requested the tests to be administered.
Davison also suggested a study book for the chief's test, and the commission members agreed to forward the recommendation to Clancy & Associates, the Cleveland firm that administers the examinations.
Interim Fire Chief Carlo Capaldi said all three assistant chiefs have indicated an interest in taking the promotional test.
The fire chief job became vacant on Feb. 27 with the retirement of Fire Chief Terri English.
Capaldi and Chris Blackburn, president of Local 228 of the International Association of Firefighters, also addressed the commission regarding a disputed captain position vacancy.
"Lieutenant Mechanic Stephen Schaefer should have been promoted to captain of the West End station. He is being paid as acting captain and we feel he should be promoted to the vacancy on a permanent basis," explained Blackburn.
"We never agreed to eliminate that position. And the city is actually paying more for an acting captain than if Schaefer was promoted to the position. We hope to resolve this so neither side has to spend money on arbitration. We filed a grievance with the city manager but also wanted to talk to the civil service commission to see if we can resolve the issue," said Capaldi.
Commission member Rob D'Anniballe questioned the commission's authority to act on the issue and suggested the three members meet with Davison and City Law Director S. Gary Repella to discuss the issue.
Commission President Delores Wiggins also reported Davison requested a meeting with the commission, "to review city job descriptions.
"I would like to start with the table of organizations to properly list the city jobs we do cover. There have been a lot of changes over the years," said D'Anniballe.
Wiggins said an entry level police examination is set for 10 a.m. on May 19 at the city building.
"Applications are being accepted for the test until May 10," said Wiggins.
Wiggins also reported the commission has received 15 applications for the summer food program jobs but no applications for the 14 lifeguard positions for the Belleview Pool.
