How selection usually works
Deputy and assistant chiefs are commonly appointed by the chief, sometimes with city or county approval. Some civil service jurisdictions still test. Know which rules apply to you.
Chiefs pick people they trust to run a bureau, speak for the department and tell them hard truths privately.
What gets you considered
- Visible results as captain, with measures.
- Executive education: command and executive leadership institutes, university programs and national academies. Plan these years ahead because seats are limited.
- Cross-functional experience: budget, internal affairs, training, technology and community relations.
- A reputation for calm in a crisis and loyalty to the mission over personal ambition.
Prepare like an executive
- Read your jurisdiction's budget book and council agendas.
- Build relationships with peers in other departments of local government: HR, finance, legal and IT.
- Keep a portfolio of plans, reports and outcomes. Your ServiceJacket profile can hold the training side of that record.
Reading to gather
- Jurisdiction budget book
- Executive leadership readings from your chosen institute
This guide is general information written by ServiceJacket, not advice from any agency or testing company. Your official announcement, civil service rules and labor contract control.
Keep going
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