HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 104.03 Temporary Duties in a Higher Classification and Reassignments (1)~ 1 ~
Beaumont Fire Department
Standard Operating Guideline
104.03 – Temporary Duties in Higher Classifications & Reassignments
Effective: 10/06/2025 Chief Earl White
Replaces Policy Dated: 7/1/1999
1. Temporary Duties in a Higher Classification
1.1. General Parameters
1.1.1. When a vacancy exists in a particular grade and there are no swing personnel of the
same grade available to fill the vacancy— if all other factors are equal and unless
stated elsewhere in this policy—seniority will be used as the method of
determining temporary duties in a higher classification. Members who have
prescheduled training may not be placed in a higher classification.
1.1.2. Temporary Duties in a Higher Classification shall be mandatory and cannot be
turned down, unless requested in writing.
1.1.2.1. Members that do not want to receive temporary duties in a higher
classification shall provide written notice by email to ALL Operational
Chiefs, the Assistant Chief, and the Fire Chief or his designee at least 24-
hours prior to the start of their regularly scheduled shift, and shall remain
in effect until rescinded in writing by email to ALL Operational Chiefs,
the Assistant Chief, and the Fire Chief or his designee. Any request shall
become effective on their next regularly scheduled shift.
1.1.2.2. After 10am or whenever the schedule is entered in the Department’s
scheduling software or communicated though other official means,
whichever is later, any changes to the schedule that impact temporary
duties in a higher classification shall be made in accordance with the
efficiency of operations within the Department at the discretion of the
Deputy Chief. Employees shall have two (2) hours from the posting of the
schedule or official notification to ask for the schedule to be changed
based on an error.
1.1.2.3. If no other member is available to fill a temporary duties in a higher
classification, then members who have submitted a written notice
requesting to turn down temporary duties in a higher classification may
still be used to fill vacancies, at the Deputy Chief’s discretion.
1.1.3. Scheduling a temporary duties in a higher classification may necessitate moving a
member to a position or location other than the member’s current location and/or
assignment.
1.1.4. Personnel assigned temporary duties in a higher classification are afforded the
same respect and responsibility as someone who holds the rank on a permanent
basis.
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1.2. Temporary Duties in a Higher Classification: Grades I to Grade II
1.2.1. At a single company station, if there are no swing Grade II personnel available to
fill a Grade II vacancy, then the permanently assigned Grade I will be assigned the
temporary duties in a higher classification to Grade II.
1.2.2. At a multi-apparatus station, if there are no swing Grade II personnel available to
fill a Grade II vacancy, seniority of the permanently assigned Grade I members
will be used to determine the temporary duties in a higher classification.
1.2.3. If the permanently assigned members have properly submitted a refusal of
temporary duties in a higher classification email, then the Deputy Chief will assign
the temporary duties to a qualified swing Grade I assigned to the shift, based on
seniority.
1.2.4. If there are no swing Grade I personnel assigned to the shift available to fill the
position, then a Grade I member already working overtime or trading time will be
assigned the temporary duties in a higher classification, based on seniority.
1.2.5. If no qualified Grade I swing, or Grade I personnel working overtime or trading
time are available to accept the temporary duties in a higher classification, then the
Deputy Chief will assign the position to a member who has submitted a refusal of
temporary duties in a higher classification request. This assignment will be based
on efficiency of operations within the Department at the discretion of the Deputy
Chief.
1.3. Temporary Duties in a Higher Classification: Grade II to Grade III
1.3.1. At a single company station, the permanently assigned Grade II will be assigned
the temporary duties in a higher classification to Grade III.
1.3.2. At a multi-apparatus station, seniority of the permanently assigned Grade II
personnel will be used to determine the temporary duties in a higher classification
assignment.
1.3.3. If the permanently assigned members have properly submitted a refusal of
temporary duties in a higher classification email, then the Deputy Chief will assign
the temporary duties to a qualified swing Grade II assigned to the shift, based on
seniority.
1.3.4. If there are no swing Grade II personnel assigned to the shift available to fill the
position, then a Grade II member already working overtime or trading time will be
assigned the temporary duties in a higher classification, based on seniority.
1.3.5. If no qualified Grade II swing, or Grade II members working overtime or trading
time are available to accept the temporary duties in a higher classification, then the
Deputy Chief will assign the position to a member who has submitted a refusal of
temporary duties in a higher classification request. This assignment will be based
on efficiency of operations within the Department at the discretion of the Deputy
Chief.
1.4. Temporary Duties in a Higher Classification: Grade III to Grade IV
1.4.1. The permanently assigned Grade III at the district station where the vacancy occurs
will be assigned the temporary duties in a higher classification.
1.4.2. If the permanently assigned Grade III is off-duty, then the temporary duties in a
higher classification will be assigned to a Grade III member permanently assigned
within the district where the vacancy occurs, based on seniority.
1.4.3. If no permanently assigned Grade III within the district where the vacancy occurs
is available, then another Grade III member permanently assigned to the shift will
be assigned the temporary duties in a higher classification, based on seniority.
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1.4.4. If no Grade III assigned to the shift is available, then a Grade III working overtime
or trading time will be assigned the temporary promotion, based on seniority.
1.4.5. If no qualified Grade III members working overtime or trading time are available
to accept the temporary duties in a higher classification, then the Deputy Chief will
assign the position to a member who has submitted a refusal of temporary duties in
a higher classification request. This assignment will be based on efficiency of
operations within the Department at the discretion of the Deputy Chief.
1.5. Temporary Duties in a Higher Classification: Grade IV to Grade V
1.5.1. The permanently assigned Grade IV at Fire Station #1 will be assigned the
temporary duties in a higher classification.
1.5.2. If the permanently assigned Grade IV at Station #1 is off-duty, then the temporary
duties in a higher classification will be assigned to a permanent Grade IV on the
shift, based on seniority.
1.5.3. If no permanent Grade IV personnel assigned to the shift are available, then a
Grade IV working overtime or trading time will be assigned the temporary duties
in a higher classification, based on seniority.
1.5.4. If no qualified Grade IV members working overtime or trading time are available
to accept the temporary duties in a higher classification, then the Deputy Chief will
assign the position to a member who has submitted a refusal of temporary duties in
a higher classification request. This assignment will be based on efficiency of
operations within the Department at the discretion of the Deputy Chief.
2. Temporary Reassignments - assignment to a position or location other than the member’s
current position or location for a period of not more than ninety (90) consecutive working
days.
2.1. The ninety (90) day limitation does not apply to positions in which the job duties require
periodic performance of duties in a higher classification (rank) than the current position.
2.2. Members may be placed on a temporary reassignment at any time if the assignment is
deemed necessary to either:
2.2.1. Improve the efficient provision of services to citizens,
2.2.2. Maximize the response capabilities of the department,
2.2.3. Enhance the overall safety profile for crews and/or members.
2.2.4. Provide needed developmental experience or training for a member.