Observed divergence in the attitudes of incumbents end supervisors as subject matter experts in job analysis: A study of the Fire Captain rank

This study compares the attitudes of incumbent Fire Captains and their supe rvisors regarding critical aspects of a Fire Captain's job. Fire Captains a nd supervisors (Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chiefs, and Division Chiefs) were h eld as separate subject matter expert groups in an analysis of the Captain' s job. Data regarding the attitudes held by these SME groups concerning the criticality of Fire Captain job tasks and work required knowledge, skills, abilities and worker characteristics were collected through task inventory and worker attribute surveys. These data were compared to determine the de gree to which the SME groups agreed upon the critical aspects of the Fire C aptain's job. The data indicate that Fire Captains and their supervisors su bstantially agree upon the criticality of Fire Captain tasks, and moderatel y agree upon the criticality of requisite Fire Captain attributes. The find ings of this study have applications for current job analysis practice as w ell as point out areas in need of further examination.