New Jersey § 52:27bbb-7

§ 52:27bbb-7.

a. Upon receiving notification by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to

section 4 of P.L.2002, c. 43 ( C.52:27BBB-4 ), the Governor shall appoint the chief operating officer in consultation with the

mayor and the governing body. The chief operating officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The chief operating officer shall be qualified by training and experience for the

position and shall have at least 10 years of experience in the management or supervision

of government activities, three years of which may be substituted by an advanced degree

in business, law, or public administration. b. Pending the appointment of a chief operating officer or, in the event of the death,

resignation, removal or inability of the chief operating officer to discharge the

duties of that office, the functions, powers and duties of the chief operating officer

shall devolve upon the director, for the time being, until a chief operating officer

is appointed or is able to discharge the duties of that office. In the event that the chief operating officer does not serve out the chief operating

officer's term of office for any reason, a successor shall be chosen by the Governor. c. (1) The term of the chief operating officer shall terminate five years following the

assumption of duties on the part of the initial chief operating officer first appointed

pursuant to P.L.2002, c. 43 ( C.52:27BBB-1 et al.), or 10 years thereafter , except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the fourth-year report required by section 8 of P.L.2002, c. 43 ( C.52:27BBB-8 ) recommends an extension of that term, provided that the extension is approved by

the Commissioner of Community Affairs. The chief operating officer may be hired as a State employee in the unclassified

service of Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes or may be hired under

contract, as provided hereunder. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person so appointed shall acquire

tenure. If the chief operating officer is hired under contract, the person hired shall meet

the qualifications set forth herein, and it shall be clear from the contract that

the position is full-time and that the job site shall be at the principal offices

of the municipality. If, for any reason, a person engaged under contract is unable to fulfill the job

responsibilities of chief operating officer, the selection process shall be recommenced

in accordance with the provisions of this section. If the chief operating officer is hired under contract, the contract shall be available

for public inspection in the office of the municipal clerk. (2) An extended term of the office of chief operating officer shall terminate early

upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Community Affairs to end the rehabilitation

term for a qualified municipality and to commence the economic recovery term. d. Subject to the approval of the State Treasurer, the salary, benefits and costs

of the chief operating officer shall be fixed by the board and adjusted from time

to time as the board deems appropriate. The salary level and benefits shall be comparable to that of the director of any

public authority or agency with jurisdiction in the qualified municipality. The salary, benefits, and costs of the chief operating officer shall be an expense

of the State and paid through the Department of the Treasury.