San Jose Fire Chief Jeff Clet has announced he will step down as chief so his son can accept a job offer from the fire department. A citywide policy adopted last year prohibits family members from having a role in hiring an immediate family member or even indirectly supervising one.

Faced with a choice of his career or his son's, Clet has elected to accept a battalion chief position and the department will arrange Clet's work shift and and duties so that he will not be in a position to supervise his son. Clet previously had removed himself from the entire hiring process as his son went through it, according to city spokesman.

“For me, this wasn't a 'fire chief' decision,'' Clet was quoted as saying. “This is a decision I made as a father looking out for a son who had done a lot of hard work and prepared himself and deserved an opportunity … to start his life and serve San Jose … and get the reward and benefit of being able to help people like his dad and grandfather.'' Until the new policy was adopted, Clet had hoped he could hire his son just as his own father — former San Jose Fire Chief Vince Clet — had hired him in 1981.

Darryl Von Raesfeld, a 29-year veteran who has served as assistant chief for the past year, is slated to serve as acting chief when Clet steps down July 15. Von Raesfeld says, however, he will not apply for the top position of the 750-employee department on a permanent basis.