N.J. Stat. § 54:1-98

13. a. A serving municipal tax assessor or deputy municipal tax assessor who holds tenure in the position, or who has obtained a certified tax assessor certificate immediately prior to the appointment of the first county assessor pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2009, c.118 (C.54:1-89), shall be entitled to preference with regard to the appointment of deputy county assessors pursuant to subsection a. of section 6 of P.L.2009, c.118 (C.54:1-91). b. Each person appointed as a deputy county assessor shall acquire tenure in office after serving three continuous years in the office. Thereafter, a deputy county assessor shall hold office during good behavior and efficiency, and shall not be removed for political reasons or for any cause other than incapacity, misconduct, disobedience of rules or regulations established by the director or by the county governing body, failure to meet the standards of performance established by the director, or schedules or standards adopted pursuant to P.L.2009, c.118 (C.54:1-86 et al.). L.2009, c.118, s.13.