TESTING DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 27, 2013 @ 1700 HOURS
Firefighter/Engineer Monthly Base Salary: $7,771.01 to $9,445.72
THE POSITION
The Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD) is recruiting for the position of Firefighter/Engineer (FF/E). Please read the following announcement carefully. Failure to follow these instructions may eliminate potential candidates from continuing in the recruitment/selection process. All successful applicants hired through this process will initially participate as FF/E Trainees during the 14-week Fire Academy. The FF/E Trainees will receive a flat rate of $4,500.00 per month without any benefits. At the conclusion of the Fire Academy, successful Trainees will become probationary Firefighter/Engineers. Please review the Firefighter/Engineer Trainee information document and SCCFD information found on our web site at www.sccfd.org under employment opportunities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Firefighter/Engineer: By November 27, 2013, applicant must be at least 21 years of age and has not reached 35 years of age. Applicants 35 years of age and older MUST have a minimum of 5 years of full time firefighting experience within the last 10 years prior to the testing deadline of November 27, 2013. Applicants must have completed education equivalent to the 12th grade; visual acuity of not less than 20/40 uncorrected vision in each eye, with only mild red/green color defects being acceptable; be in good physical condition; weight in proportion to height; and in possession of a valid California driver’s license. A current CPAT card is required at the time of the Oral Board interview and upon commencement of the Fire Academy. The Oral Board date is tentatively scheduled for two (2) weeks beginning January 6, 2014. Applicant must hold a current EMT-1 certificate with the ability to certify within the County of Santa Clara at time of appointment.
Highly desirable qualifications:
• Firefighter I Academy Certification from an “Accredited Regional Training Program,” as approved by the California Office of State Fire Marshal/State Fire Training, or
• Firefighter I Certification from the California Office of State Fire Marshal/State Fire Training, or
• Proof of current enrollment in a Firefighter I Academy approved by the California Office of State Fire Marshal/State Fire Training as an “Accredited Regional Training Program,” with a scheduled graduation date no later than May 25, 2014. Proof of current enrollment would include a signed letter from the Fire Technology Coordinator or the Fire Academy Coordinator of the Academy.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
14700 Winchester Boulevard
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 378-4010
Physical Fitness Standards: The applicant should be in good physical condition; weight in proportion to height. The Department reserves the right to conduct a pre-qualification physical fitness test prior to selection of final applicant being selected to go through the recruitment process. Per Policy 3-22, the applicant may receive a fitness test within the first week of the academy. The testing will include, but not be limited to:
• Pack test - using a 45 pound pack, walk/run 3 miles in 45 minutes
• Pull-ups - 3
• Push-ups - 20 in 30 seconds
• Curl ups/crunches - 30 in 60 seconds
Tattoo Guidelines: Eligible applicants must not have any tattoos visible while wearing the SCCFD exercise uniform (i.e. exercise uniform is a SCCFD t-shirt and exercise shorts). Tattoos containing profane and/or inappropriate messages and/or images are strictly prohibited.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
SCCFD offers testing services for the position of Firefighter/ Engineer through National Testing Network, Inc. (NTN). The application and how to schedule a test is located on NTN’s website, www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select Fire and sign up for the Santa Clara County Fire Department recruitment. Applicant MUST completely fill out the application and the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) in order to be considered. An incomplete application and questionnaire will result in immediate disqualification. Several testing dates will be offered, but the applicant must complete the testing by November 27, 2013 at 1700 hours. The www.nationaltestingnetwork.com website provides the following:
- Application process, including the PHQ.
- Information related to the Santa Clara County Fire Department Firefighter/Engineer
- position, including minimum requirements, salary and benefits.
- Detailed information about the testing process for the entry-level test.
- Opportunity to take online practice tests at www.fireteamtest.com.
- Schedule your own convenient test date and time. Tests are offered multiple times a week, including Saturdays at various testing locations.
- Take high quality job simulation tests in a standardized, fair testing environment.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants who pass the written examination with a score of 70% or higher in each category will be eligible to participate in the random selection process for the Oral Board interviews. Those selected must have a current CPAT at time of the oral board interviews. The Oral Board interviews have been tentatively scheduled for two (2) weeks beginning the week of January 6, 2014. Selected applicants must bring their driver’s license and current CPAT card to their scheduled oral board interview. Failure to provide the original of these documents at the time of the Oral Board interview will be basis for disqualification. (Additional information regarding the CPAT physical ability test, practice dates, and test dates can be viewed at www.cffjac.org or by calling (877) 648-2728. In addition to the requirement of having a current CPAT for the Oral Board interview, the applicant must have a current CPAT upon commencement of the Fire Academy. Veterans may be eligible for preference points. In order to be eligible, the applicant must provide a copy of their military discharge form (Form DD214).
Based on the eligibility list, those candidates invited to continue in the process may be required to successfully complete a Polygraph test. In addition, candidates may be required to complete a Department physical agility test.
Extensive pre-employment background includes Livescan (fingerprinting), psychological and medical examinations will be required for those applicants who are offered a conditional offer of employment. Candidate must have a California driver’s license as part of conditional offer. Date to be determined for the fourteen (14) week Fire Academy.
For additional information regarding the position of Firefighter/Engineer, or the application and selection process outlined herein, please visit our website at www.sccfd.org. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
