Written Examination
Saturday, May 21, 2016 An application packet will be available beginning Friday, March 4, 2016 at www.publicsafetyrecruitment.com.
Application deadline will be 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016.
Firefighter/Paramedic Testing Process
The following description is intended to serve only as a general summary of the City's Firefighter/Paramedic hiring process.
Elements of the selection process include: the online application process, written examination, and proof of completion of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and Ladder Climb Certification.
Testing is typically conducted every 12 months unless extended; eligibility lists may be extended for up to two (2) additional six (6) month periods.
When testing takes place, all individuals interested in becoming a Firefighter/Paramedic must meet the following requirements:
$35 non-refundable application fee;
To request an application fee waiver due to financial hardship email Public Safety Recruitment at info@publicsafetyrecruitment.com
U.S. citizen;
Between the ages of 21 and 34 at time of written exam on May 21, 2016;
High School diploma or equivalent (GED);
Valid driver's license;
Valid Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-Paramedic (IDPH EMT-P) or National Registry license by date of application deadline (4/22/2016);
Successful completion of CPAT and Ladder Climb within six (6) months PRIOR to application deadline (4/22/2016);
Candidates may take the CPAT and Ladder Climb test at NIPSTA (Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy) in Glenview, IL or at SUFD (Southwest United Fire Districts) in Darien, IL;
Successfully complete an online application and submit all required documents no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016.
Applicants are processed in subsequent steps as follows:
Completion of online application and submission of all required documents.
Proof of completion of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and Ladder Climb issued within six (6) months prior to application deadline (4/22/2016).
Mandatory orientation and written examination. Following the written exam, examination bands of applicants for further testing will be established. The first band shall include the 24 highest scoring applicants on the written exam. The remainder of the applicants will be grouped into examination bands of 24 applicants each, in order of their scores on the written exam.
Candidates in the first band will proceed as follows:
Screening Interview to be conducted by a panel of staff members chosen by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BFPC). Screening interviews are tentatively scheduled for 6/22/16 and 6/23/16
Preliminary Background Investigation
Candidates who pass the Screening Interview and complete the Preliminary Background Investigation will proceed as follows:
Polygraph Test: Candidates are required to submit to a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygraph examiner in order to be eligible to continue in the selection process. Polygraph tests will be tentatively scheduled for the week of 7/6/16.
Board Review and Oral Interview conducted by the Board with a tentative date of Saturday, July 23, 2016.
Initial Eligibility List will consist of all those who pass the above portions of the selection process and based on a composite score for the written exam and oral interview (written exam 20% & oral interview 80%). Candidates will be listed in rank order.
Submission of proof of preference points
5 points – Minimum of one year active military duty with honorable discharge, verifiable by copy of DD-214 showing honorable discharge;
5 points – Firefighter Certification Points will be awarded to the final ranking of candidates who possess State of Illinois Firefighter II/Basic Operations Firefighter Certifications (or its equivalent in other states), verifiable by photocopy of certificate
A Final Eligibility List which includes all preference points will be established. The Final Eligibility List will be valid for twelve months unless extended; eligibility lists may be extended for up to two (2) additional six (6) month periods.
Further participation in the selection process will take place as vacancies occur. Applicants will be invited to participate in and successfully advance through the following steps:
Detailed character and background investigation
Psychological/Psychiatric testing
Medical Exam
Appointment Process
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Supplemental Information:
Fire Recruit Opportunity:
The Fire Fighter/Paramedic position requires State of Illinois Certification as a Fire Fighter. The City may, at its discretion, offer certain candidates who are not State of Illinois certified Police Officers (sic?) temporary, short-term employment as a non-sworn Fire Recruit and sponsor the Recruit at a Fire Academy.
Should the candidate obtain certification as a State of Illinois certified Fire Fighter by virtue of successful completion of the Fire Academy, and an authorized vacancy exists, the Recruit may be offered employment as a Fire Fighter subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. However, there is no guarantee that a Fire Recruit will be offered a Fire Fighter position, even if he or she successfully completes the Academy.
