Fall 2018 Firefighter Information Packet

Transcription

1 IMPORTANT DATES FOR TESTING FOR FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT APPLICATIONS TO PERSONNEL Friday OCTOBER 5, 2018 RECEIVED BY 4:00 PM CST WRITTEN EXAM FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2018 PHYSICAL AGILITY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2018 Fall 2018 Firefighter Information Packet If you have applied with us before, please note we are making some changes in our procedure. We appreciate your interest in being considered for placement on our Firefighter Eligibility List. We give two (2) tests to determine your ranking. One is a Written Exam and the other is a Physical Agility Test. These tests are equally weighted. QUALIFICATIONS We are establishing a new Eligibility List for Firefighter. The list may stay in effect for up to two years. To qualify you must: Have earned a high school diploma or GED Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Tennessee for the type of vehicle or equipment operated Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the National Fire Protection Association and the State of Tennessee For more information on the positions and required qualifications, see the Job Description. ENTRY PAY INFORMATION Base entry level pay for an Uncertified Firefighter is $3,333/month. Certified Firefighters start at $3,583/month. Pay is adjusted once Uncertified Firefighters become Certified. Page 1 of 8

2 HOW TO APPLY FOR TESTING In order to be scheduled for testing, you must review the information, download, and complete the application and supporting documents (Steps 3 and 4, pages 1-8) and return it to the Personnel office by October 5, 2018 at 4:00 PM CST. We are located at 101 Maple Drive North, Hendersonville, TN You may also all information to personnel@hvilletn.org by the deadline above. If you do not have access to the internet you may pick up an application from City Hall, at the above address, or contact us at (615) to obtain an application packet. We will not accept faxed versions of application materials. We must have an original signed document. Any applications not directly submitted to Personnel Office either by mail, , or in person by the deadline will not be considered. Applications must be received by October 5, 2018 at 4:00 PM CST. Now for some specifics on our procedures: TESTING SCHEDULE/THE PROCESS You will be required to show a photo ID at the tests. Step one of the testing process will be your Job Application. Failure to complete this application according to the instructions given in this letter will disqualify you from any further consideration. To pass this review process, please note that you must COMPLETE your application. All questions must be answered and attachments completed. If the question does not apply to you, write n/a. Do not leave any areas blank. There is also a supplemental application (Attachment C) with an essay question that you are asked personally to complete. This must be your own work; however, it is recommended that you carefully check for spelling and grammatical errors. You will be notified by as to whether you have been disqualified or cleared to take the written exam. WRITTEN TEST INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES MEETING THE ABOVE CRITERIA If your application is accepted, below is the Written Exam schedule. Written Exams will be administered at the Hendersonville Public Library located at 140 Saundersville Road, Hendersonville, TN on Friday, November 2, Those candidates with last name beginning with letter A to L: report at 9:00 AM CST Those candidates with last name beginning with letter M to Z: report at 1:00 PM CST The Written Exam is Friday, November 2, Tests will be given as noted above. Page 2 of 8

3 WRITTEN EXAM NOTE TO CANDIDATES YOU MUST ARRIVE AT YOUR SCHEDULED TEST ON TIME! (Candidates not complying with this directive have been turned away at the door by the Fire Chief and not allowed to test). You will be given instructions at the Written Exam as to the scheduling for the Physical Agility Testing. To date we have received several hundred inquiries on this position. Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, we will not be able to accommodate requests for schedule changes once you are assigned a test slot. Page 3 of 8

4 How do I make sure my application passes the review process? If your application is rejected, it will be returned to you with an explanation as to why. Please pay close attention to the information contained in this section. This is the checklist we use in screening the applications: Incomplete application (only submitted portion of required materials or items were left blank) Not Submitted: Firefighter Recruitment Checklist Attachment A: Authority to Release Information Attachment B: Pre-Employment Information Form Attachment C: City of Hendersonville Supplemental Application Question Attachment D: Physical Agility Practice Session and Testing Waiver Form, signed and dated Attachment E: Education/Certification Supplemental Form Other: Incomplete address information given on employers, references, work experience, etc. Documents not submitted in correct order as instructed INFORMATION ABOUT THE WRITTEN EXAM The written exam has 90 items and there is a 2-hour time limit. The test will cover reading comprehension, interpreting tables, situational judgment, logical reasoning, reading gauges, applying basic math rules, mechanical aptitude, spatial sense, map reading, and vocabulary. A study guide is available. If you are interested in purchasing a study guide you may go to the following webpage to do so. You must pass the Written Exam (70%) to take the Physical Agility Test. If you do not score at least 70% on the Written Exam, you will be disqualified. All scores will be posted on the Firefighter recruitment page at by your candidate ID number no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, November 2, 2018 (subject to availability at time). In the event of website or individual computer issues, the same information will be posted in covered board located near entrance of City Hall, 101 Maple Drive North by 5:00 PM. If you have passed the Written Exam, your assigned Physical Agility Test time will be listed next to your score. Page 4 of 8

5 The last four digits of your social security number are your test ID number. In the event of duplicate ID numbers, the first initial of your last name will be used in addition to the last four digits of your social security number. AGILITY TEST If you have passed the Written Exam, you proceed to the Physical Agility Test. The Physical Agility Test will be given at the White House City Fire Department (Station 2) on Saturday, November 3, 2018 (directions provided with Physical Agility information). Please review the information detailing the scope of test and duration (see Step 5). Wear comfortable shoes (sneakers, etc.), and clothing. The test will last approximately one (1) hour. Water will be available. For both the practice classes and the actual test, you will be required to sign a waiver (Attachment D). This waiver applies to both the practice classes and the actual test. This waiver should be returned with your application. You will be required to show a photo ID at the test. VOLUNTARY PREP CLASSES The Hendersonville Fire Department will again be offering voluntary preparatory classes to familiarize you with the Physical Agility testing procedures. These classes will be held at Hendersonville High School behind the HHS visitor s bleachers in the parking lot, adjacent to the football field, off Indian Lake Road on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 5:00 PM 8:00 PM CST and Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST. You are not required to attend these; however, attendance at one of these sessions will probably help you score better. VOLUNTARY PREPARATORY CLASSES - HENDERSONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 123 CHEROKEE ROAD Hendersonville, TN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, :00 PM 8:00 PM CST 123 CHEROKEE ROAD Hendersonville, TN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, :00 AM 12:00 PM CST Page 5 of 8

6 CURRENT CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATION The Hendersonville Fire Department will allow additional points to applicants who have proof of qualifying certifications and/or educational degrees. The certifications and/or educational degrees listed on the supplement are the ONLY categories which will be granted additional points. Proof of certification and/or educational degree MUST be attached to this supplement and turned in at the time your completed application is turned in. ELIGIBILITY LIST The only way you can be hired as a Hendersonville Firefighter is to have a ranking on the Eligibility List. Once all the testing has been completed, we will notify you by mail or of your scores and placement on this list. Please be sure to notify us of any address, , or phone number changes during your duration on our list. We would also appreciate being notified if you are no longer interested in being on the list (i.e. maybe you accepted another job). As vacancies occur in the Fire Department, the names of the top ranked individuals will be sent to the Fire Chief for his consideration. The list may stay in effect for up to two years. THE RANKINGS Once all of this is completed, we take all of your scores and complete a composite ranking. Points will be awarded as follows: Up to 50 points - Physical Agility Test - LESS than two minutes (1:59:99 or less) 47 points - Two minutes (2:00:00 to 2 minutes 9 secs (2:09:00) 44 points - Two minutes ten secs (2:10:00) to 2 minutes 19 secs (2:19:00) 40 points - Two minutes twenty secs (2:20:00) to 2 minutes 30 secs (2:30:00) 0 points - GREATER than 2 minutes 30 seconds (2:30:01 and greater) will result in disqualification Up to 50 points - Written Exam - Failure to pass (70%) = disqualified Up to 11 points - Certification/Education (see Current Certification/Education forms) Up to 5 points - City Service (1 point per year to max of 5) 2 points - Veterans Preference Points (must have DD214 attached) if applicable OR 5 points - Disabled Veterans Preference Points (must have DD-214 attached with documentation provided) points in lieu of above Page 6 of 8

7 CONTRACT Newly hired Firefighters are required to sign an agreement for training and uniform reimbursement for training and other costs. Please review this document (See Step 8). You will be required to sign this agreement contingent upon being hired. This is for your information only at this point in the process. DO NOT SIGN OR SUBMIT THIS NOW. SOME DETAILS ABOUT THE POSITION/BENEFITS Firefighters generally work 24 hours on; 48 hours off once in a 27-day work period. The City offers a fully paid employee benefit package on the following: Dental Vision EAP Long Term and Short-Term Disability Life insurance Tuition reimbursement Longevity bonus Generous vacation/sick leave (one day per month each) 12 paid holidays yearly; holiday pay Retirement through Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) Wellness Program - eligible for premium discounts/day off for qualifying employees Safety Incentive Program day off for qualifying employees Safe Driving Days off for qualifying employees City pays the majority of individual Medical insurance and a portion of dependent medical premiums on the base plan. There is a choice of three (3) BCBS medical plans. For more information on benefits, see the Employee Benefit Manual. VACANCIES Once the Eligibility List is completed and a vacancy occurs, the names of the top candidates will be submitted to the Fire Chief. A representative from the Fire Department will schedule interviews with the top candidates on the Eligibility List. If you are offered employment by the Fire Chief, it will be on the condition that you pass a series of pre-employment exams and a background screening. Be sure to refer to the physical requirements on the Job Description. It will be requested that you take these tests within a week or so of your offer. Page 7 of 8

8 TRAINING There is a mandatory probationary period of six (6) months beginning on the date of employment, which can be extended to twelve (12) months if necessary. You are not required to be a Certified Firefighter to be employed by the Hendersonville Fire Department. The Hendersonville Fire Department offers an extensive training program prior to your being scheduled to attend the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Academy. Your first few weeks on the job will consist of local training. Upon completion of on-site training, you will be required to attend a fire recruit class at the academy in Bell Buckle, TN. This class will last approximately ten (10) weeks. You will be required to live at the academy, Monday through Friday for this period. In addition, you will also be required to work a 12-hour shift at the Fire Department on either Saturday or Sunday during this time. After completion of this state academy, successful candidates will begin approximately a 2-week medical training (First Responder) training class. After successful completion of the academy, you will then be a Certified Firefighter I. Work assignments will begin after this training. As you can see, this is a very time-consuming process. We do appreciate your efforts, your patience and wish you luck. If you have any questions, please contact the Personnel office at Hendersonville City Hall at personnel@hvilletn.org or call at (615) Page 8 of 8