Job Class Title: Certified and Non-Certified Firefighter/EMT
Testing Date: October 4, 2024, at 9:00 A.M.
Written Test Location: Howard College, Lecture A8, 1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, Texas 79720
Physical Agility Test Site: BSFD Station 1, 1401 Apron Drive, Big Spring, Texas 79720
Application Deadline: October 1, 2024, at 11:59 P.M.
The City of Big Spring Fire Department is accepting applications to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for Certified Firefighter/EMTs and Non-Certified Cadets. Persons who meet the qualifications listed below may apply for the position. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will not be allowed to take the test.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Be a United States citizen or meet an employment authorization requirement as mandated by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
- Must have reached at least eighteen (18) years of age as of the date of the written test and not have reached thirty-six (36) years of age as of the date of appointment.
- High School diploma or GED equivalency certificate.
- Must possess a valid state issued driver’s license and, on date of hire or within three (3) months of date of hire, must have obtained a Commercial Texas Driver’s License, either a Class A or Class B, for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
- All applicants must pass the written Civil Service examination with a minimum score of 70%. Certified applicants are exempt from the written Civil Service examination.
- Applicants must satisfactorily complete the physical agility course set out by the department in one (1) attempt.
- Must pass a comprehensive background investigation and not have any of the disqualifiers established by the department.
- If applicable, you must submit a Form DD-214-4 (long form) to verify an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions from the military.
- Possession of or ability to obtain basic structural firefighter certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP).
- Possession of or ability to obtain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) basic or higher certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Those applicants who pass entry level testing will be placed on the Civil Service Eligibility List. The eligibility list shall be in effect for one (1) year from the date of the examination, until October 4, 2025, unless exhausted earlier. Applicants must complete all phases of the application process, without being disqualified, to be considered for employment with the Big Spring Fire Department. The official eligibility list will be posted online and at City Hall by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024.
BENEFITS
Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday; paid medical and life insurance with dental and vision options; firefighter pension benefits; educational incentive pay; deferred compensation program; college tuition reimbursement program; and opportunity for promotion through training and examination.
EDUCATION EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
The City of Big Spring will reimburse up to $5,000 of the tuition fees and expenses personally incurred by the employee, in obtaining firefighter certification. The City of Big Spring will reimburse up to $3,000 of the tuition fees and expenses personally incurred by the employee, in obtaining EMT certification. The employee must remain employed with the Big Spring Fire Department for at least three (3) years following the payment.
RELOCATION INCENTIVE PAYMENT
The City of Big Spring will pay a Relocation Incentive in the amount of $4,500.00 to a certified Firefighter/EMT who, within sixty (60) days of the date of employment, relocates his or her primary residence to a location that is within the Howard County limits from a location that exceeds that distance. A certified Firefighter/EMT who relocates his or her primary residence to a location that is within the Howard County limits is also eligible to receive a monthly housing allowance of $800 for up to one (1) year. The employee must remain employed with the Big Spring Fire Department for at least three (3) years following receipt of any Relocation Incentive payment and continuously maintain his or her primary residence within Howard County throughout that period.
NON-CERTIFIED FIREFIGHTERS
The City of Big Spring will hire non-certified cadets at full cadet salary and pay for the employee’s tuition and fees for EMS training and fire academy training as necessary. Free dormitory housing is available for cadets during the training period.