Fire Fighter Trainee

Start Your Career with the Houston Fire Department.

Per Chapter 143.023 of the Texas Local Government Code:

A person may not take an entrance examination for a beginning position in the fire department unless the person is at least 18 years of age but not 36 years of age or older. A person may not be certified as eligible for a beginning position in the fire department if the person is 36 years of age or older.

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Minimum requirements:

Fifteen (15) accredited college credit hoursOR Two (2) years of full-time active military service with an honorable discharge as stipulated on a DD214 Member 4

Certified Applicants: Must meet one of the above requirements and have active Fire and EMT Certifications

Applicant must meet the above requirements by the Civil Service Exam date.

Participates in classroom lectures, seminars, and practical training sessions as directed by the Houston Fire Department.

Receives and participates in various types of training in fire suppression and emergency medical services up to and including paramedic certification.

Participates in drills, demonstrations, and instruction in hydraulics, pump operation, maintenance, fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services.

ONLY “on-line” applications will be accepted. On-line applications will be accepted until all testing slots are filled.

Exam Information:

Dates: 11/01/24, 12/06/24, 02/07/25, 03/07/25, 04/04/25, 05/02/25, 06/06/25

Time: 7:30 AM and/or 12:30 PM

Location: Val Jahnke Training Facility, 8030 Braniff St, Houston, TX 77061.

Bring your driver’s license or other photo ID.

Due to the high volume of applications received, you will be contacted directly via email, should you qualify to take the exam.

You will receive an email with the date to report to the testing site for the exam.

Benefits:

Medical

Dental

Vision

Wellness

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Retirement pension

457 deferred compensation plan

Employee Assistance Program

10 days of vacation each year

11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

Flexible schedules

Professional development opportunities

Transportation/parking plan

Section 125 pretax deductions

Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

Qualifications:

Immunizations/shot records will be required prior to starting the training academy.

The minimum passing score is 70 percent on the written examination before the extra five (5) points for qualified veterans are added.

Per Chapter 143.025of the Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code, an additional five points shall be added to the examination grade of an applicant who served in the United States armed forces, received an honorable discharge, and made a passing grade on the examination. Applicants who are eligible for extra military points must scan and attach a copy of their DD214 (Member-4) to their electronic application or send a copy to hfdhiringprocess@houstontx.gov. The last day to submit a DD214 is the date of the Civil Service Exam. No DD214s will be accepted at the test site.

Texas Commission of Fire Protection State Fire Fighters Certification and Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Emergency Medical Technician Certification(s) will be subject to verification by the Human Resources Department.

Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Technicians Certification as a Paramedic will be subject to verification by the Human Resources Department.

An applicant may not take the examination for an eligibility list more than once.

The eligibility list created as a result of this examination will be effective for a period of not less than 6 months or more than 12 months as determined by the Civil Service Commission.

Passing applicants will be referred to the Human Resources Department Classified Careers & Services Division to continue processing. Any falsification in the application process will result in disqualification. Applicants must pass and complete all phases of the hiring process (civil service exam, physical ability test, interview, polygraph, background, immunizations, drug screen, medical examination).

HFD reserves the right to discontinue consideration in the hiring process based on an applicant conduct or verification of certain disqualifying factors.

Must not have ever been convicted of a Felony.

Any Misdemeanor charge or divert/deferred adjudication or similar program may require an active TDSHS EMT certification prior to job offer.

Applicants’ eligibility for hiring will be determined in rank order from the eligibility list.

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