Requirements
Description
The Fire Division provides fire-fighting, emergency medical, rescue, and hazardous materials response for the community. There are also a variety of non-emergency programs available to assist the public, including fire prevention, smoke detector service, blood pressure screening, carbon monoxide testing, fire inspections, station and truck tours, and public speaking requests.
The City of Upper Arlington`s is currently building an eligibility list for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. Testing will be continuous and names will be pulled from the list as vacancies occur in the Fire Division. Candidates with the highest scores will be invited to participate in the next phase of the process. All applicants must register and take the exam through National Testing Network. Please visit www.nationaltestingnetwork.com to sign up for the written exam.
Each applicant must receive the minimum score in each section of the test:
Reading: 70%
Math: 70%
Mechanical 65%
Human Relations: 75%
Candidates that pass all sections will then be ranked on the combined score with a minimum of 70% required to pass. The combined score is weighted from Human Relations (70%) and Mechanical Reasoning (30%).
Salary Information: $57,541 - $90,708 (Based on 2020 rates; includes 5% paramedic supplement. 56 hour average work week; 2,912 hours per year. Does not include FSLA overtime)
Benefits Information: Full benefits (vacation, medical, dental, life insurance)
Department Overview:
Full time professional fire department providing all emergency response to the City of Upper Arlington, and Perry Township. Services include fire, rescue, emergency medical transport (paramedic), hazmat and USAR. UAFD also responds throughout the local area through automatic aid agreements.
City Information:
Upper Arlington is a high quality primarily residential suburb within the Columbus metro area with close proximity to The Ohio State University.
Population: 33,000
Job Requirements & Hiring Process
NOTE: Interested candidates MUST register and take the written exam with National Testing Network (www.nationaltestingnetwork.com). Those interested in the position of City of Upper Arlington Firefighter/Paramedic must meet a number of basic requirements. These include, but are not limited to the following. The applicant must:
Be eighteen (18) years of age at the time of appointment
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Possess a valid Ohio driver`s license at time of appointment
Possess a valid State of Ohio EMT-Paramedic certification at time of appointment. Candidates may be apply if enrolled in Paramedic school and anticipate having their EMT-Paramedic certification by the time they are appointed.
Have an acceptable driving record. Charges of Driving Under Suspension (DUS), Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and/or Hit-Skip may disqualify the candidate from consideration.
Not have been convicted of or admitted to the commission of a felony
Not have been convicted of or admitted to a domestic related crime of violence
Successfully pass the written Civil Service Examination at National Testing Network
Meet stringent physical requirements that include, but are not limited to: vision correctable to 20/20, the ability to pass a thorough physical examination which includes but is not limited to a stress test, hearing test, and a drug screening test, and possess the physical ability and agility to perform the duties of a Firefighter/Paramedic, including passing a physical agility test for admittance to the Ohio Fire Academy.
As vacancies occur, a list of current eligible names will be pulled from the NTN website. Those with the highest scores will be invited to the next phase of the process, the physical agility test. The physical agility test is administered by the Upper Arlington Fire Division. This is a pass/fail test and candidates are required to successfully pass it in order to proceed to the background investigation phase.
Applicants with prior military experience who achieve the minimum score on the written test may be eligible for additional points when applying as a candidate to take the entry level written exam. A copy of the applicant`s DD-214 verifying military service will be required. This document will be requested from applicants after a list is pulled from NTN.
Background Investigation
Those Firefighter/Paramedic candidates who are numerically ranked 1-15 following the written entrance exam and the physical agility test will undergo a thorough background investigation to ensure they are qualified to become a Firefighter/Paramedic for the City of Upper Arlington.
This process (which takes approximately two months) includes, but is not limited to the steps listed below:
1. The candidate will complete a comprehensive personal history questionnaire.
2. Each candidate will complete and sign a personal inquiry waiver granting permission for the investigator to request personal and professional information deemed important to the selection process.
3. The investigator will conduct a review of the candidate`s prior employment history, military service, financial records, educational records, and other information contained within the questionnaire to ensure that all information is complete, accurate, and that there are no misunderstandings between the applicant and investigator.
4. The candidate`s criminal history will be researched.
5. Once all required forms and preliminary information has been obtained, the investigator will conduct an in-depth background investigation. This will include contacting friends, family, business associates, past and present employers, and any other resources necessary to establish the credibility of the applicant.
6. When the initial phase of the background investigation is completed, a Licensed Certified Examiner selected by the Fire Division may administer a polygraph examination to the candidate. This exam will verify the truthfulness of the information the candidate provided to the background investigator.
Please be advised, under Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 149, ALL material contained within a background investigation is public information and therefore must be released to any person making a public records request.
Oral Review Board and Fire Chief`s Interview Phase
The top ranked candidates who have successfully completed all previous phases will participate in an Oral Review Board. The Fire Chief will determine the number of candidates invited to participate in the Oral Review Board. This is typically ten, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 9, B-1 (known as the Rule of 10).
Each candidate will be advised when and where he/she is scheduled to appear in front of the Oral Review Board. An invitation to appear in front of the Oral Review Board will be based upon the candidate`s ranking on the Eligibility List. After receiving an invitation, the candidate MUST successfully complete the Oral Review Board in order to be considered for a position as an Upper Arlington Firefighter/Paramedic.
The Fire Chief selects the members of the Oral Review Board. Those serving on the Oral Review Board are not limited to sworn members of the Fire Division. The results of the Oral Review Board will be forwarded to the Fire Chief, along with the complete background investigation packet. Persons who fail the Oral Review Board will not proceed to the Fire Chief`s interview, and will be removed from the Civil Service List.
Each candidate MUST participate in an interview with the Fire Chief to be eligible for employment.
The Fire Chief will use Civil Service Rule 9, B-1 (known as the Rule of 10) to select a candidate(s) to be given a Conditional Offer of Employment.
Conditional Offer of Employment
Following this conditional offer of employment, the selected individual will:
1. Undergo an examination to determine if the applicant is psychologically and emotionally suitable to perform the duties and accept the responsibilities of a Firefighter/Paramedic.
2. Undergo a rigorous medical/physical examination, which includes, but is not limited to a stress test, hearing test, and drug screen results. This examination will also confirm that the selected individual has eyesight, or corrected eyesight, that meets the standards set by the Fire Division. The physical will establish that the candidate is medically able to safely perform the fundamental duties of a Firefighter/Paramedic.
If the selected candidate passes physical examinations, he/she will be given a date to begin his/her first day of employment as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Upper Arlington.
Basic Training
The candidate MUST successfully complete, or have completed, a basic firefighter training course approved by the Fire Chief. This process is as follows:
All applicants not currently certified as a firefighter will be required to attend and successfully complete the Firefighter Level II course, as designated by the Fire Chief. Should the candidate fail to graduate from the academy with all required certifications for any reason to include but not limited to, academic standards, physical fitness standards, or any violation of honor, his/her employment with the Fire Division will be terminated.
All applicants currently certified as a State of Ohio Firefighter Level II may request to have the required basic training waived by the Fire Chief. This waiver of training will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Fire Chief will consider, but not be limited by, the candidate`s credentials, past work history, recommendations by the background investigator, comments from the Oral Review Board, information obtained during the hiring process, and the interview between the Candidate and the Fire Chief. The decision of the Fire Chief is final.
Additional Information:
Once the Civil Service Commission establishes a Firefighter/Paramedic List, the List will remain active for one (1) year. The list can be extended any length of time up to a maximum of one (1) additional year, if requested by the Fire Chief and approved by the Civil Service Commission.
Additional reasons for disqualification of the applicant during any phase of the hiring process or background investigation are listed within the Civil Service Rules [Rule 6-D-1 (a) through (q)]. Any candidate not selected for appointment may reapply for future positions six months from the date last examined.
The application process and written testing procedures fall under the explicit control of the Civil Service Commission. All questions concerning the written testing process should be directed to the Human Resources Office of the City of Upper Arlington at hr@uaoh.net. No phone calls, please.
All questions concerning the Fire Division, policies, and/or procedures of operations, benefits, salaries, job positions, and any other related topics should be directed to the Upper Arlington Fire Division at hr@uaoh.net. Applications containing minor omissions will be routinely processed if such deficiencies can be corrected before the interview process.
Please direct all questions regarding testing or testing dates to Customer Support at National Testing. Network at 1-866-563-3882. If you have any other questions regarding the hiring process, please email hr@uaoh.net.
The City of Upper Arlington is an equal opportunity employer.
Examples of Duties
Under general supervision of the Lieutenant, performs fire suppression, prevention, fire investigation, emergency medical, recordkeeping, facility, equipment, supplies, and continuing education functions; performs other related duties as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: For purposes of 42 USC 12101:
1. Performs fire suppression and prevention functions; makes openings in burning buildings for ventilation and entry; responds to fire alarms; lays and connects hose lines; operates nozzles directing water streams; operates portable chemical fire extinguisher, axes, claw tools, and other equipment; performs salvage operations at fire scenes (e.g., covering furniture, mopping floors, cleaning debris, etc.); drives and operates all vehicles (e.g., pump and ladder trucks, aerial bucket truck, automobiles, etc.); operates fire suppression equipment; raises and climbs ladders; prevents the spread of fire and protects property from water damage; tests fire hose for condition and strength; tests fire hydrants for flow, pressure, condition, accessibility, and location; assumes command of fire or emergency scene in absence of an officer (e.g., evaluates situation, determines appropriate methods and procedures to be used, directs and coordinates activities of firefighters and other agencies on scene, etc.); administers pre fire planning program (e.g., pre attack plans, target hazards, etc.); communicates with dispatcher and safety personnel in person and via two way radio.
2. Performs emergency medical functions; responds to rescue calls; performs fire and emergency rescue activities; removes persons from emergency situations; administers emergency first aid treatment to injured persons; stabilizes injured or ill persons; administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation; operates emergency medical equipment.
3. Performs fire investigation functions; investigates fires of suspicious or undetermined origin; communicates with owners, tenants, known adversaries of owners or tenants, neighbors, etc.; searches fire scenes for clues and evidence; reconstructs fire origin and traces fire patterns; secures fire scenes.
4. Performs recordkeeping functions; prepares periodic reports for external agencies (e.g., news media); maintains record of work completed; maintains inventory records.
5. Performs facility, equipment, and supplies functions; performs periodic inspections of facility and equipment; maintains inventory of equipment and supplies; performs preventative maintenance, minor repairs, and routine cleaning and maintenance of facility, grounds, and equipment.
6. May assist the state Arson Investigator in performing fire investigations functions; requests data and information checks by police department; prepares and maintains documentation of investigations; testifies in court; collects, records, and preserves evidence for laboratory analysis; utilizes a variety of investigative equipment to perform duties.
7. Maintains licenses and certifications as required, if any.
8. Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
9. Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
10. Performs other duties as required. (5%)
Typical Qualifications
High School diploma or GED; ability to successfully complete and pass state mandated hours of training at state recognized firefighting academy; ability to successfully meet the EMS requirements; or any combination of training, education, or experience which provides the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Possession of or ability to obtain level II fire training certification; State of Ohio EMT-P certification or currently enrolled in EMT-P school; possession of a valid state of Ohio motor vehicle operator`s license and maintain insurability under the city`s vehicle insurance policy
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