Employment Opportunities

Candidates placed on the Eligibility List must complete the Personal History Statement. The Personal History Statement shall be complete, signed, all required documents attached, and returned on the day of the physical agility test.

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 35. Applicant 36 years of age or older is not eligible for a beginning position as a firefighter.
• Must be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization OR a permanent resident and able to read, write, and fluently speak English.
• Must have high school diploma or GED.
• Must, by the date of hire, possess either Texas Paramedic License/Certificate or National Registry Paramedic License/Certificate. (Obtaining a paramedic license takes about one year to complete. If you do not possess this certification by the time we reach your name, you will be skipped over.  However, you may be considered if you obtain the license/certification if vacancies exist and the list is still active)
• Must be non-user of tobacco products.
• Not eligibleif motor vehicle records reflect a DWI conviction within 3 years preceding the date of application or more than two moving traffic violation and/or accidents in the 24 months preceding the date of application or a suspended drivers license.
• Not eligible if applicant has been found or has admitted to the use of:
  • marijuana during the last two years (applicants who are found or who admit to using marijuana shall be considered on a case by case basis with consideration given to the circumstances, frequency, recency, and legality).
  • methamphetamines, speed, crank, crack (or any other form of cocaine), steroids or any other controlled substance without a prescription within the last five years;
  • methamphetamines, speed, crank, crack, (or any other form of cocaine) on more than three occasions;
• Not eligible – and permanently disqualified – if applicant has ever used heroin (or any heroin based substances), opium or PCP, who has ever intentionally used LSD, or who has ever sold or distributed marijuana or any other controlled substance;
• Not eligible if applicant has been found or has admitted to abuse of legally obtained prescription medications, or illegal use of prescription medication of another person. Conduct involving abuse and/or misuse of prescription medication shall be considered on a case by case basis with consideration given to circumstances and recency.

• If applicable, a DD214 reflecting an honorable discharge can be turned in to receive five additional points.

• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Copy of High School Diploma or GED
• Copy of Texas Paramedic License/Certificate OR National Registry Paramedic License/Certificate

All applicants will be required to pass a pre-employment physical agility test to demonstrate their ability to perform the essential functions of the job as described in the official city job description. 

All applicants will be required to pass, prior to appointment, a post-employment medical and psychological examination to determine the applicant's mental and physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Said examinations shall be paid for by the city. No applicant shall have a physical or mental health disability which would serve to cause an employee subject to these rules to be unable to adequately perform the essential functions of the job of firefighter or would otherwise tend to endanger other employees while performing such duties.

All applicants shall be required to pass an Oral Review Board as established by the respective department heads and an in-depth background investigation including polygraph testing.

• The applicant has failed to comply with any of the minimum requirements or qualifications for a beginning position as established by Chapter 143 or the Local Rules.
• The applicant has been convicted of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude.
• The applicant fails to pass the physical agility test established by the department to assess the ability of a firefighter to adequately perform the essential function of the job.
• The applicant is not of good moral character, temperate habits, sound health, or fails to possess sufficient temperament or ability to adequately perform the essential functions of the job as a firefighter as established by the following:
  1. Background investigation into personal history and character reference 
  2. Polygraph examination 
  3. Medical examination 
  4. Drug test 
  5. Psychological test 
  6. Personal interview with the Department Oral Review Board and 
  7. Personal Interview with the department head
• The applicant has made a false statement in any material fact or practiced or attempted to practice any deception or fraud in the application process. 
• The applicant is unable to intelligently read or write the English language.
• Applicants for beginning firefighter positions have no appeal rights except for physical and/or psychological examinations as provided for in Chapter 143, Section 143.22.
• Applicants who fail the background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological examination, and the interview with the Fire Chief are disqualified for a period of two years. Applicants who receive positive test results for alcohol, marijuana or any controlled substance on the pre-employment drug and/or alcohol tests are permanently disqualified