Job Details

Firefighter

The Reno Fire Department is in the planning stages of their next academy. Dates are still to be determined. Please check back regularly for updates.

This is the entry level position for the Fire Department with responsibility for firefighting, life saving, and other related work activities connected with the response to emergency and other incidents, fire prevention, equipment operation and maintenance, facility maintenance, work and skill readiness and other related tasks.

This is an open competitive opportunity for individuals who meet the minimum qualifications. This is a continuous testing process that will establish an eligibility list for current and future openings. As applications are received, results will be merged into one eligible list according to final ratings, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission: Rule VI, Section 11, Continuous Examination.

The City of Reno is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to everyone. This commitment is an integral part of our efforts to ensure that we have a diverse and representative workforce that serves the community of Reno.

Examples of Essential Functions

• Respond to fires and other emergency or public assistance incidents in a timely, safe, and skilled manner and participate in their control through hose laying, ladder operations, ventilation, extinguishment, salvage, and other activities as part of team effort.
• Rescue person endangered by fires or other hazards and administer first aid to injured parties when assigned.
• Conduct inspections and other fire prevention tasks including fire safety education to eliminate or reduce fire hazards and enforce fire codes.
• Develop and maintain high levels of work knowledge and skills for various duties through training, manipulative drills, and other skill maintenance programs.
• Operate and maintain properly and safely firefighting and other related equipment and apparatus in an efficient and effective manner.
• Keep fire station and other facilities in a clean, orderly, and usable condition.
• Assist in completing other day-to-day work such as record keeping and map maintenance.
• Perform various public information and relations tasks, as appropriate and assigned through written and oral form.
• Maintain an adequate level of physical fitness to perform firefighting, rescue, equipment operation, and other related tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

Age and Education:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a current, valid driver's license at the time of appointment.
• Possession of current, valid Nevada Emergency Medical Technician certification or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician certification.
• Possession of current, valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification.

Supplemental Information

The Reno Fire Department through the Civil Service Commission requires firefighter applicants to pass the National Testing Network, Inc. (NTN) examination to be eligible for hire. After you have completed the exam, you will need to apply through the City's application process to be placed on the eligible list. If you have not already taken the NTN exam, you may sign up at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select Fire and sign up for the Reno Fire Department. Upon completion of the entry-level exam, all candidate scores will be accessible to the City of Reno Civil Service Commission. Your final ranking on the eligible list will be determined by your most recent score from NTN. Candidates must have submitted an application with all required documentation and have completed the NTN Fire Exam with a passing score, in order to be considered for the eligible list. Civil Service will place candidates who have met all requirements and have a valid CPAT (within 12 months of application) on the eligible list.

National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry level testing and CPAT testing in a standardized, professional environment. They do not replace the Reno Fire Department's responsibility and decision making in the testing process. Please visit www.nationaltestingnetwork.com for additional information about what to expect when testing with the National Testing Network.

FAQs on Firefighter Recruitment:

Please wait to apply until you have met all of the necessary requirements. All documentation and certifications must be attached at the time of application.

Can the National Testing Network (NTN) fee be waived? Yes, you will have to apply through the National Testing Network (NTN) for waiver. Please follow the link to the Fee Waiver Request Form.

How do I find out my NTN score? Please contact the City of Reno Civil Service Commission at (775) ###-#### to obtain your NTN test score. NTN does not release scores to candidates because scores may vary by agency. Your score with the City of Reno may not be indicative of your score(s) submitted to another agency. Each time you apply, we will use your most recent test score. You may take the NTN test once every 3 months and your score will be valid for 12 months.

What is the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)? The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is a physical test consisting of a sequence of eight separate events progressing along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. This test was developed to allow fire departments to obtain pools of trained candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes.

Does the CPAT have to be administered through NTN? No, any testing vendor or facility that administers the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is acceptable. (We are currently referring candidates to FCTConline.org for CPAT testing)

What is a valid CPAT? A Candidate Physical Ability Test is considered valid if it is within 12 months of the application date. Civil Service will place you on the eligible list if your CPAT is valid, however if your CPAT is older than 12 months at the time we refer names for an upcoming academy, we will reach out to you to get an updated one before your application can be referred.

When does this recruitment close? This recruitment is continuous, meaning we will continue to take applications and refer eligible candidates when the department is ready to hire for a new academy. Future academy dates will be announced soon.

Do I submit my application after I receive my scores from National Testing Network (NTN)? You should schedule and take your written exam through the National Testing Network (NTN). Your scores will be sent to us directly so you do not need to worry about sending them to us. You may then apply at Reno.gov/jobs for the position of Firefighter. Please ensure that you check "yes" on your application that you have taken the NTN Fire exam. You will also need to submit your CPAT upon application. We are unable to certify your name to the list until a valid CPAT is received.

Is the National Testing Network (NTN) fire test and the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) the same test? No, the National Testing Network (NTN) Fire test is the written test and the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is the physical abilities test.

What is the nearest location for the CPAT? The nearest location for CPAT testing is in Sacramento through FCTCOnline.org.

I will be receiving my CPAT later this month, how do I update my application? Please reapply once you have all of your required documentation. If you are having technical difficulties, please email your attachments to ...@reno.gov.

Can I register for the National Testing Network (NTN) exam before taking my Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), or do I need to take my CPAT first? It does not matter what part of the testing process you complete first. Both the CPAT and the NTN Fire exam must have been taken with 12 months of the application date.

Are you accepting physical tests other than the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)? We are only accepting the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). This test can be administered through any vendor. Currently, the nearest test centers can be found through FCTCOnline.org.

Other Important Information:

Testing Accommodation: If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability and will be requesting an accommodation, that request must be made to the Chief Examiner no later than the closing date of this announcement.

Employee/Veteran Preference (In the event of Tie Scores): In the event of tie scores resulting from an open competitive examination (Rule VII, Section 7), candidates will be provided a rank preference in the following order:

1. Classified employees with established veteran status
2. Classified employees without veteran status
3. Non-classified employees and external candidates with established veteran status.

This preference will only be