Austin Fire Hiring Process Updates

The next Austin Fire application period is scheduled to open on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and will remain open for a minimum of seven days.

The written exam and SOP are scheduled for October 25 and October 26, 2025, at the Hilton Austin | 500 East 4th Street | Austin, Texas 78701.

An initial ranked hiring list, compiled using the written exam, SOP scores and veteran preference points, is expected in early December 2025. The document will be posted under the dedicated tab. Applicants who completed both components will be notified via email the list has been published. 

Attending and obtaining passing scores in both the written exam and SOP are prerequisites for advancing on in the hiring process. 

The activities required to generate the initial ranked hiring list have not yet been conducted.

All pre-hire assessments are pass/fail and include:

• Medical assessment (including chest X-rays and lab work)
• Psychological Interview
• Psychological assessment
• Background check (including fingerprinting)
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

The final ranked eligibility list will consist of applicants who successfully complete all pre-hire assessments. According to relevant regulations, all fire cadets will be selected from this eligibility list in sequential order over the life of the ranking (minimum of 12, but less than 24 months). 

Candidates may be disqualified based on pass/fail criteria during pre-hire screenings, but the rank order of the eligibility list will remain unchanged.

• Austin Fire Class 142 is tentatively scheduled to start in June 2026
• Austin Fire Class 143 is tentatively scheduled to start in October 2026

The scheduling of academies is contingent upon operational needs. Successful completion of pre-hire assessments does not guarantee placement in a class.

Applicants will receive several e-mails from FireEmployment@austintexas.gov. Applicants are encouraged to ensure this email address is not flagged as spam or junk. Austin Fire is not responsible for sent e-mail messages that do not reach the intended audience.

Austin Fire is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Austin Fire is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment and services, programs and activities. 

To request reasonable accommodation or for questions about the hiring process, e-mail FireEmployment@austintexas.gov.