Hiring Process Updates

Application Process: 

Applications will only be accepted online through the City of Austin Jobs webpage (www.AustinCityJobs.org). Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be subsequently invited to sit for the Written Exam.

The 2023 Fire Cadet Application will be live from 9 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, March 15 until 4 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, March 29. No applications will be accepted after that time.

The official Austin Fire Department Cadet application is found at AustinCityJobs.org.

Instructions for locating the position on Austin City Jobs:

• Create an account
• Search Jobs
• Use the key word: fire cadet
• Fill out the application

For technical support with the Application creation or submission, please use the HELP link in the application system.

Written Exam: 

A general aptitude test designed to test your abilities in areas including, but not limited to, verbal comprehension, deductive reasoning, and mechanical aptitude. No prior knowledge about the fire service required. A free applicant preparation guide is available to download: A free applicant preparation guide is available to download: 2023 AFD Written Exam Study Guide

Qualified Applicants will be invited to participate in the Written Exam. The exam will be administered May 16 through May 18, 2023. The testing dates are subject to change based on Qualified Applicant pool. Between April 10 thru April 20, Qualified Applicants will receive an email with a link to sign-up for the Written Exam.

• Test Dates: May 16 and 17, 2023. The number of testing dates are determined by the total qualified applicants. We are holding May 18 as a possible third testing date should we not be able to accommodate all applicants on the first two days.
• Location:  Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas
• What to Bring: Confirmation Number and valid current United States' driver license.

Exams will take approximately four hours. YOU MUST BE IN LINE, AT THE TESTING SITE, BY THE TIME/DATE OF YOUR SCHEDULED EXAM IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE. DOORS LOCK PROMPTLY ON THE HOUR.

Questions? Contact FireEmployment@austintexas.gov.

Structured Oral Assessment Process (SOP): 

This is a professional job interview and should be treated as such. During this event, applicants are placed in a room where they are recorded while providing answers in response to videos of hypothetical situations/scenarios. Each question is allocated a limited time for the applicant to make his/her response. These recordings are reviewed and scored by assessors after the event has concluded.  

Applicants who successfully complete and pass the Written Exam will be invited to participate in the Structured Oral Process (SOP).  Applicants will receive an email with a link to sign-up for their Structured Oral Process.

• Test Dates: June 6 - 8, 2023. The number of testing dates are determined by the total applicants successfully completing the written exam. We are holding June 5 and 9 as possible additional testing dates should we not be able to accommodate all applicants on the first three days.
• Location:  TBD  (Austin, Texas)
• What to Bring: Confirmation Number and valid current United States' driver license.

Further information about the Structured Oral Process will be posted on this web page no later than June 1, 2023.

Scoring/Ranking/Veteran Preference Points: 

Candidates who complete both the written exam and the oral interview will receive a composite score. Applicable veteran preference points will then be applied. That total will determine a candidate’s place on the Initial Ranked Eligibility List. Top-ranked applicants will be invited to move forward into the second phase of our hiring process, the Pre-hire Assessments. For those applicants who did not make it into the top-ranked group, we thank you for participating and encourage you to apply in one of our future hiring processes.

The Austin Fire Department provides Military Veteran Preference Points to qualified applicants; awarding of veteran preference points requires an online submission of a DD214 demonstrating both 1) at least 180 days of Active Duty Status and 2) an Honorable Discharge. No other discharge status will be accepted.

AFD will begin accepting DD214 form documents online between May 1 - 31, 2023. In order to be considered for the additional points, the applicant’s DD214 must display boxes 23 through 30, and applicants must meet three (3) criteria to be eligible:

• Electronic submission of a legible copy of the DD214 form, uploaded to AFD's online portal in electronic format (PDF, TIFF, Word doc, JPEG, etc.). AFD will not accept paper copies received via mail or hand delivery, or electronic copies provided outside of the AFD online portal (e.g., e-mail). 
• Have an Honorable Discharge; no other discharge status will be accepted. 
• Have a minimum of 180 days of continuous active duty service in any branch/component of the U.S. military.

The deadline for submission is May 31, 2023; forms received after this date will not be accepted.

See more details on the veteran preference points.

Ranked Hiring List

2021 Fire Cadet Final Ranked List 

Combined overall scores will be posted online by Confirmation Number. Top Applicants will be invited to move forward through the Pre-Hire Assessments scheduled for August - November 2023. 

All pre-hire assessments are Pass/Fail and include (but are not limited to) a medical assessment with chest X-rays and lab work, psychological assessment, background check (including fingerprinting), and CPAT.

The Final Ranked Eligibility List will be comprised of applicants who pass ALL pre-hire assessments. In accordance with applicable law, all Fire Cadets will be hired from this eligibility list in rank order for the duration of the life of the list, which will be 24 months. (Since all pre-hire screenings are Pass/Fail, candidates may be eliminated, but the rank order of eligibility list stays the same.) 

Fire Cadet Academies will be scheduled for the beginning of 2024. The two Fire Cadet Academies in 2024 will begin during January and October. (Note that Cadet Academies are based on the needs of the Department. Additionally, not all candidates who complete and pass pre-hire assessments will be seated in an Academy; space must exist in an Academy class to accommodate a successful candidate.)

Questions?

All questions should be sent to FireEmployment@austintexas.gov.

Applicants will receive a number of e-mails from this e-mail address. Please ensure you take measures so they get through to your inbox, and are not flagged as spam or junk. The Austin Fire Department is not responsible for e-mail messages that are sent, but do not reach you.

The Austin Fire Department (AFD) 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. AFD is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, e-mail FireEmployment@austintexas.gov.