Hiring Process Updates

Applications for the 2023 Fire Cadet Hiring Process are now closed.

Applications are 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.

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: (Completed)

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. 

Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the written exam.

Candidates who complete the written exam (score 70 or higher) will have applicable veteran preference points 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.

Scoring/Ranking/Veteran Preference Points: (Submissions Closed)

Candidates who complete and pass the written exam will receive a 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 Austin Fire Department DD form 214 Submission demonstrating both 1) at least 180 days of continuous Active Duty Status and 2) an Honorable Discharge. No other discharge status will be accepted.

AFD will begin accepting DD214 form documents online between July 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 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.
• Passing written exam score. 

Submissions Closed

See more details on veteran preference points.

Ranked Hiring List: (Completed)

The 2023 scores are posted by Confirmation Number here. 

Top applicants will be invited to move forward through the pre-hire assessments scheduled for September - November 2023. 

All pre-hire assessments are Pass/Fail and include (but are not limited to) a medical assessment with treadmill test, chest X-rays and lab work, psychological assessment, background check (including fingerprinting), and the Candidate Physical Ability Test^® (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 (12 months). (Since all pre-hire screenings are Pass/Fail, candidates may be eliminated, but the rank order on the eligibility list stays the same.) 

Fire Cadet Academies will be scheduled for 2024 (January and October). Note: 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 take the correct measures to ensure 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.