Firefighter Employment Qualifications

The deadline has passed for the 2008 Firefighter exam. We will begin to accept applications in November 2008 for the next Firefighter exam in February 2009.

Applications for employment in the Mesquite Fire Department are processed in accordance with provisions of the State of Texas Firefighter's and Police Officer's Civil Service Act, Chapter 143 and City of Mesquite's Firefighter's and Police Officer's Civil Service Program. Each applicant must successfully pass an open, competitive and free Civil Service examination. Applicants must then complete a physical agility test, pass an extensive background investigation, polygraph examination, physical examination and an 18 month probation.

Requirements

• Candidates must be not less than 21 years of age nor more than 35 years of age
• Candidates must have completed a minimum of either:
  • Sixty (60) semester hours of college credit in general subjects from an accredited college or university*

  OR

  • Thirty (30) semester hours of college credit towards a degree in Fire Protection Technology from an accredited college or university*

  OR

  • Two (2) years of active military service with an honorable discharge plus 30 semester hours of college credit in any subject from an accredited college or university*

  College Credit Requirements:

  • developmental/remedial courses not accepted
  • grades lower than “C” not accepted
  • letter grade of “P” will be accepted
  • college credit for military experience, work experience, life experience, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit, credit for college entrance exams, high school advanced placement courses, or any credit from a non-accredited institution will not be accepted.

NOTE: Credit hours received to obtain certification in a fire academy in lieu of college does not substitute for the required college semester hours.

• Candidate’s vision must be at least 20/100 uncorrected, correctable to 20/30 with no color blindness.
• Candidates may not be certified as eligible if audiometric testing shows average hearing loss in their unaided better ear greater than 40 decibels (dB) at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz when the audiometric devise is calibrated to ANSI Z24.5.
• Candidates must be mentally alert, have the ability to get along well with others, willing to perform assigned duties and responsibilities, be conscientious and dependable and in excellent physical condition.
• Candidates must posses a valid Texas Class A or B Driver’s License (upon assignment) and meet City driving requirements.
• Candidates will be expected to participate in and pass a qualifying physical agility and medical examination, including drug testing. The following will be disqualifying: (1) any illegal use of a controlled substance other than marijuana or (2) any use of marijuana which exceeds very limited experimentation or any experimentation within the six months immediately prior to testing.

  * An “accredited college or university” is an institution of higher education that is accredited or authorized by the one of the following agencies:

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Benefits:

• Life Insurance
• Hospitalization and Major Medical Insurance
• Three Weeks Paid Vacation Yearly
• Sick Leave
• Texas Municipal Retirement System and Social Security
• To download a Benefits brochure click here

Required Paperwork

• College Transcript (Must be an official transcript. NO photocopies accepted)
• Form DD-214 (if applicable)