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Phase 1
Written Examination: The written examination will be the National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI). This multiple-choice test will cover the following problem solving skills and personality characteristics needed to function effectively as a Firefighter: deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, verbal comprehension, verbal expression, problem sensitivity, mathematical reasoning, numeric facility, stress tolerance, team orientation, and motivation/attitude.
Study guides may be purchased directly from the test vendor by calling: Public Safety Recruitment - IO Solutions at (800) 343-HIRE (4473) or http://www.publicsafetyrecruitment.com.
Cost of a standard study guide is $5.95, an enhanced edition provides a practice exam at $14.95 plus shipping and handling, or you may take an on-line practice exam for $14.95. You may pay with a credit card over the phone or Internet and orders will be shipped the same day.
Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): This questionnaire consists of approximately 180 questions and allows each applicant to answer questions that have been determined to relate directly to job suitability. The Fire Department has developed hiring standards that assess an applicant's suitability for employment as a Firefighter with the City of San José. The PHQ is designed to identify applicants in the testing process who best meet these hiring standards.
In responding to the PHQ, applicants must be prepared to provide detailed information of their personal history in the following nine (9) categories: Education, Employment, Legal History, Military Experience, Substance Use, Fire Service/Public Safety Experience, Driving Record, Financial History and General Information.
Oral Board Interviews: Only those candidates who satisfactorily demonstrate that they have met the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS described on the information sheet and have passed both elements of the Written Test, the NFSI and PHQ, will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview. A panel of City of San José employees, community leaders and San José Fire Department members will conduct the Oral Board Interviews.
Qualified Candidate Group: Only those candidates who successfully demonstrate that they have met the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS described above, who have passed the Written Tests, hold a current CPAT certification card, and have successfully completed the Oral Board Interview, will be placed in the Qualified Candidate Group (QCG).
Phase 2
Chiefs Interview: Those candidates deemed to be the most qualified based on their standing in the QCG may be invited to participate in a Chief’s Interview. This Chief’s Interview will determine which candidates advance to the next phase of the selection process, the Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination.
Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination: Those candidates who have passed all phases of the testing process through the Chief’s Interview may be considered for advancement to the detailed Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination. Please take the time to read this information so that you may accurately assess your own suitability for employment with the City of San José Fire Department. Examples of background issues that may be reason for rejection during the testing and selection processes include, but are not limited to:
Criminal history, including commission or conviction of a criminal offense(s);
Recent forced resignation, termination, or probation failure from any public safety or emergency medical service position or other employment related issues;
Recent or current use of any illegal drugs or narcotics. Past use is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Failure to disclose prior use is cause for immediate disqualification.
The Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination process includes the following elements:
- Attendance at the mandatory comprehensive Background Investigation orientation
- Review of the previously completed detailed Personal History Statement (PHS) and review of documentation with the background investigator. Applicants are responsible for providing original documents as identified in the PHS document. Falsification or failure to disclose or complete any pertinent or required information during any phase of the application, testing or selection process is grounds for immediate disqualification;
- A detailed Background Investigation covering at least the last ten years of each applicant’s history including a credit check, motor vehicle records check, verification of education, licensure and certifications, personal, business and employer reference checks, and law enforcement, criminal and civil court records;
- A polygraph Examination; and,
- A criminal records fingerprint check through the Department of Justice.
Final CPAT Verification: Upon the completion of the Background Investigation and Polygraph Examination, and prior to a conditional offer, candidates must present a current CPAT certification card, which would be not more than one year old as of the Academy start-date.
Conditional Offer of Employment: At this point, successful candidates may be given a conditional offer of employment. The final selection process includes the following steps:
- Administration of a written and oral psychological screening; and,
- A medical examination completed by the City’s Physician.
Those candidates who successfully complete the testing and selection process and are given an offer of employment must successfully complete a 17-18 week Academy.
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