Firefighter Employment

The Carrollton Fire Department conducts a Civil Service entrance exam approximately once a year. To submit interest for a Firefighter position for the City, view our employment page.

Requirements for Beginning Position as Firefighter

Qualifications

Age

A person may not take an entrance examination for a beginning position in the fire department unless the person is at least 18 years of age and a person may not be certified as eligible for a beginning position in the fire department if the person is 36 years of age or older as provided by Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code. 

Education

Candidates must have successfully completed 45 semester hours of courses from an accredited college or university with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.

An applicant who is currently a National Registered Paramedic and/or a Texas Department of State Health Services certified paramedic may receive 39 college credit hours. These hours include prior EMT certification.

An applicant who is currently a National Registered EMT and/or a Texas Department of State Health Services EMT may receive 5 hours of college credit hours.

An applicant who is currently certified or certifiable as a Basic Structural Firefighter by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection may receive 23 college credit hours.

Written Exam

Candidates must pass a written civil service examination with a minimum score of 70.

Veterans

Candidates wishing to receive veteran’s points on the written examination as provided by Chapter 143.025(e) of the Texas Local Government Code must produce a DD Form 214 (for active duty) or an NGB Form 22 (for National Guard service) indicating an honorable discharge by the date of the written entrance examination.

Physical Ability

All candidates must be able to pass tests designed to evaluate the physical ability to perform the essential functions of a firefighter. Any candidate who is under the care of a physician during the application, examination, or interview process must provide a written release from that physician in order to participate in any portion of the employment selection process designed or intended to test the candidate’s physical ability to perform the essential functions of a firefighter.

Driver’s License

Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license. The driving record of candidates who are selected for the final employment process will be checked.

Candidates may not have two or more chargeable vehicle accidents on their driving record. Additionally, they may not have a conviction within the past three years of any of the following:

• Any alcohol related driving offense 
• Hit and Run, Failure to Stop, Failure to Render Aid, or Failure to Disclose I.D. at the scene of an accident 
• Negligent Manslaughter involving a motor vehicle accident 
• Three or more moving violations 
• Two moving violations and one or more chargeable vehicle accidents

Background Check

A background check covering previous employment, credit history, and criminal record will be conducted on each candidate selected for the final employment process.

• Candidates must have an employment history which demonstrates stability and reliability. Any candidate who has been involuntarily terminated from employment, or who has resigned in lieu of involuntary termination for inefficiency, delinquency, or misconduct within (5) years of the date of application will be disqualified. Similarly, any candidate who has a history of unstable work, as demonstrated, for example, by short terms of employment over the candidate’s employment history, will be disqualified. 
• Candidates shall have a credit history which demonstrates a commitment to paying just debts. Factors which will be considered include the type and number of debts, reasons for any record of bad credit, extenuating circumstances, and any potential for the credit related problems impacting the candidate’s judgment and integrity. 
• Candidates must pass a criminal history check. Persons who have admitted, pled guilty to, or been found guilty of any felony will have failed the criminal history check. Persons who have admitted, pled guilty to, or been found guilty of any Class A or Class B misdemeanor within five (5) years of the date of the written entrance examination will have failed the criminal history check. 
  
  Candidates who have limited marijuana usage (experimentation) that has not occurred within the immediate 24 months of the date of application may be considered for employment with the Fire Department.

Interviews

Candidates who pass the written examination and all other screening steps outlined above will undergo an interview process prior to hire. 

• Candidates must be truthful in all aspects of the application, examination, and interview process for appointment to a beginning position in the Fire Department. Any candidate who has made a false statement in any material fact, intentionally withheld information, practiced or attempted to practice any fraud or deception in his or her application, examination, interview, or appointment shall be disqualified.
• Candidates will cooperate fully in the employment process. Any candidate who has failed to complete or satisfactorily meet the requirements of the employment process, by such acts as missing appointments, failing to return necessary paperwork, failing to notify the Fire Department of current telephone numbers or addresses, failing to cooperate in the background check required of each candidate, or otherwise failing to complete the employment process shall be disqualified.

Functional

Candidates who are selected for the final employment process Capacity must be able to pass tests designed to evaluate strength, coordination, physical ability, and physical agility necessary to perform routine fire department tasks.

Polygraph

Candidates who are selected for the final employment process will be required to pass a polygraph examination.

Psychological

Candidates who are selected for the final employment process willl be required to pass a psychological examination.

Medical Exam

Candidates who are selected for the final employment process must pass a physical examination administered in accordance with NFPA 1582, “Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments” by a doctor of the City’s choice with the fee to be paid by the City.

Visual acuity must be correctable to at least 20/40 in each eye. Individuals who wear hard contact lenses or spectacles must have a visual acuity of at least 20/100 in each eye, uncorrected.

Drug Screening

Candidates who are selected for the final employment process will be subject to pre-employment drug testing in accordance with D.O.T guidelines and City of Carrollton administrative directives. Any candidate who fails to pass or refuses to participate in testing will not be eligible for employment.

All candidates who are hired become probationary firefighters and will be required to:

1. Obtain a Texas “Class B” driver’s license within six months. 
2. Attend and successfully complete a fire training school if not currently certified or certifiable by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. 
3. Maintain a satisfactory rating on monthly performance evaluation reports. 
4. Pass a written probationary employee examination with a minimum score of 70 at the end of their probationary period. 
5. Attend and successfully complete training as an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic as necessary, dependant upon previous certifications. 
6. Refrain from using tobacco products in any form.

Salary

Base Pay

With 26 pay periods annually, pay is bi-weekly. The pay schedule does not include incentive pay.

Incentive Pay

Education

All Carrollton Firefighters earn $50 per month for 60 hours of approved college credit or $100 per month for an approved Bachelors degree.

Texas Firefighter Certification

All Carrollton Firefighters earn $50 per month for holding an Intermediate Certificate, $100 per month for holding an Advanced Certificate. Firefighters with a Master Certificate earn $150 per month.

Longevity

$4 per month for each year of service to a maximum of $1,200 per year.

Benefits

Equipment

Uniforms and protective equipment are furnished by the department.

Holidays

There are eight (8) paid holidays given annually to each employee.

Vacation

All Carrollton Firefighters accrue 15 days of vacation per year. Vacation days may be used after 6 months of service. Upon retirement or termination, Firefighters will be paid for a maximum of 432 unused hours.

Sick Leave

All Carrollton Firefighters accrue 15 days of sick leave per year, with unlimited accrual. Upon retirement or termination, after the completion of 1 year of service, shift Firefighters will be paid up to a maximum of 1,440 hours and non-shift Firefighters will receive 960 hours of unused accumulated leave.

Insurance

All Carrollton Firefighters become eligible for participation in the City insurance programs on the date they are hired.

Medical

Each employee has the option to choose between two levels of PPN insurance plans. The plans are available at low cost to the employee and at reduced cost for their dependents.

Dental

Each employee is provided dental insurance at no cost or at low cost depending on the program chosen. Employee dependents may be added at additional cost.

Life

Each employee is provided life insurance equal to 2 times their annual salary.

Retirement

All Carrollton Firefighters are required to be members of the Texas Municipal Retirement System. The employee contributes 7% and the City matches the contribution 2:1. An employee may retire at 20 years of service at any age or 5 years of service at age 60. TMRS also provides a life insurance policy equal to one (1) times the annual salary.

Deferred Compensation

The City of Carrollton offers a deferred compensation program (457) to shelter a portion of your gross annual salary. The deferred portion is placed into investment options chosen by the employee and may be withdrawn at termination or retirement. If the employee contributes a minimum of 4.65%, the city will match at 2.35%. Vesting is immediate.