Firefighter Trainee

Job Summary

Under immediate supervision, participates in assigned training and formal academic programs of instruction designed to qualify for certification as a Firefighter in accordance with the Texas State Statutes.

Veteran's Preference Points: If you have been (or will be) discharged from the military, you may be eligible for five (5) Veteran's preference points on this examination. To be eligible to receive the additional points, you must have:

• Served on active duty for a minimum of 180 consecutive days in the United States Armed Forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Score seventy percent (70%) or higher on the written SAFD entrance examination
  
  

In order to receive the five (5) Veteran's preference points, you must submit one of the acceptable documents with your online application or submit the documents following the mailing guidelines below.

Documents will not be accepted at the exam.

If you fail to submit your DD214 or letter by the deadline, you will not be awarded the Veteran's preference points on this examination.

Acceptable Veteran's Preference Points Documents:

DD214 - (For Veteran applicants)

• Must be an original or certified copy, legible and unaltered, without any sections missing
• Only the following copies will be accepted: Service #2, Member #4, State Director of Veterans Affairs #6, Service #7, or Service #8
  
  

Honorable Service Letter - (For Active-Duty applicants)

• Must contain:
• contact information for your current commander (field grade officer or above)
• term of service
• and certify that you will receive an Honorable Discharge based on current conditions
• An honorable service letter template is available at:
  
  

https://www.sa.gov/files/assets/main/v/4/safd/documents/honorableserviceformletter.pdf

Mailing Guidelines:

If you did not submit your Veteran's preference point's document with your online application, you must:

• Use Certified mail
• Address to:
  
  

City of San Antonio - HR Department

Attention: Sarah Bilger

P.O. Box 839966

San Antonio, TX 78283

• Must be postmarked by August 11, 2025
  
  

Essential Job Functions

• Attends training regarding: Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances, modern firefighting techniques, hazardous materials, building construction, motor vehicle operations, management and communication, and state certification for emergency medical technicians.
• Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls.
• May be required to descend from 2nd floor quarters to 1st floor via sliding down a pole.
• Dons protective clothing (bunker gear) and breathing apparatus.
• Selects nozzles, depending on type of fire, removes hose from truck, transports hose to hydrant.
• Removes pre-connected hose from fire apparatus, stretches hose to fire and/or pulls skid load from apparatus bed, attaches to fire engine pump, and stretches to fire.
• In high rise, firefighter carries 1 3/4" hose upstairs with nozzle and adapter and assorted equipment, connects hose to standpipe, and stretches hose to fire.
• Directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire. Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings.
• Performs and/or assists in victim extraction from buildings or vehicles.
• Performs search and rescue operations in buildings filled with fumes, smoke, odors, mists, etc. Creates openings in buildings or vehicles for ventilation, victim extraction, or entrance using ax, chisel, crowbar, electric saw, jaws-of-life, or other power equipment.
• Protects property from water and smoke using waterproof salvage covers.
• Removes items from buildings, including but not limited to, appliances, couches, and clothes.
• Cleans up items involved in the fire and removes them from the premises including but not limited to, appliances, couches, and clothes.
• Administers first-aid and/or artificial respiration to injured persons or those overcome by fire and/or smoke.
• Communicates with fellow firefighter(s) and superior(s) during firefighting and/or rescue operations.
• Attends and successfully completes Fire Department classes and other formal fire training programs to qualify for certification as a Firefighter.
• Participates in mandatory physical training which includes a realistic simulated scenario including traveling uneven ground and carrying 200 pounds through the course.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations, firefighting training evolutions, and courses in hydraulics, pump operation and maintenance, and firefighting techniques.
• Trains in the operation of rescue tools.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate.
• Valid Class "C" Driver's License.
  
  

The following includes the minimum qualifications for taking the written examination, however applicants MUST pass other requirements for eligibility to be hired.

Applicants must possess the following qualifications at the time of

Application For The Position Of Firefighter Trainee:

• Applicants must be at least 19 years of age by the date of the written examination.
• Applicants must not have reached 34 years of age by the date of the written examination.
• Applicants must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak in the English language.
• Applicants must not have any of the disqualifying items listed below on his/her record:
• Conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude.
• Any discharge from the United States Armed Forces other than Honorable. (Uncharacterized and Entry-Level discharges may be accepted and will be assessed on an individual basis.)
• Two (2) or more traffic violation convictions within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of the written examination.
• Conviction of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or its equivalent within the five (5) years preceding the date of the written examination.
• Conviction of a Driving While Intoxicated, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, or their equivalent within the five (5) years preceding the date of the written examination.
• Applicants must meet all legal requirements necessary to become eligible for future licensing by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
• Applicants must meet the suitability requirements listed under Rule IX. H. (13) Use of Illicit Substances.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate with or without reasonable accommodations that essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Skill in operating and maintaining fire apparatus and equipment.
• Skill in operating various hand and power tools to create openings in structures and vehicles for smoke ventilation, forcible entry, and rescue.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records and preparing reports.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of city geography, streets, and highways in the City of San Antonio and Bexar County.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of firefighting principles and techniques, hydraulics, hydrants, and location/operation of sprinkler and house line systems.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of departmental policy, practice, and procedure, emergency medical techniques, and good safety practice in the use of equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in stressful and/or hazardous environments.
• Ability to perform strenuous work under all weather conditions including emergency situations.
• Working conditions can include inside/outside, extreme cold/heat with/without temperature changes, rain and/or humidity, noise (siren use), and mechanical and electrical hazards, fires, explosives, radiant energy, bodily fluids, fumes, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation.
  
  

Benefits Information

The City of San Antonio (CoSA) strives to provide a competitive compensation and benefit package to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce. To accomplish this, CoSA offers subsidized health care benefits for active and retired employees, paid disability benefits, paid life insurance, as well as automatic participation in a pension program which is currently matched two to one.

For more detailed information, please click on the following link to view Benefits offered by the City of San Antonio:

http://www.sanantonio.gov/hr/employee_information/benefits/index.asp

Note:

• Part-Time, Temporary, and non-City positions are not eligible for CoSA Benefits.
• Holiday and Leave benefits for Pre-K 4 SA positions may be different than what is listed at the above link.
  
  

Additional Information

The City Of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. This means that the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (gender), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or sexual orientation. All individuals are encouraged to apply and compete for jobs with the City of San Antonio.

If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources Department so that accommodations may be made to meet your needs. Our telephone number is 210-207-8705 and our fax number is 210-207-2285.

01

Are you a veteran or active member of the U.S. armed forces?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

If you are a veteran of the U.S. Military, please indicate what type of discharge you received:

• Honorable
• General
• Bad Conduct (BCD)
• Dishonorable
• Other Not Listed
• I am currently an active service member of the U.S. Military.
• I am not a veteran or active service member of the U.S. Military.
  
  

03

Firefighter Trainee applicants must be at least 19 years of age by August 18, 2025 and must not have reached 34 years of age by August 18, 2025. Were you born between August 18, 1991 and August 18, 2006?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Are you a high school graduate or have a GED certificate?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

Which school district did you attend? (Choose the one you attended for the longest length of time.)

• Alamo Heights ISD
• Boerne ISD
• Comal ISD
• East Central ISD
• Edgewood ISD
• Fort Sam Houston ISD
• Harlandale ISD
• Judson ISD
• Lackland ISD
• Lytle ISD
• Medina Valley ISD
• North East ISD
• Northside ISD
• Randolph ISD
• San Antonio ISD
• Schertz-Cibolo-UC ISD
• Somerset ISD
• South San Antonio ISD
• Southside ISD
• Southwest ISD
• Central Catholic High School
• Highland Hills Baptist School
• Holy Cross High School
• Incarnate Word High School
• Lutheran High School of San Antonio
• Providence High School
• St. Anthony Catholic High School
• Other Bexar County High School
• Other High School in Atascosa County, Texas
• Other High School in Bandera County, Texas
• Other High School in Blanco County, Texas
• Other High School in Comal County, Texas
• Other High School in Frio County, Texas
• Other High School in Guadalupe County, Texas
• Other High School in Kendall County, Texas
• Other High School in Kerr County, Texas
• Other High School in Medina County, Texas
• Other High School in Uvalde County, Texas
• Other High School in Wilson County, Texas
• Other High School in Texas
• Other High School in another U.S. State
• Other High School outside of the U.S.
  
  

06

Do you have a valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

What best describes your highest level of education?

• Some High School
• High School Degree or GED Certificate recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency
• 12 completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 30 completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 60 completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university
• 90 completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 120 completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university
• JD, PhD, or other Post-Graduate Degree from an accredited college or university
• None of the above
  
  

08

What is your father's highest level of education?

• Some High School
• High School Degree or GED Certificate
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• JD, PhD, or other Post-Graduate Degree
• None of the above
  
  

09

What is your mother's highest level of education?

• Some High School
• High School Degree or GED Certificate
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• JD, PhD, or other Post-Graduate Degree
• None of the above
  
  

10

How many times have you taken the San Antonio Fire Department Entrance Exam?

• 0 times
• 1 time
• 2 times
• 3 times
• 4 times
• 5 times
• 6 times
• 7 times
• 8 times
• 9 times
• 10 times
• 11 times or more
  
  

11

Are you currently a Certified Firefighter?

• Yes
• No
  
  

12

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question regarding currently being a Certified Firefighter, list the Fire Department(s) you have worked for.

13

Are you currently processing with another Fire Department?

• Yes
• No
  
  

14

Select any of the following drugs or substances you have ever used illegally:

• Ecstasy ("XTC" or "X")
• Methamphetamines (Speed) / Amphetamines
• LSD / Acid / STP
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Crack
• PCP
• Psilocybin (Mushrooms)
• Salvia
• Barbiturates
• Opium / Morphine
• Eve
• Other item listed in the Texas Controlled Substances Act or the Federal Controlled Substances Act
• NONE
  
  

15

If you selected any of the drugs in the previous question, how many times have you used them?

• Only once
• 2 times
• 3 times
• 4 times or more
• I did not select any of the drugs in the previous question and have never used any of them illegally.
  
  

16

In the two years preceding the date of the exam (between August 18, 2023 - August 18, 2025), how many times have you used marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids for the purpose of recreation or intoxication?

• Never
• 1 time
• 2 times
• 3 times
• 4 times or more
  
  

17

In the five years preceding the date of the exam (between August 18, 2020 - August 18, 2025), how many times have you used marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids for the purpose of recreation or intoxication?

• Never
• 1 time
• 2 times
• 3 times
• 4 times or more
  
  

18

In the twelve months preceding the date of the exam (between August 18, 2024 - August 18, 2025), how many traffic violation convictions have you had?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4 or more
  
  

19

In the five years preceding the date of the exam (between August 18, 2020 - August 18, 2025), have you been convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUI), or their equivalent?

• Yes - DWI
• Yes - DUI
• No
  
  

20

In the five years preceding the date of the exam (between August 18, 2020 - August 18, 2025), have you been convicted of a Class A or Class B Misdemeanor, or their equivalent?

• Yes - Class A
• Yes - Class B
• No
  
  

21

Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No
  
  

22

Have you ever been terminated from any job at the City of San Antonio?

• Yes
• No
  
  

23

Are you a natural-born or adopted child of a fire fighter who previously suffered a line-of-duty death?

• Yes
• No
  
  

24

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question regarding being the child of a firefighter who suffered a line-of-duty death, list the Fire Department your parent worked for when they suffered a line-of-duty death.

25

Did you attach an Acceptable Veteran's preference points document to this application?

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS If You Have Been (or Will Be) Discharged From The Military, You May Be Eligible For Five (5) Veteran's Preference Points On This Examination. To Be Eligible To Receive The Additional Points, You Must Have:

• Served on active duty for a minimum of 180 consecutive days in the United States Armed Forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Score seventy-percent (70%) or higher on the written SAFD entrance examination
  
  

In order to receive the five (5) Veteran's preference points, you must submit one of the acceptable documents with your online application or submit the documents following the mailing guidelines below. Documents will not be accepted at the exam.

If you fail to submit your DD214 or letter by the deadline, you will not be awarded the Veteran's preference points on this examination.

Acceptable Veteran's preference points documents: DD214-(For Veteran applicants)

• Must be an original or certified copy, legible and unaltered, without any sections missing
• Only the following copies will be accepted: Service #2, Member #4, State Director of Veterans Affairs #6, Service #7, or Service #8
  
  

Honorable Service Letter-(For Active Duty applicants)

• Must contain:
• contact information for your current commander (field grade officer or above)
• term of service
• and certify that you will receive an Honorable Discharge based on current conditions
• An honorable service letter template is available at:
  
  

https://www.sa.gov/files/assets/main/v/4/safd/documents/honorableserviceformletter.pdf

Mailing Guidelines:

If you did not submit your Veteran's preference point's document with your online application, you must:

• Use Certified mail
• Address to:
  
  

City of San Antonio - HR Department

Attention: Sarah Bilger

P.O. Box 839966

San Antonio, TX 78283

• Must be postmarked by August 11, 2025
• Yes
• No
  
  

26

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question regarding attaching an Acceptable Veteran's preference points document to your application, what type of document did you attach?

• Service #2
• Member #4
• State Director of Veterans Affairs #6
• Service #7
• Service #8
• Honorable Service Letter Form
• I answered "No" to question 23 above.
  
  

27

I understand that if I have a need for a reasonable accommodation to participate in the testing process, I can contact the Human Resources Department at hrpolicyteam@sanantonio.gov or 210-207-8719. Please submit requests as soon as possible to allow HR time to review and consider your request.

• I acknowledge
• Required Question