CITY OF NEW BRITAIN

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Announces

An Open Competitive Examination

For

​

FIREFIGHTER ………………………………$78,467.16 - $88,056.08 (July 1, 2024)

​

Trainee:          $54,663.20

​

Probationary   $58,079.65

​

(TO CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT LIST)

​

This position is represented by the Local 992 Bargaining Unit.

​

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: 

​

Under close supervision of a Fire Captain or Fire Lieutenant, performs fire prevention, firefighting, and emergency medical responder duties.  Primary responsibility is the protection of life and property.  Performs duties associated with Emergency Medical Responder services.  Work includes the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions which may require performance under such hardships as smoke and in close quarters.  Although directions and instructions are usually given by superior officers, the firefighter is required to have a thorough understanding of firefighting and emergency medical responder methods.  Firefighting and emergency medical responder duties are of primary importance, but the majority of time is spent in other duties such as conducting inspections, pre-planning surveys, fire, rescue and EMS training and routine house duties which include the care and maintenance of Fire Department property and equipment.  Performs related work as required.

​

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Responds to fire alarms and emergency calls with Fire Company, lays and connects hose lines and nozzles, turns water on and off, holds fire hose and directs stream.

• Performs Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) responsibilities.

• Drives and operates motor driven fire apparatus and equipment; raises, climbs and works off ladder; enters and ventilates buildings using various standard techniques.

• Performs rescue work.  Performs salvage operations at scenes of fire, such as covering furniture with salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris.

• Learns and practices new firefighting methods, participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting and emergency medical practices.

• Performs routine maintenance work in the upkeep of Fire Department property and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; makes minor repairs to property and equipment; washes, hangs and dries hoses; washes, cleans and polishes test apparatus.

• On desk watch, answers telephone and relays instructions, orders and information; gives out locations of alarms received by telephone or signal system.

• Performs assigned fire inspections, checking fire escapes, building exits, and related structures and appurtenances for compliance with fire prevention ordinances.

• Participates in community fire safety activities and gives fire safety advice and information to members of the community.

​​

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS:

Performs related work as required.

​

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES: 

Ability to perform a wide variety of firefighting techniques, and to operate and effectively use various firefighting tools, appliances and apparatus.  Ability to perform Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) responsibilities.  Ability to climb and work from ladders and other high points.  Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.  Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergencies.  Ability and sufficient physical strength to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors and the general public.

​

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Graduation from High School or Vocational School, plus Emergency Medical Responder certification by the completion of the 12-month probationary period. 

​

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: 

In addition to the checking of references and the facts stated on the application, a background investigation, including a review of arrest records, will be made before names are certified to the appointing authority for employment consideration.

​

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Applicants must have reached their 18thbirthday as of the closing date for filing applications.

2. Each candidate must possess and retain a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator’s License at the time of appointment. In addition, if appointed, an individual must obtain a Connecticut Driver’s License with a fire apparatus “Q” endorsement within a time period to be established by the Fire Department. Failure to obtain and retain this license may be grounds for termination.

3. Applicants must successfully qualify on a rigid city medical examination meeting the medical requirements of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 1582 Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. The examining physician may put any question, make any examination of the candidate and reject for any cause which is his/her medical opinion would disqualify a candidate for the firefighter position.

4. Upon appointment, firefighters must reside within 30 minutes from the border of New Britain, under normal road conditions.  

5. Applicants will be required to submit an affidavit stating that he or she has been and is a non-smoker.  This affidavit is a part of the announcement package, and must be submitted at the time of application, in no case later than the date of the written exam.  Falsification of the affidavit will be considered falsification of the employment application, and subject to the pertaining rules and regulations of the City (up to and including discharge, if hired).

6. Physical Ability Test:  The City of New Britain will require applicants to hold a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card with a date of June 1, 2022 or later or proof of registration with a licensed CPAT Center in order to apply.    The CPAT application can be found at http://www.ct.gov/cfpc/cwp/view.asp?  or CertifyFit.com/CPAT or candidates must have a valid NBPAT certification from the New Britain Fire Department.  A Valid CPAT card or valid NBPAT must be presented prior to being placed on the certified employment list.  Information regarding the NBPAT can be obtained at the New Britain Fire Department by emailing ffentrylevel@newbritainct.gov.

7. Veteran’s Points:  Applicants eligible for veteran’s points must submit a copy of their DD214 form prior to the closing deadline for applications.  Veteran’s points are awarded for specific periods of conflict only, under certain conditions, including honorable discharge.  No consideration for veteran’s points will be given after the closing deadline for applications.

​

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. In accordance with Connecticut State Fire Commission regulations, an individual, if appointed, must successfully complete certification requirements of the Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Firefighter Program; and as an Emergency Medical Responder prior to the completion of the one (1) year probationary period.

2. A post-offer, pre-employment background check, medical exam and psychological screening shall be required of each successful candidate.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 

The probationary period for this position shall be twelve (12) months.

​

THIS EXAMINATION WILL BE COMPOSED OF:

OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
Component                  Weights
Written                               60%
Oral                                     40%
TOTAL                                 100%
 

 

THE WRITTEN TEST WILL BE HELD ON Friday, June 21, 2024 AT 9:00 AM IN THE NEW BRITAIN HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA.  THIS IS THE ONLY DATE THE TEST WILL BE GIVEN. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE WRITTEN TEST UNLESS THEY HAVE A VALID CPAT or NBPAT CARD OR PROOF OF REGISTRATION TO TAKE THE CPAT or NBPAT TEST.  

​

Written Test Fee: 

A fee of $75.00 non-resident (plus FirefighterApp $35 fee = $110.00), $25.00 for New Britain residents (plus FirefighterApp $35 fee = $60) for the administration of the written exam will be charged at the time of application submission.

PASSING GRADE: The minimum passing grade is 70%. 

​

RULE OF THE LIST:  

Names of all eligible candidates on the open competitive employment list will be forwarded to the appointing authority for employment consideration.

​

DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT LIST:  

A certified employment list shall be in effect for one year from the date of its establishment by the Civil Service Commission. Subsequent to the initial certification of the employment list, no sooner than 10 months and no later than 11 months and 29 days from date of initial certification, the Commission may, upon the showing and finding of exigent or extenuating circumstances, extend the duration of the list when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City.  The City, or any individual, may request that consideration of extension be placed on the Civil Service regular meeting agenda by notifying the Personnel Director no later than one calendar week prior to the monthly meeting.  The maximum period of time that a list shall remain in effect is two years from date of initial certification.

​

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:  

All requests for reasonable accommodations in the testing process must be made in writing, no later than the closing date for applications. Documentation of the disability for which the accommodation is being requested must be received no later than the closing deadline for applications. The candidate’s failure to provide

documentation which satisfies the City’s requirements by the timetable above will result in an inability to provide an accommodation in the testing process. However, the candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for the position would still be eligible to compete with all other candidates in the standard testing process.

​

GENERAL INFORMATION:    

The Civil Service Commission reserves the right to limit the number of candidates who will proceed to the next phase of the testing process.  A candidate must pass each phase to proceed to the next; however, qualifying on one phase may not automatically qualify a candidate to proceed to the next test.

Applications must be on file with www.FireFighterApp.com no later than Midnight on Saturday, June 1, 2024.  

​

 An EOE/Equal Access Employer

Please direct questions regarding this position to the Fire Department at  

NBFFEntryLevel@newbritainct.gov

​

Please direct questions regarding this position to NBFFEntryLevel@newbritainct.gov

​

 

Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.

Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PoliceApp, PublicSafetyApp, FireFighterApp or EmployementApp account to monitor for emails, scheduling and process updates.