Fire

CAREERS

Learn more about about working at the UCFD in our Recruitment Guide.

CHIEF OFFICER HIRING PROCESS

Effective leadership is a cornerstone of a successful fire department. Chief Officers are management/exempt employees and are not represented by the collective bargaining unit for uniformed fire personnel. Based upon the needs of the department, Chief Officers may be sought and selected from either internal or external candidates to the organization. When there is a vacant Chief position that is available to external applicants, a job posting is usually widely advertised and placed onto the Husky Hire website in the "Staff Positions" section. The job posting will detail all of the minimum qualifications that a prospective candidate would need in order to apply. Additionally, the job posting will detail the preferred qualifications of candidates and have specific instructions on how to complete the application. As a managerial position with a high-level of responsibility, candidates applying for a Chief Officer position can expect to be assessed in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, oral interviews with various stakeholders, written assessments, or practical assessments.

FIREFIGHTER HIRING PROCESS

The UConn Fire Department (UCFD) hires firefighters through two different processes:  Certified and Entry-Level.  When the department conducts a Certified Firefighter hiring process, there is no written test and only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the Firefighter job description are considered. Visit The Firefighter job description for more information. Additionally, based upon the current needs of the department, additional minimum or preferred qualifications may be required. When the department conducts an Entry-Level, or Protective Services Trainee (Fire) hiring process, there is a written examination and there are no requirements for previous firefighting experience or certification. When there is an active search for a fire department position, the job posting contains all of the information that a candidate would need to determine whether they are qualified to apply.

A summary for how each process is conducted is listed below. However, it should be noted that the process summaries are merely guides intended to inform prospective candidates of what to expect in a hiring process. Processes may be changed, with or without notice, to meet the needs of the organization or to comply with policy.

In general, the UCFD posts vacant positions and accepts applications on the Husky Hire website. Applications are not accepted when there is not an open hiring process. Job postings should be reviewed closely by the applicant for both the minimum and preferred qualifications, as well as the instructions for what must be submitted with the application.  Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications cannot be considered for employment, so it is important to submit sufficient documentation that provides evidence that an applicant possess the minimum qualifications.

UCFD requests that applicants also submit a statement of qualifications with their application. A statement of qualifications is a narrative or cover letter that specifically outlines the minimum and preferred qualifications they feel they possess. On the job posting, each qualification (minimum or preferred) usually has a corresponding number. When submitting a statement of qualifications, cover letter, or narrative, it is helpful for the applicant to list and refer to the minimum or preferred job qualification number. Additionally, all information provided in the statement of qualifications should be supported by evidence within the application itself.

Please follow the application instructions carefully. Applications which are submitted as incomplete may not be considered.

CERTIFIED FIREFIGHTER PROCESS SUMMARY

1. The University reviews all applications that are submitted to determine that minimum qualifications are met and which of the preferred qualifications are met.
2. Desired qualified applicants are selected for interviews. Generally, a desired qualified applicant must have met all of the minimum qualifications and have some (or all) of the preferred qualifications listed in the job posting.
3. Applicants who are interviewed may go through multiple interviews, including interview(s) before a panel and the Fire Chief.
4. Qualified applicants who are not selected for interviews will be notified once the opening has been filled. Applicants who do not hold the proper qualifications for the position may be notified sooner.
5. Final candidates that are given a conditional offer of employment must successfully pass a pre-employment physical exam, psychological exam and have a full background check before a hire date can be confirmed.
6. A selected candidate who has not previously attended the Connecticut Fire Academy (CFA) Recruit Firefighter Training program will have an assessment of their training, certification, and/or physical skills to determine whether they have training equivalent to the Recruit program. Those without equivalency may be required to attend Recruit School.

Note: Candidates who do not possess the minimum qualifications should NOT apply in a Certified Firefighter process but should wait to apply in an Entry-Level process.

ENTRY-LEVEL FIREFIGHTER (PROTECTIVE SERVICES TRAINEE FIRE) PROCESS SUMMARY

1. A written examination will be advertised. Specific information on how to apply for and take the written examination will be communicated. Written examination and the first oral interview may be conducted by an agency or organization external to the UCFD.
2. If the initial examination processes were initiated by application directly to a testing agency, applicants completing the written examination may be instructed to complete an application directly with UConn on the Husky Hire website.
3. UCFD then reviews all applications that are submitted to determine that minimum qualifications are met, which (if any) of the preferred qualifications are met, and the respective test score.
4. Desired qualified applicants are selected for interviews. Generally, a desired qualified applicant must have met all of the minimum qualifications, have some (or all) of the preferred qualifications, and scored higher on the written examination.
5. Applicants who are interviewed may go through multiple interviews, including interview(s) before a panel and the Fire Chief.
6. Qualified applicants who are not selected for interviews will be notified once the opening has been filled. Applicants who do not hold the proper qualifications for the position may be notified sooner.
7. All final candidates that are given a conditional offer of employment must successfully pass a pre-employment physical exam, psychological exam and have a full background check before a hire date can be confirmed.
8. Candidates hired in an Entry-Level hiring process can expect to attend the Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Firefighter Training program. Due to requirements of the program, final candidates will be required to submit proof of a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test card (valid date determined by CFA) or successfully pass a Cooper's Standards Test physical ability examination conducted by UConn Police Department certified examiners before a hire date can be confirmed.

Note: Certified firefighters who were unsuccessful or who did not apply in a Certified Firefighter hiring process are encouraged to apply in an Entry-Level process.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

No. When a search process is initiated, the department indicates what the minimum requirements for a position will be. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements cannot be considered.

Applications are only accepted when a vacant position(s) is open. Applications are not generally kept on file.

Once your application is submitted, the Husky Hire system will generate an e-mail (should you provide your e-mail address) and a page that says “Your application has been submitted”. This page will display a submittal date and time. If this page shows, your application has been received. Also, please make a note of your user ID and password so that you may log in to check the status of your application. You will be able to see the position(s) that you have applied for.

Applicants who are moving forward in the process are generally contacted more frequently. All applicants are always contacted with their final disposition at the completion of a process. Basic application status can be checked by logging into the HuskyHire website (See FAQ above – “How do I know my application was received?”) Very limited information can be given to applicants while a process is underway. If necessary, the status of an application or process can be obtained by calling UCFD Fire Administration at 860-486-4807.

Depending on the amount of applicants, it may take weeks or several months for you to hear back from the UCFD. It is not unusual for a single firefighter position to result in 150 or more qualified applicants. In general, the more applications received, the longer the process.

It depends. If the job posting is for a Protective Services Trainee (Fire) or for an Entry-Level Firefighter, you will be expected to take a written examination. If the job posting is for a Certified Firefighter and you already possess the minimum qualifications of the Firefighter job description, you may not be required to take a written examination. In this case, candidates are selected based on whether they meet the minimum and preferred qualifications as well as their performance during the interview process.

It depends. Entry-Level Firefighter applicants who will attend the Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Firefighter Training program are required to have verification of meeting the program’s physical ability requirements. Applicants must have a valid CPAT card (date determined by CFA) or successfully pass a Cooper’s Standards Test physical ability examination conducted by UConn Police Department certified examiners. While CPAT is frequently a preferred qualification for Certified Firefighter applicants, it is not a requirement.

All applicants must possess the minimum qualifications to be considered for a position. Search committees are unable to speculate whether an applicant possesses the minimum qualifications, so it is imperative that the application materials state or demonstrate that the applicant actually possesses the minimum qualifications. Applicants who are selected to proceed to an interview(s) must possess the minimum qualifications and generally have a specific preferred qualification, or multiple preferred qualifications.

Initial panel interviews are conducted by UConn Fire Department personnel of different ranks who present a series of questions or scenarios directly related to the required skills and abilities of the Firefighter job description. Each applicant is objectively evaluated on their responses. Following the panel interview, applicants may be selected to interview with a UCFD Chief Officer.