Job Description
CLEVELAND FIRE DEPARTMENT
1645 SUPERIOR AVENUE, EAST
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114
216-664-6800
Updated: March 19, 2025
***Please submit your application through the link provided (where more information and links are included), to be considered for this position.***
Firefighter - Examination (OPEN)
Public notice is hereby given by the Civil Service Commission of Cleveland, Ohio, of an open competitive examination for the above classification.
THE ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PERIOD IS FROM 12:01 A.M. ON MARCH 17 2025
UNTIL 1:00 PM. ON JUNE 13 2025. NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER 1:00 PM ON JUNE 13 2025. The link to applications is here.
SALARY: The starting salary while in the Firefighter Training Academy is $15.00 - $17.00 per hour. Upon successful completion of the Academy, the annual salary range for Firefighter is $57,025.38 - 75,680.34
NOTE: YOU ARE NOT APPLYING FOR AN IMMEDIATE JOB OPENING. YOU ARE APPLYING TO TAKE AN EXAMINATION WHICH WILL BE USED TO CREATE AN ELIGIBILTY LIST FOR THIS JOB CLASSIFICATION. THAT LIST WILL BE USED FOR FUTURE HIRES IN THIS JOB CLASSIFICATION.
Tentative Academy Start:
January 2026
LIFE OF THE ELIGIBILITY LIST
The life of the eligibility list from this examination will not exceed one year from the date the list is established. Candidates will remain eligible for no more than one year from the date they have been added to the eligibility list.
NOTE: Primary correspondence with applicants is made with applicants via email.
At the time of their appointment to the Academy, candidates will be required to enter into a Training Cost Reimbursement Agreement with the City of Cleveland. That Agreement will obligate the candidate to reimburse the City of Cleveland for training costs if they separate from the Division of Fire within five (5) years, as described in and as provided in that Agreement. Additional information about this Agreement can be obtained from the Public Safety Recruitment team by calling 216-623-5233.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
WRITTEN EXAMINATION: Applicants will take the FIREFIGHTER FireTEAM exam administered electronically by the National Testing Network (NTN). The final day to take the Test will be JUNE 20TH 2025 to be considered for the upcoming Academy. To defray the cost of the exam, the Office of the Civil Service Commission will email you a practice test voucher and an actual test voucher. The vouchers will be sent after your application has been approved by our examiners.
Have you earned an NTN Firefighter FireTEAM exam passing score?
The score must be within the last 6 months. If you have not done so, please report your score to CLEVELAND FIRE DEPARTMENT at the NTN website. There will be a cost to provide your score to the City; please refer to The National Testing Network. The final day to submit scores will be JUNE 20TH 2025 to be considered for the upcoming Academy.
Have you earned an NTN Firefighter FireTEAM exam failing score?
Per NTN policy, you must wait for a minimum of three months from the date you last sat for the exam to retake the exam; please refer to The National Testing Network. You will need to re-submit your application if you wish to re-take the exam
Duties
The job of Firefighter requires the successful completion of responsibilities in the following task categories; driving fire vehicles, searching a fire area for victims, completing rescue operations, applying force to enter structures and vehicles, operating pumps, activating fire hydrants, operating aerial ladders, deploying ground ladders, providing emergency medical treatment, handling hose lines, advancing charged hose lines and extinguishers, cutting holes in roofs, doors and walls, ventilating fire areas, illuminating fire scenes, transporting victims on stretcher, extracting victims from vehicles and structures, salvaging property, maintaining equipment, completing housekeeping chores at the fire station, planning strategies for fighting fires, and conducting fire inspections. Performs other job-related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
NOTE: Minimum qualifications must be met as of the last day of the filing period unless otherwise stated.
AGE: Applicant must be a minimum of 18 years of age and no older than 39 years of age AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY OF CLEVELAND FIRE TRAINING ACADEMY.
EDUCATION: Applicants must indicate in their application, and present proof at the time of filing, that they have received a High School Diploma or GED from an accredited educational institution or have satisfactorily completed the General Education Development Test (GED). One of the following must be presented at the time of filing:
A. High School Diploma
B. GED
C. Letter on official stationery from High School or Board of Education stating that the applicant did graduate.
DRIVER'S LICENSE - Applicant must have a valid State of Ohio Driver's License PRIOR to appointment to the Fire Academy.
CITIZENSHIP - Applicant must be a citizen of the United States PRIOR to appointment to the Fire Academy.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK HOURS - Firefighters must be available to work any shift on any day of the week.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - Any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation in order to compete effectively on this examination shall notify the Civil Service Commission and the testing company of such need on the appropriate form, available through Civil Service, no later than two (2) weeks prior to the expiration of the testing period. The testing company will contact the individual concerning such accommodation prior to the examination. The Commission and/or the testing company may refuse to provide such accommodation if it is not reasonable or would constitute an undue hardship. Current (within one year) documentation supporting the need for the requested accommodation will be required.
ADDITIONAL SELECTION PROCEDURES
Applicants who receive a passing grade on the written examination and rank high enough on the eligible list for Firefighter and receive Civil Service Certification will be subject to the following evaluation steps: All steps must be completed by the deadline dates that get provided at the time of the instructions given.
Physical Abilities Examination:
Physical abilities testing will occur after the eligible list is established from the electronic testing process. This test is pass/fail and designed to evaluate physical ability to perform the duties of a Firefighter. Applicants invited to complete the physical capability test will be notified of their scheduled date, time, and location to take the test via email when being considered for an academy class. The physical skills test contains events which reflect physical activities actually encountered on the job by Cleveland Firefighters. Additional information regarding the test requirement will be provided to candidates after they have applied for the examination
Drug Screening:
Each applicant shall undergo an examination for drug usage. This examination may be in the form of urinalysis. Any applicant whose results from the drug screening examination are determined to be positive shall be removed from the eligibility list unless such results can be satisfactorily related to the advice of a recognized medical Practitioner. Drug screening may also be conducted after appointment to the academy.
Background Investigation:
Background investigation and evaluation may include interviews with present and previous employers. Neighbors and family may be contacted as part of the investigation. In addition, a check of Local and State Police and FBI records, both adult and juvenile, and Bureau of Motor Vehicle records will be made. The background test also includes review of sealed and expunged records and military service if applicable. Unsatisfactory findings in one or more of these areas may be cause for removal from the Civil Service eligibility list. Conviction of a felony may be grounds for rejection from the selection process and/or removal from the list. There are also misdemeanor convictions that could have the same effect on your candidacy.
Psychological Evaluation:
A psychological evaluation to determine the applicant's emotional suitability to perform all aspects of the job will be conducted. Each applicant may be required to take several written examinations. These, along with the results of the background investigation, will be submitted to one or more psychologist(s)/psychiatrist(s) who will interview the candidates. All records of the psychological and background examinations will be made available to the Civil Service Commission. The Commission will review such records and make the final determination of each applicant's suitability for removal from the eligible list.
Medical Examination:
Any appointment to the position of Firefighter will be conditioned upon passing a pre- employment medical examination conducted in accordance with the provisions of Title I of the Federal American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). A copy of the ADA may be obtained online. The standards for the medical examination may be obtained from the Division of Fire.
RESIDENCY CREDIT
In accordance with the Ordinances of the City of Cleveland: A person who has had as his/her primary residence in the City of Cleveland for at least one year at the time of filing a Civil Service application, and desires to take an entry-level Civil Service examination, shall, if a passing grade on the written examination is attained, have ten (10) points added to his/her passing score.
To substantiate a claim for residency points, you must include with your application LEGIBLE COPIES of the following:
- A signed and notarized Residency Affidavit available on the City's website
AND
- A copy of your Driver's License, State ID or a Utility Bill showing your current address and dated within thirty (30) days of the date you submit your application.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Veterans' preference will be awarded, when applicable, to eligible veterans in accordance with Civil Service Rules 4.40E, 4.40F and 4.40G. Proof of active service or a DD Form 214, must be presented to the Commission at the time of filing application for the that applicant shall receive an additional five (5) points added to their raw score on the examination; or ten (10) points are added to their raw score on the examination.
THE COMMISSION WILL NOT ENTERTAIN APPEALS FOR RESIDENCY CREDIT or VETERANS' PREFERENCE CREDIT AFTER THE APPLICANTION FILING DATE. You must submit these documents BEFORE JUNE 13TH 2025 THE DECISION OF THE COMMISSION IS FINAL.
REQUESTING AN EXAMINATION ACCOMMODATION
(AMERICAN'S WITH DISABILITIES ACT)
NTN: Any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation in order to compete effectively on this examination should go to the link included to visit the The National Testing Network website andd review the FAQs to read what NTN requires from the individual taking one of its tests who is requesting an accommodation.
WAIVER OF RULES
The Civil Service Commission hereby waives all applicable rules or portions of its rules which may or may not conflict with the Charter of the City of Cleveland and/or litigation involving this examination. In particular:
1. Rule 4.30D (The waiver of this Rule shall mean that a medical examination will not be administered prior to the establishment of the eligible list.)
2. Rule 6.80 (The waiver of this Rule shall mean that the probationary period for Firefighter shall be fixed at six months, upon completion of the Fire Academy)
3. Rule 4.50 (The waiver of this Rule shall mean that there will be no review periods for this examination.)
4. Rule 6.30 (The waiver of this Rule shall mean that eligibles will not be given the choice to waive certification.)
5. Rule 4.408 (The waiver of this Rule shall mean that the required passing grade shall be established by the Commission.)
The aforementioned Civil Service Rules are hereby waived either in their entirety or in part. The Commission retains the right to waive other Rule requirements as appropriate. Applicants having questions regarding these waivers should contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission at (216) 664-2467. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin/ancestry, military status, disability, age and religion.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 57,025.00 75,680.00 Per Year
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Local area, Immediate start, Felony friendly, Shift work,