HomeMy WebLinkAboutFirefighter Candidate Information PacketCity of Iowa City
Firefighter Recruitment
www.icgov.org/joinICFD
Application Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025
The City of Iowa City is currently accepting applications and will be holding Civil Service testing for
the position of Firefighter. Please review this document in its entirety as it contains important infor-
mation, dates, and deadlines related to this process. Additional information and updates will be
posted to the Firefighter recruitment webpage listed above.
Job Summary
A Firefighter responds to alarms of fire and other emergencies with a pumper, ladder or rescue com-
pany utilizing a variety of equipment and techniques to suppress fires. Removes persons from dan-
ger and administers emergency medical care as outlined in the scope of practice pertaining to an
Emergency Medical Technician. Responds to a variety of calls of an emergency nature requiring the
performance of light to heavy-duty rescue activities such as administering oxygen, performing CPR,
and operating various equipment used in rescue operations. Participates in fire drills, attends regular
in-house meetings on firefighting, emergency medical care, technical rescue, fire prevention, equip-
ment maintenance and related subjects. Attends required training. Performs fire prevention inspec-
tions and may perform public education duties. Performs general maintenance and cleaning work in
the upkeep of departmental apparatus, equipment, furnishings and structures.
The full job description for the position of Firefighter is available at www.icgov.org/joinICFD.
Job Qualifications
• 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid Iowa driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
• Iowa or National EMT and Firefighter certification preferred, required within 1 year.
• Must pass criminal background check.
The City of Iowa City values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive
and respectful environment for all employees. It is our policy to afford equal
employment opportunities for all employees and potential City employees.
Salary and Benefits
• Starting salary is $65,390.26 annually (effective July 6, 2025)
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Paid family and parental leave
• Life, health, dental and vision insurance
• Voluntary deferred compensation program with Roth IRA option
• Section 125 plan for pretax insurance premiums, medical and dependent care spending accounts
• ISave 529 Plan (formerly College Savings Iowa)
• Full pay during recruit training; continuous in-service training programs
• Uniforms provided
• Job related disability coverage
• Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI)
Residency Requirement
Must live within 25 miles of the corporate limits of Iowa City within one year of hire.
Process Overview and Important Dates
Online employment application deadline Friday, May 23, 2025
Written test
Candidates may request the option to take the written test
online at a time and location of their choosing. Candidates
choosing the online option must provide their own tech-
nology and complete the written test by Monday, June 9,
2025. Candidates preferring to participate in an on-site
testing session may attend the Sunday, June 15, 2025
written test. Online test requests must be received by Hu-
man Resources by Monday, May 26, 2025. Candidates
will only be allowed to take the written test once.
Online written test requests must be re-
ceived by Monday, May 26, 2025. Online
exam must be completed no later than
Monday, June 9, 2025.
On-site written test: Sunday, June 15,
2025
Check-in: 8am-8:30am
Physical fitness testing Sunday, June 15, 2025
Times to be assigned
Oral interviews July 7-11, 2025 (tentative)
Civil Service certification of hiring list Anticipated by early August 2025
Chief interview, references and driving record re-
view, criminal background check
In conjunction with contingent job offer
Medical exam, MMPI and interview with psycholo-
gist
Required upon acceptance of a contin-
gent job offer
Probationary period 12 months from date of hire
See following pages for more detailed information.
Application and Testing Requirements
Application Process
Candidates must apply online by Friday, May 23, 2025. Find a link to our application at www.icgov.org/
joinICFD. A résumé will not substitute for the required online application. For assistance locating a public
computer in the Iowa City area, please contact Human Resources.
Written Test
Candidates have the option of completing the written test online at a time and location of their choosing or
participating in an on-site testing session to be held on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Candidates wishing to take
the test online may request an online exam via email to jobs@iowa-city.org after submitting their application.
Online exam requests must be received by Monday, May 26, 2025. Online tests must be completed no later
than Monday, June 9, 2025. Note: It is anticipated that online testing will not be available on Memorial Day.
On-site exam session:
Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025
Location: Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, 579 McCollister Boulevard, Iowa City
Check-in: 8am-8:30am, GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED
Test start time: 8:30am. No admittance after test begins. No exceptions.
The written test is required for all candidates. All passing candidates will be eligible to participate in the
physical fitness test.
Physical Fitness Test
Dates: Sunday, June 15, 2025
Location: University of Iowa Hawkeye Indoor Track Facility, 930 Evashevski Drive, Iowa City
Check-in times: see below; GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED
Candidates who pass the online written test by June 9 will be scheduled for the physical fitness test the morn-
ing of June 15 while the remaining candidates are taking the written test on-site. Candidates will be informed
via email of their morning check-in time.
Candidates who pass the on-site written test will be assigned a check-in time for the physical fitness test once
the written tests have been scored.
The physical fitness test is required for all candidates passing the written exam.
Oral Interview and Certification of hiring list
All candidates passing both the written test and physical fitness test will be eligible for an interview. Following
interviews the hiring team will recommend a rank order list to the Civil Service Commission for certification.
This certified list will be used by the Chief to fill future vacancies until a new testing process is authorized by
the Civil Service Commission.
Please visit www.icgov.org/joinICFD for detailed information on the written test and physical fitness test.
Veteran’s Preference
Iowa Code allows for Veteran’s Preference under certain conditions. To be eligible you must meet all of the
following requirements:
1. Must be a citizen and a current resident of the U.S.
2. Must have received an honorable discharge, as stated on a DD214 or other official discharge docu-
ment.
3. Must have served active duty time during one of the following times:
a. World War II between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946
b. Korean Conflict between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955
c. Vietnam Conflict between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975
d. Lebanon or Grenada service between August 24, 1982 and July 31, 1984
e. Panama service between December 20, 1989 and January 31, 1990
d. Persian Gulf Conflict beginning August 2, 1990-present
If you meet all of the above criteria and wish to claim veteran’s preference, you must submit a copy of
your DD214 (Member-4) or other official discharge document which includes dates of active service
and indicates honorable discharge by the Friday, May 23, 2025 application deadline.
Disability Accommodation
If you will be requesting an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in any portion of the test-
ing, please provide written notification of your request including the specific accommodation you are re-
questing and verification of the disability as soon as possible but no later than the Friday, May 23, 2025
application deadline.
Visit the recruitment webpage early and often!
Be sure to visit www.icgov.org/joinICFD for more detailed, up-to-date information regarding this process
including:
• Message from Chief Lyon
• Additional information on the written and physical fitness tests
• Other announcements
• Background investigation and driving record review criteria
• Post-offer medical exam, MMPI and interview with psychologist
Important Note: Be advised that all candidate correspondence will be directed to the prima-
ry email address listed in your application. Be sure that you check your in-box and spam
filter frequently.
For more information or to submit required mate-
rials including DD214 or disability accommoda-
tion requests, contact us at:
Human Resources
City of Iowa City
410 E Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
jobs@iowa-city.org
(319) 356-5020 | (319) 356-5027 FAX