Firefighter

Firefighter PositionThe City of Waxahachie recently approved 4-person minimum staffing, creating 15 current firefighter vacancies. Join the Waxahachie Fire Department and be part of this exciting expansion, with an anticipated start date of January 2027.Application Period: Thursday October 8, 2026 - Wednesday October 28, 2026Civil Service Written Exam: Friday November 13, 2026 (Exam start time 6 PM)Physical Ability Test (PAT): Saturday November 14, 2026Location: TBDPractice Physical Ability Test (PAT): Saturday, October 31, 2026FireHourly - AnnualCadet - $37.327630 - $77,641.47Firefighter (Non-exempt)Entry - $28.981079 - $84,392.911 Year - $30.140322 - $87,768.622 Year - $31.345934 - $91,279.363 Year - $32.599771 - $94,930.544 Year - $33.903761 - $98,727.765 Year - $35.259911 - $102,676.86Eligible applicants include those with the following certifications:Basic Firefighter and ParamedicParamedic OnlyBasic Firefighter and EMTEntrance Exam Application must be completed with all required documents attached by October 28, 2026 at 5 PM. No documents or applications will be accepted after 5PM.The firefighter is a responsible, non-supervisory position. Duties include but are not limited to: responding to fire alarms, accident scenes, and other emergency calls to protect life and property; participating in station and ground maintenance.Applicant Responsibilities:Attach copies of the following documents and ONLY the following documents to your application. If you do not attach the required documents by 5:00 PM on October 28, 2026, your application will not be given further consideration.Proof of valid Driver's license (required)Education documents (required) High School Diploma or GED certificate ORCollege transcripts / diploma (if applicable)Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certification (required) - Paramedic only applicants should attach their paramedic certification both here and under the medical certification section.Valid medical certification (required) Texas Department of State Health Services or the National Registry EMT Certification ORTexas Department of State Health Services or the National Registry Paramedic CertificationDD214 for Military Discharge (if applicable)Failure to submit all required documentation and certifications with the application may result in disqualification from the testing process. Applicants who pass the written exam and physical ability test will be required to submit the following documents with the Personal History Statement at a later date. Please do not submit these documents with your application. Applicants are advised to have copies of the following documents readily available:Social Security CardCurrent motor vehicle insuranceHiring preference shall be given in the following order:Basic Firefighter and Paramedic CertificationParamedic Only CertificationBasic Firefighter and EMT CertificationAbove listed certification must be issued by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas Department of State Health Services or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.Applicants must:Provide documentation of Basic Firefighter certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as well as EMT or Paramedic certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services and/or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Alternatively, Paramedic only certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services and/or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians may be provided. Successful candidates who are certified only as a Paramedic and who are not certified as a Basic Firefighter shall be classified as a Cadet. Cadets shall be sent to the Fire Academy at the expense of the City of Waxahachie and shall receive a salary of $77,641.47. After successful completion of the Academy and certification as a Basic Firefighter from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, such employees shall be classified as an Entry Level Firefighter and shall receive a salary of $84,392.91.Be between 18 years of age and have not reached their 36th birthday by the test date.Have a high school diploma or a GED or college transcripts/diploma.Have a valid Texas driver's license (with an acceptable driving record) and valid motor vehicle insuranceProvide a copy of DD214 showing type of discharge, if applicable.Successfully complete the written Civil Service Examination, Physical Ability Test, Step I Personality Assessment, a thorough background investigation, Interview Board, drug screening, vision test (corrected to 20/20), and medical examination.Step 1 Application Process: Before filling out the application, completely review the Requirements and Disqualification Factors to be sure you meet these specifications. Be sure your application packet is complete BEFORE you submit it.Step 2 Study Guide: Study guides will be emailed out once application and all required documents have been received.Step 3 Written Examination: This occurs on the date specified in the notice. Your score on the written examination will determine your rank on our Eligibility List (preference will be given to those holding a paramedic certification at the time of the exam). Your rank will remain the same throughout the application process. The Eligibility List is active for six months (unless exhausted sooner).Step 4 Physical Ability Test (PAT): Those who pass the written exam will proceed to the physical ability test (the number of candidates who will advance will be announced at the written exam). This test is Pass/Fail and will be explained fully at the time it is administered. The description and a video of the PAT can be found on the Waxahachie Fire Department website under the Recruitment tab.Step 5 Additional Testing and Background: The top applicants who successfully complete the PAT will be required to complete the Step I Survey. Additionally, a comprehensive background check will be performed on these candidates (the length of time varies). Those candidates who pass the background will sit before the department Interview Board. The successful applicant will be given a conditional offer of employment which is dependent upon whether or not the department has an open position as well as the results of a physical exam and drug screen.Steps 4 and 5 are repeated whenever positions need to be filled. For example, if a position remains open after the first 10 applicants have gone through the steps, the next applicants on the list will be processed as described above; and so on until openings are filled or until openings are exhausted. The eligibility list will be valid for one year from the test date, unless exhausted earlier.Tie Breaking Procedure: In the event that two or more applicants make identical total final grades as computed under these Rules, then the order of their rank on the Eligibility List shall be determined by giving priority to the person who has:The highest level of EMS Certification or Police CertificationThe lowest time recorded on the physical ability courseThe highest education degree obtainedNote: Should there still be a tie score, rank on the Eligibility List shall be determined by drawing lots for the places on the list.Application Requirements and Disqualification Factors: In close proximity to major cities (35 minutes from Dallas on I-35 and 45 minutes from Fort Worth on U.S. 287), Waxahachie successfully blends a small-town atmosphere with state of the art technology. Its rich heritage is reflected throughout the city, attracting hundreds of tourists each year. This community of more than 50,000 has a city-manager form of government. Waxahachie's Fire Department is a career department protecting a very