Knoxville Questions

[genesis3]

Has anyone been through Knoxville, TN hiring process? I have to fill out the background history packet and call to schedule an interview. Can any tell how the rest of their process works?? Thanks.

[hotshot151]

Im going for an interview there soon, would like to know myself, and what to expect on the interview....

[jonathanj003]

Fill out the info packet, MAKE A COPY of it, and tuck the copy away for later. If you are lucky enough to make it through to the polygraph, the same packet is given to you to fill out. Any info/answers that don't match up is grounds enough to disqualify you for not 'answering all questions fully and honestly'. Oh yeah, TELL THE TRUTH! It doesn't matter if you are driving a stolen car and living in a house you bought with 'dirty money'....just tell the truth and you cant be hurt down the road.

Unfortunately, (or forunately) all rests on the interview to come. It is basically a thumbs up or a thumbs down. Knoxville is super-political but a super place to work if you can crack it. Usually they look for things that make you stand out above the rest (i.e. Paramedic, prior fire service experience, etc...). Oh yeah, and that is after all the sons, nephews, and grandsons have been approved to continue--if you understand what I am telling you.

The remaining process should be:
Interview, background check, medical physical, polygraph, recomendation.

Hopefully there will be a class in place by the end of the year.

[shwaneldridge]

I to have applyed to Knoxvill Tn and other places they are a a process to go through. but time will tell there may havev been 500 aplicants but htey may only hire 2 i have seen it done so good luck to all and hang in there i have an inertview this time around i am getting quite good at it.

[jonathanj003]

Ummm.....not at all. You have been verily misinformed. There are usually a couple thousand apply and there will be a class of roughly 30 candidates. It is still a tough process but your information is wrong.

[clincher]

I had my interview with Knoxville when should I hear something? Will I hear something no matter what. Thanks in advance.

[jonathanj003]

It was supposed to be that a class was to be in by November...but now it's looking like the first of the new year is more realistic.

I would say you should hear something back around that same time....BUT, once you get your notification (i.e. You've been selected to continue.....OR.....thank you for your interest....) at this point, the process starts rolling fairly quickly. Polygraphs, Drug screens, Backgrounds, and physicals are all done within just a couple of weeks of eachother.

You should hear either way (see above) something from your interview.....just be on the look out for it and hope it is not a "...thank you for your interest...." letter.

-Good Luck

[clincher]

I went to the Information Workshop today and took a drug test, pending background and physical I am in. I am so excited.

[genesis3]

has anyone else heard anything from knoxville? i haven't heard either way.

[belliot6]

I had my Information Workshop today! I can't wait for academy to start!

Genesis3, I think today was the last workshop. If you have not heard anything I would call. You may be on their reserve list.

Does anyone that's going through the process in Knoxville want to get together?

[genesis3]

when are you starting the academy?

[belliot6]

No news on when academy will start. It looks like January. We still have to finish the background check and physical exam which will take a few weeks.

[genesis3]

found out i am on the alternate list...better than not being on any list!

[hotshot151]

Went for my poly last thursday and passed, registered my prints with the TBI... does anybody know what happens from here?

[clincher]

Have you gotten your physical papers yet to verify that you passed the physical? I am not really sure what happens after that I guess just waiting. I got my physical papers in the mail yesterday.

[hotshot151]

I recieved a letter saying I passed the pysical about a week ago

[clincher]

What did they tell you at the information workshop? Did you have to reschedule your workshop or was yours just on a different day than mine? From what they told me at the workshop we will receive at least two weeks to notify our employer. How many where in your workshop.

[hotshot151]

There were 35 at the workshop I attended, it was on Oct 3 They told me the same thing about two week notice

[clincher]

yeah thats when mine was with 35 I thought you said earlier you went on the sixth.

[belliot6]

I had my meeting on the 6th. There were 8 people in the meeting. They told us mostly the same stuff; although no one from the fire department was there. It was only HR. I think that the polygraph exams are scheduled through the last week of October. We were not told when we would here anything about offers of employments or starting dates.

[hotshot151]

Was the workshop with 8 people alternates?

[belliot6]

There were some folks from the alternates list. I'am not sure if maybe we were all on the alt. list, but I was never told I was an alternate.

[clincher]

Anyone have any news on the Academy starting? I talked to the civil service rep. and he said that they may wait till after new year.

[hotshot151]

I called and spoke with the Chiefs office last week,and they said the background review panel still had to meet, and all 3 reference letters (The 3 references you listed on your personal history) must be filled out and received by the Chiefs office before this can begin.The panel is planning on meeting in the next two weeks, If anyone hears anything else concerning the process, It would be great if they could post it here, I know everyone is probably excited about the academy starting, we have all waited a long time for this.

[clincher]

The background committee met last week according to the civil service rep. So we should here something this week or next, unless you where an alternate.

[belliot6]

When I emailed civil service this is what I got back.

"We conducted our first background panel last week, but unfortunately due to the Holidays, the rest of the backgrounds will not be done until mid-January. I would expect the Fire Academy to get started around March 1st in order to give applicants 2 weeks notice, but nothing has been firmly set.... You should receive information once your background has been passed or if you have been asked to come in and appeal."

I don't know if this all applications or alternates. It is hard to wait so long.

[clincher]

I got my letter today I passed the background. Now I guess I just wait for the academy to start. Good luck to everyone else.

[jonathanj003]

Here's the scoop:
30 candidates were selected and contacted. 15 'alternates' were on the alternate list--however the alternates were also contacted due to the need for a larger class--for a total of 45 possible candidate to be admitted into the class. As of Jan. 1, there were 13 confirmed (meaning passed, physical, polygraph, background, and piss-test), and 7 that have failed out (meaning they failed one of the above). The other 25 have not been processed and the backgrounds--usually the longest--have not been done. The last workshop was this week (Jan 2nd), so it is still going to be a few months from starting. Your best bet is that you guys will be starting sometime in March--probably towards the middle.

Also, rumor is that the city will double it's application period this year to two months now (Feb-March) instead of just one as has always been done (May). The city needs more people and the idea is to run this class through and while it is in session have another list in place to put another class in later this year.

Hope that helps.

[belliot6]

Thanks for all the info jonathanj003!

I received my letter saying I passed everything right before Christmas! It helped make my Christmas.

Congrats clincher! Guess I will see you in acadamy.

Good luck to the rest.

[clincher]

Thank you, and conratulations as well. See ya.

[hotshot151]

Did anyone here have to go through the appeal process?

[clincher]

Got my letter today the academy starts March, 19th. I also got fitted for my uniforms today. I am so ready.