Squad1LT
08-24-2007, 01:06 AM
The Civil Service Commission of the City of Decatur will conduct an examination and establish an eligible register for the following classification:
FIRE FIGHTER
SALARY RANGE: $41,461 - $52,910 Annually
Apply at the City of Decatur’s Division of Human Resources, Department of Management Services, Second Floor, Decatur Civic Center, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois 62523 or via this Application form.
The Application Period Closes at 4:30pm, Monday, September 24, 2007
Selection of candidates will be made according to the Civil Service laws for cities, as modified by the City Code of the City of Decatur, Illinois.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Decatur encourages all potential applicants, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, to apply for positions with the City of Decatur Fire Department. Minorities are encouraged to apply.
QUALIFICATIONS
To be eligible to take part in the examination process for fire fighter, applicants must possess the following qualifications:
1.
At least 21 years of age as of September 24, 2007 and not 35 years or more as of the date the eligibility register is certified.
2.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
At time of appointment, a Fire Fighter must have the ability to obtain a valid Class "B (non-CDL)" Illinois driver's license. Within the probationary period, the applicant shall be able to acquire Certification at the Fire Fighter II level as prescribed by the Personnel Standards Division of the State Fire Marshal's Office. Obtaining Illinois Department of Public Health licensure to the EMT intermediate level shall be required for all applicants with such licensing being maintained by departmental guidelines. Applicants should possess physical strength and agility sufficient to perform strenuous work under adverse weather conditions, be able to climb ladders and work at considerable heights and be able to think and act quickly in emergency situations.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
The pre-employment assessment process will take approximately twelve (12) weeks and will consist of the following:
1.
Review of Qualifications: Applications will be evaluated upon receipt by the Human Resources staff. Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications as outlined above will not be allowed to continue in the examination process. Lack of proof of education or other required documents will result in disqualification.
2.
Mandatory Orientation: There will be a mandatory orientation on Friday, October 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. The orientation will be held in the auditorium at Stephen Decatur Middle School, #1 Educational Park, Decatur, IL 62526.
3.
Written Test: All applicants MUST PASS a written exam which is scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2007. Applicants will be given a study guide for the written exam after they turn in their application. The written exam will be held in the cafeteria at Stephen Decatur Middle School, #1 Educational Park, Decatur, IL 62526. No prior training or experience in the job of firefighter is assumed of candidates taking this test. The written exam consists of both a cognitive and an orientation component. The cognitive component consists of verbal comprehension, verbal expression, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning and numeric facility. The orientation component of the written exam includes questions measuring stress tolerance, team orientation and motivation/attitude. Applicants are required to have a composite score of at least 70.00% in order to pass the written examination.
4.
Physical Fitness Test: All applicants passing the written exam must take a physical fitness test to be held Sunday, October 7, 2007. Applicants will be notified of the location and time of their physical fitness test. Candidates must meet qualifying standards on all eight events to successfully pass the test. The physical fitness test will include the following:
1.
AERIAL LADDER CLIMB: The applicant must climb a minimum of 55 feet up a ladder and back down again without repeated or prolonged stops during the ascent or descent. This is a pass/fail event.
2.
SIT-UPS: The individual must complete as many bent leg sit-ups as possible in one minute with hands held behind his or her head. This is a timed event. A minimum of 35 sit-ups must be completed.
3.
EXTENSION LADDER CLIMB: The recruit must climb and descend approximately 25 feet on a ladder with an air pack of approximately 25 pounds strapped to his or her back. This is a pass/fail event.
4.
VICTIM RESCUE: The applicant will run a distance of 40 feet from the starting point to a 150 pound simulated victim and drag it running backwards to the starting point. This is a timed event and must be completed in 12 seconds or less.
5.
STRETCHER CARRY: The individual will climb and descend a flight of stairs while grasping a weighted object of 75 pounds holding his or her arms in a crooked position. This is a pass/fail event.
6.
MAZE: The recruit, with an air tank and blackened face piece (will not be connected to air tanks), will be required to crawl on his or her hands and knees, following a life-line through a pre-arranged course with obstacles. Any action on the part of the individual to raise or remove the mask prior to completion of the event, or to release both hands from the lifeline, or loss of direction, will result in failure of the event. This is a pass/fail event.
7.
FLEXED ARM HANG: The applicant will mount a chinning bar with his or her palms facing away from their body and then adjust their body to a position where the chin is level with the bar. On command, he or she is released from the supports and proceeds to maintain their position as long as possible. Timing will continue until the arms are extended to 135 degrees. This is a timed event. The applicant must maintain his or her position for a minimum of 30 seconds.
8.
STAIR CLIMB: Individual with a 25 pound pack strapped to his or her back will run up 60 stairs and down 60 stairs hitting each step. This is a timed event and must be completed in 35 seconds or less.
5.
Background Investigation: All applicants passing the physical fitness test will be subject to a background investigation, including fingerprinting, police records check, credit check and inquiries of neighbors, relatives, employers, etc. A conviction record may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily disqualify a candidate. However, Illinois State law precludes appointment as a fire fighter with any felony conviction or any disqualifying conviction as identified in the Illinois Municipal Code. These items include but are not limited to the following:
* Indecent solicitation of a child
* Adultery
* Public indecency
* Prostitution
* Soliciting for a prostitute
* Keeping a place of prostitution
* Patronizing a prostitute
* Pimping
* Aggravated assault
* Intimidation
* Criminal sexual abuse
* Eavesdropping
* Theft: includes retail theft (shoplifting)
* Residential picketing
* Unlawful possession of firearms & firearm ammunition
* Defacing identification marks of firearms
* Mob action
* Keeping a gambling place
* Resisting or obstructing a peace officer or correctional institution employee
* Obstructing justice
* Escape
* Aiding escape
* Compounding a crime
* Perjury
* Subornation of perjury
* Communicating with jurors and witnesses
* Tampering with public records
* Specified sections under the unlawful use of weapons prohibition
6.
Oral Interview: All applicants passing the physical fitness test and background investigation must pass an oral interview.
7.
Physicals & Psychological Examinations: Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a physical examination by a physician of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Applicants will also be subject to a drug screening, psychological evaluation and a polygraph test. Final appointment is contingent upon the passing of all of these examinations.
8.
Veteran Points: Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score.
9.
Selection from Eligibility Register: Applicants who are selected to serve as a Fire Fighter will be selected by the Fire Chief from the eligible register.
DUTIES
This is general duty fire fighting work in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires, providing first response emergency medical service, and operating and maintaining the protection of life and property by fire fighting, rescue and fire prevention activities. Assignments include hazardous tasks performed under emergency conditions, frequently requiring strenuous exertion. Duties include drill and study of fire prevention and fire combating work principles and practices, fire apparatus and mobile equipment operations and emergency medical care. Duties also include routine equipment and quarters maintenance at an assigned fire station. Fire combating work is performed in accordance with established rules and regulations.
DUTY SCHEDULE
Fire Fighters work 24 hours on-duty followed by 48 hours off-duty.
RESIDENCY
Employees must establish residency within 40 miles of the corporate limits of the City of Decatur within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one-year probationary period.
BENEFITS
BASE RATES:
$41,461
$42,502
$44,372
$46,593
Starting Rate
After 6 months
After 1 year
After 2 years
$48,923
$51,369
$52,910 After 3 years
After 4 years
After 8 years
VACATION: 5 duty days after one year of service; 7 duty days after 7 years of service; 10 duty days after 14 years of service; and 11 duty days after 20 years of service.
SICK LEAVE: 24 hours per month granted, accumulative to 5,760 hours.
PENSION: Excellent pension benefits; retirement at half-pay possible at age 50 with 20 years of service. The City contributes to the Firemen's Pension Fund. Fire Fighters also contribute at the rate of 9.455 % of base pay, but do not contribute to Social Security. Employee contributions are refundable if employment ends before retirement.
OTHER: 2 paid holidays per year; an additional 24 hours pay annually; hospitalization and life insurance paid by the City for employees, with dependent coverage available; funeral and emergency leaves; longevity after five years of service; and uniforms provided by the City. Deferred compensation is available.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Decatur is a city of 81,860 located in Central Illinois, and serves as an industrial/retail center. The Fire Department has an authorized strength of 114 firefighters and officers. More specific information about the Fire Department follows.
1.
Shift Schedule: The Fire Department operates on a three battalion schedule. Each battalion works a 24 hour duty shift (from 6:40 a.m. to 6:40 a.m.) followed by 48 hours off-duty.
2.
Training Program: Candidates attend a 7-week training session.
3.
Probation and Evaluation: There is a one year probation period for this position. Civil Service evaluations are given at three months, six months, nine months, and twelve months.
4.
Uniforms: Uniform clothing is furnished by the City. FIRE FIGHTERS must provide a black belt and black shoes.
5.
Safety Equipment: The safety equipment issued by the City consists of P.B.I./Kevlar turn-out coat and bunker pants, nomex hood, leather gloves, polycarbonate helmet, flashlight, and SCBA facepiece. All issued items are in compliance with currently accepted industry standards for the use to which they are intended.
APPLY: Application Form or in person at:
City of Decatur
Human Resources Division
#1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza
Decatur, Illinois 62523
Phone: 217/424-2805
AA/EOE
FIRE FIGHTER
SALARY RANGE: $41,461 - $52,910 Annually
Apply at the City of Decatur’s Division of Human Resources, Department of Management Services, Second Floor, Decatur Civic Center, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois 62523 or via this Application form.
The Application Period Closes at 4:30pm, Monday, September 24, 2007
Selection of candidates will be made according to the Civil Service laws for cities, as modified by the City Code of the City of Decatur, Illinois.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Decatur encourages all potential applicants, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, to apply for positions with the City of Decatur Fire Department. Minorities are encouraged to apply.
QUALIFICATIONS
To be eligible to take part in the examination process for fire fighter, applicants must possess the following qualifications:
1.
At least 21 years of age as of September 24, 2007 and not 35 years or more as of the date the eligibility register is certified.
2.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
At time of appointment, a Fire Fighter must have the ability to obtain a valid Class "B (non-CDL)" Illinois driver's license. Within the probationary period, the applicant shall be able to acquire Certification at the Fire Fighter II level as prescribed by the Personnel Standards Division of the State Fire Marshal's Office. Obtaining Illinois Department of Public Health licensure to the EMT intermediate level shall be required for all applicants with such licensing being maintained by departmental guidelines. Applicants should possess physical strength and agility sufficient to perform strenuous work under adverse weather conditions, be able to climb ladders and work at considerable heights and be able to think and act quickly in emergency situations.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
The pre-employment assessment process will take approximately twelve (12) weeks and will consist of the following:
1.
Review of Qualifications: Applications will be evaluated upon receipt by the Human Resources staff. Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications as outlined above will not be allowed to continue in the examination process. Lack of proof of education or other required documents will result in disqualification.
2.
Mandatory Orientation: There will be a mandatory orientation on Friday, October 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. The orientation will be held in the auditorium at Stephen Decatur Middle School, #1 Educational Park, Decatur, IL 62526.
3.
Written Test: All applicants MUST PASS a written exam which is scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2007. Applicants will be given a study guide for the written exam after they turn in their application. The written exam will be held in the cafeteria at Stephen Decatur Middle School, #1 Educational Park, Decatur, IL 62526. No prior training or experience in the job of firefighter is assumed of candidates taking this test. The written exam consists of both a cognitive and an orientation component. The cognitive component consists of verbal comprehension, verbal expression, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning and numeric facility. The orientation component of the written exam includes questions measuring stress tolerance, team orientation and motivation/attitude. Applicants are required to have a composite score of at least 70.00% in order to pass the written examination.
4.
Physical Fitness Test: All applicants passing the written exam must take a physical fitness test to be held Sunday, October 7, 2007. Applicants will be notified of the location and time of their physical fitness test. Candidates must meet qualifying standards on all eight events to successfully pass the test. The physical fitness test will include the following:
1.
AERIAL LADDER CLIMB: The applicant must climb a minimum of 55 feet up a ladder and back down again without repeated or prolonged stops during the ascent or descent. This is a pass/fail event.
2.
SIT-UPS: The individual must complete as many bent leg sit-ups as possible in one minute with hands held behind his or her head. This is a timed event. A minimum of 35 sit-ups must be completed.
3.
EXTENSION LADDER CLIMB: The recruit must climb and descend approximately 25 feet on a ladder with an air pack of approximately 25 pounds strapped to his or her back. This is a pass/fail event.
4.
VICTIM RESCUE: The applicant will run a distance of 40 feet from the starting point to a 150 pound simulated victim and drag it running backwards to the starting point. This is a timed event and must be completed in 12 seconds or less.
5.
STRETCHER CARRY: The individual will climb and descend a flight of stairs while grasping a weighted object of 75 pounds holding his or her arms in a crooked position. This is a pass/fail event.
6.
MAZE: The recruit, with an air tank and blackened face piece (will not be connected to air tanks), will be required to crawl on his or her hands and knees, following a life-line through a pre-arranged course with obstacles. Any action on the part of the individual to raise or remove the mask prior to completion of the event, or to release both hands from the lifeline, or loss of direction, will result in failure of the event. This is a pass/fail event.
7.
FLEXED ARM HANG: The applicant will mount a chinning bar with his or her palms facing away from their body and then adjust their body to a position where the chin is level with the bar. On command, he or she is released from the supports and proceeds to maintain their position as long as possible. Timing will continue until the arms are extended to 135 degrees. This is a timed event. The applicant must maintain his or her position for a minimum of 30 seconds.
8.
STAIR CLIMB: Individual with a 25 pound pack strapped to his or her back will run up 60 stairs and down 60 stairs hitting each step. This is a timed event and must be completed in 35 seconds or less.
5.
Background Investigation: All applicants passing the physical fitness test will be subject to a background investigation, including fingerprinting, police records check, credit check and inquiries of neighbors, relatives, employers, etc. A conviction record may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily disqualify a candidate. However, Illinois State law precludes appointment as a fire fighter with any felony conviction or any disqualifying conviction as identified in the Illinois Municipal Code. These items include but are not limited to the following:
* Indecent solicitation of a child
* Adultery
* Public indecency
* Prostitution
* Soliciting for a prostitute
* Keeping a place of prostitution
* Patronizing a prostitute
* Pimping
* Aggravated assault
* Intimidation
* Criminal sexual abuse
* Eavesdropping
* Theft: includes retail theft (shoplifting)
* Residential picketing
* Unlawful possession of firearms & firearm ammunition
* Defacing identification marks of firearms
* Mob action
* Keeping a gambling place
* Resisting or obstructing a peace officer or correctional institution employee
* Obstructing justice
* Escape
* Aiding escape
* Compounding a crime
* Perjury
* Subornation of perjury
* Communicating with jurors and witnesses
* Tampering with public records
* Specified sections under the unlawful use of weapons prohibition
6.
Oral Interview: All applicants passing the physical fitness test and background investigation must pass an oral interview.
7.
Physicals & Psychological Examinations: Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a physical examination by a physician of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Applicants will also be subject to a drug screening, psychological evaluation and a polygraph test. Final appointment is contingent upon the passing of all of these examinations.
8.
Veteran Points: Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score.
9.
Selection from Eligibility Register: Applicants who are selected to serve as a Fire Fighter will be selected by the Fire Chief from the eligible register.
DUTIES
This is general duty fire fighting work in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires, providing first response emergency medical service, and operating and maintaining the protection of life and property by fire fighting, rescue and fire prevention activities. Assignments include hazardous tasks performed under emergency conditions, frequently requiring strenuous exertion. Duties include drill and study of fire prevention and fire combating work principles and practices, fire apparatus and mobile equipment operations and emergency medical care. Duties also include routine equipment and quarters maintenance at an assigned fire station. Fire combating work is performed in accordance with established rules and regulations.
DUTY SCHEDULE
Fire Fighters work 24 hours on-duty followed by 48 hours off-duty.
RESIDENCY
Employees must establish residency within 40 miles of the corporate limits of the City of Decatur within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one-year probationary period.
BENEFITS
BASE RATES:
$41,461
$42,502
$44,372
$46,593
Starting Rate
After 6 months
After 1 year
After 2 years
$48,923
$51,369
$52,910 After 3 years
After 4 years
After 8 years
VACATION: 5 duty days after one year of service; 7 duty days after 7 years of service; 10 duty days after 14 years of service; and 11 duty days after 20 years of service.
SICK LEAVE: 24 hours per month granted, accumulative to 5,760 hours.
PENSION: Excellent pension benefits; retirement at half-pay possible at age 50 with 20 years of service. The City contributes to the Firemen's Pension Fund. Fire Fighters also contribute at the rate of 9.455 % of base pay, but do not contribute to Social Security. Employee contributions are refundable if employment ends before retirement.
OTHER: 2 paid holidays per year; an additional 24 hours pay annually; hospitalization and life insurance paid by the City for employees, with dependent coverage available; funeral and emergency leaves; longevity after five years of service; and uniforms provided by the City. Deferred compensation is available.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Decatur is a city of 81,860 located in Central Illinois, and serves as an industrial/retail center. The Fire Department has an authorized strength of 114 firefighters and officers. More specific information about the Fire Department follows.
1.
Shift Schedule: The Fire Department operates on a three battalion schedule. Each battalion works a 24 hour duty shift (from 6:40 a.m. to 6:40 a.m.) followed by 48 hours off-duty.
2.
Training Program: Candidates attend a 7-week training session.
3.
Probation and Evaluation: There is a one year probation period for this position. Civil Service evaluations are given at three months, six months, nine months, and twelve months.
4.
Uniforms: Uniform clothing is furnished by the City. FIRE FIGHTERS must provide a black belt and black shoes.
5.
Safety Equipment: The safety equipment issued by the City consists of P.B.I./Kevlar turn-out coat and bunker pants, nomex hood, leather gloves, polycarbonate helmet, flashlight, and SCBA facepiece. All issued items are in compliance with currently accepted industry standards for the use to which they are intended.
APPLY: Application Form or in person at:
City of Decatur
Human Resources Division
#1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza
Decatur, Illinois 62523
Phone: 217/424-2805
AA/EOE