Hiring in Austin?

[shmanky808]

amtresidder makes a great point!

[amtresidder]

No I'm just talking about the hiring process in general, not just this recent unfortunate turn of events. But the unfortunate turn of events was due to a "concerned citizen" who is more concerned about diversity than having the best firefighters, and selfishly screwed everyone who was a part of the process, which was a joke in my opinion compared to others I've been through. That concerned citizen made it about race, just like the department in their efforts to diversify have made it about race. If minorities want more minorities in the ranks of public servants, then how about encouraging them to apply? The amount of minorities that apply has been slim at every test I've been too, its not a problem of them not being able to get the jobs, its that they either don't want them or just don't even try.

[mikeyboy411]

Huh Interesting.....

When I first read this, I couldn't stop laughing. The written was supposed to "weed out" people that do not have integrity, strong ethics and morals.

As one of the candidates that did not move-on to the Orals, to read this is really a bit of a "smack in the face". Then to read that the Test Questions were taken long before the Oral was given bugs me even more.

As a Company Officer (Truck Captain) in my current career FD, when and if we are able to find out who took and distributed the questions they would be immediately disqualified from our testing. If it was somebody in the FD there would be disciplinary action, not to mention that the person that was helped could have "hell on probation". Prior to taking the Written we had to sign a document stating we would not share any questions, topics and such from any of the Testing Process it even stated what the penalty was for such a breech in security. Departments spend thousands of dollars in testing (materials, personnel, securing facilities) and when this kind of stuff happens it cuts deeper into their already limited Operating Budget. With FDs "browning-out" and shutting-down Houses and Companies we all need to be fiscally responsible, yes even prospective employees.

Have I been tempted to do this kind of thing? Sure... Have I? Absolutely not!!! A few extra points is not worth me having to look myself in the mirror knowing that I cheated to get where I am.

[Pkane2011]

Deferment

Hello, does anyone know if hired can you defer to another academy with AFD? Thank you.

[mikeyboy411]

Is your question, if you get hired can you go to another Academy other than the one provided by AFD? If so, wow.....

[fire49]

He is thinking Austin will have two academies close together and would like to defer to the second one

[ATX888]

Oral Boards Re-do

Aw yes, today was the day that we all were supposed to find out our results of our oral interviews. Looks like we will hear something soon about when they will be rescheduled!!!

[mikeyboy411]

Ahhhh, so they want to delay the time that they go on the Floor? Even more interesting..... For a career position with a great FD, I'd take it tomorrow if offered. Simple to explain the circumstances to my current career FD. If the issue is something like a baby being born or something like that, understandable (my son was born while I was in the Academy, so.....). Wow, a different philosophy then what I would have if I was in that situation, but cool.

Good luck to those that are still pressing-on.

[ATX888]

New interview dates have been released, July 18th-22nd and from what I understand they are going to do ALL of us in that week including the senior cadets. Sounds like a daunting task considering there is close to 3,000 people involved in this process still.

[rs2010]

Is it safe to assume the interviews will be held in the same format? Situational questions?

[ATX888]

I am assuming that the questions will be situational like before with new scenarios and most likely a higher security level at the interview site. With all the changes that occurred during the interview phase I wonder how many candidates have dropped out?

[JDeasy08]

I expect most people will go through the re-interview. All of the people I've talked to throughout the process live within a few hours of Austin. Just curious, has anyone ever seen a large department try to interview such a high percentage (~70%) of initial applicants?

[SVTxDUDE]

New interview dates are posted up.

[ATX888]

Wow I just checked the new scheduled interviews and it looks like there will be 50 candidates per time slot! I hope we don't have to wait too long to receive the results.

[emode]

I'll be traveling in from Arizona for the 2nd time. Not an expense I budgeted (not like any of us did) but for this career, I'll travel as much as I can possibly afford. Good luck to all.