Selection Process
Please read all instructions carefully. The process has
been modified from previous testing processes. You must follow the
procedures below to test. Failure to do so may result in
elimination.
IMPORTANT UPDATES!! Please read carefully.
The entry level exam will be scheduled by calling the City of
Tulsa Employment Office at (918) 596-7427 where candidates will
select their desired test date and time. All exams will take place
at City Hall, 175 E. 2nd Street.
Each candidate must arrive at each appointment (PAT, SOA and
BIQ/Chief's interview) at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled
appointment.
A candidate that does not show up or cancels without giving 24
hour notice to any portion of the test process must wait six months
to be eligible to reenter the testing process with the written
test.
Candidates must receive a passing score to be placed on the
Chief's hiring list. If you are not placed on the hiring list you
will have to restart the process again with the written test after
six months.
All BIQ updates must be submitted in writing to a Human
Resources designee.
All candidates will be asked to sign and agree to the
rules and processes prior to testing (Download
Agreement)
In the case of inclement weather please call the Employment
Office at (918) 596-7427. Testing cancellations will be updated on
the voicemail system by 6 a.m.
Written Exam
Sign Up
Candidates will call the City of Tulsa Employment Office at
(918) 596-7427 during normal business hours to schedule their entry
level exam. You must speak directly to the staff; voice mails will
not secure your testing spot. Please be ready to provide your name,
phone number, email address, and desired testing date and time. We
will test 4 (four) candidates a day at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (two
candidates per time slot) at the Employment Office, 175 E 2nd St.
(2nd Floor). Testing times will be on a first come - first serve
basis. A waiting list will be available for candidates.
Cancellations must be received by the Employment Office
only via telephone prior to 24 hours before your scheduled exam. If
you do not show up for your testing time or cancel without a 24
hour notice, you will not be eligible to take the entry level test
again for six months from your missed testing date.
Day of
Candidates may park in paid parking lots near City Hall or on
meter (please pay for the full four hours). In order to be allowed
to test, candidates will need a photo ID and a college, high
school, or GED transcript; we will not accept a diploma. If you
provided an email address at sign up, you will need to bring all
documents that were provided to you, completed and ready to submit.
If you did not provide an email address, please arrive no later
than 30 (thirty) minutes before your test time to complete all
necessary paperwork. Candidate must arrive on time. If you
are more than 15 (fifteen) minutes late, you will be considered a
no show and will not be allowed to test again for 6 (six)
months. Candidates will have 2 ½ hours to complete the
entry level exam. Please be aware that you will not be allowed to
leave the testing room until you are finished with your exam, doing
so will result in a fail.
Results
The City of Tulsa Human Resources staff will notify you of your
score as soon as it is made available and your paperwork has been
processed. Candidates that are successful will be advised on the
next step of the process.
Physical Agility Test (PAT)
The PAT will be scheduled by the City of Tulsa Human Resources
if the candidate passes the entry level exam. To participate in the
PAT a completed Background Investigation Questionnaire (BIQ) packet
must be submitted. If the packet is not turned in at this time the
candidate must reschedule the PAT test for the next quarterly
testing period. Non-participation in two consecutive PAT schedules
will result in the candidate starting the testing process over with
the written test.
The PAT consists of seven physical tasks that are representative
of actions typically performed by firefighters. Each applicant must
successfully complete each event within a set time.
If you answer "yes" to any of these questions on the release
form you will need to provide a Doctor's release on the day of your
PAT.
Candidates are required to arrive no later than 30 minutes
before their test time to complete paperwork and watch a video with
information about the PAT. If you do not show up for your scheduled
PAT time or cancel without a 24 hour notice then you must start
over at the written exam and will not be eligible to retest until
after 6 (six) months from the date of your missed PAT.
Practice
Physical Agility Test practice will only be held on the 1st and
3rd Wednesday of each month from 3 - 6 p.m. To participate in the
PAT practice, the written test must be completed and a signed
release turned in. No candidate is allowed to practice the PAT
unless a representative from the Tulsa Fire Department Recruitment
Office is present.
Structured Oral Assessment (SOA)
Upon successful completion of the written exam and the physical
agility test, trained interviewers who are familiar with the
essential skills and abilities of Tulsa firefighters will rate
qualified applicants. A Candidate Preparation Guide is available
for the structured interview and may be obtained by clicking on the
following link, Interview Guide, or a
copy may be picked up at the City of Tulsa Employment Office on the
2nd floor of City Hall.
The oral assessment is designed to assess the most critical
job-related skills and abilities. Though some questions will
require you to respond to hypothetical scenarios, you will not be
rated on your knowledge of TFD policies or firefighting
tactics.
Candidates are required to arrive no later than 30 minutes
before their interview time. If you do not show up for your
scheduled SOA time or cancel without giving a 24 hour notice then
you must start over at the written exam and will not be eligible to
retest until after six (6) months from the date of your missed
SOA.
Scores for this interview will be calculated immediately
following the interview and candidates will be notified of their
status before they are dismissed to leave. Candidates that are not
successful at this step will be allowed to start over with the
entry level test.
Practice
Candidates are invited to participate in mock interview
practices with the Recruitment Officer. Announcement of these
practice times will be posted as soon as possible.
BIQ/Chief's Interview
Applicants who successfully complete the entry level test, PAT
and SOA will be scheduled for a Background Interview. Candidates
will be asked several questions by an interview team comprised of
members of the Fire Department and/or the City of Tulsa Human
Resources Department These individuals will review your BIQ form
and ask questions about that material.
Following the interview a background investigation will be
conducted on applicants to establish evidence of good moral
character, community commitment, and a pattern of conduct
acceptable to the Tulsa Fire Department. Remember to list on your
BIQ all contacts you have had with law enforcement agencies and do
not withhold any information. Don't let us discover an incident
during our investigation.
Candidates are required to arrive no later than 30 minutes
before their interview time. If you do not show up for your
scheduled BIQ interview time or do not cancel within 24 hours then
you must start over at the written exam and will not be eligible to
retest until after six (6) months from the date of your missed BIQ
interview.
Candidates that successfully complete all parts of the selection
process (entry level exam, PAT, SOA, and BIQ/Chief's interview)
will be placed on a list for potential hire. Candidates that are
selected from the list for hire will be notified and removed from
the candidate pool. Candidates that were not selected will remain
on the list for two years from the date of your written test.
Candidates are advised to notify the City of Tulsa Human
Resources staff of any changes from their original BIQ in
writing.
Candidates that are not successful at this step will be sent a
letter or an email shortly after all the BIQ interviews have been
completed. These candidates will be allowed to start over with the
entry level test six (6) months after their BIQ interview.
Successful candidates will not be notified unless you are
selected for an academy. All candidates that do not receive an
email or a letter will be placed on the Chief's hiring list.
Conditional Offer of Employment
Selection is made by the Tulsa Fire Department based on a
comprehensive assessment of all candidates and available positions.
After acceptance of the conditional offer, hiring is contingent
upon candidates passing the medical examination by the City
Physician, including a drug screening, and acceptance into the
state firefighter's pension system. Candidates are also required to
demonstrate their ability to ascend to and descend from the top of
a raised aerial ladder.
