Career Center

At the City of Appleton, we welcome innovative individuals who love to lead and inspire others. Located in the heart of the Fox Cities, we are a steadfast employer committed to providing a flexible work environment and unique benefits. We encourage employees to come as they are and explore growth opportunities that will help them serve our community with impact. 
 
Firefighters are responsible for performing fire operations and prevention duties. Work involves fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, extrication, inspection, public education, training, and engine company and/or ladder truck duties. Special operations include the Hazardous Materials Response Team, the Technical Rescue Team, Confined Space Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Technical Rope Rescue and Trench Rescue. On average, the fire department responds to 7,000 calls annually. Firefighters may work individually or as a fire suppression team member and work under the regular supervision of a Fire Lieutenant, Captain, or Chief Officer.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please register with National Testing Network (NTN) and schedule a test, go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com. 

When you visit the www.nationaltestingnetwork.com website: 

• Complete the NTN registration process and schedule your test.
• Review all information, including minimum requirements, salary, and benefits in case anything has been modified.
• Review detailed information about the testing process.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions and take an online practice test (if desired).

Upon completion of your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to the selected fire department(s). Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry level exam will be placed on the selected fire department(s) eligibility list. We will contact candidates on the list and invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.

Salary and Benefits

Employees in this class are afforded full benefits including medical and dental benefits, retirement, life insurance, long-term disability insurance and paid leave benefits.

See the Human Resources Web Page for more information on benefits.  

• Age Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

• Citizenship Applicants must be legally eligible for U.S. employment.

• Education Applicants must have a minimum of 60 college credits at an accredited university, college or technical school. Candidates must fluently read, write, and speak the English language.

• Physical Fitness Firefighting, medical and rescue work are physically demanding. Candidates must be in excellent health and have no conditions which would restrict their ability to safely perform fire suppression, medical or rescue work.

• Smoking Firefighters are required to be non-tobacco users (on and off duty) throughout their employment with the City of Appleton.

• Driver's License Applicants must have a valid driver's license. 

• Certified Firefighter I (IFSAC or Pro Board)
• Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician License

• Must obtain a Wisconsin Paramedic License within probationary period.
• Ability to swim.
• Ability to work from elevated positions.

• OUI/OWI conviction(s) within the past 5 years or multiple OUI/OWI’s within the past 10 years.
• Any felony convictions.
• Any violence, theft, fraud, or arson related conviction(s).
• Removed from a City of Appleton firefighter eligibility list within the last 12 months.
• Elimination by the Police and Fire Commission within the last 12 months.

• The Written Test   The written test measures reading comprehension, the ability to make common sense judgments, the ability to understand mechanical devices, problem solving skills, and the ability to solve arithmetic problems. The firefighter's examination is very competitive. Depending on the hiring needs of the fire department, only candidates with sufficiently high written scores will be scheduled for the next phases in the hiring process.

• Public Safety Self Assessment   The assessment is a testing process that evaluates the ability to perform specific job-related skills and behaviors which are essential of a firefighter.

• Physical Ability Testing   The physical ability test consists of several events involving strength, endurance and agility. Minimum qualifying scores must be achieved on the physical abilities test event. Candidates will be allowed to practice sessions for this test. The City of Appleton Fire Department utilizes the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).

• Department Panel Interviews   The Fire Chief and a HR representative will review the list of candidates who have successfully completed the CPAT and written exam and select which candidates will continue to panel interviews.  Fire department members, along with a HR representative, will conduct the interviews.
• Chief Interview   The Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, up to two Battalion Chiefs, and a HR representative will interview candidates who passed the panel interview.
• Police and Fire Commission Interview (PFC)   The Commission will conduct interviews with candidates who have passed all of the previous steps.  The Commission will determine which candidates will be eligible to move on to the next step.
• Eligibility Pool  The eligibility pool may be prepared and will be effective for a period of twelve months.  The Fire Chief/PFC may determine if an extension is necessary.
• Chief Interview  The Fire Chief may further interview candidates from the list of qualified candidates, if desired. 
• Background Check   Based on the number of current authorized to fill openings, background checks will be completed.  Background checks will be coordinated through the HR department.
• Conditional Offer   Upon a successful completion of the previous steps, a conditional offer may be given (based on the number of openings).
• Psychological Evaluation   An industrial psychologist will interview each candidate regarding fire and employment matters. The psychologist will also administer a series of tests. The examiner is allowed to ask questions related to conditions that are protected under ADA and EEOC regulations, thus post-conditional offer psychological evaluations may be “medical” in nature and may produce evidence of a disqualifying mental health condition. Candidates will be asked to complete various instruments related to their ability to complete training and perform essential job-related functions. These tests will also help identify potential psychiatric conditions which may interfere with job functioning. A thorough, semi-structured, face-to-face interview is also included in these evaluations.
• Medical Examination   HR will schedule the medical exam with the City’s Health Care Provider.  The exam will comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 standards. 
• Final Offer   Upon a successful completion of all steps, the Fire Chief will authorize HR to extend the final hire-offer.