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Firefighter Entry Exam

Town of Needham
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Considering a career as a Firefighter? The Town of Needham seeks applicants for the Firefighter Entry Exam Process. If you are interested in serving and ensuring the safety of the public within a supportive environment offering great benefits, this opportunity may be for you!
The written exam will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, and will last two to three hours. All applicants will receive an email with the arrival and parking details ahead of the exam. Oral interviews will be conducted in late March, 2025.

 

Examination Details

Examination Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025

Examination Time: 9:00 a.m. (Check-in at 8:30 a.m.)

Examination Location: Needham High School, 609 Webster Street, Needham, MA 02494

Registration Deadline: Sunday, February 23, 11:59 p.m.

The written examination will last two to three hours. All applicants will receive an email with the check-in and parking details by 12:00 p.m. on the day prior to the examination.

 

Who We Are

The Town of Needham’s Fire Department consists of 55 Firefighters, eight Lieutenants and Captains, four Deputy Chiefs, two Fire Inspectors, and one Assistant Fire Chief under the supervision of the Fire Chief. In addition, there are two full-time administrative staff members who support the operations of the department. Equipped with two ambulances, the team works in collaboration with the hospital located in Town to provide emergency services.

 

The Fire Unit A Collective Bargaining Agreement include the following differentials: 

  • Education differential:
    • Associate’s, 7.5% of base salary pay
    • Bachelor’s, 15% of base salary pay
    • Master’s (qualifying programs), 15% of base salary pay
  • Paramedic differential: 13.5% of base salary pay
  • EMT differential: 7% of base salary pay
  • Holiday: 10.5 hours for each of the 12 holidays and 5.25 hours pay for the half holiday
    • Employees who work on a holiday will be paid an additional 5.25 hours for the 12 holidays and 2.625 hours for the half holiday
  • Longevity Pay: 0.5% of base salary pay for every five years of employment

To view all details of the Fire Unit A Collective Bargaining Agreement, please click here.

 

Benefits

  • Medical, Vision and Dental Benefits
  • Life Insurance
  • Sick and Vacation Leave, 12.5 Paid Holidays
  • Educational Incentive Compensation
  • Civic Duty, Military, and Bereavement Leave
  • Deferred Compensation with Town contribution
  • Defined Benefit Retirement (Pension)
  • Uniform Allowance
  • Workers’ Compensation / Injured on Duty (IOD)

 

Registration Guidelines

  1. You must submit an online application including uploading your resume to be considered for the written examination.
  2. By registering for this examination, you acknowledge that you are responsible for and agree to all terms and conditions of the registration and examination.
  3. If you require special accommodations for this examination, you must contact the Town of Needham Human Resources department in advance.

 

Admission to Examination

By 12:00 p.m. on the day prior to the examination, you will be emailed an “Admission Notice” for this examination. You are required to print and bring this with you to the examination registration.

You MUST bring the following with you on the day of the examination:

  1. “Admission Notice”
  2. Government-issued ID of
    1. State issued driver's license or identification card
    2. United States passport or passport card
    3. US Armed Services identification card

Please note: the Town of Needham will provide writing utensils for this examination.

 

Examination Check-in Procedure

  • Candidates should arrive by 8:30 a.m. You will be assigned to a testing room.
  • The examination will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last approximately two to three hours.
  • Examination monitors will verify the following:
    • Applicant’s name, address, and email address for test score notification
    • Valid government-issued identification card, shown at check-in
    • Completed application has been received via the online portal
  • No food or drinks are allowed in the examination room. Water bottles will be allowed.
  • No electronic device is allowed in the examination room. You must leave all electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, at home or in your automobile.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Work under the control and supervision of the Lieutenant, Captain and/or Deputy Chief in connection with fighting fires, protecting life and property, performing desk work, and maintaining the building quarters and equipment up to established standards of the department.
  • As assigned, operate the pumper, ladder truck, rescue track and/or ambulance and department vehicles; respond to various types of fires or emergencies; handle hose lines, position hose nozzles, turn on hydrants, and direct streams of water or chemicals to the fire; and position and place aerial and other ladders to gain access to buildings and assist persons from burning structures.
  • Create necessary openings through doors, walls, windows, and roofs using axes, crowbars, etc; spread waterproof covers to protect property wherever possible; and use special protective clothing and masks as necessary to control and extinguish fires under difficult circumstances.
  • Administer first aid and artificial respiration to persons overcome by smoke, heart attacks, drowning, vehicular accidents, etc, using lifesaving equipment and techniques.
  • Participate in various drills, courses and demonstrations in latest firefighting techniques, operating fire equipment, maintenance functions; and serve at the desk in answering calls, keeping daily logs, and performing watch room duties.
  • Participate in annual testing of fire hoses and perform routine maintenance duties around the fire station and on apparatus and equipment; check and maintain property in clean, orderly and operating condition; and check with superior officer on duty assignments or changes.
  • Maintain necessary records; move materials as necessary in performance of duties as directed; detect and report improper operation, faulty equipment, defective materials and unusual conditions to proper supervisor.

 

You must meet the following criteria to register for this examination:

  • U.S. citizenship or the legal authority to work in the United States.
  • 19 years of age at the time of the examination.
  • Certified as an EMT (basic) with the ability to be certified as an EMT – Paramedic within four years of employment.
    • Certification as an EMT – Paramedic is preferred but not required at time of hire.
  • Massachusetts driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within one month of employment.
  • High school graduate or possess a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
  • Non-smoker.
  • Not be a convicted felon or have any equivalent convictions that would be a felony in Massachusetts.
  • Ability to pass a physical and psychological examination and any other requirements required to attend a fire academy.
  • Ability to complete the fire training academy.

 

Supplemental Information

To apply, please submit your resume via our applicant portal.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on February 23, 2025.

Please Note: Submitting your application materials does not complete the process. There will be a written entrance exam on Saturday, March 1, 2025, followed by an interview process and physical, mental, and drug/alcohol screenings. Applicants who pass the written exam will be notified of the next steps.

Please call Human Resources at 781-455-7500 with any questions.

 

The Town of Needham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and encouraging workplace. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, national origin, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, veteran status, or any other protected class. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.

The Town of Needham will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at tswanson@needhamma.gov.