Entry-Level Firefighter
Unified Fire Authority is looking for entry-level firefighters to join our organization. To be eligible as an entry-level firefighter, applicants must be at least 18 years of age by the written test date (July 2024).
Applicants applying for Firefighter positions will be required to be certified at a minimum Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), licensure through NREMT in order to perform their regular job duties. Applicants who do not possess this certification at the time of hire must obtain it within the new hire probationary period. This certification training will be provided by Unified Fire Authority. Applicants are encouraged to obtain an EMT certification before being hired.
Information regarding EMT classes and Utah State EMT Licensure may be obtained by contacting the State Bureau of Emergency Medical Services at (801) 273-6666 or http://bemsp.utah.gov.
Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license in good standing at the time of employment.
Recruitment Timeline (2024)
DATES AND TIMES MAY BE ADDED IF NEEDED
After you register you will receive an email with a link to schedule your specific written examination time and date.
| Written Exam Registration | June 1 to June 30 |
| Written Exam | Wednesday, July 10 Saturday, July 13 Wednesday, July 17 Saturday, July 20 |
| Oral Board Assessments & Physical Performance Test | August 12 through August 16 |
| Background Investigations | September – December |
| Final Job Offers | September – December |
| New Hire Orientation | January 6, 2025 |
| Start of Recruit Camp | First Week of February 2025 |
STEP 1: REGISTRATION
Click here to register for the written examination. Our primary means of contacting you throughout the examination process will be by email. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email address is correct and any change to your email is updated with the Human Resources Division.
STEP 2: WRITTEN EXAMINATION
The first part of the testing process is the written exam. Only registered and qualified applicants will be allowed to take the exam. The written exam is designed to assess critical cognitive skills and abilities (e.g. reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, map reading), mechanical aptitude and personal characteristics related to success as a Firefighter.
If interested, applicants have the ability to order the practice National Fire Select Test (NFST) Candidate Orientation Guide by clicking this link (www.fpsi.com/fire-candidate-orientation-guides).
Once the written exam is administered, a cut-off score will be determined. At least the top seventy scoring applicants, plus any applicants tied at the same score, will automatically move on to the oral board interview and physical performance exam. Applicants who have preference points and meet the minimum cut-off score will be added to the oral board interview and physical performance exam.
Preference Point Information
Unified Fire Authority offers preference points to eligible veterans or spouses of veterans in accordance with state and federal legislation. Also, applicants who have been employed by Unified Fire Authority may receive preference points if eligible. Please refer to the Preference Eligibility Form for more information. Preference points are added to the applicant’s final written examination score. Applicants claiming preference, as identified above, must submit a Preference Eligibility Form along with all required documentation. This form is available on our website or by emailing the Human Resources Division at preferencepoints@unifiedfire.org. The form itself details the specific eligibility requirements as well as the necessary documentation.
Section 3130 – Preference for Entry-Level Examinations Policy
2023 Preference Eligibility Form
STEP 3: ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TEST
Those applicants that pass the written exam as outlined in STEP 2 will be eligible to participate in the oral board interview and physical performance test. Applicants advancing will be notified by email, of the date, time, and location.
The oral board interview will consist of a structured, behaviorally-based interview questions. Your responses will be evaluated by fire officers and other firefighters or firefighter specialists.
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TEST
The physical performance test is a pass/fail test. This test is strenuous and is based on the general firefighting duties performed by firefighter employees. The exam will be comprised of components in which you will have to lift, carry, pull and climb. Each exercise will demonstrate one of the specific physical abilities listed below.
The physical performance test is designed as an obstacle course to closely simulate the endurance a firefighter employee must possess at the scene of a fire. There are seven events in the obstacle course. For information on each event related to the performance test, please click below:
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOU SHOULD BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE EXAM AND TO PREVENT INJURY OR AGGRAVATION OF ANY EXISTING CONDITION THAT YOU MAY HAVE. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A RELEASE OF LIABILITY.
View Our Physical Performance Test
Banding Process
At the conclusion of the oral board interview and physical performance test, the hiring committee evaluates each applicant and places them into “Hiring Bands” based on the likelihood of success during recruit camp and in a career as a Firefighter. To make these determinations, the group considers a variety of information about the applicants, including their performance in all components of the examination, the information shared during their oral board interviews, their expressed level of interest or commitment, and their past work history.
STEP 4: REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND CHECK
STEP 5: NEW-HIRE MEDICAL PHYSICAL AND DRUG SCREENING
Applicants must meet NFPA-1582 standards.
STEP 6: RECRUIT CAMP
Recruit Camp is anticipated to begin February 2025.
Paramedic Applicants with No firefighter Certifications
Applicants that hold a Paramedic Licensure may qualify for additional pay and preference points that can be used toward the new hire written exam per UFA policy. Applicants will need to follow the Entry Level Firefighter(add hyperlink) process, in addition, you will need to successfully pass the Paramedic Skills Assessment to be eligible for pay and preference points.
