Lateral Firefighter
Unified Fire Authority is offering opportunities for Firefighters to join our organization through our lateral process. With compensation potentially starting up to step 10 based on UFA’s firefighter pay plan.
Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license in good standing at the time of employment.
Lateral Firefighter Recruitment Timeline (2025)
DATES AND TIMES MAY BE ADDED IF NEEDED
| Apply Online (link coming soon) | February 1-15 |
| EMS and Fire Skills Assessments, Oral Board Interview and Firefighter Physical Agility Test (Will be required to attend only one of these dates) | March 3-7 |
| Background Investigations | April-May |
| Final Job Offers | April-May |
| New Hire Orientation | May 12 |
| Start of 4-week Orientation | June 2 |
STEP 1: APPLY ONLINE
Click here to apply for the Lateral Firefighter process. Our primary means of contacting you throughout the 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: SKILLS ASSESSMENT/ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW/PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TEST
Applicants will be notified by email, of the date, time, and location for this portion of the process.
SKILLS ASSESSMENT
Applicants must successfully pass the EMT/AEMT skills assessment process conducted by the UFA EMS Division (per NREMT guidelines). EMT Skills Assessment AEMT Skills Assessment
Applicants must successfully pass the firefighter skills assessment process conducted by the UFA Fire Training Division. Fire Skills Assessment
ORAL BOARD INTERVIEW
The oral board interview will consist of structured, behaviorally-based interview questions. Your responses will be evaluated by fire officers and other firefighters or firefighter specialists.
FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST
The Firefighter Physical Agility Test is based on general firefighting duties. This exam includes lifting, carrying, pulling, and climbing components.
The test is designed as an obstacle to closely simulate the endurance a firefighter employee must possess at the scene of a fire. For information on each event related to the test, please click below.
View the Firefighter Physical Agility Video
Applicants must pass the Firefighter Physical Agility Test with a cut-off time of at least 13:00 minutes to be scheduled for an oral board interview. Additional information and policy will be forthcoming.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOU SHOULD BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST 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.
STEP 3: REFERENCE, BACKGROUND CHECK, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
STEP 4: NEW-HIRE MEDICAL PHYSICAL AND DRUG SCREENING
Applicants must meet NFPA-1582 standards.
STEP 5: 4-WEEK ORIENTATION
Orientation is anticipated to begin May 12, 2025. Applicants will be required to successfully complete a 4-week orientation and 10 shifts of field orientation as an extra crewmember in Operations.
Firefighter Pay Plan
Per policy, applicants will be placed appropriately on the Firefighter Pay Plan based on years of service and qualifications.
Firefighter Lateral Process Policy
Full details for the Firefighter Lateral Process can be found in our Firefighter Lateral Process policy.
