Reno Fire Department — Reno, NV
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*Promotional Opportunity*
*This is an internal recruitment ** *available to currently qualified City of Reno Fire Department Firefighters only.**
Position Summary: Reno Fire Department Captains have command of a firefighting company, its equipment, and station. They may be assigned administrative, training, or professional duties; participate in fire prevention and suppression activities; and perform related work as required.
The City of Reno is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to everyone. This commitment is an integral part of our efforts to ensure that we have a diverse and representative workforce that serves the community of Reno. ## Examples of Essential Functions - Respond to all alarms in an assigned district and other districts as directed. - Supervise and participate in the laying of hose, placing of ladders, controlling the pressure and direction of water streams, rescue and salvage operations. - Direct the routing and placement of apparatus at emergency scenes. - Supervise maintenance of station and equipment. - Prepare budget information at the company/station level. - Enforce policy and procedure at the company level. - Draft changes to policy and procedure. - Maintain records and submit detailed reports to superiors. ## Minimum Qualifications T h e following minimum qualifications must be met by the date of examination (October 21, 2026). *Applicants must meet either Option 1 or Option 2 below*
OPTION 1 Education :High school diploma or equivalent.**Experience: **
Possession of a valid Nevada or National Registry EMT certification or higher. OPTION 2 **Education: ** Associate degree in fire science or a closely related field.
Work Experience and Training:
Submit your completed application and all additional information/documentation requested through our job board at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/reno by September 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT. If a computer or mobile device is not available to you, suggested locations to complete an online application submittal include: the City of Reno City Hall 2nd floor computer kiosk or Civil Service Office, any Nevada Job Connect location, local libraries, or educational facilities.
If you are having difficulty logging into your governmentjobs.com profile, please call the applicant support line at 855-524-5627.
Application Preparation:A complete application is required, including detailed work experience and education. Résumés may be submitted as supplemental information but will not be reviewed when determining minimum qualifications.Examination Process: ** Examination dates are for planning purposes and may change at the discretion of Civil Service or Reno Fire Department. This promotional testing process will require candidates to appear in person to participate. Written Examination:** - Date: October 21, 2026 - Weight = 30% of final grade
Note: The 12 highest-scoring candidates who pass the written examination will advance to the assessment center exercises. If more than one candidate is tied for the 12th-ranking position, those candidates will be re-ranked based on department seniority.
Assessment Center: - Assessment Center exercises are tentatively scheduled for the week of November 16, 2026. - Weight = 70% of final grade The scores from all assessment center exercises will be averaged to determine each candidate’s final assessment center score. Candidates must achieve a final average score of 70% or higher to pass the assessment center. A passing assessment center score is required to receive a passing final grade for the overall examination process.
**Notification: ** Qualified applicants will be notified by email of the exact date, time, and location of the examination.Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified within two weeks of the job posting closing.
We highly recommend opting in to receive text message notifications. Follow-up text messages may include updates about your application, next steps, and interviews. If you haven’t opted in before, the option will appear before you submit your application. If you’ve previously opted in or out, you can update your choice anytime in account settings in your governmentjobs.com profile.
**Testing Accommodation: ** We strive to ensure equal access for all individuals. If you require an accommodation due to a disability, you must inform the Chief Examiner by completing the Accommodation Request Form by the closing date of this announcement. All requests will be handled with confidentiality and respect.
**Contact Information: ** Reports (Rule XV, Section 2) Applicants are responsible for keeping the Reno Civil Service Commission informed of their current contact information including phone number, email, and mailing address
Employee/Veteran Preference (In the Event of Tie Scores): Promotional Examinations (Rule VIII, Section 7): If two or more employees earn the same final score (including seniority points), veterans’ preference will be applied if any of the tied employees have submitted proof of an honorable military discharge. This preference is only used to break ties. If a tie still remains, it will be broken based on seniority in the current classification. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.
Seniority Points: Seniority Credit (Rule VIII, Section 9b): Reno Fire Department uniformed employees with the Fire Emergency Operations and Fire Community Risk Reduction programs shall receive seniority credit computed by adding to a passing score as follows:
For each full year of continuous service completed after current minimum qualifications eligibility, up to a maximum of fifteen (15) years...0.2 points per year.
Seniority points for this recruitment: - Do not begin at the date of hire - Begin only after you have met all required minimum qualifications for the position - Are awarded only for full years of service and not awarded for partial or fractional years Appointment and Certification: ** Appointments to positions in the City's Civil Service system are made on the basis of examination. Scores resulting from a competitive examination are used in determining a person's rank on an eligible register. The current certification rule in effect at the time a request is received by the Civil Service Commission will be used to refer names. The department may hire any of the persons referred. The names of those persons not hired may be considered when the next vacancy occurs, for as long as that register is viable. Certification from a Fire Department promotional list is as follows: if the list contains fifteen (15) names or less, the ten (10) highest scoring eligibles; if the list contains more than fifteen (15) names, the eleven (11) highest scoring available eligibles; if the list contains fewer than ten (10) eligibles, all eligible names shall be submitted. If there is more than one vacancy, one (1) additional name shall be submitted for each vacancy. Probationary Period: ** Certification of Eligibles, Appointments, and Probation (Rule VII, Section 12) Classified employees who are newly hired, promoted, reclassified, transferred, or who voluntarily demote to a lower position are subject to a probation period. The only exception is if an employee chooses to voluntarily demote back to the exact job they previously held within 24 months of being promoted.
Questions and Updates: Questions about the information on this announcement and updates to application information should be directed to Civil Service at (775) 334-2223 or civilservice@reno.gov.
Study Materials for the Fire Captain Examination - 2026
1. Building Construction for the Fire Service, 6th Edition, by Francis L. Brannigan (Chapters - 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14)
2. Firefighter's Handbook of Wildland Firefighting; Strategy and Tactics, 4th Edition, by William C. T (Chapters: 8, 9, 10)
3. Truck Company Operations, 2nd Edition, by John Mittendorf (Chapters: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17)
4. Firefighting Operations in Highrise and Standpipe Equipped Buildings by David M McGrail (Chapters 4, 5, 15)
Reno Fire Department Strategies and Tactics Manual (Chapter 1 Single Family Residence Operations - 2026 EDITION)
General Orders:
7. RFD Policies and Procedures:
9. Regional Standard Operating Guidelines
The City of Reno is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, retention, and disciplinary decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association, or any other protected class status applicable under federal or state law or City Charter.
Please use this Health and Welfare Benefit Link to learn more about the City of Reno's great employee benefit plans and wellness programs.