Firefighter Trainee

Job Summary

Under immediate supervision, participates in assigned training and formal academic programs of instruction designed to qualify for certification as a Firefighter in accordance with the Texas State Statutes. 

Veteran's Preference Points: If you have been (or will be) discharged from the military, you may be eligible for five (5) Veteran's preference points on this examination. To be eligible to receive the additional points, you must have: 

• Served on active duty for a minimum of 180 consecutive days in the United States Armed Forces • Received an honorable discharge • Score seventy percent (70%) or higher on the written SAFD entrance examination

In order to receive the five (5) Veteran's preference points, you must submit one of the acceptable documents with your online application or submit the documents following the mailing guidelines below. Documents will not be accepted at the exam. If you fail to submit your DD214 or letter by the deadline, you will not be awarded the Veteran's preference points on this examination.

Acceptable Veteran's preference points documents:   DD214 - (For Veteran applicants) 

• Must be an original or certified copy, legible and unaltered, without any sections missing

• Only the following copies will be accepted: Service #2, Member #4, State Director of Veterans Affairs #6, Service #7, or Service #8

Honorable Service Letter - (For Active-Duty applicants) 

• Must contain:

o contact information for your current commander (field grade officer or above)

o term of service

o and certify that you will receive an Honorable Discharge based on current conditions

• An honorable service letter template is available at:

https://www.sa.gov/files/assets/main/v/4/safd/documents/honorableserviceformletter.pdf

Mailing guidelines:   If you did not submit your Veteran's preference point's document with your online application, you must:

• Use Certified mail

• Address to:

City of San Antonio - HR Department

Attention: Sarah Bilger

P.O. Box 839966

San Antonio, TX 78283

• Must be postmarked by October 16 , 2026

Essential Job Functions

• Attends training regarding: Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances, modern firefighting techniques, hazardous materials, building construction, motor vehicle operations, management and communication, and state certification for emergency medical technicians.
• Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls.
• May be required to descend from 2nd floor quarters to 1st floor via sliding down a pole.
• Dons protective clothing (bunker gear) and breathing apparatus.
• Selects nozzles, depending on type of fire, removes hose from truck, transports hose to hydrant.
• Removes pre-connected hose from fire apparatus, stretches hose to fire and/or pulls skid load from apparatus bed, attaches to fire engine pump, and stretches to fire.
• In high rise, firefighter carries 1 3/4" hose upstairs with nozzle and adapter and assorted equipment, connects hose to standpipe, and stretches hose to fire.
• Directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire. Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings.
• Performs and/or assists in victim extraction from buildings or vehicles.
• Performs search and rescue operations in buildings filled with fumes, smoke, odors, mists, etc. Creates openings in buildings or vehicles for ventilation, victim extraction, or entrance using ax, chisel, crowbar, electric saw, jaws-of-life, or other power equipment.
• Protects property from water and smoke using waterproof salvage covers.
• Removes items from buildings, including but not limited to, appliances, couches, and clothes.
• Cleans up items involved in the fire and removes them from the premises including but not limited to, appliances, couches, and clothes.
• Administers first-aid and/or artificial respiration to injured persons or those overcome by fire and/or smoke.
• Communicates with fellow firefighter(s) and superior(s) during firefighting and/or rescue operations.
• Attends and successfully completes Fire Department classes and other formal fire training programs to qualify for certification as a Firefighter.
• Participates in mandatory physical training which includes a realistic simulated scenario including traveling uneven ground and carrying 200 pounds through the course.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations, firefighting training evolutions, and courses in hydraulics, pump operation and maintenance, and firefighting techniques.
• Trains in the operation of rescue tools.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Job Requirements

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate.
• Valid Class "C" Driver's License.

The following includes the minimum qualifications for taking the written examination, however applicants MUST pass other requirements for eligibility to be hired.

Applicants must possess the following qualifications at the time of application for the position of Firefighter Trainee:

• Applicants must be at least 19 years of age by the date of the written examination.
• Applicants must not have reached 34 years of age by the date of the written examination.
• Applicants must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak in the English language.
• Applicants must not have any of the disqualifying items listed below on his/her record:

a) Conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. b) Any discharge from the United States Armed Forces other than Honorable. (Uncharacterized and Entry-Level discharges may be accepted and will be assessed on an individual basis.) c) Two (2) or more traffic violation convictions within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of the written examination. d) Conviction of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or its equivalent within the five (5) years preceding the date of the written examination. e) Conviction of a Driving While Intoxicated, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, or their equivalent within the five (5) years preceding the date of the written examination.

• Applicants must meet all legal requirements necessary to become eligible for future licensing by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
• Applicants must meet the suitability requirements listed under Rule IX. H. (13) Use of Illicit Substances.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate with or without reasonable accommodations that essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Skill in operating and maintaining fire apparatus and equipment.
• Skill in operating various hand and power tools to create openings in structures and vehicles for smoke ventilation, forcible entry, and rescue.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records and preparing reports.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of city geography, streets, and highways in the City of San Antonio and Bexar County.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of firefighting principles and techniques, hydraulics, hydrants, and location/operation of sprinkler and house line systems.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of departmental policy, practice, and procedure, emergency medical techniques, and good safety practice in the use of equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in stressful and/or hazardous environments.
• Ability to perform strenuous work under all weather conditions including emergency situations.
• Working conditions can include inside/outside, extreme cold/heat with/without temperature changes, rain and/or humidity, noise (siren use), and mechanical and electrical hazards, fires, explosives, radiant energy, bodily fluids, fumes, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation.

Benefits Information The City of San Antonio (CoSA) strives to provide a competitive compensation and benefit package to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce.  To accomplish this, CoSA offers subsidized health care benefits for active and retired employees, paid disability benefits, paid life insurance, as well as automatic participation in a pension program which is currently matched two to one.

For more detailed information, please click on the following link to view Benefits offered by the City of San Antonio: http://www.sanantonio.gov/hr/employee_information/benefits/index.asp

Note: - Part-Time, Temporary, and non-City positions are not eligible for CoSA Benefits. - Holiday and Leave benefits for Pre-K 4 SA positions may be different than what is listed at the above link.

Additional Information The City Of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. This means that the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (gender), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or sexual orientation. All individuals are encouraged to apply and compete for jobs with the City of San Antonio.

If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources Department so that accommodations may be made to meet your needs. Our telephone number is 210-207-8705 and our fax number is 210-207-2285.