The Hiring Process

Please read this entire page before calling the recruiter for background packet assistance. Thank you.

Below are the Arlington County Fire Department disqualifiers as well as information on steps in the 2020 Firefighter/EMT Recruit hiring process, which includes links to instructions and required forms (links have been disabled while the forms are being updated, check back often for updates).

Arlington County Fire Department Disqualifying Factors

• Criminal
  • Conviction of or plead of “guilty” to any Felony (or equivalent if outside of Virginia) within the last five (5) years of the written test date not mentioned in the VAOEMS guidelines.
  • Any Misdemeanor conviction within the last three (3) years (36 months from written test date).
  • Conviction of a domestic violence offense
• Driving
  • Record of current driver’s license revocation, suspension or previous revocations or suspension as direct results of moving violations within the previous five (5) years (60 months from written test date).
  • Record of charges/convictions associated with DUI/DWI, reckless driving, hit and run, eluding police or leaving the scene of an accident within five (5) years (60 months of written test date).
  • More than two (2) moving violations within the previous one (1) year (12 months from the written test date).
  • More than three (3) moving violations within the previous two (2) years (24 months from the written test date).
•  Drugs
  • Any evidence of possession, selling, manufacturing or distribution of any illegal or dangerous drug, as defined by State or Federal laws.
  • Any use of cocaine, illegal use of opiates (e.g., heroin, morphine, methadone, dilaudid, etc.) or any use of illegal hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, MDMA, etc.) within five (5) years ( 60 months from written test date).
  • Illegal marijuana usage within last (6) months from the written test date.  Illegal marijuana refers to the use in any state in which it is not legalized for possession.
  • Use of prescribed or over the counter medicines/drugs for a purpose other than that intended, within the last two (2) years from the written test date.
• Military
  • Any discharge from the military other than honorable or general (if general, provide details in background packet).

Submission of online application

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to initiate requests at the time of application submittal for required criminal history and driving history reports, transcripts/diplomas and any other required documents (see Submission of Background Packet below). Candidate receipt of requested items can take several weeks and are subject to agency timelines.

Application screening

Written Examination

• A Study Guide is available to assist candidates in preparation for the written examination when a recruitment process is open.
• Bring a valid government issued photo ID. No other forms or documents are requested for submittal at the time of the written test.
• Applicants will be notified of their written test status via letter and/or email.

Submission of Background Packet and Investigations Fall 2020 Background Packet

• A complete background packet must be received by the Fire Department for further consideration in this process.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process of obtaining requested reports and documents as soon as possible at the time of application submittal.
• An extensive background investigation will be conducted concurrently with all other steps in the selection process on those applicants who pass the written examination. This includes providing fingerprints. The investigation will cover areas such as: accuracy of information on the application and background materials; credit history; criminal history; driving record history; involvement with illicit drugs; honesty, integrity and reliability of the applicant.

• Applicants who have been notified of successfully passing the written examination must submit all requested items for a complete background packet, which must be received in the Fire Chief’s Office no later than close of business, on Friday October 16, 2020 (See instructions in Fall 2020 Background Packet link).

• Items required for a complete Background Packet are to be submitted as follows
• Candidates are to collect all background Packet items and submit as one packet. Please note Background Questionnaire and Release Forms are to be printed one sided only (See Background Packet link above for complete instructions). No documents, copies or attachments are to be sent separately.  For printing of the Background Questionnaire and release forms, do not print on both sides of the paper.
• Applicants who took the written test in February/March 2020
  • Applicants who failed the written test in Spring 2020 are not eligible to re-take the written exam for a period of one year from their Sping test date (see dates above).
  • Applicants who passed the written test in Spring 2020 are not required to re-take the written exam but must submit an application in the new recruitment process and go through the remaining steps of the process.  Background file content must also be updated.  Click on the Fall 2020 Background Packet link above to obtain the forms required to be completed for submittal not later than Friday October 16, 2020.  This includes an updated Background Questionnaire and the Authorization to Release Personal Information form and Credit History Release form.  If you submitted transcripts and diplomas for previous high school and college education, you do not need to provide those items again. Criminal history reports for previous residences wherein reports have previously been submitted will also not need to be provided again. However, you will need to provide a new, updated, current criminal history report for your current and any new residences as well as a new, updated current driving history report.
• An applicant may be disqualified at any time during the selection process based on submission of an incomplete background packet or a review of background investigation information. Please be sure you have affixed your signature where required and that you have reviewed your packet to ensure that it contains all required information.

Advance Life Support (ALS) Premium Pay

• For those applicants who are ALS certified, the background investigation will include verification of ALS certifications. Please include a copy of your certification in your background packet submittal.
  • Applicants who are hired and hold a current valid Virginia (VA) EMT- Intermediate or VA Paramedic certification will be eligible to receive the relative premium pay upon hire as follows:
    • VA EMT Intermediate – $0.87 per hour (non-shift rate)
    • VA Paramedic– $1.73 per hour (non-shift rate)
  • Applicants who are hired and hold National Registry Paramedic certification will be eligible for the above-referenced premium pay at the time of completion of reciprocity to Virginia Paramedic certification.
  • Applicants who are hired and hold out-of-state ALS certification will be required to successfully complete ACFD ALS training requirements before being eligible.

Criminal History Reports

•  The State of Maryland requires the use of an authorization number for individuals who must obtain criminal history reports from the State of Maryland. The following authorization number has been issued by Maryland to the Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) and is to be used by candidates when initiating a request for a Government Employment criminal history report:  1600000500.  Fingerprinting is required by Maryland as part of that jurisdiction’s process and is provided at five (5) Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) locations (flat fee) as well as private locations (fees vary).  Please go to the following link for information on MVA and private fingerprinting provider locations as well as scheduling advance appointments and hours of operation:  www.dpscs.state.md.us (click on fingerprinting).  Candidates should contact the State of Maryland with questions about the process.  Please note that Maryland reports will be sent directly to ACFD via electronic transfer.

• All Other Jurisdictions – Candidates who reside in other jurisdictions/states are to follow the respective jurisdiction’s law enforcement agencies process to obtain criminal history reports as ACFD is unaware of any other authorization requirements. This may require contacting the city, county or state Police or Sheriff’s office in the respective jurisdiction of current/previous residence.

CPAT

• Practice/Preparation (CPAT Practice/Test Schedule): (COMING SOON)
•  The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is a work sample test similar to duties performed by Firefighter/EMTs and provides structured practice sessions over an eight (8) week period. The CPAT practice program begins on Saturday, October 10, 2020. The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) CPAT requires all candidates for Firefighter/EMT Recruit to participate in at least two Practice Sessions and two Timed-Run Practice Sessions to participate in the Official CPAT.  IAFF will allow candidates to waive their participation in the Practice program by submitting a CPAT-Waiver Form (submit along with your background documents).  Submittal of a CPAT Waiver form does not preclude participation in part or the full practice program.  A voluntary self-study preconditioning CPAT Preparation Guide is available to assist with physical conditioning in preparation for CPAT.  You may also request fitness program recommendations at the CPAT practice sessions and by calling 703-228-2728. Leave a clearly spoken message to include a telephone number and a Peer Fitness Trainer will return your call.

• Administering CPAT:  All tasks will be demonstrated at the time of the CPAT test. Admission to this test is conditioned upon the candidate’s signing a form releasing the County from liability as well as prior receipt of the waiver form if the candidate chose not to participate in the Practice Sessions and/or Timed-Run Practice Sessions. CPAT is a time-sensitive pass or fail test.  To access the CPAT course, candidates must bring a valid government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License/State ID card, Military ID, Passport/Visa).  Candidates will not be able to participate without proper identification.  Candidates must wear long pants and footwear, closed at the heel and toe.  Jewelry is not allowed. All other equipment (hard hat, gloves, etc.) will be provided for testing.  Candidates will not be allowed to participate without proper clothing and footwear.  To learn more about the CPAT test, view this recommended CPAT Video. 

• IAFF CPAT certificates from other jurisdictions, dated no earlier than December 5, 2019, will be accepted after verification. Please include a copy of the cert in your background packet submittal. If obtained after submittal of your packet, please send it via email scanned attachment to firerecruitment@arlingtonva.us.   Once verified, candidates will receive email notification of acceptance (look to hear back closer to the onset of CPAT).

Fingerprint Candidates for Background Investigation

• Fingerprinting will take place at the time of CPAT certification and following candidate receipt of Conditional Job Offers.

Schedule Candidates for Oral Panel Interviews

• Applicants will respond to interview questions designed to assess knowledge, skills and abilities critical to the job.

Fire Chief’s Review and Extend Conditional Job Offer: Based upon the Fire Department’s staffing needs, a conditional offer of employment is extended and the following steps will occur:

• Schedule Polygraph/Psychological/Medical-Physical Examinations, Fingerprinting and Uniform Fitting: This step includes drug screening, hepatitis and HIV testing, and other screening examinations as deemed appropriate. Arlington County adheres to the medical standards established by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 1582.
• Possible meeting with the Fire Chief

Notify Candidates to Receive Final Job Offer

• Uniforms and Equipment Fitting ( Fit Test )

Candidates Report to Recruit School

• Candidates complete necessary Human Resources Department in-processing documents and are scheduled for new employee orientation as newly hired Firefighter/EMT Recruits.

• During the twenty-eight (28) weeks in Fire Recruit School, training will be conducted at the Fire Training Academy as well as the various Fire Stations within Arlington and the City of Falls Church and potentially at out-of-state facilities for a period up to one week.

For assistance, please call the Recruitment Officer at (703)228-0098.