Selection Process

Please read all instructions carefully. The process has been modified from previous testing processes. You must follow the procedures below to test. Failure to do so may result in elimination.

IMPORTANT UPDATES!! Please read carefully.

The entry level exam will be scheduled by calling the City of Tulsa Employment Office at (918) 596-7427 where candidates will select their desired test date and time. All exams will take place at City Hall, 175 E. 2nd Street in the Employment Office (Suite 280).

Each candidate must arrive at each appointment (Written Exam, PAT, SOA and BIQ/Chief's interview) at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment.

A candidate that does not show up or cancels without giving 24 hour notice to any portion of the test process must wait six months to be eligible to reenter the testing process with the written test.

Candidates must receive a passing score to be placed on the Chief's hiring list. If you are not placed on the hiring list you will have to restart the process again with the written test after six months.

All BIQ updates must be submitted in writing to a Human Resources designee.

All candidates will be asked to sign and agree to the rules and processes prior to testing Download Agreement

In the case of inclement weather please call the Employment Office at (918) 596-7427. Testing cancellations will be updated on the voicemail system by 6 a.m.

Written Exam

Sign Up
Candidates will call the City of Tulsa Employment Office at (918) 596-7427 during normal business hours to schedule their entry level exam. You must speak directly to the staff; voice mails will not secure your testing spot. Please be ready to provide your name, phone number, email address, and desired testing date and time. We will test 4 candidates a day at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (two candidates per time slot) at the Employment Office, 175 E 2nd St. (2nd Floor). Testing times will be on a first come - first serve basis. A waiting list will be available for candidates. Cancellations must be received by the Employment Office only via telephone prior to 24 hours before your scheduled exam. If you do not show up for your testing time or cancel without a 24 hour notice, you will not be eligible to take the entry level test again for six months from your missed testing date.

Day of
Candidates may park in paid parking lots near City Hall or at a meter (please pay for the full four hours). In order to be allowed to test, candidates will need a photo ID and a college, high school, or GED transcript; we will not accept a diploma. If you provided an email address at sign up, you will need to bring all documents that were provided to you, completed and ready to submit. Candidate must arrive on time. If you do not arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test time, you will be considered a no show and will not be allowed to test again for 6 months. Candidates will have 2-½ hours to complete the entry level exam. Please be aware that you will not be allowed to leave the testing room until you are finished with your exam, doing so will result in a fail.

Results
The City of Tulsa Human Resources staff will notify you of your score as soon as it is made available and your paperwork has been processed. Candidates who are unsuccessful may request to be scheduled to take the written test again during the following testing quarter. If you are successful you will be advised on the next step of the process. A candidate who is unsuccessful on their second attempt must wait six months from the date of the second test before being eligible to begin the entire application process again.

Physical Ability Test (PAT)

The PAT will be scheduled by the City of Tulsa Human Resources if the candidate passes the entry level exam. To participate in the PAT a completed Background Investigation Questionnaire (BIQ) packet must be submitted. If the packet is not turned in at this time the candidate must reschedule the PAT test for the next quarterly testing period. Non-participation in two consecutive PAT schedules will result in the candidate starting the testing process over with the written test.

The PAT consists of seven physical tasks that are representative of actions typically performed by firefighters. Each applicant must successfully complete each event within a set time.

If you answer "yes" to any of these questions on the release form you will need to provide a Doctor's release on the day of your PAT.

Candidates are required to arrive no later than 30 minutes before their test time to complete paperwork and watch a video with information about the PAT. If you do not show up for your scheduled PAT time or cancel without a 24 hour notice then you must start over at the written exam and will not be eligible to retest until after 6 (six) months from the date of your missed PAT.

To participate in the PAT or the practice session a candidate must be at least 18 years old.

Practice
Physical Ability Test practice will only be held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. To participate in the PAT practice, the written test must be completed and a signed release turned in. No candidate is allowed to practice the PAT unless a representative from the Tulsa Fire Department Recruitment Office is present. Contact the recruitment office for the upcoming schedule at (918) 596-9418.

Structured Oral Assessment (SOA)
Upon successful completion of the written exam and the physical ability test, trained interviewers who are familiar with the essential skills and abilities of Tulsa firefighters will rate qualified applicants. A Candidate Preparation Guide is available for the structured interview and may be obtained by clicking on the following link, Interview Guide, or a copy may be picked up at the City of Tulsa Employment Office on the 2nd floor of City Hall.

The oral assessment is designed to assess the most critical job-related skills and abilities. Though some questions will require you to respond to hypothetical scenarios, you will not be rated on your knowledge of TFD policies or firefighting tactics.

Candidates are required to arrive no later than 30 minutes before their interview time. If you do not show up for your scheduled SOA time or cancel without giving a 24 hour notice then you must start over at the written exam and will not be eligible to retest until after six (6) months from the date of your missed SOA.

Scores for this interview will be calculated immediately following the interview and candidates will be notified of their status before they are dismissed to leave. Candidates that are not successful at this step will be allowed to start over with the entry level test.

Practice
Candidates are invited to participate in mock interview practices with the Recruitment Officer. Please see the Testing Schedule for upcoming training.

BIQ/Chief's Interview
Applicants who successfully complete the entry level test, PAT, SOA and meet the minimum requirements including the National and Oklahoma State EMT certification requirement will be scheduled for a Background Interview. Candidates will be asked several questions by an interview team comprised of members of the Fire Department and/or the City of Tulsa Human Resources Department These individuals will review your BIQ form and ask questions about that material.

Following the interview a background investigation will be conducted on applicants to establish evidence of good moral character, community commitment, and a pattern of conduct acceptable to the Tulsa Fire Department. Remember to list on your BIQ all contacts you have had with law enforcement agencies and do not withhold any information. Don't let us discover an incident during our investigation.

Candidates are required to arrive no later than 30 minutes before their interview time. If you do not show up for your scheduled BIQ interview time or do not cancel within 24 hours then you must start over at the written exam and will not be eligible to retest until after six (6) months from the date of your missed BIQ interview.

Candidates that successfully complete all parts of the selection process (entry level exam, PAT, SOA, and BIQ/Chief's interview) will be placed on a list for potential hire. Candidates that are selected from the list for hire will be notified and removed from the candidate pool. Candidates that were not selected will remain on the list for two years from the date of your written test.

Candidates are advised to notify the City of Tulsa Human Resources staff of any changes from their original BIQ in writing.

Candidates that are not successful at this step will be sent a letter or an email shortly after all the BIQ interviews have been completed. These candidates will be allowed to start over with the entry level test six (6) months after their BIQ interview.

Successful candidates will not be notified unless you are selected for an academy. All candidates that do not receive an email or a letter will be placed on the Chief's hiring list.

Conditional Offer of Employment
Selection is made by the Tulsa Fire Department based on a comprehensive assessment of all candidates and available positions. After acceptance of the conditional offer, hiring is contingent upon candidates passing the medical examination by the City Physician, including a drug screening, and acceptance into the state firefighter's pension system. Candidates are also required to demonstrate their ability to ascend to and descend from the top of a raised aerial ladder.