The Fire Department of the City of Baytown is a “civil service” City whose sworn personnel are subject to Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code, the City of Baytown Local Civil Service Rules, and a Collective Bargaining Agreement. All entry-level firefighters are hired from the eligibility list created by the entrance examination. The eligibility list lasts for one year from the date of the examination or until all the candidates on the list have been hired or disqualified. To obtain a place on the eligibility list, the candidate must have a passing score on the examination. An additional five points shall be added to the entrance examination grade of an applicant who served 180 days active duty in the United States Armed Forces, received an honorable discharge, and made a passing grade on the examination.

The City of Baytown does not require a candidate to have already attended a Fire academy. As long as all qualifications have been met, and if the candidate is next on the eligibility list, the City will sponsor the candidate at the first available Fire academy class.

New Hiring:

• Applications are accepted only when a job vacancy for Firefighter is posted. This posting is handled just like any other vacancy at the City and information can be obtained on our job line at 281-420-6551; on our website at www.baytown.org; or in the lobby of City Hall at 2401 Market Street.
• If the candidate is determined to meet the required qualifications, they will get information when the examination is to be given.
• There is no certain date or time of the year that the examination is given. It depends entirely on the status of the current eligibility list and vacancies. When posted, the job vacancy notice is normally posted for a minimum of four weeks. The application for firefighter is not the standard City of Baytown application. A specific firefighter application will be available on line or at City Hall at the time the job vacancy is posted.
• When a candidate’s name is next on the list, the following will take place:
  1. Begin background check (please refer to qualifications icon for additional information on requirements). An additional pre-polygraph questionnaire will be requested at this time.
  2. Panel interview board
  3. A polygraph examination is administered
  4. Fire Chief’s interview
  5. A contingent job offer is made
  6. A psychological examination is administered
  7. A drug/stress/physical/functional test is administered by the City Physician
  8. A physical agility test is administered by the Fire Department
• If the candidate does not pass any of these requirements, at any stage of the process, they will receive a letter stating the City of Baytown Fire Department is no longer considering them for employment.

Eligibility Standards for Beginning Position in Fire & Rescue Department

To be eligible to take an entrance examination for a beginning position in the Baytown Fire & Rescue Department, the applicant must meet the following standards:

Age:
The applicant must be at least 19 years of age and less than 36 years of age at the time of appointment as an academy trainee (or, if certified, at the time of appointment as a firefighter).

Education:
Minimum educational requirement for a beginning position is:

High school diploma/GED

Character:
Must be of good moral character.

Criminal History:
The applicant must not have been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor offense within the twelve months prior to the examination or appointment.

1. The applicant must not have been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the six months prior to examination or appointment.
2. The applicant must not have been convicted of the offense of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of drugs within the twenty-four months prior to the examination or appointment.
3. The applicant must not be on probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class C misdemeanor at the time of the examination or appointment.
4. The applicant must not ever have been convicted at any time of a State jail felony or felony offense.
   
5. The applicant must not ever have been convicted of an offense under Texas Government Code, Chapter 419.
6. The applicant must not ever have been convicted of offenses under Texas Insurance code of 1951, Chapter 5.43-1, 5.43-2, and 5.43-3.

Military History:
The applicant must not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions including, specifically:

a. under other than honorable conditions;
b. bad conduct;
c. dishonorable; or
d. any other characterization of service indicating bad character.

Language:
The applicant must be able to read and write English.

To be eligible for appointment as a fire cadet, fire academy trainee, or firefighter, the applicant must meet the following additional standards:

Psychological:
Following a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must be examined by a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or registered professional as selected by the City of Baytown and be declared to be in satisfactory psychological and emotional health appropriate for the position of firefighter.

Physical:
Following a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must be examined by a licensed physician approved by the City and declared able to perform the essential functions of the job; and the applicant is required to pass a drug screen.

Physical Agility:
The applicant is required to pass a physical agility test. The physical agility test is a validated test based on specific job duties.

Certification:
The applicant must meet the minimum standards for licensing of a firefighter (fire protection personnel) pursuant to the provisions of Texas Government Code, Chapter 419, and the rules of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection which are in effect at the time of the examination and appointment. The employee is required to continue to meet all job standards to maintain employment.

Nepotism:
No individual may be considered for employment by the Fire & Rescue Department of the City of Baytown who is related to a person already employed by such department pursuant to these Rules, Chapter 7. The Chief Executive may apply the nepotism prohibition in the case of other organizational and/or personal relationships when failure to do so would be detrimental to the City.