Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities with the Guelph Fire Department.
The application process for Probationary Firefighters closed as of Friday May 25, 2012. No late applications will be accepted.
CPS Test Results: The test results for the CPS test were emailed out to all applicants on Wednesday July 4. Inquiries regarding test results must be made by July to hr@guelph.ca
If you have not received our emails, please ensure you check your “junk email” and/or spam folder. Please review the instructions in the document below to ensure the emails have not been blocked within your email account:
Instructions for Jobseeker
If you are interested to learn more about the recruitment process for probationary firefighters, we encourage you to review the information outlined below.
Recruitment Process for Probationary Firefighters
Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered. It is important to apply within the advertised posting period as late applications will not be accepted (no exceptions).
Proof of qualifications will be requested at the interview stage. Applications will be reviewed and those applicants who are shortlisted will be contacted by email. It is important to check the email account you supplied when applying to the posting to ensure you don’t miss any relevant information.
Applicants may be selected to participate in a CPS aptitude test, interview, written assessment, practical and/or behavioural assessments, referencing, medical, vision and hearing tests. Applicants will be required to pay an administration fee of $50 to write the CPS aptitude test.
We thank all applicants in advance; however, only those being considered for assessments will be contacted. Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment.
For more important information, please review the following:
Position Summary
A probationary firefighter is an integral part of the emergency services team. This position will be responsible for fire suppression duties necessary to save life and property and providing emergency response, rescue and extrication duties within hazardous conditions. The Fire Department provides an essential service 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to the community. Firefighters work together as members of a well-honed team. Extended periods of time are spent working together, whether in emergency situations, training or other duties around the fire station. The Guelph Fire Department takes pride in providing a high level of service and support to our community.
Duties
- Combat, extinguish and/or prevent fires to save life and property. Perform fire suppression duties to extinguish fires rapidly and efficiently under emergency conditions, frequently involving considerable hazard.
- Provide emergency medical response and aid. Perform rescue/extrication operations where necessary to prevent loss of life or further injury, from any cause.
- Support work teams and allied agencies to maintain public safety. Seek direction and authority through the Incident Management System at the emergency scene and collaborating/assisting with allied agencies (eg. paramedics and police).
- Perform station, equipment and vehicle maintenance.
- Assist with Alarm Room Technician/dispatch duties as required. Provide back-up resources to the communications unit by receiving emergency calls and dispatching resources on an as needed basis demonstrating excellent communications and multitasking skills to input and record pertinent data.
- Contribute to public relations and education efforts. Support fire prevention efforts by conducting demonstrations and inspections. Actively participate in community engagement & outreach initiatives.
- Commit to lifelong learning, community and personal wellness and continuous improvement. Participate in training exercises and courses to maintain and improve skill set, learning new procedures and techniques.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
In order to be invited to the CPS aptitude test, you must meet the following:
- Completion of secondary school diploma (Grade 12 or equivalent)
- Have a valid First Aid certificate and a valid CPR Basic Rescuer Certificate (Level C)
- Must possess a minimum D-Z drivers licence with a good driving record (a current Driver’s licence abstract would be required at time of hire)
- Must have successfully completed the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from a licensed testing facility within one year prior to the CPS test. The CPS test is scheduled to take place on Thursday June 21st, 2012. Applicants have until the CPS test to successfully complete their CPAT and will be required to show proof of certificate at time of CPS test (all costs associated with the test are the responsibility of the applicant)
- Be 18 years of age or older and legally entitled to work in Canada
Additional Qualifications
- Experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through relevant training, experience (including volunteer or community service) and skills in a field closely related to emergency services. This may include trades, health & safety, medical care, social services and/or heavy equipment operations. Candidates with an equivalent combination of skills and experience may be considered. (NOTE: Applicants will be assessed according to the skills gaps and requirements of the Guelph Fire Department. These requirements may change from one recruitment drive to another.)
- Post secondary education in a related field would be considered an asset
- Must be a strong team player and demonstrate proven interpersonal skills that are consistent with the department’s core values to effectively deal with the public and allied agencies.
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Must have a strong mechanical aptitude
- Good organizational skills with the ability to multitask
- Able to perform strenuous physical labour within high risk and hazardous environments
- Ability to handle high pressure situations
- Must successfully pass the Firefighter medical assessment (including Vision and Hearing Test) at time of hire (as coordinated by City of Guelph, Human Resources Department
- A satisfactory Police Record Check including vulnerable sector check (paid for by the candidate) may be requested at time of offer
Once the recruitment begins, information will be posted on our website. At that time, interested candidates will be invited to apply via our online application system by a specific closing date. Please note, in addition to submitting a resume and cover letter, you will be required to complete a questionnaire specific to this position as part of the application process. Only applicants who complete the questionnaire will be considered.
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) was developed to test applicants on their ability to perform simulated tasks consistent with the duties of a firefighter. The test is designed to ensure that applicants possess the physical ability to complete the critical and essential tasks of firefighting. The CPAT test is a pass/fail event.
Applicants must successfully complete the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from a licensed testing facility to meet the minimum qualifications for consideration as a Probationary Firefighter at the City of Guelph.Please note:
- The applicant must personally make the test arrangement with the testing facility. Please contact them directly to confirm upcoming dates.
- The CPAT certificate must have an issue date within 1 year from the CPS testing date.
- All costs associated with the test are the sole responsibility of the applicant.
Licensed facilities in this area
The following contact information is posted as a courtesy.
- Brock University
500 Glenridge Avenue
St. Catharines, ON, N2S 3A1
E firefighter@brocku.ca
T 905-688-5550 x 5070
It is your responsibility to ask the CPAT staff if you do not understand any part of the CPAT events or procedures.
Please visit http://uwfitness.uwaterloo.ca/firefighter or www.brockfirefighter.com or the website of another licenced CPAT facility for more information. If you will be taking the test at the University of Waterloo you will need to attend an orientation session prior to taking the test.
NOTE: Hearing and vision are not part of the CPAT testing. This testing will be coordinated through the City of Guelph, HR department as a condition of offer.
You may complete your CPAT at any licensed facility. It is your responsibility to ensure the facility you test at is indeed a recognized licensed CPAT facility.
Application and Selection Process
Applications will only be received electronically through our online application system posted through guelph.ca/careers. The online application will only be active for a limited time once the job is posted. You will need to ensure you complete all portions of the online application before the closing date.
Your application will only be accepted if you:
- Complete the Question and Answer portion of the application process
- Submit your resume and cover letter
- Meet the minimum requirements
- Apply within the stated posting period and by the closing date
CPS Aptitude Test
Following the application process, applications will be reviewed and candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited by email to write the CPS aptitude test.
Applicants writing the aptitude test must bring 1 piece of valid government issued photo ID for identification purposes and pay an administration fee. Note: Health cards will not be accepted as photo ID. Information regarding the CPS testing date and the cost of the test will be posted once the information is available.
No mechanical aids or electronics including computers, smart phones, calculators, and/or dictionaries will be allowed in the examination room.
- All applicants will be notified by the City of Guelph, HR department through email of their individual test results after the test date (no phone calls please).
- For the purposes of our recruitment, 70% is considered a pass.
- Passing the CPS test does not guarantee an interview.
Additional Assessments
In addition to the CPS aptitude test, applicants may be required to complete further written, practical or behavioural assessments as part of the recruitment process. A medical assessment will be requirement as a condition of offer.
Interviews
Applicants invited for interviews will be required to provide their original documentation as proof of qualifications and contact information for at least 3 work related references.
Job Offers
For those applicants who receive an offer of employment, the following conditions may be outlined in the offer letter (candidates selected for potential employment would need to cover the cost of these requirements):
- Successfully pass the Firefigther medical assessment (includes Vision and Hearing test)
- Provide satisfactory MTO Driver’s licence abstract to confirm a minimum DZ licence is held in good standing
- A Police Record Check (including a vulnerable sector check), must be current at time of offer.
Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities with the Guelph Fire Department.