2027 Worcester Fire Captain (1YP)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts is conducting a 2027 Statewide Departmental Promotional Examination for Worcester Fire Captain (1YP). The Human Resources Division administers the process to create an eligible list for Worcester Fire Department vacancies.

Applications run Jan 5, 2027 to Feb 9, 2027, with a $150 examination processing fee and multiple testing sites across the Commonwealth. Eligible candidates must be Worcester Fire Department employees with permanent civil service status and meet

Responsibilities

• Duties include apparatus operations and non-apparatus operations, pre-fire planning, incident command, size-up, ventilation and forcible entry, overhaul, search and rescue, salvage, information management, investigations, reports and records management, initial response to incidents, internal and external inspections, policy enforcement, staffing, professional development.

Job description

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Location

Statewide, MA

Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

270412WFCpt1YP

MUNICIPAL DEPT

Opening Date

10/13/2026

Closing Date

2/9/2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

2027 Statewide Departmental Promotional Examination for Worcester Fire Captain (1YP)

Candidates for this examination must be employees in one of the following Massachusetts Fire Departments. Please review the department listing below carefully. Departments and eligible titles will be listed as they are requested.

Departments – Eligible Title(s):

The Human Resources Division (HRD) is administering this examination to create an eligible list from which Fire Captain vacancies may be filled in the Worcester Fire Department. Candidates must take and pass this examination to be placed on the eligible list.

Application Period Begins: January 5, 2027

Application Deadline:February 9, 2027

Examination Processing Fee:$150

Written Examination Locations:Various sites across the Commonwealth

Examination Information

Eligibility:To be eligible for this examination you must: (1) be an employee in the Worcester Fire Department with permanent civil service status in the specified eligible title(s) by the date of the examination; and (2) have served in the force at least one year since you were appointed and performed the job duties of the eligible title(s)*. A combination of temporary and permanent service from a certification can be applied towards meeting this one year requirement. Time spent working in the title of Fire Captain will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.

Note: Pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) 31 § 59, if less than two applications are received from eligible candidates, this examination will be postponed. If the examination’s eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank, the examination will go forward with less than two eligible candidates submit applications.

*If the eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank you must have served in the force at least one or three years depending on the participating department.

Eligible List: Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification from such list for such period as the administrator shall determine, but in any event not to exceed two years, unless otherwise outlined in MGL Chapter 31 § 25 or the (HRD) revocation policy.

Examination Weights:The examination weights are 52% Technical Knowledge, 28% Situational Judgment Test, and 20% Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E).

Departments – Eligible Title(s):

Examples of Essential Duties:

Duties:Under supervision, a Fire Captain performs duties in conformance with the rules and regulations of the Fire Department. Duties may include apparatus operations and non-apparatus operations, pre-fire planning, incident command, size-up, ventilation and forcible entry, overhaul, search and rescue, salvage, information management, investigations, reports and records management, initial response to incidents, internal and external inspections, policy enforcement, staffing, professional development, and other related work as required.

Examination Subjects:

Technical Knowledge (TK):The Technical Knowledge component will be designed to assess, where practicable, the knowledge, skills, and abilities established as qualifications for the position. Areas assessed may include the chemistry and physics of fire; fireground operations and fire suppression; special operations, including the criminal or terrorist use of chemical, biological, and radiological agents and pre- and post-detonation considerations involving explosive devices; building design, construction, and materials; fire prevention and protection; fire cause determination; hazardous materials; legal considerations and laws applicable to the fire service; supervision and administration; and workplace safety and wellness.

Note: Examination Preparation Guide will be released approximately three months prior to the examination date.

Situational Judgment Test (SJT):The examination will assess the following competencies: Judgment and Decision-Making; Accountability; Adaptability; Guiding and Developing Others; Leadership, including Managing Activities and Building Teams; and Interpersonal Skills, including Conflict Management.

Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E):All candidates must complete the 2027 Fire Captain Promotional Examination Experience, Certification, Training & Education (ECT&E) Claim online. Instructions and a link to the ECT&E Claim application will be emailed to candidates prior to the examination date. Candidates will receive a confirmation email upon successful submission of their application.

ECT&E Claims must be submitted through the designated online claim process. Claims submitted by any other method will result in an “INCOMPLETE”score for this examination component.

All ECT&E Claims and required supporting documentation must be received by April 19, 2027, which is seven calendar days following the examination. Candidates who fail to submit the required supporting documentation by the deadline will receive an “INCOMPLETE”score for this component.

Supporting documentation may be uploaded to the candidate’s Civil Service account when submitting the ECT&E Claim application or emailed to [e-mail] by the deadline. Documents already on file and attached to the candidate’s Civil Service account, such as previously submitted educational transcripts, do not need to be resubmitted.

A new Employment Verification Form (EVF) must be submitted for each examination.

Statutory Preference Points:Upon submission of written proof, two points will be added to the passing score of qualified Veterans and Disabled Veterans or individuals who have 25 years of service as a member of a regular municipal fire force in Massachusetts. If you are qualified for both the Veteran's Preference and the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, please be advised that two points are the maximum allowable number of points to be added to your passing, overall examination score. To claim the Promotional Preference for 25 years of service, candidates must claim this preference in the ECT&E claim application and verify eligibility on the Employment Verification form submitted with your ECT&E application. To claim veterans' preference, claim veteran status in the application and attach your DD214 to the application or email it to [e-mail] . For more information on veteran status refer to the Military Information section on our website.

Note: No action needs to be taken if you have already been approved for the Veteran/Disabled Veteran or 25 year statutory preference points.

Updating Information:Candidates are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information. Failure to keep your records current may jeopardize opportunities for employment. For information on how to update your information, visit the Update Your Account .

During the HRD review process or during the life of the applicable eligible list(s), candidates must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with any submitted document copies.

Refunds:There will be no refunds of the examination processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.

Private School or Service:HRD does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.

Supplemental Information:

Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Inquiries may also be made to HRD Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., at the following numbers:

Boston area: [phone]

Within Massachusetts: 1-800-392-6178

TTY Number: [phone]

Employer Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Address 100 Cambridge Street
6th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114