FIRE FIGHTER TRAINEE

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston’s Fire Department is seeking candidates for the position of Non-Certified Fire Fighter / Emergency Medical Technician Trainee through the Civil Service examination process.

Opening and closing dates are provided; online applications are accepted, and testing slots will be filled as applications are reviewed. Training covers fire suppression, EMS, and paramedic pathways with immunization requirements and rank-based progression.

Qualifications

• Age: must be at least 18 but not older than 35 at time of exam.
• Education/military: five credit hours or two years military service required by Civil Service Exam date.

Responsibilities

• Participates in classroom lectures, seminars, and practical training sessions.
• Receives and participates in training in fire suppression and emergency medical services up to paramedic certification.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations, and instruction in hydraulics, pump operation, maintenance, fire suppression, rescue, and EMS.

Education

Fifteen (15) accredited college credit hours

Two (2) years of full-time active military service with an honorable discharge

Job description

Position Overview

FIRE FIGHTERS’ AND POLICE OFFICERS’ CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION CITY OF HOUSTON EXAMINATION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE POSITION OF

NON-CERTIFIED FIRE FIGHTER / EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN TRAINEE

HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Opening Date: July 2, 2025

Closing Date: June 1, 2027

Minimum Requirements

Per Chapter 143.023 of the Tex. Loc. Gov’t code, a person may not take an entrance examination for a beginning position in the fire department unless the person is at least 18 years of age but not 36 years of age or older. A person may not be certified as eligible for a beginning position in the fire department if the person is 36 years of age or older.

• Fifteen (15) accredited college credit hours OR
• Two (2) years of full-time active military service with an honorable discharge as stipulated on a DD214 Member 4

Applicant must meet the above requirements by the Civil Service Exam date.

Training & Responsibilities

Participates in classroom lectures, seminars, and practical training sessions as directed by the Houston Fire Department.

• Receives and participates in various types of training in fire suppression and emergency medical services up to and including paramedic certification.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations, and instruction in hydraulics, pump operation, maintenance, fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services.

Preferences

ONLY online applications will be accepted.

To apply, go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/houston. Online applications will be accepted until all testing slots are filled.

Exam Dates

• 02/24/2026
• 06/05/2026
• 01/15/2027
• 06/11/2027

Exam Time: 9:30am

Exam Location: Harris County Department of Education Bldg., 6300 Irvington Blvd, Houston, TX 77022

• Bring your driver’s license or other photo ID.
• Due to the high volume of applications received, you will be contacted directly via email, should you qualify to take the exam. You will receive an email with the date to report to the testing site for the exam.

General Information

• Immunizations/shot records will be required prior to starting the training academy.
• The minimum passing score is 70 percent on the written examination before the extra five (5) points for qualified veterans are added.
• Per Chapter 143.025 of the Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code, an additional five points shall be added to the examination grade of an applicant who served in the United States armed forces, received an honorable discharge, and made a passing grade on the examination. Applicants who are eligible for extra military points must scan and attach a copy of their DD214 (Member-4) to their electronic application or send a copy. The last day to submit a DD214 is the date of the Civil Service Exam. No DD214s will be accepted at the test site.
• Texas Commission of Fire Protection State Fire Fighters Certification and Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Emergency Medical Technician Certification(s) will be subject to verification by the Human Resources Department.
• Texas Department of State Health Services Emergency Medical Technicians Certification as a Paramedic will be subject to verification by the Human Resources Department.
• An applicant may not take the examination for an eligibility list more than once.
• The eligibility list created as a result of this examination will be effective for a period of not less than 6 months or more than 12 months as determined by the Civil Service Commission.
• Passing applicants will be referred to the Human Resources Department Classified Careers & Services Division to continue processing. Any falsification in the application process will result in disqualification. Applicants must pass and complete all phases of the hiring process (civil service exam, physical ability test, interview, background, psychological exam, immunizations, drug screen, medical examination).
• HFD reserves the right to discontinue consideration in the hiring process based on an applicant conduct or verification of certain disqualifying factors.
• Must not have ever been convicted of or received community supervision or probation for a Felony or a Class A Misdemeanor.
• Any Misdemeanor charge or divert/deferred adjudication or similar program may require an active TDSHS EMT certification prior to job offer.
• Applicants’ eligibility for hiring will be determined in rank order from the eligibility list.

Special Accommodations

Please email Classified Testing at [e-mail]. You must submit the necessary documents 2 weeks before the exam date.

Date of Announcement

December 20, 2025

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F