*Firefighter

City of San Marcos, TX; San Marcos (TX); On-site; USD 63,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Marcos, TX is conducting a Civil Service Examination to establish an eligibility list for hiring Firefighters. The test process includes written testing, physical agility, and certification pathways, with submission deadlines and location listed for the San Marcos Fire Department.

Applicants must meet age, education, licensing, and certification requirements, and pass the written and physical portions as part of the selection process.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years old and not have reached 41st birthday.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED.
• Be able to read and write English.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and have a driving record acceptable to the City of San Marcos.
• Be able to obtain a Texas Class B driver’s license within one year after employment.
• Submit a complete application and all required supporting documents by the published deadline.
• Meet all other Civil Service requirements and regulations.
• Satisfy both the Fire Certification Pathway and EMS Certification Pathway on the date of the entrance examination.

Responsibilities

• Participate in training classes, skills practice, and drills to enhance job-related skills and abilities.
• Respond safely to fire/medical/emergency calls for assistance.
• Operate within the Incident Management System and departmental procedures.
• Communicate with individuals and crew to ensure coordination of apparatus and personnel.
• Maintain personal gear, inspections and routine duties as assigned.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

NOTICE OF CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION

FIREFIGHTER

San Marcos, Texas

The City of San Marcos will conduct a Civil Service Examination in order to establish an eligibility list for hiring Firefighters. This eligibility list will be in effect for a period of one year from the test date or until the list has been exhausted, whichever occurs first.

All REQUIRED documents must be submitted by the posting closing date: Friday, October 9th.

Written Test Date: Monday, October 19, 2026

Time: 8:30am (Doors open at 7:30am and promptly close at 8:30am – no admittance after 8:30am)

Test site: San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, Texas 78666

Physical Agility Exercise (PAE): Candidates successfully completing the written exam should be prepared to complete a portion of the Physical Agility Exercise that same day. The swim exercise will occur at 1:00pm, on October 19th, upon verification of a passing score on the written exam. Candidates successfully completing the swim test will be required to report to Station 5 for the remainder of the Physical Agility Exercise, the following day.

Event: Physical Agility Exercise

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Time: Roll Call: TBD based on number of candidates

Place: San Marcos Fire Station #5, 100 Carlson Circle, San Marcos, Texas 78666

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age and not have reached the applicant’s forty-first (41st) birthday.
2. Possess a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate issued by an authorized education agency.
3. Be able to read and write English.
4. Possess a valid driver’s license and have a driving record acceptable to the City of San Marcos.
5. Be able to obtain a Texas Class B driver’s license within one (1) year after employment.
6. Submit a complete application and all required supporting documents by the published deadline.
7. Meet all other applicable Civil Service requirements and regulations.

In addition, the applicant must satisfy both the Fire Certification Pathway and EMS Certification Pathway below.

FIRE CERTIFICATION PATHWAY

The applicant must meet one of the following on the date of the entrance examination:

1. Hold a current Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification or higher; or
2. Hold current out-of-state structural firefighter credentials or possess completed structural firefighter training that is eligible for transfer, records review, skills evaluation, examination, or other applicable consideration by TCFP toward Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification. Out-of-state applicants must provide sufficient certification and training documentation for the City and TCFP to verify the applicable Texas certification pathway. The City does not independently determine that another jurisdiction’s credentials are equivalent to TCFP certification.

EMS CERTIFICATION PATHWAY

The applicant must meet one of the following on the date of the entrance examination:

1. Hold a current Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) EMT certification or higher; or
2. Hold a current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification at the EMT level or higher and be eligible to pursue the corresponding Texas DSHS certification through reciprocity or another applicable Texas certification process. National Registry certification must remain active and valid while the applicant completes the Texas DSHS certification process.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates must have applied online by October 9, 2026 and present a valid picture identification (i.e. driver’s license, ID card, etc.) to be admitted into the test site. Roll call will begin at 8:30am. Candidates not in attendance for roll call will not be permitted to take the test.

WRITTEN TEST RULES & INFORMATION

1. Absolutely no talking during the exam except directly to the proctor(s).
2. No reading the questions or answers out loud, for any reason.
3. Any person requiring reasonable accommodations to take the examination shall make such accommodations known to the Civil Service Director, in writing, no later than 10 business days prior to the examination.
4. Personal items will not be allowed in the testing room (i.e. hats, purses, briefcases, cell phones, pagers, food, drinks, etc.). No one will be permitted to leave the building after the test has started until their test has been turned in.
5. No electronic devices are permitted inside the room during the examination.

WRITTEN TEST FORMAT

The City of San Marcos’ entry-level firefighter examination tests candidates’ ability to learn, remember, and apply information, reading comprehension, interests, situational judgment, and logical and mathematical reasoning ability. The examination is a two-part process. The first part is reading and review of a study booklet containing firefighter-related information. You will be given exactly twenty (20) minutes to read the booklet. During this time, you should read and learn as much of the information you can. The second portion is a multiple-choice written examination. You will be tested on how much of the information you can remember. You will not be able to take notes when reading the study materials or to refer to the study booklet during the test. A study guide is available for purchase from our test provider, IPMA-HR.

SCORING

• A score of 70%, or more, is passing.
• Candidates who pass and meet the criteria outlined above for additional points, receive a maximum of 5 additional points to increase their final score.
• An eligibility list will be established by listing candidates in order by Texas Department of State Health Services “DSHS” Emergency Medical Services Certification and candidate’s final score. In the event of a tie in final score, the order will be determined by the date of receipt of application with the earliest date and time taking priority.

Additional Points

Candidates who pass the examination with a score of 70% or more may be eligible to receive a maximum of eight (8) additional points as outlined below.

The required documents must be attached through the application process by October 9th to be eligible for the additional points:

• Section 1: Prior Military Experience (eligible for a maximum of 5 points)
  1. Two (2) years prior military experience with Honorable Discharge from the United States Armed Forces (5 points) *
• Section 2: Education (eligible for a maximum of 5 points)
  1. Bachelor’s Degree or greater (3 points)
  2. Completion of a social science bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree (5 points) **

Note: The maximum additional points for candidates having points in Section 1 and Section 2 is 8 points.

* To be eligible for military experience points, the applicant must provide a valid DD214 form by October 9th, which shows at least two (2) years of service from the United Sates Armed Forces with an honorable discharge status.

** To be eligible for education points, the applicant must provide transcripts showing an advanced degree has been conferred by October 9th. Degrees may include a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate degree. A two-year associate degree is not eligible for points. A degree must be obtained from an institution of higher education that is accredited or authorized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or an international college or university evaluated and accepted by a United States accredited college or university. The degree or major area of study must be either in social work, sociology, psychology, human services, or human relations.

The Eligibility List will be posted on the City’s webpage by 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 23, 2026.

TEXAS CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER

Mandatory deadline: To be eligible to receive a conditional job offer, an applicant must obtain and provide proof of both required Texas certifications by the date of the conditional job offer.

1. Current TCFP Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification or higher; and
2. Current Texas DSHS EMT certification or higher.

Qualifying out-of-state and National Registry credentials permit an applicant to participate in the entrance and selection process; they do not replace the Texas certifications required by the date of the conditional job offer. Failure to obtain and provide both Texas certifications by that date will result in disqualification from further consideration.

Applicants using an out-of-state or National Registry pathway are strongly encouraged to begin the applicable TCFP and DSHS processes immediately. Applicants may be required to provide documentation during the hiring process showing that the Texas certification processes have been initiated and are progressing.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS

Applicants are responsible for determining and completing all TCFP and Texas DSHS requirements. Acceptance into the San Marcos hiring process does not guarantee that either state agency will issue a Texas certification. Applicants should contact TCFP and DSHS directly regarding individual eligibility, required documentation, fees, testing, fingerprinting, and processing time.

CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION

Applicants should be prepared to provide applicable documentation, including:

1. TCFP certification record or wallet verification;
2. IFSAC seals, including Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Hazardous Materials Operations, when applicable;
3. Out-of-state certification records, academy transcripts, course records, or TCFP records-review documentation;
4. Texas DSHS certification verification or a current National Registry certification; and
5. Evidence of applications, fingerprinting, jurisprudence requirements, records review, skills evaluation, testing, or other steps required by TCFP or DSHS.

STARTING SALARY:

$69,451.75 Annually

Incentive Pay

Firefighters are eligible to receive incentive pay for Education, Advanced TCFP Certifications, and/or Advanced EMS certifications (see below for more information)

Hiring Incentive:

Candidates hired from this list will be eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive with $2,500 at hire and $2,500 upon successful completion of the probationary period.

Lateral Entry:

The Lateral Entry Program provides candidates with at least one (1) year prior full-time work experience in a comparable fire/EMS agency, with no break in service of 180 days or more, with the ability to start above the first step of the pay scale. The Fire Chief makes the decision regarding eligibility for lateral entry. Placement may be up to step 19.08 of the pay scale based on years of experience in a comparable agency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Hiring Preference: Preference in hiring shall be made based on TCFP and Emergency Medical Services (National Registry, DSHS Licensed, or DSHS Certification) Certification levels as follows:
• In order to properly train our personnel to provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, personnel who are hired that are not already Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and/or National Registry Paramedics will be detailed to attend Paramedic (EMT-P) level emergency medical training.
• These individuals will be required to satisfactorily complete the Paramedic training and qualify for National Registry Certification.
• Failure to satisfactorily complete and continuously maintain the Paramedic level certification and qualify for acceptance by the San Marcos Fire Department’s Medical Director as such for the duration of employment constitutes good and sufficient cause for termination.
• The Fire Chief may consider the candidate’s failure to remove his/her name from any and all other fire department’s eligibility list(s), and provide verification as requested, as a good and sufficient reason to pass over that candidate for initial appointment to a beginning position.
• Candidates will be considered in accordance with the Candidate Preference Matrix in Article 3 of the Meet and Confer Agreement. A candidate’s preference category will be determined by the highest qualifying fire and EMS credentials held and verifiable on the date of the written entrance examination. For preference purposes, a current National Registry EMS certification will be treated the same as a current Texas DSHS certification at the corresponding level, and qualifying out-of-state fire credentials will be treated the same as TCFP Basic Structure Fire Protection Personnel certification, subject to verification.
• Credentials obtained after the written entrance examination will not change a candidate’s preference category or position on the eligibility list. Within each applicable preference category, examination candidates will be ordered by their final examination grade, including authorized additional points.
• An applicant relying on National Registry or qualifying out-of-state credentials must obtain both the required TCFP and Texas DSHS certifications by the date of the conditional job offer. This is a condition of continued eligibility and does not reclassify or rerank the applicant.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Fire/Medical/Emergency Preparedness and Training:

• Participate in training classes, skills practice, and drills to enhance job-related skills and abilities;
• Facilitate the training of other members so they are properly trained to carry out their assigned duties - including planning, developing, conducting, and/or evaluating formal or informal sessions, drills, classes, or skills;
• Attend external lectures, seminars, courses, etc. and read external documents (e.g. professional trade publications) to stay current in emergency service operations;
• Read internal e-mails, memos, guidelines, policies, and procedures to keep apprised of new developments in departmental operations and procedures;
• Participate in physical fitness activities to maintain physical conditioning.

Fire/Medical/Emergency Operations:

• Respond safely to fire/medical/emergency calls for assistance;
• Stretch a hose line or use an extinguisher to deliver water, foam, or other extinguishing agents to an emergency scene;
• Operate within the Incident Management System and departmental operating procedures;
• Communicate with individuals/crew while en route to and at the emergency scene to ensure appropriate coordination of apparatus and personnel;
• Safeguard self and others at all times;
• Respond quickly to unforeseen circumstances as they arise;
• Ensure the scene is free of any remaining hazards, equipment, or trash associated with the emergency response;
• Minimize distress and suffering, including giving direct medical assistance; perform triage and stabilize patients by following established emergency medical treatment protocols;
• Examine incident scene and preserve evidence to help determine the cause of a fire or other emergency;
• Review, complete, file, distribute, forward, and record information in logs, forms, reports, and systems;
• May be assigned to work on special teams or assignments which may call for special abilities and knowledge attained through experience and training;
• Perform at the operations-level, or technician-level when trained and certified, at technical rescue operations;
• Perform at the technician-level at hazardous material operations.

Public Education and Public Relations Activities:

• Engage in activities which have a positive impact on the Department’s image within the community including: public education, assistance, and other related initiatives;
• Participate as a Fire Department representative at community events, as assigned;
• Assist in the resolution of problems or questions referred by Fire Department staff, City administrators or employees, City Council, and/or the public.

Pre-planning, Inspection, and Investigation Activities:

• Maintain familiarity with local streets and buildings within the city;
• Tour commercial and non-commercial buildings and sites to gather pre-incident planning information;
• Utilize Department software to create electronic pre-incident plans of schools, apartments, churches, commercial buildings, etc.;
• Inspect buildings and premises for hazards and compliance with adopted fire codes, follow-up on complaints, and assist in the investigation of arson cases;
• Test hydrants for operational use, provide seasonal maintenance, and properly document results.

Routine Duties:

• Inspect, clean, and maintain personal gear and equipment to ensure proper and safe operation;
• Perform general cleaning, maintenance, and upkeep of Department property;
• Clean and perform maintenance checks and servicing on all assigned apparatus and equipment, making minor repairs, and referring repair needs to the appropriate personnel;
• Assist with returning equipment and apparatus to service;
• May be assigned to act in the capacity of Fire Engineer, performing said duties (see Fire Engineer’s job description).

Lifting/Carrying:

• Lifting 28 lb Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) from ground to full extension of arms overhead;
• Lifting to waist level and carrying a 105 lb. roll of 5" diameter hose 12’;
• ... (continued list items omitted for brevity)

... (remaining lifting, pushing/pulling, reaching, bending, climbing, hearing/talking, vision, standing/walking, fine dexterity, foot controls, endurance/stamina, sensory, combination) ...

... (the rest of the detailed functional descriptors continue in the same pattern) ...