Probationary Lateral Firefighter

City-of-Lubbock,-T; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 61,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lubbock is seeking Probationary Lateral Firefighters to join Lubbock Fire Rescue. Applications are open online from September 9, 2026, to October 2, 2026. The lateral entrance exam is scheduled for October 8, 2026 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, with a 7:30 a.m.

arrival and 8:30 a.m. doors closing. Candidates must meet age, service and certification requirements; preference points may be earned for a Texas paramedic credential or honorable discharge.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 and not older than 36 on exam date.
• Have 24 months of verified full-time firefighting service.
• No more than 60 days break between fire-service employments.
• Meet all eligibility and appointment requirements.

Skills

Age requirement

Verified service

No long breaks

Eligibility basics

Education

Texas EMT-Basic or higher

TCFP Basic Structure Firefighter

Tools

Fire service

Job description

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB DESCRIPTION

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS JOB POSTING.

The City of Lubbock will accept applications for the Probationary Lateral Firefighter positions between 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2026, through 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2026.

All applications for this exam must be completed online and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date of October 2, 2026.

The Probationary Firefighter Lateral Entrance Exam will be given on October 8, 2026 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center located at 1501 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX at 8:30 a.m. All applicants should plan to arrive at 7:30 a.m.; doors will close at 8:30 a.m. (no exceptions). A valid, government-issued photo identification is required for admittance to the exam.

The physical ability test is tentatively scheduled to occur immediately following the conclusion of the written exam at Fire Station No. 19, 5826 98th Street Lubbock, TX 79424. Applicants who proceed to the physical ability test must bring their Government Issued ID as well as wear long pants and proper footwear. Footwear with open heel or an open toe may not be worn.

Starting Salary: $71,307.64 Annual / $2,742.60 Bi-Weekly / $34.283 Hourly

Detailed information on Lateral Firefighter salary and pay determination can be found on LubbockFireRescue.com

Minimum Qualifications & Lateral Definition

• Be at least 18 years of age and not 36 years of age or older on the date of the applicable entrance examination.
• Have at least 24 months of Verified Serviceas a full-time, paid firefighter with qualifying governmental fire department or fire-service agencies. Applicants with fewer than 24 months of verified full-time fire service experience are still encouraged to apply.
• Generally, have no break exceeding 60 consecutive calendar days between separation from the applicant’s most recent qualifying fire-service employer and submission of the application.
• Meet all applicable eligibility and appointment requirements.

Definitions and Exceptions

Verified Service means full-time, paid service as a firefighter with one or more municipal, county, state, federal, military, or other governmental fire departments or recognized fire-service agencies.

Exception to the 24-Month Requirement

The Fire Chief and the Lubbock Professional Fire Fighters Association may jointly approve an exception to the 24-month service requirement on a case-by-case basis.

Certification and Honorable Discharge Credit Requirements

At the time of application, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Texas-Certified Applicants must possess:

• Current Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Basic Structure Firefighter certification; AND
• Current Texas EMT-Basic, or higher, certification.

Out-of-State Applicants:

• Firefighter and emergency medical certifications issued by another state or recognized certifying authority that are eligible for Texas reciprocity or equivalency.
• Applicants utilizing reciprocity or equivalency must obtain the required TCFP Basic Structure Firefighter and Texas EMT-Basic, or higher, certification before appointment.

All applicants who wish to receive Honorable Discharge Credit for service in the Armed Forces of the United States must provide proof of an Honorable Discharge (e.g., DD Form 214 Service 2, DD Form 214 Member 4, DD Form 214 Service 7, or Chain of Command official letterhead). Any discharge, by whatever name known, that includes language other than “Honorable Discharge” is not acceptable for this credit.

Entrance Exam & Physical Agility Testing

The lateral hiring process includes a Lateral Firefighter Knowledge Examination, which is a professional firefighting knowledge examination scored on a 100-point scale. Applicants must achieve a minimum passing score of 70% before preference points are added. Eligible applicants may receive 10 preference points for holding a current Texas DSHS Paramedic certification and 5 preference points for an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces, for a maximum of 15 preference points. Applicants are then ranked on the Lateral Eligibility List based on their written examination score plus any applicable preference points. Candidates must also successfully complete the Lubbock Fire Rescue Physical Fitness Assessment, which is scored on a pass/fail basis.

Questions concerning the application process, DD214s, or the written exam should be directed to the Civil Service Director, Elizabeth Lara, at 806-775-2277 or [e-mail]. For any other questions, please contact Fire Deputy Chief Kevin Ivy at 806-775-2649 or [e-mail].