Fire Cadet Hiring Process

The District's Fire Cadet Academy consists of instruction in firefighting tactics, emergency medical training, physical fitness, and safe practices. The ideal candidate is an individual who is highly interested in serving the community as a Firefighter/EMT.

If accepted into the academy, the anticipated start date will be September 29th, 2025. After successfully completing the academy, cadets will be eligible for probationary regular full-time employment.

Successful completion of the Fire Cadet Academy includes the following:

• Obtaining the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Structural Firefighter certification.
• Obtaining the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMT-Basic certification.
• Obtaining the Texas Department of State Health Services EMT-Basic certification.
• Successful completion of the IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and meeting the requirements set forth in NFPA 1582, Standard on Medical Requirements for Firefighters.
• Satisfactory periodic evaluations that meet the District's performance requirements.

Cadets undergo approximately six months of extensive academic and physical training, usually Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cadets will receive full benefits, and training pay is $21.25/hour while assigned to the Cadet Academy. Upon successful completion of
the Cadet Academy and hiring as a Probationary Firefighter, compensation will be approximately $62,000/annually.

**Some facilities that are required to be used for Cadet Academy training activities will require a record of COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption.  Vaccination is not required for employment eligibility. If a candidate cannot comply with the facility requirements, the candidate may be removed from the Cadet Program, and employment will be terminated. 

The following are the minimum requirements for a cadet. All requirements must be met at the time of application:

• AGE: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age before the start of employment.
• EDUCATION: Must possess a U.S. high school diploma or equivalent.
• CITIZENSHIP: U.S. (birth or naturalized). If you are not a United States' citizen, your immigration status must be current (green card, work visa, etc.) and must permit you to work legally in the United States of America.  Travis County ESD No. 2 does not sponsor work visas or green cards.
• LANGUAGE: Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
• DRIVER LICENSE: Must possess a current valid driver license issued from your state of residence.  Once hired, firefighters are required to obtain and maintain a Texas Class "B" driver’s license, in accordance with District procedures, as a condition of employment.
• SOCIAL SECURITY: Must have a valid social security card.
• ELIGIBILITY FOR FUTURE CERTIFICATIONS: Must meet all legal requirements necessary to become certified by:
  • Texas Commission on Fire Protection
  • Texas Department of State Health Services

If you have any questions about your ability to become certified, please contact the appropriate agency above directly.

Required documents must be uploaded at the time you submit your online application. 

The District will be accepting Cadet applications through 12:00 p.m. (noon) on June 3rd, 2025. Please note: incomplete applications will not be considered.

The following required documents must be uploaded at the time you submit your online application, unless otherwise noted:

• Completed and signed Fire Cadet District Employment Application
• Resume
• U.S. high school diploma or equivalent (If graduating from high school this year, the candidate must provide their diploma prior to the date of interviews.)
• College degree or transcript(s) (If applicable)
• Current valid driver license issued from your state of residence. Once hired, firefighters are required to obtain and maintain a Texas Class "B" driver license, in accordance with District procedures, as a condition of employment.
• Driving Record Check (Type 3A) Click the link to order a driving record.

Candidates must provide and maintain contact information such as telephone, mailing address, and email throughout the recruitment process.

Upon receipt of your application, all required documents, and verification of eligibility, applicants will receive additional instruction via email for each step in the hiring process.

The General Aptitude Exam is designed to test your abilities in areas including, but not limited to, reading comprehension, math, and listening comprehension. No prior knowledge of the fire service is required.

Qualified applicants will receive an email invitation with the assigned exam date, time, and location.  All applicants must attend and pass the written exam to be eligible to move forward in the hiring process.

Test Date: June 14th, 2025

Location: TBD

Must Bring: Valid government-issued photo identification document.

Online NFST-EMS Study Guide (Please select either the Online NFST-EMS Study Guide and/or Practice Test.)

The written exams will take up to three hours.  You must be checked in and seated at the testing site by the time/date of your scheduled exam to participate.  Doors will be Locked Promptly on The Hour.

Questions? Contact Human Resources.

All applicants must attend and pass the Physical Fitness Assessment to be eligible to move forward in the hiring process. After successful completion of the written exam, you will be contacted via email for scheduling.

Push Ups

Minimum:
7 pushups at 80bpm

Standard:
From a full plank position (only feet and hands touching the floor), participants will lower him/herself down to a 5” prop and press all the way up. This must be done in a cadence of 80 beats per minute. Participants will stop when they are no longer able to perform pushups or no longer able to maintain cadence.

Video:
Pushup demo

Side Plank

Minimum:
60 seconds on each side

Standard:
Participants will position their elbow directly under their shoulder and have their forearm flat on the ground. The participants' feet will be stacked on top of each other. The hand of the upper arm will rest on the hip in a bent elbow position. Participants will raise his/her hips off the ground to become a straight line from shoulder to ankles. Participants will hold this position until he/she comes down or is told by a proctor proper form is no longer being held.

Video:
Side Plank demo

5000m bike test

Minimum:
estimated 8 METS VO2 Max (28 mL/Kg/min)

Standard:
Using your completion time of the bike test, your VO2 max will be calculated.  This test will be completed on a Concept2 Bikeerg, set to a specific drag factor. The specific protocol, drag factor, and VO2 Max calculation (as well as further information about the fitness assessment) can be obtained HERE.

You can understand more about VO2 Max by watching this video

Fitness Assessment Trial Day: June 28th, 2025

• The Fitness Assessment Trial Day (attendance optional) will allow candidates to participate in a PORTION of the physical fitness assessment in preparation for the official required assessment:

Fitness Assessment Start Date: Week of July 8th, 2025

Location: TBD

Must Bring: Valid government-issued photo identification document.

All qualified applicants must attend and pass the physical fitness assessment to be eligible to move forward in the hiring process.

This is a professional job interview and should be treated as such. Applicants will be invited to an assigned date, time, and location to attend their panel interview.  During the interview, applicants are invited into a room where they will be asked structured questions by a panel of District staff members. You will be allocated a limited time to make your response and will be scored by the panel after the interview has concluded.

Interview Start Date: Week of July 21st, 2025.

Applicants who have passed all phases of the hiring process and are selected for employment will be given an offer of employment contingent upon the successful completion of the required pre-hire assessments.

Final consideration for acceptance into the Fire Cadet Academy will include upon review by District personnel and under the guidance of our contracted occupational medical provider.

• Criminal Background Check (findings may or may not disqualify a candidate depending on the offense, date of the incident, and severity.  It is recommended to include a detailed explanation of entries on a criminal history).
• Driving Record Check (findings may or may not disqualify a candidate depending on the offense, date of the incident, and severity.  It is recommended to include a detailed explanation of entries on a driving record).
• Health Questionnaire
• Complete bloodwork screening and urine analysis.

Disqualification criteria may include, but is not limited to:

• Evidence of drug or alcohol abuse
• Criminal arrests and convictions
• Crimes involving moral turpitude
• Health findings that are not in compliance with NFPA 1582, Standard on Medical Requirements for Firefighters

Other matters that would prohibit the candidate from being able to comply with District policy; such as tattoos, piercings, grooming, etc. Please see the ADM045 policy for further details or request a copy from HR via email to [email protected].

Hooray... you've made it! You've been selected to begin the District's Cadet Academy with the rest of your cadet class.  You will be notified and expected to report for training and complete any additional pre-employment tasks.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Uniform fitting Date: August 20th, 2025.

Anticipated Start Date: September 29th, 2025.