Firefighter Recruitment Process
Updates have been made to the Selection Process section at the bottom of this page. Please review take the time to review.
A Message from the Recruitment Team
Thank you for taking the time to consider joining Oshawa Fire Services as a Firefighter. Built on tradition, yet innovating for the future, we continually work toward being leaders in our field, our Fire Service contributes to the quality of life and safety of our community.
Given our visibility in the community, the vital work we do and the amount of trust the public places on our profession, we expect our staff to act with integrity and demonstrate a strong work ethic. We are looking for employees who strive for excellence, exhibit a selfless sense of duty, and continually look for ways to improve themselves and the department.
Please review this recruitment guide carefully and familiarize with the process and expectations at each stage. The selection process not only tests your physical and technical skills, it also looks at how your personal values fit with the organization.
The City of Oshawa believes one of the key elements of an engaged and innovative workforce is providing employees with a work environment that is supportive, inclusive and respectful. We want Oshawa Fire Services staff to feel a sense of pride and dedication in the work that we do.
We challenge you to look within yourself to see if you have what it takes to meet the expectations of this career. It is a competitive field, before embarking on the process you should ask yourself the following questions:
- What unique skills can you offer our department?
- What sets you apart from the other candidates?
- Can you work in an environment that follows a strict code of conduct and chain of command?
- Can you work twenty-four hour (24) shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and function in an environment where you live and work together in close quarters?
- Can you work in strenuous situations under pressure?
Good luck in the process.
Mission Statement
"To promote and protect the health and well-being of the community through adaptable and progressive education, prevention, and emergency services."
Vision Statement
"To continually pursue and advance a level of professional excellence recognized as the model for the fire service."
Our Values
- Authenticity
- Courage
- Trust
General Information
Career firefighters provide emergency response to a wide variety of occurrences including fires, emergency medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, and alarm system activations. Firefighters are also required to respond in three highly specialized areas of expertise:
- Hazardous materials;
- Technical rescue; and
- Ice/water rescue.
Other duties include, but are not limited to, delivering fire safety public education, performing station duties such as tours, cleaning, maintaining grounds, and call-taking and dispatching duties. You are expected to follow Standard Operating Guidelines and directions to complete tasks as assigned. Maintaining both physical and mental wellness is a key in fulfilling your job requirements.
As a firefighter you will receive extensive and continuous in-service training. This education not only provides knowledge of the latest developments in firefighting and rescue techniques but also covers a wide array of topics such as emergency communications and dispatch, emergency medical procedures, vehicle extrication, firefighter survival skills and fire prevention legislation. Firefighters also use acquired skills to pass knowledge on to the public, promoting fire prevention and safety awareness.
In addition to frequent contact with the public, firefighters also spend periods of time living and working together. Whether it is sharing routine maintenance chores or providing back up at the scene of an emergency, firefighters must be able to take direction without question and work effectively as members of a team of professionals.
Firefighters are members of the Oshawa Professional Firefighters’ Association, Local 465 of the International Association of Firefighters.
Firefighters currently work a twenty-four (24) hour shift schedule, with an average of seven (7) shifts in a twenty-eight (28) day cycle.
Selection Process
Step One: Posting
When a recruitment campaign opens, the opportunity will be posted on the City of Oshawa’s Career Page. To stay informed about future postings, interested applicants are encouraged to join our Talent Network to receive notifications as new positions become available.
Step Two: Mandatory and Preferred Qualifications
Applicants shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older and be legally entitled to work in Canada. Applicants should have a secondary school diploma or academic equivalent and have successfully completed the following:
- Successful completion of N.F.P.A. 1001 Level I/II from an accredited institution, prior to the date of application submission. Note: Institutions within Ontario should be accredited by the O.F.M.; institutions outside of Ontario or Canada, should be accredited by I.F.S.A.C. or ProBoard.
- Successful completion of Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 certificates including the Swim Test through Ontario Fire Administration Incorporated (O.F.A.I.). For more information on assessments, please see the Ontario Fire Administration Incorporated website. All costs associated with these assessments are the responsibility of the applicant.
- At the time of application, all applicants must apply online and have successfully completed all seven (7) mandatory assessment components through the O.F.A.I. The seven (7) mandatory components are:
- Stage 1: Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test
- Stage 2: Hearing Assessment, Vision Assessment, Encapsulated Treadmill Test Assessment
- Stage 3: Firefighter Physical Aptitude Job – Related Tests (F.P.A.T.), Firefighter Technical Skills Assessment
- O.F.A.I. Swim Test
Candidates will receive a certificate after successfully completing each stage.
Candidates are not able to complete all assessments at the same time and will be required to follow the mandatory guidelines outlined through the O.F.A.I.
Please be advised that the City of Oshawa will not accept expired certifications and candidates must be fully certified in the above at the time of application.
Applicants should also meet the following requirements:
- Minimum one (1) year of prior full-time work experience. Fire suppression, construction, trades, mechanical, emergency medical, large vehicle operation or fire prevention related experience is an asset.
- Possession of a current and valid minimum level Standard First Aid and C.P.R. “C” Certificate or higher (e.g., E.M.R.) issued prior to the date of application submission.
- Possession of a current and valid minimum level Standard First Aid Certificate, issued by a W.S.I.B. approved First Aid Trainer prior to the date of application submission.
- Possession and maintenance of a valid unrestricted Ontario Driver’s License, minimum class D or higher with a Z endorsement. Applicants with more than six (6) demerit points are ineligible for consideration.
- Ability to work twenty-four (24) hour shifts, including days/nights, weekends and holidays.
- Must be physically fit and able to handle the sustained, intense physical and psychological effort required to perform duties of this position.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team, strong interpersonal and customer service skills for interacting with the public and internal staff.
- Demonstrated initiative, mechanical aptitude and problem solving skills.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively under demanding conditions.
Step Three: Job Interview
The interview panel may consist of City of Oshawa Fire Services and Human Resource Services representatives. The interview questions will be a combination of situational, behavioural and practical based questions. These questions are designed to probe your professional experience, the core competencies of an Oshawa firefighter and the City’s core values.
Step Four: Reference Checks
You will be asked to provide two (2) supervisory references for the City to contact. The references that you provide must be someone that has supervised your work directly. The City will not accept personal, coworker or professor/teacher references.
Step Five: Job Offer
Successful candidates will receive a job offer that is conditional upon:
- Pre-employment medical;
- Ministry of Transportation Driver’s Abstract; and,
- Providing a cleared Criminal Record Check including a Vulnerable Sector Search that has been performed within the last six (6) months.
Employment Commencement
New recruits will undergo in-house training prior to being placed on shift.
There is a twelve-month (12) probationary period in which extensive in-service training will continue. New recruits not meeting performance expectations during this training period may be terminated.
Additional Information
Please ensure that you read all information closely before reaching out with additional questions to Human Resource Services at [email protected]. Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application.