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Iowa City Civil Service Commission certifies entry-level firefighter eligibility list
Summary
At its April 21 meeting the Iowa City Civil Service Commission certified a rank-ordered eligibility list for entry-level firefighters after staff described a recruitment process that uses police-officer physical fitness standards instead of the CPAT.
Iowa City Civil Service Commission members on April 21 voted to certify an entry-level firefighter eligibility list after staff outlined the department's recruitment and testing process.
Staff described a recruitment cycle that will accept applications for about three to four weeks, offer candidates the option of taking the written test remotely or in a proctored on-site session, and administer the physical fitness test and any paper written tests on the same test day followed by interviews. "We would accept applications for about 3 to 4 weeks," said Speaker 2, a staff member. The commission then moved to certify the list; the motion passed with all in favor.
The certified list is rank-ordered and will be used to fill turnover positions as needed. Staff said there is one currently open position but the department expects to rely on the list extensively because many firefighters are approaching retirement. "This list is usually just to fill turnover positions," Speaker 2 said.
Why it matters: the certified list establishes a pool of eligible candidates that the fire department can hire from as vacancies arise. Staff said the department has a probationary recruit training program where new hires acquire job-specific skills before they are released from probation.
Testing and standards Staff described continuing use of testing products from IPMA (now PSHRA) and said the department moved away from the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) to a general physical fitness assessment using the same standards the department uses for police officer fitness testing. Speaker 2 explained the rationale: the CPAT requires specialized equipment and mandated orientation/practice sessions, while the fitness assessment involves more universal exercises candidates can prepare for without travel or special equipment. "There’s really no mystery to what's involved in a run, sit ups, and push ups," Speaker 2 said.
Staff said the last recruitment cycle used the new fitness standards and the most recent certified list contained 11 names, of which the department hired nine or 10. "The last list had 11 names on it, and you've hired 9 or 10," Speaker 2 said during the discussion.
Selection and authority Commission discussion referenced statutory authority governing certification and selection. Speaker 3 noted that under "chapter 400" the fire chief has discretion to select from the certified list. "Under chapter 400, I believe, we, the fire chief has latitude to select, really anywhere on the list," Speaker 3 said; Speaker 3 added that in practice staff tries to hire in order unless there is a compelling reason not to.
Process details and candidate handling Staff said candidates who pass both the written and physical tests will be interviewed and that the department commits to interviewing everyone who passes both assessments. Staff also described maintaining a recruitment mailing list with several hundred names to notify interested candidates of upcoming recruitments. Speaker 2 described occasional scheduling issues in which a candidate asked to be held for a later hiring opportunity, causing some movement in the list order.
Formal action A motion to certify the entry-level firefighter testing list was made and seconded. The commission voted in favor; no members opposed the motion. The commission then adjourned.
Next steps Staff said they will complete the assessment and interview process, then return to the commission with a recommended hiring list for appointment consideration.
