In Tasmania, trainee firefighter positions are open for application once every year. Advertisement for the positions are usually placed on the following major newspapers: The Advocate, The Examiner, Government Gazette, and The Mercury and also on the on the State Service website www.jobs.tas.gov.au.
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection decisions made by the Tasmania Fire Service are based on the merit principle. With this principle, selection is based on a comparison between the genuine work-related qualities of the position and the work-related qualities of the individuals. Both men and women are encouraged to apply.
For you to be considered for the position, you must successfully complete each stage of the pre-employment selection procedure. Below are some of the stages you must successfully complete:
- WRITTEN APPLICATION ADDRESSING THE SELECTION CRITERIA
You are required to write an application that addresses each of the selection criteria. This criteria is contained in the Statement of Duties. You can get a copy of the statement from www.jobs.tas.gov.au.
- SHORTLISTING
The Tasmania Fire Service appoints a selection panel of four people to make recommendations for appointment. The four members are appointed from a cross-section of TFS employees and in some cases one non-TFS individual will also be appointed. The appointments for trainee firefighters are made based on the selection criteria. If you are shortlisted by the panel, you will be contacted by writing within a period of approximately 2 weeks.
- APTITUDE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Psychological and aptitude tests will be conducted by the Tasmania Fire Service approximately 2 weeks after you received notification that you have been approved to advance to the next stage. This tests usually take about 6 hours in total to complete. You are the one to take care of your food, travel, and personal requirements. The areas covered by the written test are numeracy, literacy, and spatial relations.
After successfully completing the aptitude and psychological assessments, you will receive communication advising on whether you can advance to the next step or not.
- PYSICAL ASSESSMENT
A week after finishing the aptitude assessment, you will be invited to participate in the physical fitness and simulated fire fighting task course test. This is on the basis of your results from the aptitude test and written application and if you are still being considered. A medical report from a medical doctor will be required before undertaking these tests.
Approximately 1 week after the aptitude assessments, applicants still being considered will be invited to participate in the physical fitness and simulated fire fighting task course tests on the basis of their results from the aptitude assessment and written application. To undertake these tests you will have to provide a medical certificate from your Medical doctor for you to undertake these tests.
These are some of the stages in firefighter recruitment Tasmania.