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1. Home
2. Recruitment
3. Retained Firefighters
4. Recruitment process

Recruitment process

Vacancy Advertised

Advertisements are placed in local newspapers or distributed via by letterbox drops, entered in school or sporting group newsletters, signs placed in appropriate locations or a combination of any of the above to ensure that the widest pool of applicants is reached.

Applications Received

Applicants are required to submit an application which is typed or legibly written.  The applications must be received before the time and date specified.

• Request an application for your area
  

Applications Short Listed

Applicants will be short listed and invited to attend an interview if their application demonstrates that they meet the advertised selection criteria
The selection panel will undertake a preliminary assessment of applicants. This will be based on written applications. This is to identify the most likely applicants for further assessment.

Applicants are excluded, who:

• do not satisfy the selection criteria
  
• show evidence that their skills, knowledge and experience are not competitive with other applicants, or
  
• are ineligible for appointment.
  

Short Listed Applicants invited to attend an Interview

Short listed applicants are invited to attend an interview. Applicants are provided with three working days notice of the interview date.

Interviews Conducted, Referees Contacted, Selection Tests Held (e.g. Employee Health Assessment etc) Criminal Records Checks undertaken

The interview is part of the selection process in which all applicants that are invited to attend the interview will be asked the same questions based on the selection criteria. In the interview all applicants will have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their claim for the position.

In the interview, you must demonstrate your abilities, experience, knowledge and personal qualities, as well as your communication skills.

• Preparing for and undertaking the interview

Referee checks will be conducted on all applicants that are found suitable based on the application and interview. Applicants are required to provide two referees who have recently been their supervisors in a working role. Applicants who have not previously been employed may nominate other referees.

Applicants who have been successful based on the application and interview and whose referee checks are reported as satisfactory, will be required to undertake a medical assessment by a local medical practitioner.

You will be required to undertake a 'Firefighter Employment Health Assessment', with your local doctor. At the time of your doctor's appointment you will be required to complete a number of routine medical tests, to enable the doctor to complete the Health Assessment. You are then required to send all the completed Health Assessment forms and any associated medical reports (for circumstances where you have had an injury or illness), to the Brigades’ Medical Officer. These forms provide valuable information required by the Brigades' Medical Officer to assess your ability to perform the inherent requirements and job demands of the position of Retained Firefighter. If the completed Health Assessment is satisfactory, you will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.

All successful applicants are checked for a criminal record. If you reach this stage and have a criminal record you will be asked to attend the NSW Fire Brigades for another interview to discuss the nature of the criminal record.

Offers Made to Successful Applicant(s) - Unsuccessful Applicant(s) Notified

Once the recommendation of appointment has been approved, if you are successful, you will be sent a letter of offer for the position which will include an acceptance of appointment form and other relevant paperwork that you will need to complete and return. This letter of offer will also contain a statement of duties and information on training requirements.

If you have not been successful, you will be notified in writing.

Post Selection Feedback

The purpose of post selection counselling is to provide constructive feedback to applicants, which will assist them in future job applications and interviews.