Hiring Process

James City County Fire Department typically conducts two hiring processes each year, however, the 2023B (Fall) process is postponed until Spring 2024. If you had already applied for the 2023B process, your application will remain active and automatically included in the 2024A process.

Applications remain open year-round. You may contact the Recruitment Office for any questions. Thank you.

Session >
2023B & 2024A2024B
*If you apply between these dates...5/12/2023
5/9/2024		5/10/2024
10/10/2024
Eligibility Session (in-person times to be determined, virtual attendance is optional)5/17/2024
5/18/2024		10/18/2024
10/19/2024
Panel Interviews
(if selected)
5/30/2024
5/31/2024
6/3/2024
6/4/2024
10/31/2024
11/1/2024
11/4/2024
11/6/2024
Applicant Physical Ability Test (APAT) Familiarization (optional attendance for invited participants)
6/8/202411/9/2024
Applicant Physical Ability Test (by invitation only)
6/15/202411/16/2024

Note: If multiple dates are listed, you are only required to attend one for each event; dates may be added or removed based on the number of applicants.

*If an applicant is unable to attend mandatory Eligibility Session, APAT, and Panel Interviews in the current session, he or she may attend in the next session.

Selection

We honor the high level of public trust given to our personnel by conducting a rigorous selection process. We want to be the Fire Department most admired for our people and performance.

APATSteps

After a preliminary application review and, if selected, you will be contacted by a recruiter to register for the following: 

If you are given a conditional offer of employment, the following post-offer checks are conducted:

  • Background investigation
  • Medical/physical examination
  • Drug screening

Background Investigations

Background investigations are conducted by the Fire Marshal's Office and include:

  • Review of completed questionnaire
  • Polygraph examination
  • Criminal history
  • Sex offender registry check
  • Driving record
  • Credit history
  • Neighborhood survey
  • Character reference check
  • Employment records check

Hiring Pool

Those who satisfactorily complete the background investigation and post-offer checks will be placed in a pool for further consideration. A permanent offer of employment will be made to individuals selected from this pool based on the needs of the department and the number of positions available. This pool of applicants will remain active until one year has passed.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this process please contact the Fire Department Recruitment Coordinator.