Hiring Process

Qualifications

You must successfully submit a application to Human Resouces.
Applications for employment are only accepted during open recruitment.
Open recruitment occurs periodically as dictated by operational needs.

Pass a background screening including:

State and national criminal history checks
Driver’s license record checks
Employment verifications
Educational verifications
Certification verification
Reference checks

Education

- - High school graduate or equivalent
  Work history
  - Work history can’t include:
    
    Discharge or resignation to avoid discharge within the last five years for
    
    neglect of duties
    
    violation of job safety standards
    
    violation of rules or standards regarding conduct toward the public
    
    violation of rules and standards governing punctuality and dependability
    
    inability to meet performance/training standards in a similar kind of work
    
    Past acts that would indicate you are a poor employment risk
    
    Employment as a firefighter/and or paramedic and you appropriated money, property or evidence for personal use or purpose
    
    Omission of any material employment information
  Driving Record
  Driving record can’t include:
  - One conviction within 5 years prior to the date of employment of any of the following:
    1. Voluntary and Involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
    2. Failing to stop and render aid, as required under any applicable State or Federal law, in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another
    3. Attempting to elude police
  - One conviction within 3 years prior to the date of employment of any of the following:
    1. Driving a motor vehicle or being in actual physical control while having an unlawful blood alcohol level or while being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any other illegal substances controlled under any State or Federal law
    2. Reckless driving
    3. Driver license suspension for failure to submit to a chemical test for impairment (either breathalyzer or blood test)
  - One conviction within 3 years prior the date of employment of any of the following:
    1. Driving a motor vehicle while the driver’s license is suspended or revoked for reason’s other than financial responsibility (ie insurance proof requirement)
    2. Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage of more than $50
    3. Unlawful speeding resulting in an accident
  - Suspended driver’s license within 2 years prior to the date of employment due to:
    1. Failure to attend court ordered driving schools
    2. Failure to pay two or more traffic fines. The circumstances resulting in the non-payment of only one traffic fine will be evaluated on a individual basis and may or may not disqualify the applicant
    3. Financial responsibility suspensions (i.e. insurance proof requirement) will be evaluated on an individual basis and may or may not disqualify the applicant
  - Traffic conviction record in which the accumulation of points resulted in the suspension of a driver’s license within 4 years prior to the date of employment
  - Seven points or greater within 2 years prior to the date of employment
  - Any two convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance
  Criminal Conduct:
  - Criminal conduct can’t include:
    
    Convicted of, pled nolo contendere to, or had adjudication withheld for any charge of a felony crime within 10 years prior to the date of employment
    
    Convicted of, pled nolo contendere to, had adjudication withheld for a misdemeanor offense AND it has not been 3 years since the expiration of sentence
    
    Current probation following any criminal conviction
    
    Pending felony or misdemeanor charges
    
    If you have an arrest record, we will review it on an individual basis and may consider disqualifications due to the number of instances and totality of circumstances
  - Controlled Substance/Drug Use:
    
    We will be disqualify your application if you have been involved with drugs under any of the following conditions:
    
    Used or possessed, within the last 5 years prior to the date of employment, any controlled substance defined as a violation under Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, the possession of which constitutes a criminal offense under Florida law
    
    Use or possession of such controlled substances more than 5 years ago may or may not disqualify the applicant depending on the totality of the circumstance
    
    Any illegal sale, within 5 years from the date of employment, of a controlled substance to others whether for profit or not
    
    Used, possessed, or sold any controlled substance after becoming a State of Florida certified firefighter, emt or paramedic or while employed (paid or volunteer) as a sworn firefighter
  - Tobacco Use:
    
    You can’t have used tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding employment
    
    You must sign a notarized document affirming non-use of tobacco products
    
    We will screen for nicotine in the pre-employment physical process
    
    Tattoos:
    
    The Fire Chief or his/her designee will evaluate perspective candidates for types, locations, and numbers of tattoos, and this may be used as a disqualifier for employment
    
    You can’t have visible tattoos that are offensive, vulgar, or otherwise deemed detrimental to the professional appearance, and positive public image of members
    
    No tattoos of any type are allowed that are about the neck, head, and/or face
    
    False Information:
    
    If you are shown to have knowingly omitted material information or presented false oral or written information during you consideration for employment with SCFR, we will disqualify your application
    
    Character:
    
    You must demonstrate excellent moral character with respect to:
    
    sobriety
    
    honesty
    
    maturity
    
    loyalty
    
    trustworthiness
    
    reliability
    
    discretion
    
    associates
    
    Medical Examination:
    
    You must pass a medical exam administered by an SCFR designated physician/facility (Wellness LifeScan)
    
    We may require you to submit to a polygraph and/or psychological testing