Work for Halifax Fire

Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) is committed to being the best Fire & Emergency service and reflective of the diverse communities we serve. Becoming a firefighter in HRFE is serious commitment that requires unwavering dedication and extensive preparation at every stage of the recruitment process. As a candidate, you will face rigorous evaluations designed to ensure you are physically and mentally prepared to tackle the challenges of this demanding profession. This process will test your resilience and determination, and it is essential to approach every aspect with seriousness and focus.

The recruitment and selection process includes aptitude testing, physical abilities testing, background screening and a panel interview. The skills, abilities and competencies measured through each of these phases are in alignment with the requirements for the position of firefighter. Candidates must demonstrate competence and proficiency at each stage to advance.

The Halifax Regional Municipality strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. Its goal of a strong and diverse workforce that accurately represents the communities it serves will capitalize on the strength and talent of those communities. As such, we encourage applications from African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women (applying for non-traditional positions), persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. HRM encourages applicants to self-identify.

A career as a Firefighter is both challenging and rewarding, offering individuals the opportunity to serve their community while working as a member of a highly skilled professional team.  HRFE is dedicated to enhancing and preserving the quality of life, property and environment, through leadership, partnership and effective response to emergencies.

Throughout the recruitment process, candidates will be evaluated continuously. This includes attention to detail in communications, punctuality, and honesty in interactions with HRFE staff. We seek individuals who demonstrate professionalism and integrity in all areas, as these qualities are crucial not only during training, but also in the field. Your commitment to these standards will set you apart as a candidate ready to serve and protect our community.

Quick Reference Guide for applying for a job with the Municipality.

Quick Reference Guide to Your HRM Candidate Zone

Career Firefighter Duties & Responsibilities

• Responds to emergencies including but not limited to; fires, rescues, public assistance, emergency medical and spills or leaks of hazardous materials.
• Drives and operates firefighting and emergency equipment as assigned.
• Conducts fire prevention inspections and public education programs and activities as assigned.
• Completes and submits various reports and records as required.
• Attends on-duty training sessions and off-site training courses as necessary.
• Maintains equipment in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Responsible for workplace safety as outlined in the NS Occupational Health & Safety Act and organizational policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Responsible for other duties assigned as appropriate to the function and responsibilities of the position.

Career Firefighter Application Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Grade 12 education or equivalent - a copy must be included in your application. (A High School transcript can only be accepted if it clearly states a graduation date or certifies by stamp or signature that you are a graduate.)
• Nova Scotia Class 5 Driver’s License (or equivalent from another province) with a safe and responsible driving record. Can not have an N or L on license.
• Candidates must complete security/background screening which includes a review of a criminal record check, a vulnerable sector check, a child abuse registry check and a driver's abstract. It also includes an integrity interview.*
• Must be 18 years of age or older before the date of posting.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Successful candidates must be able to communicate effectively in English. These skills will be assessed as you move through the competition. Further assessment of language proficiency may be required.

*Applicants are not required to submit any of the background checks, including the driver's abstract or criminal record check, with your application. Both will be verified later in the selection process.

If you have application questions that cannot be answered by our FAQ's, please email firerecruit@halifax.ca

The Selection Process

Phase 1 - Submit Application

Quick Reference Guide for Applying for Jobs at HRM

Quick Reference Guide to Your HRM Candidate Zone.

To submit your application, during the period of January 2 - 16, 2025, visit our web-based job application system and create an account when the posting is live.

You will be required to attach your diploma proving completion of Grade 12 (this could include Grade 12 certificate, GED, community college diploma, university degree) with your application. Do not include additional certifications or documents other than proof of Grade 12 completion. Doing so may cause errors in your submission.

Applications must be submitted through the online application system, with the correct documentation no later than 11:59 p.m. Atlantic time on Thursday, January 16, 2025 - late submissions will not be accepted. If you experience any difficulty applying through our online application system, please contact 311. Please note that assistance with applications will only be available during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.). Waiting to submit your application in the last few days may cause disqualification, if your application is not completed correctly. 

Candidates must have an active email account. Correspondence regarding the status of your application will be sent via email throughout the selection process. Candidates will be responsible to regularly check their inbox as well as their junk mail to keep up to date with the status of their application at each stage of the selection process.

You will receive an automated response with a confirmation number indicating your submission was received.

To track the status of your application, please login to your online account and check your Candidate Zone, Dashboard under Saved Applications.

PLEASE NOTE – You can only submit an application to the competition once. Your resume and cover letter in your application cannot be changed once you submit the application. Please be certain your resume and cover letter are up to date and complete before submitting your application in the system.

If you choose to “Withdraw” your application, you will no longer be considered in the competition. You cannot “Withdraw” and create a new application as a means to change your documents -- the system will not allow you to do this as it views it as a duplicate submission. If you have clicked “Withdraw” in error, please wait for approximately 20 minutes for the system to refresh, and you can “Reactivate” your original submission. This option will not be available after the posting has closed at 11:59 p.m. on January 16, 2025.

Phase 2 - Aptitude Testing

Candidates who meet the above-noted application requirements will be invited to write the FPSI Online Firefighter Test. Invitations with instructions to access the online test will be sent to the email address you provide in your application after the posting has closed.

The dates for the aptitude test will be determined.

**Please note that all dates are subject to change based on operational requirements of the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency.

Testing will be conducted on-line, and candidates will take the test from a personal computer. The test is not compatible with tablets or phones. If you do not have a personal computer or internet connection, we encourage you to explore other options such as using the computer of a family member or friend or visiting a public library or employment center which have computers available for public use.

Please see the below link to aid your process:

2023 Halifax Orientation Guide for Online Firefighter Test [PDF]

Phase 3 - Physical Abilities Testing

Candidates who are successful in the aptitude test and who are selected to move forward to the next phase of the competition will be invited to participate in physical abilities testing in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The dates for the first round of physical abilities testing will be determined.

**Please note that all dates are subject to change based on operational requirements of the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency.

Testing will be in accordance with the Gledhill Fitness Protocol for Firefighters (Gledhill) [PDF] and includes a 20m shuttle run test (beep test), ladder climb, claustrophobia test, hose carry/climb, rope pull, hose advance/drag, ladder lift, victim drag and forced entry. It is important that all candidates complete each event of the Gledhill successfully. Some events are pass/fail and some are timed.

Please click here for information about the 20m shuttle run (beep test). Here is an audio recording of the test that will be administered. You may download the recording to help you prepare for the 20m shuttle run beep test. If you have trouble downloading, you may also find the recording here on HRFE's YouTube channel. Click here to see a video demonstration of the 20m shuttle run (beep test).

Invitations to confirm the date, time and location of the testing will be sent via email to candidates who are selected to proceed to the next phase. Candidates must attend the physical abilities testing in person.

Click here to see the 2023 Gledhill video. 

Phase 4 - Panel Interview

Candidates who successfully complete the Gledhill testing, and who are selected for an interview, will be invited to participate in a competency-based panel interview. The interview is designed to allow candidates to draw on examples from their past work, volunteer, or other personal experience to demonstrate that they possess the required competencies to be a career Firefighter with Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency. Competencies measured through this process may include Communication, Customer Service, Stress Management, Teamwork & Cooperation, Values & Ethics and Valuing Diversity. To access our Employee Competency Dictionary please click here.

Additional information on preparing for behavioural interviews is available here.

The dates for the first round of the panel interview process will be determined.

**Please note that all dates are subject to change based on operational requirements of the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency.

Invitations to confirm the date, time and location of the interview will be sent via email to candidates selected for an interview.

Consideration for Hire Pool

An individual’s candidacy and overall performance in the competition will be assessed when developing a Consideration for Hire Pool. Candidates in this pool may be contacted any time up to the expiry of the pool to move forward in the hiring process dependent on budget and operational requirements.

Please note – Being placed in the consideration for hire pool is not a guarantee of future employment. The number of candidates hired is dictated by operational needs. As required, candidates in the Consideration for Hire Pool are contacted to proceed through the final stages of the hiring process. Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency has the option to extend this hire pool for up to one year past the expiration date based on operational requirements. Any candidates remaining in the consideration for hire pool will be required to reapply to the next general recruitment process for future consideration.

Candidates selected to move forward will be contacted via email to proceed through the remaining phases of the selection process when operational requirements require a hired group to be processed. The remaining phases include:

Phase 5 - Security Clearance

Candidates will be required to successfully complete all security clearance requirements for the role of Firefighter including Criminal Records Check, Child Abuse Registry Check, Driver’s Abstract, and Reference Checks.

Phase 6 - Integrity Interview

Candidates who successfully complete the security clearance requirements will attend an Integrity Interview, designed to elicit truthful information from the candidate and to gain insight into an applicant’s possible participation in behaviours that are not aligned with the requirements of the position.

Phase 7 - Medical Assessment

Candidates will be scheduled to undergo a medical assessment to determine fitness for duty based on the National Fire Protection Association 1582 - Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. NFPA 1582 can be downloaded on the page following the creation of an account. Click on “Free Access” next to “View this Document”, select the newest edition, then follow the instructions to sign up for a profile with NFPA. After confirming your account, you will be returned to the NFPA 1582 document.

Click here for an overview of the medical assessment.

Offer of Employment

Those candidates who successfully complete all phases of the selection process will be offered the position of Firefighter 4th Class in an HRFE career Firefighter training class as dictated by budget and operational requirements.

WORK STATUS: Permanent full time

HOURS OF WORK: E Platoon shift, 4 days per week between Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 42 hours per week

SALARY: $54,825.51 in accordance with IAFF Local 268 Collective Agreement for a Firefighter 4th Class.

WORK LOCATION: Upon successful completion of the HRFE Firefighter training requirements, Firefighters will be assigned a work location based on operational needs.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to that phase of the recruitment process.

We encourage applications from qualified African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women (applying for non-traditional positions), persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. HRM encourages applicants to self-identify.

COVID-19 Measures for Job Applicants

HRM takes the health and safety of its job applicants and employees seriously. Measures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as you participate in the recruitment process. Elements may be conducted virtually or through email, though in-person attendance will be required in certain phases of the recruitment process. A detailed outline of health and safety requirements will be provided to you as you are invited to participate in each stage of the competition.

If you have tested positive, have been exposed to, or are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms, please notify an HR representative prior to attending any in-person assessment or interview. Anyone required to self-isolate must complete this self-isolation period prior to attending.

Failure to comply with these protocols and other protocols may result in being removed from the competition. For more information, please email us at firerecruit@halifax.ca or visit: https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/employment/work-halifax-regional-municipality