Employment Opportunities

Firefighters by a Fire Engine

Minimum Requirements & More Detail, Including Pay & Benefits

Recruiting Open House

Leander Fire Administration Building
101 E Sonny Drive
Leander, TX 78641

  • Interested TCFP and TDHS EMT Basic or Higher Certified Candidates Only
  • Closed to the Public

Learn more about the position, application process, the organization, and the City itself at the recruitment open house.

  • Friday, June 16, 2023
    1530-1830
  • Sunday, June 25, 2023
    1300-1700

Minimum Requirements & More Detail, Including Pay & Benefits!

The minimum requirements to serve as a Leander firefighter include:

  • Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic or higher. You must upload your certification to the NeoGov website before the application deadline.
  • Texas Department of Health Services Emergency Medical Technician or higher. You must upload your certification to the NeoGov website before the application deadline.
  • We do not accept the National Registry
  • You are at least 18 years of age.

Please read all information prior to clicking the link to apply.

Hiring Process Guide

This guide is designed to help you prepare for the Leander Fire Departments Hiring Process. To be considered for the position you are applying for, you will need to successfully go through multiple phases of the department's selection process. This guide discusses the main parts of the testing process including:

2023 Application process is open at 12 pm. June 2 through 30 at 12 pm.

(Dates and times subject to change.)

  • Part 1: Job Task Course- Optional Practice July 8 and 10
    Job Task Course- Test July 13 or 15 (Choose one)
  • Part 2: Written Exam to (Choose one)
    • Thursday, July 20 at 6 pm
    • Saturday, July 22 at 9 am
  • Part 3: Interview Board- Week of August 7th
  • Part 4: Conditional Offer/Eligibility List- Week of August 14th
  • Part 5: Medical Exam and Background Check- Thursday, August 24th
  • Part 6- Psychological Evaluation- Monday, August 28th 8 am to 12 pm (Times will be set by you and Dr. Glenn)
  • Part 7: Fire Chief Interview (to be determined)
  • Part 8: Projected Start Date: October 21, 2023

Step 1: Job Task Course

Applicants will need to demonstrate the physical ability to perform the essential functions for the position of firefighter. The Job Task Course (JTC) is designed to assess an applicant's capacity to perform a series of events that simulate firefighting activities. A complete description of the course can be found in the links at the bottom of this page.

The Job Task Course is pass/fail. Applicants who do not pass the Job Task Course will be removed from the process.

Step 2: Written Exam

Applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be notified by email or phone and will participate in the ErgoMetrics FireTeam Testing System. The test is a video-based multiple-choice exam. The written test is designed to measure work behaviors, skills, and abilities. You do not need firefighter experience to answer the questions in this test.

Test Guidelines

  • Driver's License. Applicants must present a valid state issued photo I.D. at testing site.
  • Arrive Early. Applicants arriving late will not be allowed to sit for the exam.
  • No electronic devices. You are prohibited from receiving or sending pages, texts, photos or phone calls during any part of the testing process. No electronic devices are allowed in the testing room.
  • No chewing tobacco or smoking. You are prohibited from chewing tobacco and smoking at the testing site.
  • Testing material cannot be taken. You are prohibited from removing any material from the testing site.
  • Restroom breaks. You are encouraged to use the restroom before entering the testing room. Breaks will be offered in between tests. You will be allowed to use the restroom one at a time during the exam, however, the video will not stop. If you decide to take a restroom break, you may miss parts of the exam.

Step 3: Interview Panel

Applicants receiving a passing score on the Written Exam will be scheduled for an interview. The Interview is a structured oral interview conducted by a panel of department representatives.

  • Dress code is business casual.
  • Interview will last approximately one hour.

Step 4: Conditional Offer/Eligibility List

The applicant's composite test (70%) and interview scores (30%) will determine his/her place in the eligibility list. Only Applicants who pass the Job Task Course, the written exams and interview will be placed on the eligibility list. Applicants will be put in rank order from highest score on the top to lowest score on the bottom. Preference points for college credit, military service, etc. will ONLY be added to the final score once the applicant has passed all examinations and the interview board. The list will be effective for one year or until the list has been exhausted.

Applicants will be pulled as needed from the list (in order of rank) to continue in the hiring process to fill open positions. These applicants will be given a conditional offer letter and continue to Step 5.

Step 5: Medical Exam & Background Check

Individuals receiving a conditional offer to hire must successfully complete several additional employment process components including:

Background Check
Applicants must go through a background check. Applicants must have a clear criminal history with no convictions of a Class B or higher in compliance with City of Leander policy.

Applicants who do not pass the background check will be removed from the process.

Medical Examination & Drug Screening
Applicants must be able to perform the job minimum physical requirements of the position they are applying for. Applicants are examined by the department's physician for past and present medical status to determine whether the candidate has any condition that might interfere with the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Applicants will also be screened for drugs via urinalysis.

All applicants are required to meet a minimum of 12 METs (Metabolic Equivalents) on the VO2 Max Testing. Candidates who fail to meet 12 METs on the VO2 Max Test will be removed from the process.

Applicants who do not pass the physical or drug exam will be removed from the process.

The Full Physical Examination includes:

  • Comprehensive Labs and Urinalysis
  • Vitals
  • TRUE VO2 Max Testing- See more information on VO2 Max
  • 12 Lead EKG Stress Testing
  • Pulmonary Function Testing
  • Fitness Analysis (Muscular Strength, Endurance, Flexibility)
  • Behavioral Health Assessment
  • Audiometric Exam
  • Vision Testing
  • Skin Cancer Assessment
  • Ultrasound Enhanced Cancer Screening

Step 6: Physiological Evaluation

Applicants will complete a psychological evaluation. The evaluation is performed by a registered psychologist who specializes in public safety. The evaluation involves an oral interview designed to determine the candidate's fitness for duty as a firefighter.

Applicants who do not pass the psychological evaluation will be removed from the process.

Step 7: Fire Chief Interview

Applicants who successfully pass the job task course, background check, medical exam, and physiological exam will meet with the Fire Chief of the Leander Fire Department for an interview. Applicants selected to interview will receive an invitation giving the date, time, and location of the interview.

More Information

48/96 Schedule starts January 2024. Currently on 24/48

Firefighter Pay Step Plan

Read the Firefighter Pay Step Plan (PDF).

Excellent Benefits

  • Comprehensive Wellness Programs
  • Comprehensive Wellness Programs
  • TMRS Retirement 2:1 +COLA and more
  • See more detail on TMRS Retirement

Specialized Teams

Technical Rescue, Haz-Mat, Wildlands, Aerial Drone Team and Arson Investigation.