Colleton County Fire-Rescue

Hiring Procedures

The following directive outlines CCFR's hiring procedures:

Subject:

Hiring Procedures

Personnel:

ALL

Number:

1.64

Effective Date:

01-November-2013

Updated:

01-November-2013

1.64. Hiring Procedures – this directive outlines procedures to be followed when hiring career (full-time and/or part-time) employees.  Colleton County is an equal employment opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.  Moreover, Colleton County Fire-Rescue recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce and thus encourages applications from minorities, veterans, and women.

1.64.1. Application & Driving History
1.64.1.1. Candidate can apply at any South Carolina Employment Security (SCES) office in South Carolina.
  Candidate should provide the office with copies of any relevant certificates and a 10-year driving history.  Candidate should also complete a Colleton County Government application.  The Colleton County SCES office (1085 Thunderbolt Drive, Walterboro, SC) takes job applications Monday through Thursday from 0830 to 1630 (8:30 am to 4:00 pm).
1.64.1.2. Candidate can apply by emailing their resume, certifications, and 10-year driving history to jobs@colletoncounty.org or apply online through http://www.scworks.org.
1.64.1.3. Candidate applications processed by SCES will be forwarded to the Colleton County Human Resources Department.

1.64.2. Initial Contact
1.64.2.1. Once candidate’s application has been received and processed by the Colleton County Human Resources Department, it will be forwarded to the Fire-Rescue Department.
1.64.2.2. A Fire-Rescue representative will contact the candidate to verify interest, contact information, and schedule the candidate for pre-employment testing (PET).

1.64.3. Pre-Employment Testing (PET) will consist of three or four parts (depending on whether candidate chooses to participate in the PART Practice session):
1.64.3.1. Physical Ability Requirements Testing (PART) Practice
1.64.3.1.1. Practice is held the day before PART Evaluation
1.64.3.1.2. Candidate must request permission to participate in the practice session.
  This permission must be requested in writing to Fire-Rescue headquarters (113 Mable T. Willis Blvd, Walterboro, SC 29488 or info@colletonfire.com) at least seven calendar days prior to the practice session scheduled date. Requests within seven calendar days prior to the practice session scheduled date will not be considered.
1.64.3.1.3. Candidate must provide photo identification on the day of practice session in order to be eligible to participate.
  Candidate must sign a PART Practice Indemnification Form prior to participating in the PART Practice.
1.64.3.1.4. Candidate will be placed in medical rehabilitation upon completion of the PART Practice.
  A rehabilitation form will be signed prior to the candidate being released from the PART Practice Session.
1.64.3.2. Physical Ability Requirements Testing (PART) Evaluation
1.64.3.2.1. Evaluation is held in the morning of the assigned day.
1.64.3.2.2. Candidate must provide photo identification on the day of the PART Evaluation session in order to be eligible to participate.
  Candidate must sign a PART Evaluation Indemnification Form prior to participating in the PART Evaluation.
1.64.3.3. Written Examination
1.64.3.3.1. Candidate will take written examination in the afternoon of the day that PART Evaluations occur.
1.64.3.4. Oral Interview
1.64.3.4.1. Oral interviews will occur on the day after PART Evaluation and Written Examination.

1.64.4. Physical Ability Requirements Testing (PART) Evaluation –
1.64.4.1. To meet the minimum Colleton County Fire-Rescue requirements, all candidates need a combination of strength and endurance.
  Colleton County Fire-Rescue has determined that any individual can successfully compete for the position of Firefighter Recruit if his or her preparation is focused on the physical abilities listed below.  The PART is a job-sampling task performance physical ability evaluation and consists of seven stations and is the result of a significant amount of research on the occupation of fire suppression.  The tasks reasonably test the physical abilities of an individual as they apply to performing basic fire ground duties.  Colleton County Fire-Rescue does not offer career (full-time or part-time) positions to personnel with no firefighter training. 
1.64.4.2. The PART is conducted with candidates wearing provided equipment including a fire helmet, fire gloves and a forty pound weighted vest.
  The candidate shall successfully complete all the physical ability requirements listed below without stopping.  The candidate will have six minutes to complete all of the stations in sequence.  PART is a pass/fail evaluation.  Candidates who complete the PART evaluation quicker than other candidates are not awarded more points.  Endurance and completion of all stations within the allotted time constraints is the goal.  The participant shall not run.  Running on the course is not allowed and will be declared as unsatisfactory.  If, during any portion of the PART testing, a failure in the equipment should occur, the test should be stopped immediately at the point of the failure.  When possible, the failure should be corrected immediately and the applicant should be given the option to continue from the point of the failure or begin the entire course again.  Any equipment failure should be notated on the applicant’s testing records along with the outcome of the failure. Candidates will be monitored by at least one (1) member during the course. Cheering and coaching by other members is not permitted. 
1.64.4.3. In the event that one or more of the stations is not fully completed within the six (6) minute allowable time frame, the candidate’s attempt at the PART will be declared as unsatisfactory and the candidate will not be allowed to continue further with the Pre-Employment Testing.
 

PART Diagram

(Please note the following diagram is for reference only; the actual test stations may not be administered in a straight line as indicated below.)

1.64.4.4. Station 1: Start- Keiser Machine: The Keiser Machine will be positioned outside the starting line, facing the course.  The candidate shall stand on the platform of the Keiser Machine with hammer in hand, in the ready position.  All candidates must be in protective equipment before testing starts.  If any protective equipment is lacking, a Hiring Committee member may eliminate the applicant.  The test will start when the candidate strikes the sled. The sled shall not be pushed, pulled or otherwise moved except by striking with the provided weighted hammer.  The candidate must strike the sled continuously until the sled reaches the finishing position which will indicate the station is complete.  The candidate will then be allowed to proceed one-hundred (100) feet to the next station.
1.64.4.5. Station 2: Hose Swap: Three (3) fifty (50) foot sections of three (3) inch hose (in a straight roll) will be placed in a box that is ten (10) feet by five (5) feet in dimension.
  The box will be located at a set of cones which marks the entrance to the hose swap station.  A second box with three (3) fifty (50) foot sections of three (3) inch hose will be located at a second set of cones which marks the end of the hose swap station.  The distance between box #1 and box #2 is fifty (50) feet.  The candidate shall swap the hose in box #1 with the hose in box #2.  At the conclusion of this station both boxes shall have three (3) sections of hose in them.  Once this is accomplished, the station will be declared complete and the candidate may proceed fifty (50) feet to the next station.
1.64.4.6. Station 3: Hose Drag: The Candidate will drag one-hundred (100) feet of weighted one and three quarter inch hose (1.75”) fifty (50) feet.
  The nozzle will be placed at the beginning of the station, facing the remaining course and adjacent to the first station coupling.  The participant shall grasp the nozzle and drag the adjacent coupling past the water source mark fifty (50) feet. When completed the candidate may proceed to the next station. 
1.64.4.7. Station 4: Over and Under: The Candidate will approach two (2) thirty-two (32) inch high
obstacles that will be spaced eight (8) feet apart.  Candidate will go over the first obstacle and under the second obstacle.  After completion the candidate may proceed twenty (20) feet to the next station.
1.64.4.8. Station 5: Rope Pull: The Candidate will stand or sit in a five (5) foot by five (5) foot area marked on the testing field.
  The Candidate will then pull a rope attached to a weighted pull sled fifty (50) feet in to the box in which the participant is located.  The Candidate will not leave the designated box until the weighted pull sled has entered the box. After completion the candidate may proceed ten (10) feet to the next station.
1.64.4.9. Station 6: Hose Coupling: Two (2) sections of three (3) inch hose will be placed side-by-side and the candidate must connect the hoses together by the couplings before proceeding to the next station.
  Once the testing attendant confirms the hose is fully coupled, the candidate may proceed ten (10) feet to the next station.
1.64.4.10. Station 7: Victim Drag: A rescue manikin weighing approximately one hundred sixty-five (165) pounds will be placed ten (10) feet from the cones of the last station.
  The candidate will grasp and drag the manikin fifty (50) feet and pass through the last set of cones.  Once the candidate and the manikin totally pass through the last set of cones the course is complete. 
1.64.4.11. Candidate will be placed in medical rehabilitation upon completion of the PART Evaluation.
  A rehabilitation form will be signed prior to the candidate being released from the PART Evaluation Session.

(Click here to view a video illustrating the PART course.)

1.64.5. Written Examination
1.64.5.1. Questions will be based on the candidate’s certification level (Colleton County Fire-Rescue does not hire personnel with no fire training).
1.64.5.2. Questions are chosen from International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) curricula.
1.64.5.3. Candidates must score a minimum of 70% on each individual written examination they are required to take (based upon their certification level).
 Marginal written scores may be offered an oral interview based on the Fire-Rescue Chief's discretion.

1.64.6. Oral Interview
1.64.6.1. Oral Interviews will occur on the day after PART Evaluations and Written Examinations.
1.64.6.2. Oral Interviews will be conducted by a panel of five personnel selected by the Fire-Rescue Chief and will include at least one Fire-Rescue officer.
1.64.6.3. Oral Interviews will consist of a standardized set of questions.
  Each member of the panel will grade the interview in its entirety as pass or fail.  Either grade must be accompanied by justifying documentation.  For grading purposes, candidates must receive a passing grade from the majority (three) of the panel members.

1.64.7. Candidate Background Checks
1.64.7.1. Prior to leaving from the Pre-Employment Testing (PET), the candidate should provide at least three professional references and the necessary information to conduct a criminal background check and credit check.
1.64.7.2. In the event that a position is not available at the time PET occurs, the candidate should be questioned to see if reference checks can be conducted immediately.
  If a position is not immediately available, reference checks can be delayed until a position becomes available at the candidate’s request.
1.64.7.2.1. Reference checks consist of standardized questions and will be conducted by a Fire-Rescue Officer.
1.64.7.3. Colleton County Fire-Rescue will conduct a criminal background check as required by South Carolina Code 40-80-20.
1.64.7.4. Colleton County Fire-Rescue will conduct a credit check of the candidate.
  The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) allows consumers to request and obtain a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies.  The candidate should sign an authorization form allowing Colleton County Fire-Rescue to conduct this free credit check on behalf of the candidate.  A copy of the credit report will be provided to the candidate at no charge but must be picked up in person from Fire-Rescue headquarters.  The credit report cannot be faxed or emailed.  A credit check is not necessary if the candidate can provide a credit report that is no more than 12 months old at the time of Pre-Employment Testing. 

1.64.8. When a position within the Fire-Rescue Department becomes available, candidates who have passed the Pre-Employment Testing and background checks will have their references checked (if not previously completed).
1.64.8.1. The Fire-Rescue Chief will then select the most qualified candidate(s).
  The Fire-Rescue Chief has the option to conduct an additional oral interview with the candidate(s). 
1.64.8.2. Once selected, the Fire-Rescue Chief will provide a conditional offer of employment to the most qualified candidate(s).
  The conditional offer of employment will require the candidate to sign a Colleton County Personnel Action Request (PAR) form and a letter of hire.  The conditional offer of employment will require the candidate to submit to a drug test that is conducted at a facility designated by Colleton County Government.  Additionally, the candidate must undergo a medical evaluation/clearance.
1.64.8.2.1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 1910.156 section (b) part (2) states, “The employer shall not permit employees with known heart disease, epilepsy, or emphysema to participate in fire brigade emergency activities unless a physician’s certificate of the employee’s fitness to participate in such activities is provided.”
  OSHA
regulation 1910.134 section (b) part (10) states, “Persons should not be assigned to tasks requiring use of respirators unless it has been determined that they are physically able to use the equipment.”
  National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1582 states, “Firefighters must be medically capable of performing their required duties.”
1.64.8.2.2. The candidate must provide a fire brigade clearance form which is signed by a physician.
  By signing, the physician indicates, “Based on the test results from the screening program, I [the physician] find this individual [the candidate] to be clear under OSHA 1910.156, OSHA 1910.134, OSHA 1910.120 regulations and NFPA 1582 guidelines.

1.64.9. Once the conditions of employment (drug test and medical clearance) have been satisfied, the candidate will become an employee of Colleton County based on the hire date indicated on their letter of hire.  This date should closely correspond to the next available new hire orientation.

1.64.10. Should a qualified candidate refuse a job offer (regardless of reason), their name will remain in the qualified candidate list until the next available position occurs.  Their application, pre-employment testing information, and background checks will remain with the Fire-Rescue Department.
1.64.10.1. Should a qualified candidate refuse a job offer twice (regardless of reason), their name will be removed from the qualified candidate list.
  The candidate’s application, pre-employment testing information, and background checks will be sealed and returned to Colleton County Human Resources.  To compete for an available position in the future, the candidate must re-apply, repeat Pre-Employment Testing, and have background checks repeated.

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