Job Information

UPPER ARLINGTON FIRE DIVISION
3861 REED ROAD
UPPER ARLINGTON, OHIO 43220
(614)583-5000
https://upperarlingtonoh.gov/fire-division/

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Bookmark: http://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/fullJobDetails.cfm?agencyjobid=193&jobid=2&agentid=178

Updated: April 23, 2025

Thank you for considering a career as a Firefighter-Paramedic with the City of Upper Arlington.

To learn more about our department, please check out the following video: https://youtu.be/eHr7wNXkRQI

All applicants must register and take the entry exam through the National Testing Network (NTN). 

Test scores will be obtained on June 13, 2025. -- Scores must be valid at the time of hire, anticipated November 2025.

Qualifying Information: Candidates MUST have a State of Ohio PARAMEDIC certification or National Registry EMT-P certification at the time of employment. Paramedic students are encouraged to apply! Candidates must obtain and maintain the State of Ohio PARAMEDIC certification as a condition of employment.  

We are looking for candidates who have the skills, experience, and service mindset to best serve the community. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, our firefighters are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds who all share a passion for serving the community. The City of Upper Arlington is a community that strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all and seeks to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of our region.

Physical Ability Testing Information:  The physical ability practice and test sessions will be invitation-only based on candidates successfully passing the NTN entry examination. Physical Ability Testing is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 22nd, 2025.  Candidates will have several dates to choose from and will also have the chance to visit Station 72 for practice sessions. Candidates will receive instructions via e-mail regarding the location and how to sign up for open time slots for the practice and test sessions once we have received their passing scores.

To view the Physical Ability Test, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/DMvqfeBYkbk

NTN Test Scoring Information:  Each applicant must receive a minimum passing score of 70% on the Human Relations Video test. Candidates are ranked based on this score.

Additionally, applicants must achieve a minimum passing score in each of the following sections as outlined below:
Reading: 80%
Math: 70%
Mechanical: 60%

Upper Arlington Fire Division applicants are NOT required to take Part 2 of the Public Safety Self-Assessment Score. Part 2 of the Public Safety Self-Assessment Score is not considered regarding your final score for the position of firefighter-paramedic with the Upper Arlington Fire Division.

Salary Information: City of Upper Arlington offers competitive wages and benefits, which start on your first day of employment.

2025 Annual Rates (based on 53/hour work weeks)
Step A: $66,694.70 (first 6 months)
Step B: $86,786.34
Step C: $93,567.51
Step D: $105,173.86

Step A is the entry step for an original appointment. Advancement to succeeding steps occurs after twelve months of continuous service at each step. Candidates with full-time Fire and EMS experience will be considered for Step B or C appointments on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits Information: Full benefits; vacation, medical, dental, life insurance, participation in Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund (OP&F), deferred compensation / 457 plan options

Department Overview: The Upper Arlington Fire Division is a full-time fire department that provides all-hazard emergency response within the City of Upper Arlington and portions of Perry Township. Services include fire, rescue, emergency medical ambulance transport (paramedic), hazardous materials response, USAR, and a Community Paramedicine program. UAFD also responds to neighboring jurisdictions through automatic aid agreements.

The UAFD provides a variety of non-emergency services to the public, including fire prevention inspections and fire code enforcement, fire safety education, and smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm checks and installations.

City Information:  Upper Arlington is a premier residential suburb within the Columbus metro area with close proximity to The Ohio State University and downtown Columbus.

Size: 10 square miles
Population: 34,675

Shape Job Requirements:

Requirements & Hiring Process: 

Those interested in the Firefighter-Paramedic position must meet several basic requirements. The applicant must:

Be eighteen (18) years of age at the time of appointment

Have a high school diploma or equivalent

Possess a valid Ohio driver’s license at the time of appointment

Possess a valid State of Ohio EMT-Paramedic certification or NREMT-P. State of Ohio paramedic certification is required to receive a conditional offer of employment.

Have an acceptable driving record. Charges of Driving Under Suspension (DUS), Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and/or Hit-Skip may disqualify the candidate from consideration

Not have been convicted of or admitted to the commission of a felony

Not have been convicted of or admitted to a domestic-related crime of violence

Successfully pass the written Civil Service Examination through the National Testing Network

Meet stringent physical requirements that include, but are not limited to:

Vision correctable to 20/20

The ability to pass a thorough physical examination, which includes but is not limited to a stress test, hearing test, and drug screening.

Possess the physical ability and ability to perform the duties of a Firefighter-Paramedic, including passing a physical ability test

NOTE: Interested candidates MUST register and take the entry exam through the National Testing Network (www.nationaltestingnetwork.com). 

Candidates who have passed the entry exam via NTN will be invited to the physical ability test. The Upper Arlington Fire Division administers the physical ability test. This is a pass/fail test.

Additional Points:
Additional points can be added to your scoring for the eligibility list based on the City’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Candidates are responsible for providing documentation in order to receive these points. These documents may be submitted electronically prior to attendance at the physical ability test or submitted in person on the day of the physical ability test. No late submissions can be accepted.

Military Points: Applicants who have been honorably discharged, are on active duty, or are in current reserve status are eligible for one (1) point. A copy of the applicant’s DD-214 or other official document verifying this information will be required

Educational Points: Candidates will be awarded one (1) point for an Associate degree, two (2) points for a Bachelor's degree, or three (3) points for a Master's degree. A copy of a degree or transcript will be required.

Lateral Transfer from another agency Points: Applicants who currently hold the position being applied for in good standing at another agency are eligible for five (5) points if they have served in that capacity for at least 5 years and hold the required certifications for the position. A letter of verification from the current employer will be required.

Candidates who pass both the entry exam and the physical ability test are then placed on the Civil Service list and will proceed to the background investigation phase as vacancies occur.

Background Investigation:

Candidates on the certified Civil Service list will undergo a thorough background investigation to ensure they are qualified to become a Firefighter-Paramedic for the City of Upper Arlington.

This process includes, but is not limited to, the steps listed below:

The candidate will complete a comprehensive personal history questionnaire
Each candidate will complete and sign a personal inquiry waiver granting permission for the investigator to request personal and professional information deemed important to the selection process.
The investigator will conduct a review of the candidate’s prior employment history, military service, financial records, educational records, and other information contained within the questionnaire to ensure that all information is complete and accurate and that there are no misunderstandings between the applicant and the investigator.
The candidate’s criminal history will be researched
Once all required forms and preliminary information have been obtained, the investigator will conduct an in-depth background investigation. This will include contacting friends, family, business associates, past and present employers, and any other resources necessary to establish the credibility of the applicant
When the initial phase of the background investigation is completed, the candidate must submit to a computer voice stress analysis (CVSA) examination or polygraph examination. This examination will verify the truthfulness of the information the candidate provided to the background investigator

Please be advised, under Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 149, ALL material contained within a background investigation is public information and, therefore, must be released to any person making a public records request.

Oral Review Board: 

The top-ranked candidates who have successfully completed all previous phases will participate in an Oral Board Interview. The Fire Chief will determine the number of candidates invited to participate in the Oral Board Interviews. This is typically ten, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 8.B.1. (AKA the Rule of 10).

Each candidate will be notified when and where he/she is scheduled to appear in front of the Oral Board. An invitation to appear in front of the Oral Board will be based on the candidate’s ranking on the Eligibility List. After receiving an invitation, the candidate MUST successfully complete the Oral Board in order to be considered for a position as an Upper Arlington Firefighter-Paramedic.

The Fire Chief selects the members of the Oral Board. Those serving on the Oral Board are not limited to sworn members of the Fire Division. The results of the Oral Board will be forwarded to the Fire Chief, along with the complete background investigation packet.

Conditional Offer of Employment:

Once a candidate is selected and offered a conditional offer of employment, the selected individual will: 

Participate in an interview with the Fire Chief to be eligible for employment.
The Fire Chief will use Civil Service Rule 8.B.1. (known as the Rule of 10) to select a candidate(s) to be given a Conditional Offer of Employment.
Undergo a rigorous medical/physical examination, which includes, but is not limited to, a stress test, hearing test, and drug screen results. This examination will also confirm that the selected individual has eyesight, or corrected eyesight, that meets the standards set by the Fire Division. The physical will establish that the candidate is medically able to perform the fundamental duties of a Firefighter-Paramedic safely.
Candidates being considered for a conditional offer of employment must undergo a series of psychological examinations to determine if the applicant is psychologically and emotionally suitable to perform the duties and accept the responsibilities as a Firefighter-Paramedic.

Upon passing all steps in the hiring process and in accordance with Civil Service Rule 8.B.1. (Rule of 10) candidates selected for employment will be given a date to begin his/her first day of employment as a Firefighter-Paramedic with the City of Upper Arlington.

Basic Training:

The candidate MUST successfully complete, or have completed, a basic firefighter training course approved by the Fire Chief. This process is as follows:

All applicants not currently certified as a firefighter II will be required to attend and successfully complete the Ohio Firefighter Level II course, as designated by the Fire Chief. Should the candidate fail to graduate from the academy with all required certifications for any reason , including but not limited to academic standards, physical fitness standards, or any violation of honor, his/her employment with the Fire Division will be terminated.

All applicants not currently certified as a firefighter II in Ohio will be required to obtain the Ohio FFII certification through reciprocity or attend and successfully complete the Ohio Firefighter Level II course as described above.

Disqualification: 

Reasons for disqualification of the applicant during any phase of the hiring process or background investigation are listed within the Civil Service Rules (Rule 6D). Any candidate not selected for appointment may reapply for future positions six months from the date last examined.

 Additional Information: Once a candidate is certified on the Civil Service list for Firefighter-Paramedic, the candidate will remain active for one (1) year. The candidate certification may be extended any length of time up to a maximum of one (1) additional year if requested by the Fire Chief and approved by the Civil Service Commission.

The application process and testing procedures fall under the explicit control of the Upper Arlington Civil Service Commission. All questions concerning the testing process should be directed to April Gregory, Human Resources Administrator for the City of Upper Arlington at agregory@uaoh.net

All questions concerning the Fire Division, policies, and/or procedures of operations, benefits, salaries, job positions, and any other related topics should be directed to the Upper Arlington Fire Division. Applications containing minor omissions will be routinely processed if such deficiencies can be corrected before the oral board interview process.

Please direct all questions regarding testing or testing dates to Customer Support at National Testing Network at 1-866-563-3882. If you have any other questions regarding the hiring process, please email agregory@uaoh.net

To sign-up for important emails regarding UAFD recruiting efforts and events, please visit the following link: https://mailchi.mp/bf215df1ec59/upper-arlington-fire-division-e-mail-list

The City of Upper Arlington is an equal opportunity employer.

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