Job Description
CHERRY HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT
1100 MARLKRESS RD
CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY 08003
Updated: January 06, 2025
***Please submit your application through the link provided to be considered for this position.***
Position Title: Firefighter/ EMT
The Cherry Hill Fire Department (CHFD) is seeking candidates for the position of Firefighter/EMT. No experience is required - all firefighting training is provided by the CHFD. NJ state emergency medical technician (EMT) certification is not required at the time of hire, but must be obtained prior to, or within one year of employment.
Benefits:
· Police and Fireman's Retirement System of New Jersey (PFRS) pension
· Medical, dental, prescription, and vision benefits
· Paid sick and personal time off
· Education reimbursement
· Paid training
· Career advancement opportunities
· Shifts - 3 Platoons - work 24 hours; off 24 hours, work 24 hours; off 24 hours, work 24 hours; off 96 hours (4 days)
The CHFD is an "all hazards" agency responding to fire, medical, hazardous materials, and technical rescue emergencies in the Cherry Hill community and beyond. All emergency and non-emergency services are developed, maintained, and provided by highly trained career professionals dedicated to excellence.
The CHFD responds from six staffed fire stations comprised of four engine companies, two ladder companies, and five basic life support (BLS) ambulances. Firefighter/EMTs staff the department's fire suppression units, while EMTs from CHFD's EMS Division staff BLS units.
Cherry Hill is in Camden County, NJ, eight miles southeast of Philadelphia, PA. It is the largest municipality in Camden County and the 12th largest in New Jersey. Cherry Hill covers more than 24 square miles and has a population approaching 80,000.
Job Requirements
Age: Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in NJ Statutes: Title 40A;14:
Be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire
Not older than 35 years of age at the time of hire
At least 19 years of age on the date of the computer examination test date period opening - January 2, 2025
EMT Certification: New Jersey state emergency medical technician (EMT) certification is not required at the time of hire, but must be obtained prior to or within one year of employment.
Citizenship Required: Yes
High School Grad/GED: Yes or GED equivalent
Valid NEW JERSEY Driver's License: Yes, at the time of appointment
Residency: As per Title 40A:14-9.8, a candidate must have an established residence in New Jersey before their Cherry Hill Fire Department Recruit Academy class begins.
Ability to Read/Speak English: Yes
Specific Disqualifiers/Behaviors: Felony/Criminal Disqualifiers: Conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude will disqualify a candidate.
Driving Disqualifiers: A poor driving record will classify a candidate as undesirable, but will not necessarily remove a candidate from consideration.
Drug Use Disqualifiers: Pre-employment drug screening failure will disqualify a candidate.
Employment Disqualifiers: Failure of any of the following pre-employment tests will disqualify a candidate:
· Driving record check
· Physical examination, including drug screening
· Background check
· Psychological examination
Financial Disqualifiers: A poor credit history and financial background will classify a candidate as undesirable; however, it will not necessarily remove a candidate from consideration.
Physical and Medical Requirements: Ability to physically perform the duties and work in the environmental conditions required of the position.
Licensure: All candidates must possess a valid New Jersey driver's license at the time of appointment as a Recruit Firefighter. Anyone with a suspended or revoked license will not pass the background investigation. Any applicant who possesses outstanding fees for traffic violations must make payment arrangements prior to appointment.
The firefighter application and exam period runs from January 2, 2025, through February 14, 2025 5:00 PM EST.
Hiring Process
There are several steps to becoming a Cherry Hill firefighter. Successful completion of each step is required to be placed on the CHFD's eligibility list for hiring.
Step 1 - NTN Computer Examination: All applicants must register with and take the written exam through the National Testing Network (NTN) during the period specified in the announcement for the position of Firefighter/EMT. All candidates with passing scores of at least 70% on the computer exam will be invited to the CHFD Physical Ability Test.
To register with NTN and schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network and select "Find Jobs." Next, select "Firefighter Jobs" and sign up for the "Cherry Hill Fire Department (CHFD)". Complete the NTN registration process and schedule your test prior to 5:00 PM EST on February 14, 2025.
All applicants must also complete the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA) and the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) located in their candidate profile through NTN by Friday, February 14, 2025 5:00 PM EST, to be considered for the next step in the eligibility process.
Eligible candidates must complete the NTN application and schedule a time to take the video-based FireTEAM Exam and the PSSA exam as the first step of the testing process. The exams cost $65.00.
Please direct all questions to NTN Customer Support. Please DO NOT call the CHFD directly, as NTN solely administers the first phase of the application process.
Upon completion of your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to the CHFD.
Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry-level exam will be placed on CHFD's eligibility list for continuation in the hiring process. CHFD will contact candidates on the list and invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.
National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry-level testing in a standardized, professional environment. It does not replace the CHFD's responsibility and decision-making in the overall testing process. All candidate results are provided to the CHFD for final employment determinations.
Step 2 - CHFD Physical Ability Test: All candidates who receive a passing score on the NTN Computer Examination will be invited to take part in the CHFD Physical Ability Test. The CHFD Physical Ability Test assesses a candidate's capacity to accomplish the tasks ordinarily performed by a firefighter while on the job. It requires the candidates to perform a series of events that simulate firefighting activities, which depend on the physical abilities needed to perform the firefighter job. Candidates invited for the CHFD Physical Ability Test will be notified of the schedule for the physical ability test after the NTN Computer Examination period closes.
Step 3 - Oral Interview: Top-scoring applicants (based on the scores of the NTN Computer Examination and CHFD Physical Ability portions) will advance to the oral interview. The oral interview consists of a series of questions from a panel that will assess additional skills and abilities necessary to perform the job of a firefighter in Cherry Hill.
Step 4 - Final Ranking Scores: The final ranking scores of applicants are to be based on the following:
· NTN Computer Exam 35%
· CHFD Physical Ability Test 40%
· Oral Interview 25%
Additional Points: Additional points will be added to the candidate's final ranking score for the following criteria:
· Current CHFD full-time and per diem EMS members:
o Current EMS members with less than one year of service as of January 2, 2025, will receive 1 point added to their final ranking score.
o Current EMS members with one or more years of service as of January 2, 2025, will receive 3 points added to their final ranking score.
United States Armed Forces veterans: 2 points will be added to the final score of eligible military veteran applicants. You must have been an honorably discharged member of the U.S. Armed Forces before January 2, 2025, with a DD-214 Member-4 document.
An applicant having a State of NJ Firefighter 1 Certification by January 2, 2025 will receive 2 points.
Current Cherry Hill residents with proof of established residency prior to January 2, 2025, will receive 3 points.
Camden County residents (non-Cherry Hill) with proof of established residency prior to January 2, 2025, will receive 1.5 points
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to become a Cherry Hill Firefighter. What are the requirements? You must have, or will have, education equivalent to high school completion by January 2, 2025. When employment is offered, you must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid New Jersey driver's license, and be physically able to perform the required duties of a firefighter. In addition, you must have a bona fide residence in the state of New Jersey prior to starting the CHFD Recruit Academy.
What's the first step? You must complete the NTN Computer Exam and Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA) by logging onto the National Testing Network (NTN) and registering on their website. Testing will open on January 2, 2025, and close on February 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. You must register and take the NTN Computer Examination by February 14, 2025.
No late applications will be accepted. No exceptions.
The Cherry Hill Fire Department will share the direct link to NTN on its website and social media accounts: X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, along with newspaper ads and postings at various other locations.
What happens after I apply? If you meet the education requirements described above when submitting your online application to NTN, you will immediately receive instructions on how to take the computer examination.
When is the actual test?
You schedule the date and time of your test. You must register, schedule, and complete the computer examination with NTN before 5:00 PM EST on February 14, 2025. You can take the computer examination virtually using your own computer if it meets the testing requirements, or you can schedule to take the examination at an NTN testing center. The location closest to Cherry Hill is in neighboring Mt. Laurel, NJ, with additional testing sites in Jersey City, NJ, throughout the Delaware Valley, and across the United States.
What does the test cover, and how can I request a study guide?
No study guide or preparation is required for the NTN FireTEAM exam. However, a practice exam is available for purchase through NTN. NTN cannot guarantee that reviewing the practice exam will result in a passing computer test score; however, candidates who complete the practice examination may better understand the type of test questions found on the Firefighter Computer Examination.
What should I bring to the test?
If you plan to take the examination at a testing center, you will be provided with information regarding anything you need to bring to the center when you schedule your appointment.
If you plan to take the examination using your own computer, you will need to review the virtual testing instructions provided on the NTN website to ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements. If your computer does not meet the requirements, you can schedule to take the examination at a testing center.
How will I receive exam-related notifications? Applicants must provide an email address when applying for the NTN computer examination. You should also add to your address book, or list of trusted contacts to prevent notices marked as spam by your email provider. All communications from NTN and the CHFD will be sent to your email address during registration.
What if I require a special testing accommodation for a documented medical reason? Candidates may request an accommodation by contacting NTN directly.
If I score well, when would I actually get hired? The CHFD will establish a hiring eligibility list that will remain in effect for three years. At this time, the CHFD cannot confirm the exact dates of when future recruit classes will begin, but it plans to hire off of this eligible list as early as the fall of 2025.
What if I already filled out a job interest form with the CHFD? Our job interest form is NOT an application. You must apply for the position through NTN.
Do I have a better chance of joining the CHFD if I apply early? No. It doesn't matter when you apply. Everyone who applies during the application period and meets the requirements will be invited to take the exam. However, candidates who apply early will have more time to schedule and prepare for the examination and may have a better chance of obtaining a test date test of their choice. It is not advised to wait until the end of the deadline, as fewer testing appointment options may be available towards the end of the application period.
What if I took the firefighter exam in 2022 and have yet to be hired? You must apply to take the test again during this upcoming application period, as that list expires on July 1, 2025.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 1.00 Per Hour
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Immediate start, Remote job, Felony friendly, Shift work,