Fire Captain

JobID: 516

Position Type:
FIRE-Promo

Date Posted:
12/2/2025

Location:
Fire Department

Date Available:
TBD

Closing Date:
12/22/2025

The Town of West Hartford
Announces a Promotional Examination
For the Position of

Fire Captain

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ELECTRONICALLY

Application Deadline: Salary Range:
December 22, 2025, at 11:59pm $114,010 - $124,696/year

Eligibility and Last Date for Filing Applications

You must meet the minimum qualifications for this position as of March 31, 2026, which is ninety (90) days from the date of expiration of the last existing eligible list. Promotional applications must be completed by 11:59p.m. on December 22,

Job Purpose:
This is a highly specialized supervisory and skilled firefighting position which includes responsibility for all activities of a fire station including shift activities, supervision of fire personnel and equipment, and training. In the absence of the group Deputy Chief, may act as shift commander and perform all of the duties associated with the Deputy Chief job description. Works under general supervision of the Fire Chief or his/her designee.

Essential Job Functions:

• Directs all activities of the fire company on an assigned shift.
• Responds to fire alarms and emergency calls for the preservation of life and property. Acts as incident commander, instituting and directing appropriate firefighting and rescue procedures, until relieved by a superior officer.
• Determines and implements action plan(s) as necessary to mitigate emergencies to provide for life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation.
• Maintains discipline of personnel under their command, and is responsible for the performance of all station duties on all shifts.
• Directs and supervises Lieutenants, Apparatus Operators, and Firefighters assigned to the fire station on all shifts, and is responsible for the scheduling and assignment of work to personnel, the proper inspection and maintenance of all fire apparatus and equipment, and maintaining effective command on all shifts.
• Inspects officers, firefighters, equipment, apparatus and the fire house facility. Documents and corrects and/or reports any deficiencies. Makes minor repairs to property and equipment. Prepares requisitions for materials and equipment to be used in the station.
• Carries out routine administrative functions. Prepares and maintains required reports and records.
• Directs, supervises, and participates in regular, routine fire inspections as part of the department's fire prevention and protection program.
• Coordinates the fire pre-plan program for the station response district.
• Coordinates training with the group Deputy Chief who is the lead trainer for the operational group. Conducts station drills and ensures training programs are executed on all shifts as directed.
• Directs and is responsible for the inspection and painting of fire hydrants, removal of snow, maintenance of grounds near hydrants, but such work excludes the repair and flushing of hydrants.
• May function as executive officer for the shift Deputy Chief and supervises other programs and details as directed.
• May function in various positions in the incident command system as needed. Participates in the development of incident action plans.
• May be assigned as a community liaison for a designated fire district
• May be assigned administrative or operational projects.
• Participates in the advisory role for the development of policy for the department and serves in an advisory role to the executive.
• If operating as a promoted paramedic, subject to assignment in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
• May serve as the executive officer of a working shift, responsible for supervision in the absence of a Deputy Chief.
• May be voluntarily assigned to a supervisory role in the Training and Support Services Division.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of modern firefighting, fire control, fire prevention, safety, fire protection and rescue principles, practices and procedures and fire administration.
• Thorough knowledge of the Incident Command System.
• Considerable knowledge of and skill in the operation and maintenance of assigned apparatus and equipment used in firefighting activities together with the ability of supervising the effective use of such equipment and apparatus.
• Complete knowledge of the geographical layout of the Town, particularly the location of streets and hydrants and water systems.
• Considerable knowledge of building construction and related state and local building codes, the layout of buildings, equipment to be used in buildings, and fire safety procedures to be employed in construction of building.
• Considerable knowledge of any fire protection equipment in buildings installed to combat fires and emergencies.
• Ability to plan and direct the work of subordinates and maintain discipline of employees under his/her supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to lead, direct and supervise personnel effectively, to maintain discipline and high morale, to exercise sound judgment, and to cooperate with other municipal officers and employees.
• Ability to produce and maintain required written reports, records, and documents with clearly organized thoughts using a PC or other keyboard device.
• Considerable agility and physical strength to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse and hazardous conditions.

Work Environment:

Employees in this classification are required to "advance" to danger rather than to retreat from it in the interest of decreasing the condition.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach and stretch with hands and arms with full range of motion. The employee may be required to sit, climb or balance, jump, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk and smell.

Employees in this classification are required to perform heavy manual labor under conditions of extreme personal hazard and under conditions of extreme discomfort due to heat, smoke, cold, and other outside weather conditions. The employee must frequently lift and/or move heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet) and occasionally lift and/or move more than 175 pounds. Must lift arms above shoulder level to cut vent holes with an axe or to force entry into automobiles using specialized tools. Frequently pulls 40 pounds or more, such as removing hose from apparatus, pulling ceilings, starting power equipment, and opening doors on the apparatus.

Wears protective clothing and uses a self-contained breathing apparatus to prevent exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases.

The employee works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places and in confined spaces. The employee may be required to travel across wet, slippery, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The employee is often exposed to extreme fluctuations in temperatures and weather conditions while performing job duties.

The noise level in the working environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

The employee is required to work rotating shifts, and is considered essential emergency personnel. Any personnel in this position are required to work during emergency situations, as determined by the Fire Chief or his/her designee, and are subject to be recalled to work at any time.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or the equivalent State-approved General Equivalency Diploma (GED) required.
• Must have six (6) years' experience as a Firefighter with the West Hartford Fire Department and a minimum of two (2) years' experience as a Lieutenant with the West Hartford Fire Department.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Firehouse Software, ESO Software, Target Solutions and other applicable departmental software programs.
• Must be able to successfully complete a medical physical meeting the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards for Respiratory Protection (29 CFR , as amended.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of at least 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university in management, public administration, fire and EMS-related subjects preferred. Must attach all transcripts (unofficial or official).
• Certification as NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I and NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor I. Completion of ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, 800. Must attach proof of certification.

Method of Selection
Weight
Oral Board Examination 100%
Time in Service (Additional) 6 Points

The oral board examination will be held January 26, 2026, and January 27, 2026. These dates are subject to change based on the needs of the Town.

Candidates who successfully pass the oral board examination with a score of at least 70% will have their names placed on the Eligible List in accordance with the Town of West Hartford Personnel Rules. Such list shall expire two (2) years after the date of its establishment. Certification for appointment from the Eligible List shall be made in accordance with the Town of West Hartford Personnel Rules.

No candidate will be promoted to this position, however, if he/she fails to satisfy all physical requirements for the position which would prevent him/her from performing the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation, and as determined by the Fire Chief and a physician selected by the Director of Human Resources. Any employee promoted as a result of this examination must satisfactorily complete a six (6) month probationary period before the promotion will be considered permanent.

Applications

Promotional applications may be accessed on the Jobs Page of and must be electronically completed by the closing date and time, unless the Director of Human Resources extends such date.

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ELECTRONICALLY

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - M/F

It is the policy of the Town of West Hartford that discrimination in any way on the basis race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity/expression, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, military/veteran status, political belief, criminal record, disability or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements and any exceptions under applicable state or federal law toward employees is strictly prohibited and will be not be tolerated.

The above description is intended as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed and are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. It is intended as a guide for personnel actions and must not be taken as a complete itemization of all facets of any job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The Town of West Hartford provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation on the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department at or email Melissa Henowitz.

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or need assistance completing an online application may visit the Noah Webster Library or its branches for access and assistance.

AH 12/2/2025