Applied in 2024?

The following information is for candidates who submitted an application for Firefighter in 2024. The 2024 application period closed on Nov. 29, 2024, and the 2025 Firefighter Register will be published in March 2025. The first class hired from this register, Recruit Class #123, will start in August 2025.

Tentative Schedule

March-April 2025: Employment packets, CPATs and suitability assessments

May 2025: Fire Chief interviews and conditional offers for Recruit Class #123

June-July 2025: Background checks, medical assessments and psychological evaluations for Recruit Class #123

August 2025: Recruit Class #123 begins

Questions

Questions regarding pre-employment screening or the job of a Seattle firefighter should be directed to the Seattle Fire Department Recruitment Office via email to SFD.Recruitment@seattle.gov.

FAQs

Projected Hiring

The 2025 hiring register will be published in March 2025. We anticipate this register will be used to hire recruit classes in August 2025, Feb. 2026, August 2026 and Feb. 2027.

CPAT

The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is administered after the testing process and hiring register is established. Eligible candidates will receive a paid CPAT voucher.

For this process, the department will only accept CPAT results completed through the National Testing Network using the provided voucher. Candidates who don't pass the CPAT will have the opportunity to retake it during our next screening process.

Candidates who pass the CPAT will receive a letter from NTN verifying their passing score. This letter should be sent to SFD.Recruitment@seattle.gov for processing.

Suitability Assessment

The pre-offer suitability assessment is conducted through Public Safety Psychological Services. Eligible candidates will receive instructions on how to self-schedule their assessment. Suitability assessment results will be sent directly to the department.

Out of state candidates

There are no residency requirements for Seattle Fire Department applicants; however, some aspects of the hiring process will require the candidate to travel to the Seattle area. Interviews, post-conditional medical assessments and gear fittings will take place Seattle, and candidates may also have to travel to complete the CPAT if their state does not have a National Testing Network location. Candidates who receive a final offer will also be expected to attend an in-person orientation, which is typically scheduled the Monday prior to the Recruit Class start date.

How do I update my information?

If you have submitted an application, you should update your contact information by logging into your account on www.GovernmentJobs.com. You should also email SFD HR at SFD.Recruitment@seattle.gov to make sure they have your new contact information on file.