Employment Opportunities & Procedures

The Billings Fire Department is a member of the Montana Firefighters Testing Consortium, which also administers the CPAT.

Written Exam: The MFTC will no longer administer a written test as part of its testing process. Individual departments may still administer a written test at the time of application. 

CPAT Exam:  CPAT events (Orientation, Practice Test, & CPAT Test) are scheduled in Billings every spring and fall. If you have never taken a CPAT Test, it is highly recommended that you participate in a free CPAT Orientation. 

Testing Deadlines: Check the MFTC's website for future testing dates. Departments will review scores on an as-needed basis, as determined by the agency. Be sure to review each department's profile to make sure you meet any department-specific deadline. Deadlines are set by each department.

Departments will reach out to candidates on an as-needed basis.  Be sure to be responsive to any agency requests. 

Billings Fire Department Probationary Firefighter Required Qualifications & Skills:

• High school diploma

• Up to one (1) year of combined education and experience in the areas of fire suppression & prevention

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug and nicotine test, psychological examination, physical examination, and a Federal and State finger-print criminal background check

• Must possess State of Montana EMT Basic certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of employment

• National Registry EMT Basic certification 

• Must maintain the minimum Montana and National Register EMT Basic level certification throughout Billings Fire Department career

• Must have good interpersonal skills

Billings Fire Department Probationary Firefighter Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Associate’s degree in Fire Science or equivalent

State of Montana Qualifications for Firefighter: MCA 7-33-4107

The State of Montana determines that qualifications for the firefighting profession must recognize the rigorous physical demands placed on firefighters and the expectation of many years of emergency service. To qualify as a firefighter, an applicant:

(1) must be a citizen of the United States;

(2) must be at least 18 years of age;

(3) must be a high school graduate or have been issued a high school equivalency diploma by the superintendent of public instruction or by an appropriate issuing agency of another state or of the federal government;

(4) must possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license;

(5) shall pass a physical examination by a qualified physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, who is not the applicant’s personal physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse, appointed by the employing authority to determine if the applicant is free from any mental or physical condition that might adversely affect the applicant’s performance of the duties of a firefighter, including requirements described in [section 2];

(6) must be fingerprinted and a search must be made of the local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record; and

(7) may not have been convicted of a crime for which the applicant could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary.”

Section 2. Qualifications of paid firefighters—tobacco use.

(1)(a) A paid firefighter hired on or after July 1, 2019, must be tobacco-free.

(b) The requirements of subsection (1)(a) must be verified through a physical exam as required in 7–33–4107.

View information on the Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium.

Questions? Contact the Billings Fire Department -
Phone: (406) 657-8423
Email

Click here to see if any positions for Probationary Police Officers are available.  

Application Process

Applications
A separate City of Billings application is required for each position. Please apply online.  
 
 If you have any questions or issues with the online application process, please call 406-237-6210.   

Deadlines
Applications can only be accepted for open positions until 5:00 pm on the deadline date. Applications received after the deadline date will not be considered. 

Additional Requirements
Additional requirements are not included in the job posting. When submitting an application on-line, the application cannot be submitted unless all required documents have been uploaded.  
 
Cover letters and resumes submitted without a City of Billings application will not be considered. 

The following information is important to employees who are newly hired by the City of Billings:

Screening
On-line applications are sent electronically to the Hiring Manager once the application has been submitted. Paper applications received in Human Resources will be submitted via our on-line applicant tracking software with only the required information to the appropriate department/division. A copy of the paper application and any supporting documentation will be attached to the application. Interview questions must be received and approved by Human Resources prior to the interview process. 

Interviewing
Applicants chosen for an interview will be notified by the hiring department. Depending on the position, applicants may also be asked for further background information (i.e., Department of Motor Vehicle Records). 
 
Applicants not selected for an interview will be notified by the hiring department by email.  

Drug Testing
Some applicants may be required to complete a pre-employment drug test. A drug test can only be scheduled within 10 days of the hire date. Results are received within three days of the testing date. The new hire may not begin employment until a negative drug test result has been received. 
 
To schedule a drug test, please call Megan Hodson at (406) 237-6210. 
 
Human Resources will notify the hiring manager of the drug test results. If a negative result has been received, the hiring manager will notify the new hire to schedule an employment date if one has not already been agreed upon.

Probationary Period
New Hires to the City of Billings are subject to a one-year probationary period that begins on their first day of work. Firefighters are subject to a six-month probationary period that begins on their first day of work. A new hire may be dismissed at any time during the probationary period without cause.

New Hire Paperwork / Benefits Meeting
All new employees with the City of Billings are required to complete new hire paperwork. You will be able to complete your paperwork via our on-line NeoGOV system. Our automated system will allow you to electronically complete all required new hire forms as well as provide instructions and resources for your employment.  
   
New hire meetings are typically held each Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. in the Human Resources Office. Your Supervisor will be notified should there be a change in the date and time. 

New Employee Orientation
A New Employee Orientation is generally held the third Thursday of every month at 8:00 a.m. in City Hall located at 316 North 26th Street. You will receive an email regarding orientation details. This is a mandatory orientation for all new hires and covers Human Resources policies and procedures, safety, and other pertinent information.