REQUIRED ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS
An applicant shall meet all the following Fire Department required entrance qualifications, including:
a. Legal entitlement to work in Canada.
b. Be a minimum of 19 years of age.
c. Have a minimum of Grade 12 Certificate or GED equivalency.
d. Criminal record check (CRC) – vulnerable sector, dated no later than 6 months from date of request,
which verifies you have no convictions for criminal offenses or summary convictions.
e. Must have and maintain a minimum Class 3 and Air Brake endorsed Driver’s License, supplemented
with a driving record that demonstrates safe driving behavior. A current copy of your B.C. Driving
Record (available online through ICBC) must be submitted with your application dated within 30
days of your application submission. A record with more than 6 points may eliminate a candidate
from further consideration.
f. Must have and maintain a WorkSafe BC Occupational First Aid, Level 3 Certificate or First Responder
Level III Certification or equivalent. These (copies) must be submitted with your application. All
equivalencies(such as an out of Province certificate) must be accompanied by written confirmation
by WorkSafe BC.
g. A copy of an eye examination, conducted by a Doctor of Optometry within twelve (12) months of
the commencement of the competition which demonstrates the following:
1. Far visual acuity. Far visual acuity less than 20/40 binocular corrected with contact lenses or
spectacles. Far visual acuity less than 20/100 binocular for wearers of hard contacts or
spectacles, uncorrected.
2. Peripheral vision of 140 degrees minimum in each eye
3. Colour vision sufficient to distinguish red, green, and yellow.
4. The candidate does not have any eye condition that could prohibit them from safely performing
essential job tasks.
h. Normal hearing with no artificial aids. A copy of the audiogram must be submitted, dated within
twelve (12) months of the competition.
i. Successful completion of an approved Fire Fighting training program, NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter I & II.
Please attach a copy of your certificates to your application.
All costs associated to acquire the above listed requirements are borne solely by the applicant.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The following additional skills will enhance your application, but do not replace the required entrance
qualifications:
• Progress towards or completion of a Post Secondary Education program – Academic, Trades and/or
Technical schools
• Previous Structural Firefighting Experience
• Previous experience in additional emergency services:
o Wildland Firefighting
o Police Services
o Coast Guard
o Military
o Search and Rescue
• Fire Service related certificates:
o Auto Extrication/Vehicle Rescue
o Confined Space Rescue
o Hazardous Materials
o Technical Rope Rescue
o Lifesaving Certificates (Bronze Cross, Bronze Medallion, Natl. Lifesaving Service)
• Advanced First Aid Certificates:
o Primary Care Paramedic (PCP)
o Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP)
• Certified S.C.U.B.A.
• Rescue and Extrication Experience
• Building/construction experience
• Operation of heavy equipment/vehicles
• 2-way radio communications and/or Radio Operator’s License
• Community service and/or volunteer experience
• Knowledge and ability to work effectively with computers and computer programs
• Public speaking experience
• Participation in a team environment
• Volunteer coaching, teaching, or instructional experience
Short listed candidates will be invited to participate in a written aptitude/psychometric test. Candidates
who successfully complete this stage of the process will be invited to participate in a preliminary interview
conducted via Microsoft Teams. Those selected to move forward following the Teams interview will
subsequently be invited to participate in a formal, in-person panel interview. Select candidates will then
be placed on an eligibility list, however, placement on this list does not guarantee employment.
The Oak Bay Fire Departments reserves the right to terminate this hiring process and commence a new
recruit competition at any time.
SUMMARY OF THE PROCESS
Applications will be accepted from Thursday, February 22 to Friday, March 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Stage 1 – Application/Resume Screening
Stage 2 – Aptitude/Psychometric Testing
Stage 3 – Preliminary Microsoft Teams Interview
Stage 4 – Panel Interview
Stage 5 – Reference Checks
Stage 6 – Selection for Eligibility Pool – Successful completion of Firefighter Applicant Physical Fitness
Evaluation
Stage 7 – Individual Department Tests
Stage 8 – Medical Examination followed by Offer of Employment
The Oak Bay Fire Department may require additional testing of candidates. These tests may include
advanced medical exams, psychometric assessment, Fire Chief (executive) Interview and refreshing of
qualifications.
Applicants must pass each stage of the competitive process. Those who fail to meet the required standard
at any stage will not be permitted to proceed to the next stage in the selection process.
Important Notes:
1. Candidates may be disqualified if deadlines are not met.
2. The District of Oak Bay reserves the right to limit the number of candidates who will
proceed to the next stage.
3. All applicants will receive email notification during the competitive process advising of their
status in the competition, and whether they will be moving forward. It is the applicant’s
responsibility to ensure their email address is up to date and checked frequently during the
process.
4. No personal interviews will be granted to any candidate prior to short listing.
Selected members will be placed in an eligibility pool for a maximum period of two years. It should be noted
that placement in the eligibility pool does not guarantee or imply employment.
