(A) (1) To be appointed to the Fire Department, an applicant must be:
(a) A citizen of the United States;
(b) A high school graduate or equivalent; and
(c) At least 21 years of age, but under 36 years of age.
(2) However, the age requirements do not apply to a person who has been previously employed as a member of the Department.
(B) A person may not be appointed, reappointed or reinstated if he or she has a felony conviction on his or her record.
(C) All individuals appointed or reappointed to the Fire Department must establish residency in Marion County or any contiguous county within six months of the appointment.
(D) Applications for appointment or reappointment to the Department must be obtained from the Fire Department administrative office and returned to the same office when completed.
(E) (1) Applicants must comply with the following requirements.
(a) Applicants must pass the general aptitude test required under state law, which general aptitude test shall reflect the essential functions of the job. The test shall be conducted according to procedures and standards adopted by the Commission.
(b) The applicant must pass a physical agility test required under state law. The test shall be conducted according to procedures and standards adopted by the Commission.
(c) The applicant shall have an oral interview as established by the Commission.
(d) The applicant must pass statutory medical examinations and tests, and not exceed statutory age requirements, as required under state law for participation in the applicable PERF fund.
(2) The results of the general aptitude test shall be filed with the Commission. If the Commission finds that the applicant lacks the proper qualifications, it shall reject the applicant.
(F) The applicants shall then be rated on the selection criteria and testing methods adopted by the Commission, which may include mental alertness, character, habits and reputation. The Commission shall adopt rules for grading the applicants, including the establishment of a passing score. The Commission shall place the names of applicants with passing scores on an eligibility list by the order of their scores and shall certify the list to the Board of Public Works and Safety.
(G) If an applicant for original appointment reaches his or her thirty-sixth birthday, his or her name shall be removed from the eligibility list. Applicants remain on the list for two years from the date of certification. After two years a person may reapply as applicant.
(H) When a vacancy occurs in the Department, the Chief shall appoint the applicant or applicants as are necessary to fill any vacancies that exist in the Department. At least two-thirds of the vacancies to be appointed at one time by the Chief shall be filled by taking the applicant or applicants having the highest score or scores on the final eligibility list and proceeding down the list in order. The Chief shall fill no more than one-third of any remaining vacancies by selecting any person remaining on the final eligibility list. (For example, if a total of four vacancies exist, the Chief could fill only one of the vacancies with an applicant not having the highest score. Whereas, if six vacancies exist, the Chief could fill two of the six vacancies with applicants not having the highest scores.) In selecting all candidates, consideration shall be given to I.C. 36-8-4-10. The Commission may approve deviation from this procedure in the event the Chief establishes the need to hire individuals with special certifications or qualifications to fill immediate needs for the good of the Department, provided an interview and process has occurred for that particular position. All applicants who are appointed shall successfully complete the physical agility test required by I.C. 36-8-3.2-3 and division (E)(1)(b) above, shall be determined to be still of good character and shall pass the required examinations identified in I.C. 36-8-3.2-6 and 36-8-8-19. Employment shall be offered only after successful completion of the necessary requirements of and acceptance by the State PERF Board.
(I) All appointments are probationary for a period not to exceed one year. If the Commission finds, upon the recommendation of the Department during the probationary period, that the conduct or capacity of the probationary member is not satisfactory, the Commission shall notify him or her in writing that he or she is being reprimanded, that he or she is being suspended, or that he or she will not receive a permanent appointment. If a member is notified that he or she will not receive a permanent appointment, his or her employment immediately ceases. Otherwise, at the expiration of the probationary period the member is considered regularly employed.
(Am. Ord. 23, 2006, passed 11-6-2006)
(J) The appointment eligibility list, if any, in effect at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall remain in effect according to its terms and until its expiration as established.
(K) Seniority ranking for members appointed to the Department shall be determined by the date of hire being approved by the State PERF Board. If multiple appointments occur on the same date, seniority ranking then shall be determined by the date of hire as well as the member’s relatively higher ranking in the fire suppression portion of the recruit class testing.
(Am. Ord. 13, 2004, passed 8-11-2004)