Tumwater Fire Department - Firefighter
Last updated on October 15, 2025
PST Partner Agency since October 11, 2016
Vacancies: 4
Important Information
Selection process for entry-level firefighters
Step 1: Apply with the City of Tumwater (Applications accepted staring October 1, 2025)
Candidates interested in this position must complete the written exam (firefighter selection tool) through Public Safety Testing (PST) and a city of Tumwater application for employment. Applications are available at the Government Jobs website. The application deadline is January 30, 2026.
Applicants interested in this position must complete the written exam (firefighter selection tool) through Public Safety Testing. Please visit Public Safety Testing for information regarding the testing process. All candidates with a combined score of 80% on the PST written test will be invited to participate in 9-minute speed interviews scheduled for the week of Feb. 23, 2026, in Tumwater. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70% on the speed interview will be considered for the next step.
Step 2: Speed interview
All candidates with a combined score of 80% on the PST written test will be invited to participate in a 9-minute speed interview. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70% to be considered for the next step. Volunteer points are added to passing scores for those who qualify. Speed interviews will take place the week of Feb. 23, 2026, in Tumwater.
Step 3: Oral board interviews
Top candidates from speed interviews will be invited to participate in oral board interviews. These interviews will take place the week of March 23, 2026. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70%.
Step 4: Eligibility list
Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on their scores achieved on the PST Written Exam (40%) and the oral board interviews (60%), plus veteran's preference. The eligibility list will be approved at the April 2026 Civil Service Commission.
Step 5: Chief's interview
Depending on department openings, the top seven candidates will be invited to the chief's interview, which will be scheduled as needed.
Step 6: Conditional offer
Pre-employment screening
The next step in hiring is a conditional offer of employment. Candidates will be required to participate in pre-employment screenings, including a medical and psychological exam.
A valid candidate physical ability test (CPAT) certification is required.
CPAT certification is accepted from PST or another agency provider licensed by the IAFF/IAFC. To be valid, CPAT testing must have been completed within the last calendar year.
Candidates without valid certification who are scheduled for oral board interviews may request a test fee waiver.
How to prepare for the candidate physical ability test (CPAT)
Engage in advanced physical training before the CPAT, targeting muscle groups used in lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and other actions related to firefighter tasks. A workout program may include distance running, sprints, rowing, stair climbing with a weight pack, and weightlifting to develop both the upper and lower body.
More information can be found at the Public Safety Testing website.
Step 7: Recruit academy
Successful candidates will begin a firefighter recruit academy.
Candidates will receive updates regarding application status by email.
Community Information
Department Information
Area Information
Hiring Status
Salary Information
Benefit Information
Tumwater Fire Department - Firefighter Requirements
| Category | Requirement | Required at time of... | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Hire | ||
| Written Examination |
Yes, required |
||
| Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) |
Yes, required as described below A valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification is required by job offer date. If a candidate does not have a valid CPAT certification and receives a conditional offer, the City will pay the CPAT testing fee. CPAT certification is accepted from PST or another agency provider licensed by the IAFF/IAFC. |
||
| Minimum Age | 21 | ||
| Citizenship | US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident | ||
| High School Grad/ GED | Yes | ||
| Driver's License Required | Yes | ||
| Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language | Yes | ||
| Vision Requirements | Defined with LEOFF Medical Standards. | ||
| College Requirement | No | ||
| Multiple Scores from Same Applicant | We consider the highest score received within the past one year | ||
| Request/Access Scores | On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur | ||
Tumwater Fire Department - Firefighter Disqualifiers
The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.
| Category | Disqualifier | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving |
|
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| Criminal Activity |
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Contact Information
Tumwater Fire Department - Firefighter
Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
CPAT: Yes, required as described below
COVID-19 UPDATES
5/6/2020 Update:
TESTING IN WASHINGTON STATE CANCELED THROUGH MAY 31, 2020
All pre-employment tests in Washington State have been canceled until May 31, 2020 unless government restrictions are eased. With recent updates, facility closures, and government guidelines, this step is necessary and could be modified at any time. The health and safety of our customers, our staff, and their families is of the highest priority.
We will continue to evaluate developments and make changes to this policy as necessary. When we do resume testing, there will be plenty of events for everyone to test. We are in regular communication with our public safety agency partners, assessing alternatives to the traditional testing model and our testing policies. Any future updates will be posted on the PST website and our Facebook page.
4/1/2020 Update:
If you have tested with PST in the past 12 months, there may be additional positions you are now eligible to add. Several departments have temporarily changed their testing policies due to the suspension in testing that COVID-19 has caused. Please login to your PST account and navigate to the ‘New Positions’ page to see what departments you can add! We will regularly update that page in your account as departments send updates.
FUTURE TEST REGISTRATION
We know that there will be testing in the future - we just don’t know when! We want you to be prepared for when testing begins again so we have created test events on our calendar that you can register for that will place you in a queue to be first notified. These tests are not “real” test events, they are essentially a holding area. You will be able to “reschedule” out of that event to any other event date/location at no cost. Registering now will also give you time to work on your Personal History Statement (PHS) so that your data will be ready and up-to-date to send to your departments once testing resumes.
To sign up for this placeholder event, select the June 15, 2020 test date in your category (police, fire, 911 dispatch, corrections, etc.).
You may also click on the test event of interest below to sign up:
Law Enforcement & Corrections Written and Physical Ability Test
Please check back here frequently and ‘Like’ our Facebook page to stay updated.
PST staff are working remotely and are available by email at contact@publicsafetytesting.com. We anticipate a high email volume and will respond as quickly as possible.
