Careers with the Pocatello Fire Department

Join the Pocatello Fire Department

Become a Pocatello firefighter! The Pocatello Fire Department hires from a list of those who place on the Civil Service Exam. The exam takes place in January each year. The exam will be offered online for 2023. To take the exam, an application must be submitted to the City of Pocatello's Human Resources Department.

Minimum Requirements

All individuals interested in employment as a firefighter with the City of Pocatello are required to take and score a minimum of 70% on the Civil Service Exam. The exam, held annually, establishes an eligible register in rank order of exam scores. The eligible register is then used to hire new firefighters for the next year (unless the list is exhausted prior to that date). If you wish to be notified of the next Civil Service Exam (January 2023) please fill out and submit the Civil Service Exam Notification Form.

Combat Challenge

The Pocatello Fire Department requires recruits and all fire personnel (except administrative staff) to successfully complete the Combat Challenge.  For an overview of the Combat Challenge, please watch the video that follows:

Study Guide

The examination establishes the Civil Service eligible register from which all new Firefighter appointments are made. If you plan on taking the exam in the future, we suggest you review the Entry Level Fire Candidate Study Guide.

The City of Pocatello Fire Department utilizes the services of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) for its entry-level Firefighter Civil Service examination. Since 1953, IPMA-HR has been providing high-quality, reliable test products and services to police, fire, corrections, dispatch, and administrative departments throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

IPMA-HR offers an Entry Level Fire Candidate Study Guide to help candidates prepare for the civil service examination.

  • Answers your frequently asked questions about the test forms
  • Describes the content areas that are assessed by the test
  • Reviews the different types of questions you will see on the test
  • Presents sample questions from each content area
  • Shares basic test-taking tips
  • Provides you with a practice test and explains the answers to the practice test questions

Purchase of the guide is completely voluntary. You may order the guide through Public Safety Compass.

Hiring Process/Study Guide

Review information on the Pocatello Fire Department's hiring process and the benefits (PDF) of employment.

Notification of Exam

Fill out the Civil Service Exam Notification Form to receive notice of an upcoming exam.