City of Tampa Fire Scholarship Program

Scholarship Recipients will receive a stipend of $300 per week for a 26-week period.    Scholarship Recipients will attend the Minimum Standards class at Tampa Fire Academy and Learey Technical Center to receive training for State of Florida certification as a firefighter.  Tuition, uniforms, and expenses are paid by the City of Tampa.  Recipients will also attend EMT – Basic Training and must become state certified.  Successful candidates who receive the scholarship award must sign a contract with the City in order to participate.

As Firefighter positions become available, Scholarship Recipients who have successfully completed all training required by the State of Florida to obtain certification as a firefighter will be given preference in hiring.  At the time the Fire Scholarship Recipient is sworn-in as a firefighter, all benefits of the current labor contract will be afforded.

QUALIFICATIONS:   

Age:  Minimum Age 18 years. 
       Education: High school diploma or equivalency certificate issued by a State Board of Education
       License:  Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.
       Character and overall physical condition must be suitable for firefighting work and candidates must pass the City's background investigation and polygraph examination.

Note:  Candidates must be non-users of tobacco products for at least one (1) year, and will continue to be non-users of tobacco or tobacco products while on or off duty for the duration of their employment per F.S. 633.34 and International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Bargaining Agreement, Article 27.5, as evidenced by a sworn affidavit of the applicant. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Self-Evaluation Supplement
• High-School Diploma or College Transcript
• Birth Certificate
• DD214 - Military Discharge  (if applicable)
• Valid Florida Driver's License

NOTE:  Applicants will not be eligible for the Fire Scholarship Program until copies of all required documents
       have been submitted to the City of Tampa Employment Services Office.

APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR SCHOLARSHIP MUST COMPLETE:

• Physical Abilities Testing
• Written Test of Adult Basic Education   (administered by Leary Technical Center)
• Background Investigation (to include polygraph)
       -     Medical Examination administered by City designated physicians
       -     Pre-Employment Drug Screening.

 CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS:   JANUARY 11, 2008

        Note:  Applications must be received or postmarked by the closing date.  Applications received or
                    postmarked after JANUARY 11, 2008 will not be processed.

*This office reserves the right not to consider those applications that have incomplete information, or that are received without necessary transcripts, certificates, licenses, or other required documents.