2027 Principal Fire Alarm Operator-Boston

2027 Boston Principal Fire Alarm Operator

This examination is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to create an eligible list from which to fill Principal Fire Alarm Operator vacancies in the Boston Fire Department. Candidates must take and pass this examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.

Written Examination Date:
February 5, 2027

Application Period Begins:
December 8, 2026

Final date to receive applications:
January 5, 2027

Examination Processing Fee: $150

Written Examination Locations:
Various sites across the Commonwealth

Eligibility:
To be eligible for this examination you must: (1) be an employee in the Boston Fire Department with permanent civil service status in the specified eligible title(s) by the date of the examination; and (2) have served in the force at least one year since you were appointed and performed the job duties of the eligible title(s). A combination of temporary and permanent service from a certification can be applied towards meeting this one-year requirement.

Time spent working in the title of Principal Fire Alarm Operator will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.

Eligible List:
Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification from such list for such period as the administrator shall determine, but in any event not to exceed two years, unless otherwise outlined in MGL Chapter 31 § 25 or the Human Resources Division's (HRD) revocation policy.

Examination Weights:
The examination weights are 44% Technical Knowledge, 36% Situational Judgment Test, and 20% Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E).

Departments – Eligible Title(s):
Boston – Senior Fire Alarm Operator

Application:
All applications and examination processing fees must be received by the Final date to receive applications. You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received. Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails. Candidates who have been approved for an examination fee voucher may record redeeming the voucher on the application.

If you have not submitted payment or redemption of an examination voucher of the examination processing fee on or before the Final date to receive applications, your application will not be accepted.

Current Military Personnel:
Any current military personnel requesting a makeup opportunity, visit Civil Service Military Makeup Examinations for more information.

Makeup Examination:
With the exception of current military personnel as described in the link, no candidate has a right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination. If you file an examination application by the Final date to receive applications but are unable to appear for the examination on the examination date due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to HRD no later than seven calendar days from the original written examination date.

HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request. HRD may require an additional examination processing fee upon approval of your request.

Reasonable Accommodations:
If you need reasonable accommodations due to a documented impairment, or medical condition, you must fill out the Testing Accommodations Request Form and submit supporting documentation as outlined on the form from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site. The form and supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to the application or emailed to CS-Reasonable Accommodations no later than four weeks prior to the exam date.

Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation. This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodations for exams and will not be used for any other purposes. For information regarding reasonable accommodations and the required form please see:
Reasonable Accommodations for Civil Service Examinations.

Examples of Essential Duties:

Duties:
Utilize the Computer-Aided Dispatch System (CAD) to enter calls, process requests, enter all response information, properly entering incident history text, continuously updating CAD to ensure accuracy and availability, and maintain record of on duty personnel and apparatus status;
Monitor, report, and repair Fire Alarm equipment as needed;
Receive, screen, and prioritize emergency 911 calls, non-emergency calls, and calls for service requiring emergency medical services or fire department attention, under the general supervision of the Superintendent of Fire alarm;
Dispatch and coordinate personnel on active incidents;
Process requests for public safety services efficiently,…