Fire Captain - Promotion

Position Summary

Reno Fire Department Captains have command of a firefighting company, its equipment, and station. They may be assigned administrative, training, or professional duties; participate in fire prevention and suppression activities; and perform related work as required.

• Respond to all alarms in an assigned district and other districts as directed.
• Supervise and participate in the laying of hose, placing of ladders, controlling the pressure and direction of water streams, rescue and salvage operations.
• Direct the routing and placement of apparatus at emergency scenes.
• Supervise maintenance of station and equipment.
• Prepare budget information at the company/station level.
• Enforce policy and procedure at the company level.
• Draft changes to policy and procedure.
• Maintain records and submit detailed reports to superiors.

Applicants must meet either Option 1 or Option 2 below.

High school diploma or equivalent.

• Seven years of full-time suppression line experience as a Firefighter with the City of Reno Fire Department or the Reno-Tahoe International Airport or a combination of both agencies;
• Successful completion of a promotional examination (ranking on an eligible list) for Fire Equipment Operator on one of the last two most recent Operator examinations, which includes the 2025 and 2026 examination processes.
• Seven years of combined full-time suppression line experience as both a Firefighter and Fire Equipment Operator, with the City of Reno Fire Department, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, or a combination of both agencies.

• Possession of a valid Non-Commercial Class B Driver's License with an "F" endorsement.
• Possession of a valid Nevada or National Registry EMT certification or higher.

Associate degree in fire science or a closely related field.

• Seven years of full-time suppression line experience with the City of Reno Fire Department, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, or a combination of both agencies.
• Successful completion of the City of Reno Aerial and Engine Academies.
• Successful completion of the City of Reno Acting Captain Academy.

• Possession of a valid Non-Commercial Class B Driver's License with an "F" endorsement.
• Possession of a valid Nevada or National Registry EMT certification or higher.
• Possession of a valid S-231 (Engine Boss) course completion certificate (task book completion is not required).
• Possession of a valid ICS-300 (Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents) certificate.
• Possession of a valid Incident Safety Officer (ISO) course completion certificate (task book completion is not required).

All candidates must be a current Firefighter, Airport Firefighter, Fire Equipment Operator, or Airport Fire Equipment Operator employed by the City of Reno at the time of application through appointment to be eligible for promotion.

Examination dates are for planning purposes and may change at the discretion of Civil Service or Reno Fire Department. This promotional testing process will require candidates to appear in person to participate.

• Date:
  October 21, 2026
• Weight = 30% of final grade

The 12 highest-scoring candidates who pass the written examination will advance to the assessment center exercises. If more than one candidate is tied for the 12th-ranking position, those candidates will be re-ranked based on department seniority.

• Assessment Center exercises are tentatively scheduled for the week of November 16, 2026.
• Weight = 70% of final grade

The scores from all assessment center exercises will be averaged to determine each candidate’s final assessment center score. Candidates must achieve a final average score of 70% or higher to pass the assessment center. A passing assessment center score is required to receive a passing final grade for the overall examination process.

Qualified applicants will be notified by email of the exact date, time, and location of the examination.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified within two weeks of…