Inside Scoop: How to Prepare for the Hiring Process

Inside Scoop, with ATCEMS Recruiting
Do you wonder what you can do to better prepare yourself for a hiring process? Let us take a little stress off and prepare you with the Inside Scoop!
There are many elements to a Medic-Field and Medic-Communications hiring process. Let’s break it down and provide you with some tips for success:

Application process:

• Read everything in detail! We cannot stress this enough. If you don’t read all the details carefully you can miss things and will be disqualified.
• Be open and honest during all elements of the hiring process. Dishonesty is one of our biggest disqualifiers.
• Apply early as possible. In the event your interview score is tied with another applicant and both of you are successful in the hiring process, the individual who applied first will rank higher on the Civil Service list.
• Email communication is our primary way of getting you the information you need, notifying you of next steps, or asking for any additional information we are lacking from your application. Check your email, including your junk/spam folder daily to assure you don’t miss important information.
• We recommend that you add iCIMS (@agents.icims.com) to your Approved/Safe Sender list to ensure that our emails are properly delivered to your inbox and not marked as spam. Please click here for instructions on adding iCIMS to your Approved/Safe Sender list.
• Your application is not complete until you upload all required documents. You can find out which documents are required on our Hiring Process page.
• We have a new application tracking system and no longer post jobs through the City of Austin eCareer system. If you have applied in the past you will have to re-apply in the new system.
• Provide all of your employment for the last 10 years (if applicable). This includes: full-time, part-time, PRN, volunteer, and all gaps of employment of more than 6 months.
• Finally, if you are asked to send confirmation on any element of the process, please email your confirmation. This will ensure us that you have received the communication needed in order to move forward through the hiring process.
• Out-of-State applicants: You do not have to compete reciprocity in order to apply and attend our hiring process. You must meet the minimum qualifications and hold a certification from your home state or National Registry.

CritiCall-Multi Tasking Exercise (Medic-Communications only):

• This assessment is a computer-based test on decision making skills, multi-tasking abilities, language arts skills, and the ability to listen and understand information. This test also measures your data entry and typing skills. There are 10 modules and Cadet-Communications candidates will be required to pass all elements in order to move forward in the hiring process. Additionally, you must be able to type 35 wpm with an 80 % accuracy to pass.
• Practice, Practice, Practice! Below are a few helpful links to help you prepare:
  FAQ page for dispatch applicants
  CritiCall Test Preparation Guide
• Individuals who meet the minimum qualifications will be provided the opportunity to attend a CritiCall practice session prior to testing.

Structured Oral Interview (SOI):

• If you are successful in meeting the minimum qualifications and proper documents are submitted, Recruiting will review all required documents to confirm your eligibility. Once confirmed, you will be invited via email to attend the SOI. The invitation email will provide an SOI guide to help you prepare for the interview. You can also find the SOI Guide on our Hiring Process page.
• The SOI is a panel interview consisting of a member of Human Resources, 1 Captain and 1 Commander.
• The SOI will take approximately 30 minutes and you will be asked 8 interview questions that are based on the qualities and attributes of a Field and/or Communications Medic. There will not be any medical related questions or medical scenarios.
• Questions are timed and you will have 3 minutes to answer each question. Three minutes is longer than you think!
• This is a professional process so dress for success!
• Don’t be late or you will be disqualified, no exceptions! If you do not know where you are going it is suggested you drive to the location prior to the interview. Please keep in mind traffic in Austin can be unpredictable so leave early and account for all delays.

Background Process: (Must pass the SOI to move forward to the background phase)

• Check your email for communication regarding the background elements. Be aware of deadline dates for each component.
• The background phase consists of fingerprinting for the FBI Criminal Background check, employment verification, professional references, and application review.

Employment verification:

• Verification will be conducted only on Public Safety jobs that you held within the last ten (10) years. You will receive an email from our third party vendor “Checkster”.
• To prepare, you will need to have the company’s HR department contact name, email, and phone number. This is for Public Safety jobs only, all other jobs that you held will not be verified. Recruiting will confirm the title you held, dates of employment, reason for leaving, and rehire status.
• There will be a deadline for all employment verification to be completed. You will be able to monitor the employment verification progress by employers. It is up to you to follow up with them to get all verifications completed by the deadline.

Professional References:

• Candidates will be asked to provide a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 professional references. We require at least one (1) reference to be your current supervisor or manager, as well as 2 references from past/current supervisors or managers (direct or indirect). You may also invite 3 additional colleagues, individuals you supervised, or professors/instructors as supplemental references.
• To prepare ahead of time, start asking your current and past supervisors if they are willing to provide a professional reference. We will need their name and email address. Inform them that they will receive an email from Checkster but it will be branded with our name and logo. This is a very quick electronic questionnaire that can be completed in their free time. They will be required to complete it prior to a set deadline. You will be able to monitor their progress and it’s up to you to follow up with them to get your references completed on time.

The Final phase consists of a pre-employment drug screening, medical evaluation, and an interview with the staff psychologist. You must pass the background phase before moving on to the final phase.

• Check your email for communications for appointment dates or times. Be aware of all deadline dates for each element.
• Read all information carefully as attention to detail is key!
• Know where you’re going, account for traffic and construction, and don’t be late.

Austin — Travis County EMS provides information to help our candidates be successful throughout all elements of the hiring process. Please take the time to read everything thoroughly as it will provide you with everything you need to know.

Interested in a career with ATCEMS? Contact our Recruiting team at EMSRecruiting@austintexas.gov or give us a call at 512–974–1098. You can find dates for the hiring process elements here.

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This publication features ATCEMS work culture and the lives of our medics. *Readings from other publications posted to Medium do not necessarily reflect the views or position of Austin-Travis County EMS, the City of Austin, or Travis County*

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974–3210 or TTY (512) 974–2445.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. ADA Office: (512) 974–3256 TDD (512) 974–3303.