The Inside Scoop: What’s New at ATCEMS

ATCEMS implemented departmental changes in 2019 beginning with the hiring process.

If you plan to apply, reapply, or have already applied during this application process, you will be affected by these changes.

Civil Service Ranking

In the past: All eligible applicants will be invited to a Structured Oral Interview (SOI). A passing SOI score is 70% or higher. The SOI determines the ranking (from highest to lowest score) of our initial Civil Service list. Those that have been Honorably Discharged from the military will receive 5 points added to their inital SOI score (if their DD-214 was received by the application deadline date).

What’s new: Candidates that successfully complete all hiring process elements AND hold a Paramedic certification or Licensed (by the application deadline date) will move to the top of the Civil Service list. Then, all successful candidates (including EMT-Bs and AEMTs) will be ranked by SOI score (plus 5 military points, if applicable).

What it means for you: Upon review of each application, all eligible applicants will be invited to a Structured Oral Interview (SOI). A passing SOI score is 70% or higher. Candidates that successfully complete all hiring process elements AND hold a Paramedic certification or License (by the application deadline date) will move to the top of the Civil Service list. Then, all successful candidates (EMT-Bs, AEMTs, and Paramedics) will be ranked from highest to lowest SOI score (plus 5 military points, if applicable).

Academy

All successful candidates that are offered employment should understand that you will be a Cadet — Field or Cadet — Communications during the ten (10) week Academy and will be employed as a civilian employee in accordance with City of Austin Policies and Procedures (Chapter A).

Upon graduation from the ATCEMS Academy, Cadets will advance to practice under a Field Training Officer (FTO) or Captain as a Medic — Field or Medic — Communications in compliance with Chapter 143 Local Government Code. Salary after graduation from the ATCEMS Academy will be in accordance with the starting pay of a Medic-Field/ Medic-Communications (if you are a certified or Licensed Paramedic by the application deadline date, the wage will be higher). After completing the entire probationary period of twelve (12) months, you will automatically become a full-fledged civil service employee and have full civil service protection.

Incentive Pay

In addition to base salary, ATCEMS offers incentive pay for qualifying medics:

• Bilingual Pay for certified Uniformed Staff members — $175/month
• Bachelor’s Degree — $150/month (in FY 2021–2022 this will increase to $220/month)
• Master’s Degree — $220/month (in FY 2021–2022 this will increase to $300/month)

Plus, more stipends and incentive pay available in the years to follow.

Promotional Opportunities

• Medic — Field employees that hold a Texas Department of State Health Service certification as an EMT-P or LP are eligible to sit for the next promotion exam to Clinical Specialist once they have cleared to independent duty (exams are administered based on staffing needs). Additionally, paramedics are eligible to complete an assessment to work as a Provider Level-4 prior to promotion.
• Medic — Communications employees that hold a Texas Department of State Health Service certification as an EMT- B or higher are eligible to sit for promotion to Clinical Specialist once they have cleared to independent duty.

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.