JOB
2026 Statewide Departmental Promotional Examination for District Fire Chief (1YP)
If you currently have a Civil Service Online Account DO NOT create a new account to apply for this exam.
Utilize the Government Jobs Help & Support to access your account. Online Employment Application Guide | Massachusetts Civil Service Applications
Test takers with two accounts may cause delays with properly recording your application and notifications from civil service such as notices to appear, or job opportunities. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
Candidates for this examination must be employees in one of the following Massachusetts Fire Departments. Please read the below department listing carefully. Departments and eligible titles will be listed as they are requested.
Departments – Eligible Title(s):
- Attleboro – Fire Captain
- Fall River – Fire Captain
- Plymouth – Fire Captain
This examination is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to create an eligible list from which to fill District Fire Chief vacancies in participating Massachusetts Fire Departments. Candidates must take and pass this examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
Written Examination Date: November 21, 2026
Application Period Begins: August 17, 2026
Application Deadline: September 14, 2026
Examination Processing Fee: $150
Written Examination Locations: Various sites across the Commonwealth
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Reading ListExamination Information
Eligibility: To be eligible for this examination you must: (1) be an employee in the fire department for which the examination is given 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 District Fire Chief will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.
- If the eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank you must have served in the force at least one or three years depending on the participating department.
Note: Pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) 31 § 59, if less than two applications are received from eligible candidates, this examination will be postponed. If the examination’s eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank, the examination will go forward with less than two eligible candidates submit applications.
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 48% Technical Knowledge, 32% Situational Judgment Test, and 20% Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E).
Departments – Eligible Title(s):
- Attleboro – Fire Captain
- Fall River – Fire Captain
- Plymouth– Fire Captain
Application: All applications and examination processing fees must be received by the application deadline. 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 application deadline, your application will not be accepted.
Note: Although the online application system allows candidates to elect to receive notification by email or regular mail, please be advised that HRD utilizes only email for all notices to candidates.
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 above, 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 application deadline 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
[email protected] 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.
Additional Information for District Fire Chief candidates: Visit Examination Preparation Guides and Reading Lists | Mass.gov for more information. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Supplemental Information:
Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this and other civil service examinations, visit http://www.mass.gov/civilservice or email the Civil Service Unit at
[email protected]
Inquiries may also be made to HRD, Monday through Friday, 8:45am – 5:00pm, at the following numbers:
Boston area: (617) 878-9895
Within Massachusetts: 1-800-392-6178
TTY Number: (617) 878-9762
