JOB
Recruitment Number 26-0183
This recruitment is being conducted to fill vacancies with the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports Division.
Physical Ability Tests (PAT) will be administered only on the Island of Oahu. The PAT has not been scheduled. We will be holding two (2) PAT. One PAT will be administered on October or November 2026 and the 2nd PAT will be administered on February or March 2027. You will be invited to only one (1) PAT.
These vacancies require rotating shift work, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Airport Firefighter Recruit II may have to attend training for approximately 26 weeks or up to one (1) year. Upon successful completion of training, the incumbent shall be deployed to a designated airport location.
Please be sure to read this entire job announcement for complete information about the examination and selection process.
NOTE: The starting monthly salary is at the minimum rate of pay advertised above.
A continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. The notice of the last day to file applications will be posted on the State of Hawaii's Civil Service Job Opportunities Listing page of our website. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES This is one of the entry level class in the State of Hawaii Airport Firefighter series. Positions in this class participate in the airport rescue firefighter training program: (1) to acquire knowledge and understanding of the organization and the role and responsibilities of an airport firefighter; (2) to receive intensive classroom and field training in the theories, techniques, methods and procedures of aircraft and structural firefighting and rescue work; (3) to perform or assist, as a trainee, in various airport firefighting and other specialized or emergency operations, and in the provision of emergency medical care; and (4) to perform other airport firefighting and related tasks as directed and supervised. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PRINT AND SAVE A COPY OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call 808-587-1111 for assistance.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS (PSLF) PROGRAM
The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS
The Department of Human Resources Development will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs.
Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner.
EXAMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: The Examination and Selection Process will consist of several successive phases. Candidates must compete and qualify on all phases of the process in order to become a State of Hawaii Airport Firefighter Recruit.
(1) Minimum Qualification Requirements - Qualifying (Pass/Fail). Applicants
must meet all Minimum Qualification Requirements
as of the date of application. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether they meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements when processing is completed. Those who meet the Requirements become candidates for the Physical Ability Test (PAT).
(2) Physical Ability Tests (PAT) - Qualifying (Pass/Fail). The PAT shall be conducted by and under the direction of the Department of Human Resources Development, Employee Staffing Division.
The PAT is not scheduled. There will be two (2) PAT. One PAT will be administered on October or November 2026 and the 2nd PAT will be administered on February or March 2027. You will be notified one (1) month prior to the PAT and you will be only invited to one (1) PAT. Dates are subject to the availability of testing facilities. All testing shall be conducted under the direction of the State of Hawaii, Department of Human Resources Development, Employee Staffing Division.
Candidates will be scheduled for the PAT. Candidates who are scheduled must compete in and pass all PAT events.
The PAT will be administered on the Island of Oahu
ONLY. No exceptions shall be granted. All individuals will be notified by email of the location, date, and time of the test. Any costs associated with travel to or from Oahu shall be the applicant's responsibility.
The PAT will consist of two phases over two days: a Swim/Tread Water Test and a Physical Endurance Test. You must pass (qualify) each event in order to proceed to the next.
If you fail any test event, there will be no re-takes. You will be ask to leave the testing area. The test events are as follows:
1) 100 Meter Swim - Swim 100 meters in 2 minutes, 15 seconds (2 lengths of the pool). Goggles may be used, however, no fins or snorkels will be allowed.
2) Treading Water - Tread water continuously for 2 minutes, immediately after completing the swim event.
3) One Mile Run - Candidate will run and complete a one (1) mile course in eight (8) minutes.
4) High Rise Simulation - Carry a bundle of 1-1/2 inch fire hose on your shoulder (approximately 50 pounds) up 5-1/2 floors (98 steps) while wearing a standard turnout jacket (Airport Fire Department issue) in 35 seconds.
5) Aerial Ladder Climb - Climb up and down an aerial fire ladder extended approximately 35 - 70 feet high at an angle of 75 degrees. While there is no time limit on this event, you must climb smoothly, grasping each rung, and without stopping.
6) Fire Attack/Rescue Simulation- Do all of the following in 2 minutes, 30 seconds while wearing a standard turnout jacket:
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Drag a 2-1/2 inch fire hose 150 feet to the fire scene (distance = 200 feet);
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Return to the starting point, pick up a bundle of 1-1/2 inch fire hose (approximately 50 pounds) and carry it to the fire scene (distance = 200 feet);
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Drag a 175 pound bundle from the fire scene (distance = 50 feet);
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Return to the simulated fire scene and move a 2-1/2 inch charged line (length = 100 feet) forward 6 feet and laterally 25 feet.
(3) Interview and Selection. The interview and selection process shall be conducted by the Department of Transportation, Airports Division. Candidates who successfully complete all phases of the PAT, will be referred to the State DOT-AIR, for employment consideration.
The DOT-AIR will schedule interviews and conduct the selection and hiring process.
Interviews will be conducted on Oahu. The DOT-AIR may select any candidate referred on the eligible list and will notify each person interviewed of their decision.
PAT times will be used as part of the selection process if you pass the interview.
(4) Suitability Review. The Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) will review dismissals from employment, separations from military service under other than honorable conditions, and criminal convictions, as they apply to the position of Airport Firefighter Recruit.
Any misstatements or omission of material facts, in any part of the application, examination or selection process, shall be cause for disciplinary action including forfeiture of all rights to any employment in the service of the State of Hawaii.
(5) Health and Physical Condition Standards. Individuals must be able to meet health and physical condition standards of the position.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:
Applications will be accepted from
April 29, 2026 from 12:01 a.m. to TBD.
If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must demonstrate eligibility by attaching a copy of your Military Discharge Papers, DD-214, to your electronic application at the time of submittal.
We strongly recommend that applicants begin preparation now and train diligently for the PAT to ensure optimum performance on test day. The PAT is one of the major parts of the examination for the position of airport firefighter. Understanding this part of the examination and being prepared for it are critical factors for your success.
In physical terms, firefighting is an extremely demanding occupation. It requires agility, strength, coordination, balance and stamina. The firefighting environment is normally hazardous and constantly changing. Firefighting calls for the wearing of special protective clothing and breathing equipment and the use of tools that are often heavy. Because of the extremes encountered in the firefighting environment - hot and cold, wet and dry, night and day, clean and contaminated air - the protective clothing and equipment must be durable and effective. The need for these qualities has led to the development of equipment that is often heavy and cumbersome.
Given the demands of the occupation - saving life and property, the challenges of the environment and the weight and constraint of the protective equipment, the need to ensure that airport firefighter recruits are physically capable of learning and performing the tasks required is obvious.
The PAT is designed to evaluate the candidate's ability to perform firefighting activities. Studies reveal that the airport firefighter must have a high level of aerobic energy, strength and a significant ability to resist fatigue.
REMEMBER THAT 60-70% OF THE PHYSICAL ABILITY EVENTS REQUIRE EXCELLENT ARM, SHOULDER AND LEG STRENGTH, UPPER AND LOWER BODY STRENGTH, COORDINATION, BALANCE, STAMINA, AGILITY AND GOOD WIND ENDURANCE.
Change of information. We recommend that you notify DHRD in writing immediately of any changes to your mailing address, email address, or other contact information, or by logging into your account via government jobs.com to update your personal information. Failure to do so may result in your not receiving notification, including testing results, schedules, and other important information, on a timely basis.
Drug Screening. The individual selected must pass a drug-screening test. Illegal use of drugs is grounds for disqualification.
Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. To meet the requirements of the Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all individuals selected must provide original documents to verify identity and employment eligibility prior to appointment.
Probationary Period. All Airport Firefighter Recruits must successfully pass an initial probation period of one year to gain status as a permanent civil service member.
Expenses. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with any phase of the examination process, including the selection interview. If you are selected for a position, you will be responsible for the cost of:
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Pre-employment Physical Examinations (approximately $650.00); plus, additional costs for round trip airfare to Honolulu, hotel and ground transportation to Straub Clinic & Hospital;
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Airport Operations Access (AOA) Badge ($60.00/Cash Only); and
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Lodging/housing, transportation, and meals while in recruit training class.
The information provided herein constitutes requirements known at the time of announcement of this recruitment and may be revised or changed without limitation or notice for good reason thereafter.
CLICK HERE for further information about Equal Employment Opportunity, the Merit Civil Service System, Citizenship and other requirements, Reasonable Accommodation, Veterans Preference, Examination Requirements, and the State Recruiting Office's Levels of Review.
