FIRE APPARATUS OPERATOR (CLASS CODE 7215)

Kind of Examination

General Information

APPLICATIONS

• Applications will not be accepted if received after the closing date or after the stated maximum number of applications has been received, as specified on this announcement. All minimum qualification requirements for examinations must be met by the final filing date unless otherwise specified on this announcement.
• DELAY IN THE MAIL: The Department of City Civil Service cannot be responsible for failure of the applicant to receive an admission slip to an examination or for failure of the Department to receive material mailed by the applicant. Applicants should notify the Department of City Civil Service in writing of any address changes
• The minimum age limit is 18 years for any class of work requiring hard physical labor, operation of or proximity to hazardous machinery, exposure to hazardous chemicals, or participation in any other processes or procedures which are prohibited or limited by the Louisiana State Child Labor Law.
• WORKING TEST PERIOD: Effective August 1, 2023, the working test (probationary) period for all positions in the classified service is one year.
• SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING: The City of New Orleans has a comprehensive program of substance abuse testing. Candidates for employment for certain positions where the health, welfare and/or safety of the public, co-workers and the individual employee is at risk will have to undergo pre-employment substance abuse screening. Candidates for all other original entrance positions will have to undergo an unannounced substance abuse screening during their working test period. For further information, see Civil Service Rule V, Section 9.
• A MEDICAL EXAMINATION is required for all original entrance probationary appointments to ACTIVE classifications, and may be required for re-employment, promotions and/or transfers.
• A MEDICAL SCREENING , which may result in a medical examination, is required for all original entrance probationary appointments to non-active classifications.
• GOOD MORAL CHARACTER is required of all applicants. Any applicant may be disqualified if his/her character or past employment record is found to be unsatisfactory as determined by the Department of City Civil Service. Forgery, misrepresentation of facts, or cheating on examinations is punishable by disqualification, fine and other penalties.
• IMPORTANT : Applicants who are licensed to drive should have a current license on their person for purposes of identification during all phases of an examination. In lieu of such license, the Department of City Civil Service may require that applicants have some form of picture identification.
• VETERANS PREFERENCE: On original entrance examinations, veterans (as defined in Article X, Section 10(2) of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana), disabled veterans, certain spouses and parents of veterans shall receive additional credit if claimed as provided on the Veterans Preference claim form which can be obtained in this office. To obtain credit, this form must be submitted with the required proof (at the minimum, a DD214) before the final filing date.
• HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA (GED ) must be issued by a state Department of Education or an institution recognized by a state Department of Education. Certificates of completion, high school diplomas and GED from institutions not recognized by a state Department of Education are not acceptable. High School diplomas from foreign countries will be accepted if the applicant submits a statement of educational equivalency from one of the evaluation services accepted by the Department of Civil Service. A list of the accepted evaluation services can be found on the National Association of Credential Evacuation Services (NACES) website (www.naces.org).
• ACCREDITED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: An accredited college or university is an institution that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the USDE (United States Department of Education) as an Institutional Accreditor. College diplomas from foreign countries will be accepted if the applicant submits a statement of educational equivalency from one of the evaluation services accepted by the Department of Civil Service. A list of the accepted evaluation services can be found on the National Association of Credential Evacuation Services (NACES) website (www.naces.org).
• EXPERIENCE: Applicants will not receive credit for unpaid work unless specified on the job announcement. Partial credit only will be given for related part time employment. Civil Service reserves the right to determine which degrees, education, or other credentials are related or closely related. Experience credit will be granted for related provisional appointments (internal applicants).
• PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE: The Civil Service Department defines this experience as experience gained in a position that required a Bachelor's Degree upon entrance.
• OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT OR PROMOTION: Prior to appointment, the hiring agency is required to verify education, driver's license, and/or professional licenses/certifications claimed by the applicant to qualify for this classification. If selected for hire, applicants must provide original documents of their qualifying credentials to the hiring agency prior to their start date in this job classification. Offers of employment or promotion are required to be withdrawn for applicants who are found to have misrepresented their credentials during the application process.
• Revised 1/91, 4/03, 7/05, 2/07, 8/10, 2/12, 8/15, 6/16, 1/17, 1/19, 2/23, 8/23, 2/25, 3/26.

Employment with the City of New Orleans brings many great benefits.

• Want work-life balance? 14 paid holidays in 2026. 13 paid vacation days per year including during your first year of employment. Additional bonus vacation days the longer you are employed. 13 paid sick days per year including during your first year of employment. Additional bonus sick days the longer you are employed. Use or lose your days, off? Not here! You can roll an unlimited number of unused sick days and up to 45 unused vacation days to the next year. We pay you for unused vacation and sick days when you leave City government. Depending on your job, your department may also offer remote work, flexible schedules, and/or shift work. Thinking of starting a family or adding to your family? We offer 12 weeks of paid time off for bonding with a newborn, adopted, or fostered child. This is in addition to your sick and vacation leave. Full-time employees with one year of service qualify for this program. Need insurance for you and/or your family? We offer healthcare plans as low as $60.31 biweekly for individual employees. Our plan covers medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision. Hate going to the doctor's office? It also includes access to telemedicine. Plan members can also opt to cover their children, spouses and same or opposite sex registered domestic partners. We also offer a Flexible Spending Account that can reduce taxes for employees by allowing for pre-tax contributions for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. A completely free $25,000 life insurance policy is also available for all full-time employees. Have student loan debt? The City of New Orleans is a qualified employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Are you part of the FIRE (Financially Independent/Retire Early) movement? Don't want to work forever? We have options to help. Pension, Pension, Pension! Depending on your job you can participate in one of several pension systems and enjoy this great benefit. You can also participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan (457b) which allows you to defer up to $24,500 of your pretax income each year to supplement your retirement savings. Let's talk pay We offer competitive pay including pay increases based on the length of your employment. We also offer special pays for educational advancement, professional certifications and specialized work assignments. Love to learn? Our Employee Growth and Development Division offers free courses in over 50 topics including Leadership, Personal Finance, Conflict Management, Excel, Managing Stress, and Business Writing. We take care of our employees during emergencies Employees who work during declared emergencies receive extra pay. Employees who can't work due to emergency related workplace closures continue to receive their normal pay. Want to make a difference? We need you! Make an impact on our community through your work in City government! These benefits apply to employees of the City of New Orleans. Employees of Sewerage and Water Board enjoy many of these same benefits, but some benefits offered may vary. A listing of benefits available to Sewerage and Water Board employees can be found here. This description of benefits is intended to be informational and does not create a contractual entitlement to any listed benefit. The employee welfare and pension plan documents and applicable law govern the eligibility, vesting, and schedule of benefits, and the above description does not alter or interpret the plan documents or applicable law.
• 14 paid holidays in 2026.
• 13 paid vacation days per year including during your first year of employment. Additional bonus vacation days the longer you are employed.
• 13 paid sick days per year including during your first year of employment. Additional bonus sick days the longer you are employed.
• Use or lose your days, off? Not here! You can roll an unlimited number of unused sick days and up to 45 unused vacation days to the next year.
• We pay you for unused vacation and sick days when you leave City government.
• Depending on your job, your department may also offer remote work, flexible schedules, and/or shift work.
• We offer 12 weeks of paid time off for bonding with a newborn, adopted, or fostered child. This is in addition to your sick and vacation leave. Full-time employees with one year of service qualify for this program.
• We offer healthcare plans as low as $60.31 biweekly for individual employees. Our plan covers medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision. Hate going to the doctor's office? It also includes access to telemedicine. Plan members can also opt to cover their children, spouses and same or opposite sex registered domestic partners.
• We also offer a Flexible Spending Account that can reduce taxes for employees by allowing for pre-tax contributions for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs.
• A completely free $25,000 life insurance policy is also available for all full-time employees.
• The City of New Orleans is a qualified employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• Pension, Pension, Pension! Depending on your job you can participate in one of several pension systems and enjoy this great benefit.
• You can also participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan (457b) which allows you to defer up to $24,500 of your pretax income each year to supplement your retirement savings.
• We offer competitive pay including pay increases based on the length of your employment. We also offer special pays for educational advancement, professional certifications and specialized work assignments.
• Our Employee Growth and Development Division offers free courses in over 50 topics including Leadership, Personal Finance, Conflict Management, Excel, Managing Stress, and Business Writing.
• Employees who work during declared emergencies receive extra pay.
• Employees who can't work due to emergency related workplace closures continue to receive their normal pay.
• We need you! Make an impact on our community through your work in City government!

Supplemental Questions