Civil Service Commission

History of Commission

The Civil Service Commission is the board that oversees the process for hiring and promotion within the Fire Department.  It has existed since 1962 when Battle Creek voters approved State Act #78 of 1935.   

The Civil Service Commission meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 4:00 P.M. in City Hall Commission Chambers (or virtual - Zoom meeting details can be found on the published notices). Click here to view the agendas and minutes for current and past meetings.

Members

The City Clerk acts as ex-officio member to a 3-member commission. The Civil Service Commission includes a City representative, a Fire Department representative, and a neutral member of the public with term limits of 6 years.  The current Commissioners are:

Responsibilities

The Commission directs recruitment, written and oral examinations, physical agility tests and presides over appeal/disciplinary hearings.

Entry-Level Firefighters Eligibility List

The 2021 Entry-Level Firefighter Eligibility List was certified on December 27, 2021 by the Civil Service Commission at their regular meeting. The  2021 Entry-Level Firefighter Eligibility List expires on December 10, 2023.

Process for Entry-Level Firefighter Candidates

The eligibility list for the position of Entry-Level Firefighter shall remain in place for a period of two years from the date of the last examination.

The process for placement on the eligibility list is comprised of three components.  First, a written examination is given to all candidates whose employment application showed they met the minimum requirements. Candidates receiving a grade of 70 percent or higher move on to the second phase, which is the physical ability test.  This test is pass or fail.  Those passing the ability test are then interviewed using the Multiple Interview Assessment process. The written and Multiple Interview Assessment scores are averaged, and those candidates receiving a 70 percent or higher score are placed on the eligibility list.  

The City of Battle Creek will start accepting applications for establishing a new hiring eligibility list June 13, 2023.  Minimum requirements:  High School Graduate or GED equivalent.  Must be 18 years of age.  

Please see the "Employment Process" page for more information.

 Study guides and practice tests for the Written Examination can be purchased here:  Entry-Level Firefighter Online Study Guide – Public Safety Compass

The Testing Schedule is by invitation only for qualified applicants who submitted an employment application.