Minneapolis accepting job applications for firefighters

Thousands of people are expected to apply for firefighter jobs in Minneapolis this week through Saturday.

It's the first time since 2006 that the Minneapolis Fire Department has accepted applications. The last time around, about 1,800 people applied.

From a Minneapolis Fire Department statement:

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"The fire department is seeking a diverse pool of applicants to fill future openings in the department. The department is preparing for retirements among many long-time career firefighters in the coming years. Accepting applications is the first step in creating a new firefighter eligibility list that will be used to hire fire fighters as positions open up."

The statement explains what happens after you apply:

"Applicants will be asked to take a pass/fail reading comprehension exam and a scored job inventory exam in March. The top scoring applicants will be asked to then participate in a scored oral interview and pass/fail physical agility test in spring/summer. Those applicants that complete those exam components successfully will be put on the eligibility list for future hiring that is good for two years. Before an applicant is hired, the last step in the examination process is to pass a criminal background check, medical exam and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening."

Firefighters work 24-hour shifts and are on duty about 10 days a month, according to the department's website. The salary is "$1901.00 biweekly after classroom training."

Application information is available on the department's website.

In previous years, Minneapolis cut its fire department. MPR News' Curtis Gilbert reported last summer that the city pared about 90 firefighting positions, or more than 18 percent since 2001.