Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Where do I apply for a job with the city?

Applications are only accepted online. To view the current available jobs, visit the job postings page.

2. How often do you post jobs?

Jobs are posted after a requisition has been received from the department indicating that they will have a vacancy.

3. How do I apply to be a Police Officer?

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Applications are now being taken for Police Officer on a continual basis. Written tests will be conducted as needed, generally on an annual basis. Notification of the time/date for the written test will be given at the time of application or a letter will be mailed to interested applicants once a date is established.

4. How do I apply to be a Firefighter?

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, HazMat Awareness and HazMat Operations, CPAT (must have been taken within one year of test date), and an EMT license in order to apply. Applications will not be accepted without all the required certifications. We take applications year round with the written test being held once a year. Notification of the time/date for the testing will be given at the time of application or a letter mailed to interested applicants once a date is established.

5. If I don’t have the required certifications and licenses for firefighter, how can I obtain them?

Hillyard Technical Center holds a Fire Academy each year. The course generally runs from about August – June of each year. Contact Hillyard at 816-671-4170 for more information. There are also other educational institutions outside of St. Joseph where these certifications can be obtained. Interested parties can contact the Fire Department 816-271-4603 for more information on schools that offer these certifications.

6. What jobs do you have available for teenagers?

In the summer we hire lifeguards, cashiers, head guards, pool cleaners, recreation attendants and seasonal laborers. All must be at least 16 years of age and bring in a copy of their birth certificate if they are under 19. Lifeguards and head guards must also have their lifeguard, first aid, AED and CPR certification.

In the fall/winter we hire scorekeepers, referees, adult league referees and gym supervisors. All must be at least 16 years of age (except for scorekeepers who must be at least 15) and bring in a copy of their birth certificate if they are under 19.

7. Once I have applied for a position, will I be contacted?

You will only be contacted if you are chosen for an interview. Parks & Recreation seasonal applications are contacted as needed by the Parks Department. Police and Fire applicants are given notification of testing dates and times as they apply or by mail after applying. Successful completion of a physical agility and written test are required (for Police and Fire positions) before they can go further in the hiring process.

8. How do I get on the interview list?

After the closing date, all applications are reviewed to determine which applicants will be contacted for an interview. The hiring department may do further review and/or may conduct some preliminary review (e.g. telephone interview) to narrow down the candidates and determine which candidates they would like to bring in for an interview.

The process works differently for Parks & Recreation seasonal employees as well as Police Officer and Firefighters. If you applied for a seasonal position, those applications are screened by the Parks Department.

If you applied for a Police Officer or Firefighter position, there is a physical agility test, written test as well as background checks and other criteria, which must be met prior to further consideration being given.

9. How does the interview process work?

The hiring department will schedule face to face interviews. Depending on the position other job related testing may be scheduled. Applicants may also be required to return for further interviews. The department may also request additional applications from those who applied. If the department does not find a candidate they feel meets the qualifications they may re-post the position. Once the department has an applicant who meets the qualifications, they will make a contingent job offer (see below).

Police and Fire applicants are initially ranked according to written scores. The department will schedule oral interviews. The number of interviews is dependent on the number requested by the hiring department. Therefore, all applicants may not necessarily be interviewed. Other steps in the process are conducted at various times such as background checks. Once a candidate has successfully completed all steps in the process they are put on an eligibility list for up to one year. At any time during the year, the department has the option of hiring anyone from the list in any order.

10. How do I file a claim against the City for property damage, personal injury, etc.?

There is a Liability Claim Form available in the Risk Management Office, Room 307, City Hall. The form must be filled out and submitted along with two estimates of any damages being claimed. The information is then submitted to the Risk Manager or Claims Technician in the Legal Department, who then processes it through the city’s insurance carrier for review and determination. The city makes no promise/guarantee of payment of any claim. For further information, please contact the Risk Manager at 816-271-4671 or the Claims Technician at 816-271-4739.