Applicant should complete a “Job Interest Card.” Interest cards are kept on file for 1 year and will send out a mass email when a hiring process has opened up.
KDPS Hiring Process Steps (Download PDF)
RECRUIT
- Established Events (colleges/job fairs)
- Coffee socials
- Block parties
- Community events
- Churches/church flyers
- High schools/colleges
- WebEx Q&A sessions
- Education for Employment
- Yard signs
- KDPS Explorers
- Previous applicants
- Metro Bus advertising
- Michigan Works!
- Billboard advertising
- Job Interest Cards
- Word of Mouth
- Kalamazoo Promise graduates
- Social media
- Paid advertising
- City of Kalamazoo water bill
- Many more
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PREPARE
- Online practice tests (available free for City of Kalamazoo residents)
- Online videos (fire agility/other steps)
- MCOLES testing opportunities
- Tips for Success powerpoint
- 1-on-1 meetings with recruiters
- WebEx Q&A sessions
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APPLY
- Application period opens
- NeoGov online application to include background questions for screening for MCOLES compliance
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WRITTEN TEST
- Invited to written test upon review of application and background questions
- Test prep session provided prior to test (virtual)
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BACKGROUND PACKET
- Upon passing the written test, applicants will be emailed a background packet
- Applicants must follow the specific instructions provided
- Extensive information requested, to include: previous education, residences, employers, references, military, driving and criminal history
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BACKGROUND SCREENING
- Each background packet is screened to determine minimum qualifications met
- Screening will determine City of Kalamazoo residence, urban experience, military service, prior police-fire-EMS training, KDPS Explorer
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FIRST INTERVIEW & AGILITY TEST
- Eligible candidates are invited to interview and complete agility test
- Both processess are completed in the same day
- Interview is scored by HR-monitored panel
- PSO Agility Test is pass/fail (police and fire components)
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BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
- Applicants assigned to a background investigator
- 3-4 week process
- MUST pass MCOLES written & physical exam prior to completion of investigation
- Must complete 12-hour ride-along with community participation event
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FINAL CHIEFS’ INTERVIEW
- All candidates passing the background investigation and MCOLES requirements are invited to interview
- No point score assigned; Chief may select from entire pool upon completion of interview
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OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT
- Employment offers are conditional upon passing, physical exam, psycholgical exam and drug screening
- Continued employment upon successful completion of fire academy, police academy, and MFR test
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TRAINING
- 10-week fire academy
- 10-16 week Field Training Officer (FTO)
- 3-week Medical First Responder (MFR) training and test
- 15-17 week MCOLES police academy
- 3-week KDPS Advanced Academy
- 1-year probationary period (additional length if attending police academy)
