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. 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:

Commissioner	Term Expires
Al Giguere (City Representative)	12/31/2022
Tim Martinovich (Neutral Representative)	12/20/2018
Vacant

Responsibilities

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

Entry-Level Firefighters Eligibility List

The 2016 Entry-Level Firefighter Eligibility List was certified on January 23, 2017 by the Civil Service Commission at their regular meeting. The 2016 Entry-Level Firefighter Eligibility List expires on December 28, 2018.
The process has begun to form the new list -- see below.

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 agility test.  This test is pass or fail.  Those passing the agility 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 hiring eligibility list on July 1, 2018.  Minimum requirements:  High School Graduate or GED equivalent.  Must be 18 years of age.  Applications must be submitted through the Career Portal.  

There is a non-refundable $20 testing fee that must be paid to be eligible to take the written examination.  Your application is not complete until you submit the fee payment. Testing fees can be paid (cash or check only) at the City Clerk's Office, 10 N. Division Street, Battle Creek, MI 49014.  Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 
**Please submit a copy of your application or resume with your testing fee; staff will have record of payment, plus candidate contact information for notification of testing dates and locations.

Study guides and practice tests for the Written Examination can be purchased here.

Testing and interview dates will be posted here as soon as they are determined.

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

Click here to visit the Fire Department's page featuring a short video from former Chief Dave Schmaltz.