Posting number: 270205SRFAO-SOM
Department: MUNICIPAL DEPT
Job classification: SrFAO1YP
Posting type: Promotional
Categories: Fire & EMS, Dispatch
Summary2027 Somerville Senior Fire Alarm Operator
If you currently have a Civil Service Online Account DO NOT create a new account to apply for this exam.
Utilize the Government Jobs Help & Support to access your account. Online Employment Application Guide | Massachusetts Civil Service Applications
Test takers with two accounts may cause delays with properly recording your application and notifications from civil service such as notices to appear, or job opportunities. If you have questions, please email civilservice@mass.gov.
This examination is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to create an eligible list from which to fill Senior Fire Alarm Operator vacancies in the Somerville Fire Department. Candidates must take and pass this examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
Written Examination Date: February 5, 2027
Application Period Begins: December 8, 2026
Application Deadline: January 5, 2027
Examination Processing Fee: $150
Written Examination Locations: Various sites across the Commonwealth
Examination Information
Eligibility: To be eligible for this examination you must: (1) be an employee in the Somerville Fire Department with permanent civil service status in the specified eligible title(s) by the date of the examination; and (2) have served in the force at least one year since you were appointed and performed the job duties of the eligible title(s)*. A combination of temporary and permanent service from a certification can be applied towards meeting this one-year requirement. Time spent working in the title of Senior Fire Alarm Operator will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position.
Note: Pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) 31 § 59, if less than two applications are received from eligible candidates, this examination will be postponed. If the examination’s eligible title has been lowered to the entry level rank, the examination will go forward with less than two eligible candidates submitting applications.
Eligible List: Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification from such list for such period as the administrator shall determine, but in any event not to exceed two years, unless otherwise outlined in MGL Chapter 31 § 25 or the Human Resources Division's (HRD) revocation policy.
Examination Weights: The examination weights are 48% Technical Knowledge, 32% Situational Judgment Test, and 20% Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E).
Departments – Eligible Title(s):
- Somerville– Fire Alarm Operator
Application: All applications and examination processing fees must be received by the application deadline. You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received. Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails. Candidates who have been approved for an examination fee voucher may record redeeming the voucher on the application. If you have not submitted payment or redemption of an examination voucher of the examination processing fee on or before the application deadline, your application will not be accepted.
Note: Although the online application system allows candidates to elect to receive notification by email or regular mail, please be advised that HRD utilizes only email for all notices to candidates.
Current Military Personnel: Any current military personnel requesting a makeup opportunity, visit Civil Service Military Makeup Examinations for more information.
Makeup Examination: With the exception of current military personnel as described in the link, no candidate has a right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination. If you file an examination application by the application deadline but are unable to appear for the examination on the examination date due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to HRD no later than seven calendar days from the original written examination date. HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request. HRD may require an additional examination processing fee upon approval of your request.
Reasonable Accommodations: If you need reasonable accommodations due to a documented impairment, or medical condition, you must fill out the Testing Accommodations Request Form and submit supporting documentation as outlined on the form from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site. The form and supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to the application or emailed to CS-ReasonableAccommodations@mass.gov no later than four weeks prior to the exam date. Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation. This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodations for exams and will not be used for any other purposes. For information regarding reasonable accommodations and the required form please see: Reasonable Accommodations for Civil Service Examinations.
Examples of Essential Duties:
Duties: Utilize the Computer-Aided Dispatch System (CAD) to enter calls, process requests, enter all response information, properly entering incident history text, continuously updating CAD to ensure accuracy and availability, and maintain record of on duty personnel and apparatus status; Monitor, report, and repair Fire Alarm equipment as needed; Receive, screen, and prioritize emergency 911 calls, non-emergency calls, and calls for service requiring emergency medical services or fire department attention, under the general supervision of the Superintendent of Fire alarm; Dispatch and coordinate personnel on active incidents; Process requests for public safety services efficiently, courteously, and professionally; Give instructions, information, and directions to the service requester and then relay the information to telecommunications personnel or other entities; Manage and update records with details of calls, dispatches, and messages in a timely manner; Monitor and manage multiple phone lines including Emergency/911, Non-Emergency/Business, Police Direct, etc. and process appropriate response; Acquire and share information using multiple sources; Analyze, classify, and summarize data for dispatch or referral using operational principles, practices, and procedures; Relay information via radio to firefighters during emergency situations (i.e., fires, HAZMAT, rescue operations, etc.), and facilitate incident related radio traffic by monitoring, relaying, clarifying, and interpreting the radio traffic; Coordinate operations with other agencies (i.e. utility companies, Medflight, town inspectors, etc.); Supervise the Operating Force in the receipt of alarm information, allocation and dispatch of resources, and monitoring of radio communications and fire traffic; Assign fire alarm operators to various duties as required and ensure all personnel under his/her supervision are properly trained; Oversee that all dispatching is performed in accordance with the Basic Dispatch Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures and assign the initial responses to any incident that is outside of the aforementioned procedures; Evaluate major service requests and institute an emergency action plan during critical situations that goes beyond the normal scope of operations in accordance with agency policies, protocols, guidelines, and procedures; and other related duties as needed.
Examination Subjects: The written examination will be designed to test, where practicable, the following knowledges, abilities and skills that have been established as qualifications for the position: Knowledge of the town and each station's response district; Knowledge of fire-related terminology; Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions; Knowledge of departmental organization and function; Knowledge of administrative and office procedures; Knowledge of current and emerging technologies, including internet, cellphone, GPS, cameras, body cams, etc.; and the knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT): The examination is designed to evaluate your judgment and decision-making, accountability, adaptability, leadership capabilities—including managing activities, building teams, and developing others—as well as your interpersonal skills, including conflict management.
Reading List: Available at Reading Lists
Experience/Certification/Training & Education (ECT&E): All candidates must complete the 2027 Senior Fire Alarm Operator Examination ECT&E Claim by submitting the required application online. This is a separate application from the examination application and must be completed through the online ECT&E claim process. Submissions made by any other method will result in a failing score for the ECT&E examination component.
Instructions and a link to the online ECT&E Claim application will be emailed to candidates before the written examination date. A confirmation email will be sent after a successful submission.
Candidates who do not submit their ECT&E Claim application, or who fail to upload all required supporting documentation by the application deadline, will receive an "INCOMPLETE" score. Late submissions will not be accepted, and candidates will not be permitted to submit or modify their ECT&E Claim application after the deadline.
Statutory Preference Points: Veterans and disabled veterans will be awarded two points to their passing, overall (general average) examination score. To claim veterans’ preference, claim veteran status in the application and attach your DD214 to the application or email it to civilservice@mass.gov. For more information on veteran status refer to the Military Information section on our website.
Updating Information: Candidates are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information. Failure to keep your records current may jeopardize opportunities for employment. For information on how to update your information, visit the Update Your Account.
During the HRD review process or during the life of the applicable eligible list(s), candidates must make original supporting documentation available should the issue of authenticity arise with any submitted document copies.
Refunds: There will be no refunds of the examination processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.
Private School or Service: HRD does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.
Supplemental Information:
Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For more information about this and other civil service examinations, visithttp://www.mass.gov/civilservice or email the Civil Service Unit atcivilservice@mass.gov
Inquiries may also be made to HRD, Monday through Friday, 8:45am – 5:00pm, at the following numbers:
Boston area: (617) 878-9895
Within Massachusetts: 1-800-392-6178
TTY Number: (617) 878-9762