Background Check
Marietta Firefighter/AEMTs are discernible representatives of the City of Marietta and accountable to the citizens they serve. They are responsible for protecting and serving the public and are trusted with substantial authority to carry out these responsibilities. The public has the right to expect that such authority and trust be placed in only those individuals of the highest caliber who have demonstrated by their conduct that they can perform the duties within the scope of their authority.
In an effort to maintain an equitable standard for hiring applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT, the following minimum guidelines have been established. These guidelines are not all-inclusive but are among the principal factors to be considered by the hiring authority of the Marietta Fire Department in evaluating an applicant's candidacy. Candidates may be considered for disqualification for conduct that is not specifically outlined in these guidelines. Circumstances surrounding certain events within an applicant's background which may be considered disputable will be subject to examination by the hiring authority.
The City of Marietta will research your background in the following areas:
- Criminal History
- Employment History
- Financial Standing
- Military History
- Gambling Habits
- Drug Usage/Possession/Distribution
- Driving History
- Criminal History
- Employment History
- Financial Standing
- Military History
- Gambling Habits
- Drug Usage/Possession
- Driving History
Felony Convictions
As an applicant for the position of Firefighter/AEMT, you shall be subject to a check of your criminal history as recorded by federal, state, county, city, foreign or other government body. No applicant for the position for the position of Firefighter/AEMT shall have been convicted for a criminal offense classified as a felony within his / her lifetime. Pleas of nolo contendere are considered a conviction.
Misdemeanor Convictions
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT who have been convicted for more than two misdemeanor offenses within their lifetime, shall not be considered. The nature of the offense(s) committed must have not been associated with crimes denoting moral turpitude or disrespect for law enforcement authorities or crimes of an aggravated nature, including but not limited to crimes against public order and safety, public morals and standards, sexual offenses, domestic violence, crimes against children, etc. For the purpose of this section, violations of traffic laws are not included. Pleas of nolo contendere are considered a conviction.
Felony Thefts
No applicant for the position of Firefighter/AEMT shall have ever been involved in a theft of a felony nature. The standard for determining the class of the theft shall be the Georgia Annotated Code which was in effect at the time of the theft. This applies to both detected and undetected thefts.
Misdemeanor Thefts
No applicant for the position of Firefighter/AEMT shall have been involved in more than two thefts of a misdemeanor nature within his / her lifetime. No applicant can have committed a theft of any type within the twelve (12) month period preceding the initiation of the applicant's hiring process. The applicable Annotated Code of Georgia in effect at the time of the commission of the theft will be the determining factor of whether or not the theft was a felony or a misdemeanor. The hiring authority will examine the applicant's involvement on a case by case basis.
Undetected Crimes
Applicants who have admitted committing crimes against the state or any other government body that were never detected shall be presumed to have committed the crime or act. The class or seriousness of the violation will be determined by the applicable Criminal Code of Georgia which was in effect at the time of the commission of the act/ crime regardless of where the act was physically committed.
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT should have a stable employment history. The quantity and type of employment history required is at the discretion of the hiring authority. You will not be considered for the position of Firefighter/AEMT if any of the following statements is true:
- You have been terminated for cause from a place of employment more than one time within the five-year period preceding the start of your hiring process.
- You have been terminated for cause by a federal, state, county, or municipal civil service or merit system.
- If applicable, your records from The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (or similar state agency) reflect adverse findings.
- You have been the subject (defendant) of an adverse Civil Rights decision through Federal or State Court.
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT must be in good credit standing with a history of credit stability, and have no debt currently assigned to collections. The applicant must not have a pending garnishment or judgment that may cause undue hardship while employed with this agency. The hiring authority shall determine the status of applicant's credit history on a case by case basis.
Bankruptcies
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT must not have filed bankruptcy more than one time within the ten-year period prior to the initiation of the individual's hiring process. Applicants may not have a bankruptcy in progress. Applicants currently under a granted bankruptcy which is part of a repayment plan are not affected by this section.
Lawsuits
Applicants who are the plaintiff or defendant in any pending lawsuit involving liability or damages will have their situation evaluated independently by the hiring authority. Divorces are not included in this section.
Character of Discharge
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT with a less than Honorable Discharge from the armed forces of the United States or of foreign governments will not be considered. Discharges upgraded to Honorable from another status are acceptable, however.
Disciplinary Actions
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT must not have been convicted by a general or special court-martial. Furthermore, an applicant's military records must not show a pattern of violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice including punitive judgments or punishments.
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT must not have a history of involvement in commercial gambling, bookmaking, loan sharking, or related activities. Furthermore, applicants must not have current debts owed to any agency, firm, organization, or person for gambling debts.
Convictions for Drug Related Violations
No applicant for the position of Firefighter/AEMT may have in his or her lifetime, any convictions for any type drug use, possession, sale, or, involvement. Nolo contendere and first offender treatments are considered convictions.
Illegal Drug Activity
No applicant for the position of Firefighter/AEMT may have ever been involved in the felony possession of a controlled substance deemed illegal at the time of possession, regardless of the intent of the disposition of the substance. For the purpose of this section, felony possession will be defined by the Annotated Code of Georgia in effect at the time of the possession, regardless of where the offense was committed.
Driver's License
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT shall have a valid driver's license issued by an acceptable governing authority. The license shall have never been suspended or revoked for reasons other than cancellations for non-payment of insurance premiums within the past seven (7) years.
Driver's License Restrictions
An applicant's driver's license shall not contain restrictions which would hinder or limit his or her ability to operate emergency vehicles in accordance with the policies of this department and the laws of this state.
Assessed Points
An applicant for the position of Firefighter/AEMT shall not have more than five (5) points assessed against his or her license at the time of application. In addition, the license shall not have more than five (5) points assessed against his or her license within twenty-four (24) months preceding the date of application. For the purpose of this section, the points shall be computed by standards set forth by the Georgia Code.
Driving/Boating Under the Influence
No applicant for the position of Firefighter/AEMT can have been convicted for the offense of Driving under the Influence or Boating under the Influence more than one time within his or her driving history. That conviction cannot have occurred within the five year period prior to the initiation of the hiring process. For the purpose of this section, a plea of nolo contendere is considered a conviction.
Traffic-Convictions
Applicants for the position of Firefighter/AEMT who have had within their driving history convictions or pleas of nolo contendere for the offenses of hit-and-run (or similar statute), homicide by vehicle, attempting to elude, or habitual violator shall not be considered. In addition, Firefighter/AEMT applicants must not have had a conviction of reckless driving or racing within the five year period preceding the date of the initiation of the applicant's hiring process. No applicant may have a driving history which reflects a recurring pattern of traffic violations which may represent a perpetual disrespect for traffic laws.