The following are considered disqualifying factors and shall result in non-selection for employment opportunities with the Virginia Beach Fire Department. These disqualifiers will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Criminal History
· Conviction of any felony
· Conviction of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude (e.g. lying, cheating, or stealing)
· Conviction of any Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor, including traffic violations, within the last three years; or the Virginia State Law equivalent of a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor within the last three years
· Conviction of initiating a false alarm as an adult
· Conviction of an arson or arson-related crime
· Commission of undetected crimes of a serious or some repetitive nature
NOTE: Some minor offenses are classified as Class 1 misdemeanors (e.g. littering), but would not result in automatic disqualification. Convictions of this nature will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in the context of the full investigation/review.
Traffic Violations
· Three or more negative total points on a Virginia Operator’s License or the equivalent for out of state licenses within the last 12 months from time of documentation review
· Any conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; unreasonable refusal to submit to blood or alcohol tests; reckless driving; eluding police; racing; leaving the scene of an accident; or any suspension of driving privileges within the last five years from time of documentation review
Drugs
· Illegal possession or sale of marijuana or a derivative thereof within the last 12 months from time of documentation review
· Illegal possession or sale of non-prescription narcotics, controlled substances or illegal drugs (such as heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens or any other schedule 1 or 2 drug, or any derivative thereof, as defined in the Code of Virginia) within the last five years from time of documentation review
· Current illegal or improper use of any controlled substance including, but not limited to, marijuana and anabolic steroids
Other
· Dishonorable discharge from any military service
· Untruthfulness, the withholding of information, deliberate inaccuracies, or incomplete statements on any application, interview or paperwork, or cheating on any examination or testing associated with the selection process
· Any founded charge of child abuse or neglect
Note: This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of background disqualifiers. An applicant shall be disqualified for other concerns. Areas of concern will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Areas of concern shall include, but are not limited to the following:
· Reduction of charges as a result of a plea agreement or other form of sentencing disposition prior to a conviction in any of the aforementioned criminal and driving history categories
· Crimes committed as a juvenile, including undetected crimes
· Patterns of reckless or irresponsible driving or multiple convictions of driving under the influence
· Illegal drug possession that does not fall within the parameters defined above
· Less than honorable military discharge
· Erratic work record
· Unfavorable employment references
EEO