A. 
Open-competitive examinations. Open-competitive examinations shall be open to all applicants.
B. 
Organization examinations. Organization examinations shall be open only to municipal employees and persons who have been laid off within the year immediately preceding such examination announcement.
C. 
Agency examinations. Agency examinations shall be open only to employees of the agency concerned.
(AO No. 79-195; AO No. 86-207(S-1); AO No. 88-51)
A. 
Generally. Examinations shall be open only to applicants whose application clearly indicates that they meet the advertised standards or requirements established by the director with regard to education, experience, age, physical condition and such other factors as may be held to relate to the ability of the applicant to perform with reasonable efficiency the duties of the position.
B. 
Minimum age. The minimum ages for municipal employment shall be in accordance with the minimum ages prescribed by state law. The general rule is that persons 16 and 17 years of age may be employed only in nonhazardous occupations, and they may not work more than eight hours a day, six days a week, or 40 hours a week.
(AO No. 79-195)
Applications shall be filed with the personnel office on or prior to the closing date specified in the announcement and shall constitute an integral part of every examination. The director may require information as to education, training and experience of the applicant and such other information as he or she may deem pertinent and may require any applicant for examination to submit documented proof of the possession of any license, certificate, degree or other qualification claimed or required and may refuse credit for such qualifications in the absence of proof.
(AO No. 79-195)
A. 
Character of examinations. Examinations shall be practical and shall relate to the duties and responsibilities of the position for which the applicant is being examined and shall measure the relative capacity and fitness of persons examined to perform the duties of the class of positions to which they seek to be appointed or promoted. The examination used to determine the fitness and relative ability of the applicant shall consist of one or more of the following:
1. 
A written test.
2. 
A performance test.
3. 
An evaluation of education, training and experience as shown on the application or by other information submitted.
4. 
An oral examination.
5. 
An interview designed to determine general fitness for the position.
6. 
Physical tests of strength, stamina or dexterity.
7. 
A preemployment health examination.
8. 
Any other appropriate measure of fitness.
B. 
Conduct of examinations. Examinations shall be conducted either by or under the control of the director, and all examiners and monitors used in the conducting of examinations shall be provided with such instructions as may be required for fair and impartial administration.
C. 
Method of ranking. In any examination the minimum ranking or standing through which eligibility on a list may be earned shall be determined by the director. Final ranking shall be based upon a weighted average of the various parts of the total examination. The director shall establish the weights for each part of the examination and shall take into consideration suggestions of agency heads in establishing these weights. Applicants for the same class of position shall be accorded uniform and equal treatment in all phases of the ranking procedure. A minimum passing score may apply to the rating of any part of the examination. Candidates may be required to attain at least a minimum passing score on each part of the examination in order to receive a passing grade or to be rated on the remaining parts of the examination.
D. 
Ranking education and experience. When the ranking of education and experience forms a part or all of the examination, the director shall determine a procedure for the evaluation of the education and experience qualifications of the applicants. The formula used in appraisal shall give due regard to recency and quality of the education and experience.
E. 
Oral examinations. When an oral examination forms a part or all of the examination for a position, the director shall appoint an oral examination board. This board shall consist of three or more members who shall be known to be interested in the improvement of public administration and in the selection of efficient government personnel, of whom at least one shall be technically familiar with the character of the work in the position for which the applicants will be examined. Qualified employees of the municipality as well as other qualified individuals may be appointed to serve as members of oral examination boards. As a general rule, all applicants for the same class of positions who qualify for oral examination shall be rated by the same board. Alternate boards or members may be used when determined necessary by the director.
F. 
Notice of results. A person who has applied for a position shall be notified if his or her name has been included on a certification list established after an examination has been completed and shall be entitled to information regarding his or her qualifications and eligibility for the position.
(AO No. 79-195; AO No. 86-207(S-1); AO No. 97-102, § 5, 8-19-1997)
The director may refuse to examine an applicant, or after examination may refuse to place his or her name on an eligible list, or may remove his or her name from an eligible list, or may refuse to certify any person on an eligible list who:
A. 
Has failed to submit his or her application correctly or within the prescribed limit;
B. 
Is found to lack any of the minimum qualifications in the recruitment announcement or examination for the position;
C. 
Has applied for promotional examination and whose last performance evaluation was not average or above;
D. 
Has received any disciplinary action, other than an oral reprimand, from the municipality within a 12-month period preceding application;
E. 
Is addicted to use of narcotics or excessive use of intoxicating liquors, unless the applicant is under medical supervision, or successfully participating in a recognized treatment or rehabilitation program;
F. 
Has been convicted of any infamous crime involving moral turpitude within the last ten years, and such disqualification does not violate federal, state or municipal laws;
G. 
Has withheld information of material fact or made a false statement of material fact in regard to his or her application;
H. 
Has ever been dismissed from municipal service for disciplinary reasons;
I. 
Has used or attempted to use bribery to secure an advantage in the examination or appointment;
J. 
Has directly or indirectly obtained information regarding examinations to which he or she is not entitled; or
K. 
Is disqualified under other sections of this chapter.
(AO No. 79-195)
A candidate who has failed any part of any examination may be scheduled to retake that portion of the examination, provided a position in that class is open for recruitment at the time of reexamination. The test may not be retaken more than three times within one year, except for shorthand and typing tests, which may be given at the discretion of the director.
(AO No. 79-195)
A. 
Applicability. This section applies when the Anchorage Fire Department requires a medical examination or physical evaluation based on NFPA 1582 or a successor standard as a condition of employment, assignment, or continued duty.
B. 
Preliminary determination. A determination that an applicant or employee does not meet an NFPA 1582 medical standard is preliminary and shall not be the basis for a final employment decision until the process in subsection C is completed, if the applicant or employee timely opts to participate in that process.
C. 
Second medical opinion. When an initial medical evaluation results in a disqualifying determination under NFPA 1582, the municipality shall allow the applicant or employee to timely opt for a second medical opinion from Anchorage Fire Department Chief Medical Officer, or medically qualified designee, who did not perform the initial evaluation. The Chief Medical Officer or designee may choose, in their sole discretion, to provide the second medical opinion on the basis of the existing medical record or to provide for additional examination or testing where doing so is administratively and financially feasible. The opinion of the Chief Medical Officer or designee must apply the same medical standards applied in the preliminary determination and may uphold, remand, or amend the determination of the initial medical opinion; and may offer viable accommodations at their discretion where appropriate under the applicable standards and departmental needs. The authority having jurisdiction under NFPA 1582 or any successor standards, such as human resources or the fire chief, shall make the final decision regarding the individual's employment status in consideration of the final medical opinion and the applicable standards. Where a second medical opinion is requested by an applicant, a second medical opinion shall not be required, and the preliminary determination shall be deemed the final determination, only in the event that, despite the diligent efforts of the Anchorage Fire Department, in the determination of the fire chief in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer there is insufficient time to complete the requested second opinion before a final choice must be made regarding the composition of the academy class. Any applicant or employee requesting a second medical opinion shall facilitate such request by expeditiously and fully participating in any additional examination or testing required by the Chief Medical Officer or designee.
D. 
Cost. The Anchorage Fire Department shall pay the cost, if any, of the second medical opinion.
E. 
Records. If the Municipality keeps any medical records or confidential opinions as a result of the procedures outlined in this section, they shall be maintained in the individual's confidential medical file in accordance with applicable law and personnel rules.
F. 
Workers' compensation independent medical examinations and certifications related to family and medical leave. This section does not apply to independent medical examinations or other medical evaluations conducted pursuant to workers' compensation law, including examinations performed to determine compensability, causation, treatment, work restrictions, or benefit eligibility. This section also does not apply to medical certifications related to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act,[1] the Alaska Family Leave Act,[2] any federal or state regulation implementing those Acts, or any related local law.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 5 U.S.C. §§ 6381 to 6387, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601, 2611 to 2620, 2631 to 2636, and 2651 to 2654.
[2]
Editor's Note: See AS 23.40.205.
(AO No. 2026-63, 5-12-2026)