Firefighter/Paramedic

Firefighter/Paramedics

Are you ready to make a difference every single day? Do you have the courage, skill, and heart to save lives and protect your community?  If so, we want YOU to join our dynamic Janesville Fire Department (JFD)!

JFD’s mission is to hold the needs of our citizens in the highest regard, protecting life and property by providing professional emergency response with integrity, respect, service, and pride. Each year, JFD responds to around 11,700 emergencies ranging from emergency medical responses, fire responses, citizen assists, and various other types of responses. To support the City of Janesville, we operate five fire stations, each equipped with a paramedic ambulance staffed by two licensed paramedics. We also have several specialty teams, including Dive Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, Technical Rescue, Tactical Emergency Medical Services, Drone Operations, and Child Safety Seat Inspections. Additionally, we conduct about 5,000 annual fire inspections and provide an estimated 1,000 hours of public education instruction.

Firefighter/Paramedics play a crucial role in fulfilling JFD's mission. They combat, extinguish, and prevent fires, as well as provide emergency medical and rescue services to protect life and property. With extensive training, Firefighter/Paramedics perform hazardous tasks under emergency conditions, including hazardous materials response, technical rescue, fire prevention, first aid, forcible entry, ambulatory services, and regulatory compliance awareness 

As a Firefighter/Paramedic, your duties will include responding to fire alarms and emergency medical service calls, performing technical and manual labor tasks, conducting forcible entry operations, pumping water to fires at designated pressures, participating in post-fire salvage operations, and much more!  Click here to view the full job description and learn more about the City of Janesville’s Firefighter/Paramedic opportunity.

Why work for the City of Janesville, you ask?

The City of Janesville (population 66,202) is in south-central Wisconsin. The residents of Janesville choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a place to realize life’s opportunities. We strive to sustain a community culture where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated. As such, the City of Janesville recognizes the importance of developing an environment where diversity is not merely accepted but embraced and celebrated. As public servants, we believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. To this end, we will diligently recruit and retain the most talented employees in an environment that fosters maximizing one’s potential. Therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to consider employment with the City of Janesville and serve the residents of “Wisconsin’s Park Place”. 

Vision Statement: 

We are “Wisconsin’s Park Place”: Discover the community of choice to realize life’s opportunities

Mission Statement:

To innovatively provide effective municipal services that are responsive to the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors and delivered in a reliable, efficient manner in order to sustain Janesville as the community of choice.

Guiding Principles:

Adaptability, Respect and Diversity, Service, Communication, and Equity Inclusion and Belonging. 

To perform the essential duties of the position, the minimum education and experience required includes:

• Minimum of 18 years of age and a High School diploma or GED is required. 
• Possession of a valid state-issued Driver’s License at time of hire is required. 
• Wisconsin Firefighter I & II certification at time of hire is required.
• Possession of a valid Wisconsin Certified Emergency Medical Technician-Basic license at time of application is required. ** EMT-Paramedic preferred.  
• Possession of a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Assessment Certificate at time of hire is required.
• Possession of certifications for National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200, 700.B, and 800 is required. 
• Satisfactorily complete a water survival test.

What is the typical schedule?

JFD responds to emergency calls around the clock, every day of the year, including leap years. To maintain effective response capabilities, JFD's personnel are organized into three battalions, ensuring a minimum of 26 firefighters and emergency medical personnel are on duty across their five fire stations. Staff follow a rotation schedule of: 

• 24 hours on duty 
• 24 hours off duty 
• 24 hours on duty 
• 24 hours off duty 
• 24 hours on duty 
• Enjoying 96-hour off-duty period.

What is the pay?

The initial hourly pay for the Firefighter/Paramedic is $17.96 per hour. Lateral transfers may have a starting hourly rate up to $26.02 per hour, contingent upon years of service and Fire Chief approval. This position is classified as non-exempt. Additionally, it is represented by Firefighters Local No. 580 Union. 

Are there other benefits?

Absolutely! Besides being an exceptional community for living and/or working, the City offers a comprehensive benefits package, considered one of the best in the area. This includes options for medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, and various other perks.

Notably, the City of Janesville is part of the Wisconsin Retirement System, recognized as one of the nation's best-funded and best-managed public pension systems, ranking as the 8th largest in the United States. For 2025, the City of Janesville will contribute 18.95% to WRS and the employee will contribute 6.95%, totaling 26.02% of earnings contributed each paycheck. 

When factoring in the benefits alongside your annual salary, the overall compensation rate could range from $73,811 to $88,532 per year, contingent upon the selected benefits and coverage types.  

Furthermore, the City of Janesville strives to ease the transition between employers by minimizing the stress associated with gaps in insurance coverage. For new hires before the 15th of the month, medical, dental, and vision insurance become effective on the date of hire. For those hired on or after the 15th of the month, these benefits start on the 1st of the following month.

What else do I need to know?

If you’re interested in applying for this position, visit the CoJ’s Jobs Website or go directly to www.janesvillewi.gov and look for the “Jobs” section located in the top right corner of the website. 

Applications, resumes, and cover letters will be accepted for the Firefighter/Paramedics opportunity until Sunday, April 27, 2025. 

The City of Janesville is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Salary : $52,300 - $69,247