2025-2 Firefighter Recruit

ENTRY-LEVEL & EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER

$29.07/hour

(20 Week Academy Rate)

APPLICATION DUE 3/3/2025

Performs firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue work in emergency situations. Provides basic life support care under standard protocols and statutes. Maintains apparatus, vehicles, equipment, and fire stations. Employees are assigned to a field station and perform a wide variety of firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue techniques under direct and limited supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have High School diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) by hire date of 7/25/2025.
• Must be 18 years of age by hire date of 7/25/2025.
• Valid FireTEAM test score through 2/9/2025.
• Valid CPAT certificate through 3/3/2025.
• Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado driver's license by 7/25/2025.
• Possess and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with SMFR’s Driving Records Policy.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical, fitness/wellness assessment, medical evaluation, drug screen, and psychological exam, as well as a second CPAT (this will be paid for by SMFR).

** PLEASE NOTE: SMFR does not permit the use of marijuana including the previous 12 months from contingent offer regardless of whether it is legal in the state of Colorado. **

Candidates are required to have a CPAT certificate that is valid and available to upload with their application. This certificate must be valid through March 3, 2025.

After applications are submitted and reviewed, approximately 250 will be invited to a 15-minute phone interview with SMFR personnel. 

After completion of phone interviews, successful candidates will be invited to oral boards.

COMPENSATION:

• 20 Week Academy – $29.07/hour
  • All candidates will go through a 20-week academy regardless of previous experience and everyone is paid the same wage during the academy.

• Additional Compensation
• SMFR strongly values education and in turn, compensates employees who have a degree with an education differential from the date of hire as follows:
• Associates $1,000 annually
• Bachelors $3,000 annually
• Masters $5,000 annually
• Ph.D. $6,000 annually

• Experienced Firefighters
• We value previous paid firefighter experience and are willing to compensate our new hires based on the paid experience they bring to SMFR.
• To qualify for experienced Firefighter pay upon completion of our 20-week academy, applicants must have at least 3 years of paid experience as a firefighter (within the last 12 months) with a full-time fire service agency whose primary responsibility is fire protection and emergency medical service, plus a 400-hour approved academy determined by SMFR.

South Metro Fire Rescue’s compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain highly skilled and motivated employees. As such, SMFR’s compensation is more than base pay. All regular full-time SMFR employees enjoy a total compensation package including base wages, leave accruals, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance employer-paid premiums, Retiree Health Savings, Death & Disability and employer-paid pension contributions as well as a positive work culture including a robust Fitness, Wellness and Rehabilitation Program, educational opportunities and support, job security and other positive non-monetary values which are intended to collectively position SMFR as an employer of choice in its geographic area. SMFR recognizes that being an employer of choice has different meanings to different people depending on what elements a person highly values. But SMFR's overall goal is to be a great place to work.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For all questions related to the Firefighter Hiring Process, please email employment@southmetro.org. 

**South Metro Fire Rescue is an Equal Opportunity Employer**

Salary : $1,000 - $6,000