2027-1 Entry-Level Paramedic/Firefighter Recruit

ENTRY-LEVEL PARAMEDIC/FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Performs paramedic, firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue work in emergency situations. Provides advanced and basic life support care under SMFR Medical Director’s approved protocols and statutes. Ensures that other EMT personnel provide basic life support under their oversight. Maintains apparatus, vehicles, equipment, and fire stations. Employees are assigned to a field station and perform a wide variety of emergency medical, firefighting, and rescue techniques under direct and limited supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Valid CPAT certificate submitted with SMFR application (8/28/2026).
• Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado Driver’s License by the hire date (1/22/2027).
• 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.
• To ensure South Metro Fire Rescue maintains a highly trained and dedicated paramedic workforce to serve our community, Paramedic/Firefighters are required to complete a minimum of five (5) consecutive years of employment in the Paramedic/Firefighter position before becoming eligible to voluntarily transfer to a lower-level position (voluntary demotion). During this five-year commitment, Paramedic/Firefighters may:

  • Begin a promotional task book for any suppression position after achieving the Paramedic I grade and completing at least three (3) years of service as an SMFR Paramedic.

  • Begin an EMS Field Instructor task book after completing one (1) year of service at the Paramedic I grade.

• Current Colorado State Paramedic Certification
• Current ACLS Certification
• Current BLS Certification

• Current National Registry Paramedic Certification
• Current PALS or Handtevy

• Current National Registry Paramedic Certification*
• Current ACLS Certification
• Current BLS Certification

• Current PALS or Handtevy

• Out-of-state candidates with a valid, state issued paramedic license may apply with the expectation to have a valid national registry certificate by the time of conditional offer. (approx. 11/12/2026)

• We value previous paid paramedic experience and are willing to compensate our new hires based on the paid experience they bring to SMFR.
• To qualify for a higher pay tier upon completion of our training academy, applicants must have at least 3 years of paid experience as a paramedic (within the last 12 months) with a full-time fire service agency whose primary responsibility is fire protection and emergency medical service or 3 years of full-time paramedic experience in an emergency medical services or medical field.

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

HIRING PROCESS:

• Only a CPAT license by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will be accepted. South Metro Fire Rescue does not host the CPAT test. It is the candidate’s responsibility to obtain the certification on their own.

• Aims Community College (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aims.edu%2Fdegrees-and-certificates%2Ffire-academy%2Fcpat&data=05%7C01%7Ccristina.lopez%40southmetro.org%7Cb84cf7d1551b41647af908db2a2dd51f%7C1f7e97c6d8d44b178228e036631a9c6e%7C0%7C0%7C638150148559003324%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HPzgWg9g%2BDHe%2F9zwEyXBiop%2BMSvSGAUDVic41D6jBKM%3D&reserved=0)
• Denver Fire (https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Fire-Department/Become-a-Firefighter/Prepare-for-the-Candidate-Physical-Ability-Test)
• National Testing Network (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnationaltestingnetwork.com%2Fpublicsafetyjobs%2Fcpat_info.cfm&data=05%7C01%7Ccristina.lopez%40southmetro.org%7Cb84cf7d1551b41647af908db2a2dd51f%7C1f7e97c6d8d44b178228e036631a9c6e%7C0%7C0%7C638150148559003324%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7xzXrQjPADIoELzcuiRdxaE%2F1uMgAEgb24ptxfNPXB8%3D&reserved=0)

If there are no locations near you, the Phoenix Training Center in Arizona, on National Testing Network’s website has multiple tests a week (see link below).

https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ntn-arizona-cpat.cfm (https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ntn-arizona-cpat.cfm)

• Applicants must attach all required valid certifications and documents along with the application.
• Please be sure to name each required document/certification indicating the proper name of the document you are attaching.
• Applicants must complete the work experience history section. Please include all your work history from the last 10 years, if applicable. You may include more than 10 years.
• If any time gaps in employment during your work history, please create an entry explaining the reason for the gap.
• You must list your education history.

More information to follow soon.

Step #4 Virtual Interviews

Successful candidates who pass the paramedic practical will be invited to a 15-minute virtual interview.

Step #5 Oral Boards

Successful candidates in the virtual interviews will be invited to an in-person oral board interview.

** Incomplete applications will be declined **

Click this link for a full job description: SMFR Paramedic Job Description (https://www.southmetro.org/files/de2c97826/Paramedic+JD.pdf)

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

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.