Firefighter Paramedic

City of Des Plaines Firefighter/Paramedic

Why Des Plaines

Working for the City of Des Plaines is more than just a job its a chance to build a meaningful career in public service making a difference not only in your life but also in the lives of those in our community.

The City of Des Plaines employs over 360 dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to serve our residents every day. As one of the largest and most desirable suburbs in the Chicago area Des Plaines is a vibrant and diverse community just under 60000 people are proud to call home. Our employees in Public Works & Engineering Police Fire Finance Community & Economic Development Information Technology Media Services Human Resources and more take pride in delivering exceptional service to our residents.

Join the City of Des Plaines and become part of a committed team thats building a great community for today and for generations to come. Were always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact in their communities!

Testing: Please note that in addition to completing this application you are required to complete an examination with the National Testing Network prior to the application deadline. Any tests submitted after December 19 2025 at 4:00 p.m. will not be considered until the next call for testing.

Firefighter/Paramedic Job Description

Tasks

• Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
• Creates openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance using ax chisel crowbar electric saw or core cutter.
• Selects hose nozzle depending on type of fire and directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire.
• Protects property from water and smoke using waterproof salvage covers smoke ejectors and deodorants.
• Administers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons and those overcome by fire and smoke.
• Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls.
• Assesses fire and situation reports to superior and receives instructions using two-way radio.
• Establishes fire lines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering area.
• Drives and operates fire fighting vehicles and equipment.

Skills

• Adjusting actions in relation to others actions.
• Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying taking time to understand the points being made asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

Abilities

• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting) or to throw an object.
• The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
• The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
• The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights sounds pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand foot or other body part.
• The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift push pull or carry objects.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without giving out or fatiguing.
• The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• If not already a member a $55 non-refundable membership fee to National Testing Network (NTN) and/or $12 to participate in City of Des Plaines examination testing
• U.S. Resident
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Valid IDPH Paramedic License or proof of current enrollment in a paramedic program with your anticipated completion date.
• Valid drivers license (valid Illinois drivers license by date of hire)
• 20 to under 35 years of age as of the date of the written exam but must be 21 prior to appointment unless otherwise provided by the Rules and Regulations and/or Illinois Statute (e.g. exception for attaining age 35 during military service exception for certain previous full-time police officer employment)
• No felony convictions
• Residency in Illinois by date of hire
• Valid CPAT and Ladder Climb Certificate dated 12/19/2024 12/19/2025.

The Process

• Complete this online application with the required documentation.
• Take the examination through the National Testing Network
  • Both must be completed on or before December 19 2025
• Preliminary eligibility list is established by the BFPC.
• Preference points will be awarded.
• Final eligibility list is established by the BFPC
• Background checks begin in list order. Background checks include:
  • Completion of a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
  • Completion of a fingerprint background check at the City of Des Plaines Police Department
  • Completion of a polygraph examination
• Background investigation interview with the BFPC
• If background investigation is passed a conditional offer is made.
• Psychological interview
• Physical examination
• Start date established

You must submit the following documents in addition to the completed application:

• Signed Consent and Release Forms
• Copy of your high school diploma (or GED)
• Copy of valid drivers license (both sides)
• Copy of birth record as proof of citizenship or residency
• Copy of a valid IDPH Paramedic License or proof of current enrollment in a paramedic program with your anticipated completion date.
• Copy of a valid CPAT and Ladder Climb Certificate dated 12/19/2024 12/19/2025.
• All applications and materials must be submitted by December 19 2025 at 4:00 pm