2026 Fast-Track Lateral Academy

APPLY BY

JOB LOCATION

Cityof AuroraColorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora were growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles or core values that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:IntegrityRespect Professionalism andCustomer Service and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs
• Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Aurora Civil Service Commission is now accepting Lateral Firefighter applications for Aurora Fire Rescue. The next Lateral Fire Academy is projected to begin on June 1 2026.

The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday January 20 2026 at 11:59 PM. However it is subject to close at any time without prior notice once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.

**We recommend that every lateral applicant also submit an entry level application to be considered in BOTH processes. Entry level applications are currently open and close on January 2 2026.

Job Description:

Choosing a career as a Firefighter can be one of the most challenging exciting and rewarding experiences of your life. Aurora Fire Rescue (AFR) is an all-hazards department with a total of 17 fire stations serving the city of Aurora Colorado. Aurora has a growing population of over 403000 residents and is home to a diverse business environment to include major industries such as aerospace and defense renewable energy bioscience health care and transportation and logistics. AFR maintains an ISO Class 1 rating which is the highest possible public protection classification and is a Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) Accredited agency.

Examples of Duties - A comprehensive list of a firefighters duties is not possible but those working within Aurora Fire Rescue perform the following functions:

• Responds to fire rescue and emergency medical calls for service including providing fire suppression emergency medical treatment and assistance to technical rescue teams.

• Responds to and stabilizes incident area in hazardous materials incidents

• Designates and establishes safe medical treatment area for the assessment treatment stabilization and transportation of patients according to medical protocol and level of emergency medical certification.

• Participates in training to maintain and enhance current physical fitness firefighting and emergency medical skills.

• Cleans maintains and inspects apparatus and equipment checks every shift as well as maintenance and repair of fire station facility and equipment.

• Responds to requests for public assistance for lift assists welfare checks smoke and Carbon Monoxide monitor checks blood pressure first aid standby and bomb threats.

• Provides fire safety prevention health assessments Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid training in the public schools or to other community groups upon request.

To learn more about a career with Aurora Fire Rescue and to contact the recruiters please visit .

Salary:
The comprehensive breakdown of the rates of pay per the 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contract for the 24-hour shift employee is below:

• Grade IV - $70748 Annually / $28.34456 Hourly

• Grade III - $78367 Annually / $31.39704 Hourly

• Grade II - $87075 Annually / $34.88582 Hourly

• Grade I - $108843 Annually / $43.60698 Hourly

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Qualifications:

Applications are initially screened for minimum qualifications per the Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations as listed below:

• Must have been employed as a full-time paid firefighter in good standing for at least 36 of the past 48 months at the time of application.

• Be eighteen (18) years old by the projected start date of the Academy for which you are applying.

• Be a citizen of the United States of America or a person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act.

• Have completed a minimum education of high school completion or GED equivalency.

Following passage of the initial application screening Aurora Fire Rescue will conduct further reviews for additional department-based qualifications to include:

• Fire Department experience

• Successful completion of a basic skills assessment

• Proof of the following credentials:

  • Firefighter 1

  • Firefighter 2

  • Hazmat Awareness

  • Hazmat Operations

  • National Registry or State of Colorado certification for EMT-B or EMT-Paramedic

CPAT Certification - A CPAT certificate that is valid through the start of the academy (06/01/2026) must be submitted by February 6 2026.

• Some examples of places to obtain your certificate include Aims Community College Denver Fire Pikes Peak State College and the National Testing Network.

Benefits - Benefits & Retirement- City of Aurora

Holidays:

Personnel working 24-hour shifts will be compensated at time and one-half (1½) for hours worked during the 11 legal holidays as set forth in in the collective bargaining agreement.

Vacation and Sick:

• Vacation Five (24-hour) shifts accrued per year (120 hours annually)

• Sick Leave Six (24-hour) shifts accrued per year (144 hours annually)

Health Dental Vision and Life Insurance:

The City of Aurora offers contributions to a variety of health insurance plans including some where the monthly premium is completely covered by the city. Employees have optional dental and vision insurance as well as other offerings. Life insurance is provided by the city at an amount equal to twice the employees salary with the option to obtain additional coverage. Employees can also add life insurance coverage for their dependents.

*Insurance does not take effect until the 1st day of the month following the date of hire. (ex. Hire date of January 5th insurance effective February 1st)

Retirement:

Coverage is provided by the Statewide Defined Benefit Pension Plan of the FPPA. The city and the firefighter shall contribute the amount set by the FPPA.

Deferred Compensation:

Members may elect to tax defer a percentage of their salary on a bi-weekly basis.

Training:

Aurora Fire Rescue is focused on training requiring ongoing in-service training for its members. Programs like tuition reimbursement and job-related sponsored training are offered to encourage constant self-improvement.

For Veterans points: Please show all of your employment history including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex race age sexual orientation creed national origin disability or military status gender identity unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing Thorough Criminal Background Check and Employment References:
As a condition of employment all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.