2026-2 Firefighter Recruit
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Job Location:
Centennial, CO - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
ENTRY-LEVEL &EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER
Firefighter Recruit Wage $67282
APPLICATION DUE 4/5/2026 11:59 p.m. MST
South Metro Fire Rescue is accepting applications for Firefighter recruit to fill vacancies for our 2026-2 Academy. Be advised only applicants whose FireTEAM scores rank within the top 350 submitted to SMFR will be considered to move forward in the selection process. |
Performs firefighting emergency medical and rescue work in emergencysituations. Provides basic life support care under standard protocols andstatutes. Maintains apparatus vehicles equipment and fire are assigned to a field station and perform a wide variety offirefighting emergency medical and rescue techniques under direct andlimited supervision.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must have High School diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) by hire date of 8/14/2026.
- Must be 18 years of age by hire date of hire 8/14/2026.
- Valid FireTEAM test score through 3/31/2026.
- Valid CPAT certificate through application deadline of 4/5/2026.
- Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado drivers license by 8/14/2026.
- Possess and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with SMFRs 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 immediately prior to final offers (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. **
- Complete the FireTEAM test by Tuesday March 31 2026.
- Select South Metro to view your scores.
- To schedule your test please click here.
- If you still have a valid FireTEAM score and previously selected SMFR to receive your score from the last hiring process no further action with NTN is required.
Candidates are required to have a CPAT certificate that is valid and available to upload with their application. This certificate must be valid through April 5 2026.
- Only a CPAT license by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) or the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will be accepted. South Metro Fire Rescue does not host the CPAT test. It is the candidates responsibility to obtain the certification on their own.
Out of State Locations:
If there are no locations near you the Phoenix Training Center in Arizona on National Testing Networks website has multiple tests a week (see link below).
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.
March 2 2026 | FireTEAM test and SMFR Application opens |
March 31 2026 | FireTEAM test deadline |
April 5 2026 | SMFR application deadline 11:59 p.m. MST* |
April 13 15 16 | Phone Interviews |
May | Oral Boards (required to be in-person) |
Third week of May | Contingent Job Offers extended via email |
Mid-May - Mid-June | Pre-employment Testing (background check psychological evaluation) |
June 15-17 2026 | Fitness/wellness assessment and second CPAT* (required to be in-person) *CPAT will be paid for by SMFR |
Late June | Final Job Offers |
August 14 2026 | 2026-2 Fire Academy New Employee Orientation |
August 17 2026 | 2026-2 Fire Academy Starts |
2026 COMPENSATION:
During academy Firefighter Recruit Wage: $67282
After graduating academy and based on experience recruits would start at FF IV or FF III pay grade. Firefighters receive a pay grade increase annually on their hire date.
2026 Firefighter Wages:
- Firefighter IV $81543
- Firefighter III $94357
- Firefighter II $104841
- Firefighter I $116490
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 $1000 annually
- Bachelors $3000 annually
- Masters $5000 annually
- Ph.D. $6000 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 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 Rescues compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain highly skilled and motivated employees. As such SMFRs 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 SMFRs overall goal is to be a great place to work.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For all questions related to the Firefighter Hiring Process please email.
**South Metro Fire Rescue is an Equal Opportunity Employer**
