ENTRY-LEVEL & EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT FOR SPRING 2027-1 ACADEMY
Firefighter Recruit Wage $72074
APPLICATION DUE 8/28/2026 11:59 p.m. MST
This is an invitation-only recruitment. Only individuals who have received a direct invitation via email from South Metro Fire Rescue are eligible to apply based on their FireTEAM test scores from our recent recruitment.
Applications submitted by individuals who did not receive an invitation email will not be considered and will be removed from the recruitment process.
If you did not receive an invitation from South Metro Fire Rescue please do not submit an application. We encourage you to monitor our Careers page on our website () in December/January when our applications are open to the public.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
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 1/22/2027.
Must be 18 years of age by hire date 1/22/2027.
Valid CPAT certificate through application deadline of 8/28/2026.
Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado drivers license by 1/22/2027.
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. **
CPAT:
Candidates are required to have a CPAT certificate that is valid and available to upload with their application. This certificate must be valid through August 28 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.
If there are no locations near you the Phoenix Training Center in Arizona on National Testing Networks website has multiple tests each week (see link below).
After applications are submitted and reviewed approximately 250 candidates will be invited to a 15-minute virtual interview with SMFR personnel. Interviews will be conducted live via Microsoft Teams and will require candidates to be on camera.
If more than 250 applicants meet the minimum qualifications candidates will be selected based on the FireTEAM scores submitted to us in March 2026. Updated National Testing Network (NTN) FireTEAM scores earned after that date will not be considered for this recruitment.
ORAL BOARD:
After completion of virtual interviews successful candidates will be invited to oral boards.
TENTATIVE ACADEMY HIRING PROCESS TIMELINE
The hiring process timeline is subject to change at any time.
Wellness Dates for all candidates: December 8th and 9th OR December 14th and 15th
Second CPAT (In-state candidates): December 10th
Second CPAT (Out-of-State Candidates): Complete your second CPAT at an IAFF-licensed testing location in your state of residence by December 10th
Fitness/wellness assessment and second CPAT
Candidates will be split into two groups and assigned to either 12/8 and 12/9 or 12/14 and 12/15. SMFRs Wellness Division will assign dates candidates will notbe able to choose their dates. You will be required to be in-person for both dates you are assigned to.
Candidates will receive these dates when contingent job offers are given.
Mid-December
Final Job Offers
January 22 2027
2027-1 Fire Academy New Employee Orientation
January 25 2027
2027-1 Fire Academy Starts
*No exceptions will be made to the application deadline.
2027 COMPENSATION:
During academy Firefighter Recruit Wage: $72074
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.
2027 Firefighter Wages:
Firefighter IV
$84805
Firefighter III
$98131
Firefighter II
$109035
Firefighter I
$121150
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.
BENEFITS
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**
INVITATION ONLY RECRUITMENTENTRY-LEVEL & EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT FOR SPRING 2027-1 ACADEMYFirefighter Recruit Wage $72074APPLICATION DUE 8/28/2026 11:59 p.m. MSTThis is an invitation-only recruitment. Only individuals who have received a direct invitation via email from South Metro Fire Resc...
INVITATION ONLY RECRUITMENT
ENTRY-LEVEL & EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT FOR SPRING 2027-1 ACADEMY
Firefighter Recruit Wage $72074
APPLICATION DUE 8/28/2026 11:59 p.m. MST
This is an invitation-only recruitment. Only individuals who have received a direct invitation via email from South Metro Fire Rescue are eligible to apply based on their FireTEAM test scores from our recent recruitment.
Applications submitted by individuals who did not receive an invitation email will not be considered and will be removed from the recruitment process.
If you did not receive an invitation from South Metro Fire Rescue please do not submit an application. We encourage you to monitor our Careers page on our website () in December/January when our applications are open to the public.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
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 1/22/2027.
Must be 18 years of age by hire date 1/22/2027.
Valid CPAT certificate through application deadline of 8/28/2026.
Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado drivers license by 1/22/2027.
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. **
CPAT:
Candidates are required to have a CPAT certificate that is valid and available to upload with their application. This certificate must be valid through August 28 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.
If there are no locations near you the Phoenix Training Center in Arizona on National Testing Networks website has multiple tests each week (see link below).
After applications are submitted and reviewed approximately 250 candidates will be invited to a 15-minute virtual interview with SMFR personnel. Interviews will be conducted live via Microsoft Teams and will require candidates to be on camera.
If more than 250 applicants meet the minimum qualifications candidates will be selected based on the FireTEAM scores submitted to us in March 2026. Updated National Testing Network (NTN) FireTEAM scores earned after that date will not be considered for this recruitment.
ORAL BOARD:
After completion of virtual interviews successful candidates will be invited to oral boards.
TENTATIVE ACADEMY HIRING PROCESS TIMELINE
The hiring process timeline is subject to change at any time.
Wellness Dates for all candidates: December 8th and 9th OR December 14th and 15th
Second CPAT (In-state candidates): December 10th
Second CPAT (Out-of-State Candidates): Complete your second CPAT at an IAFF-licensed testing location in your state of residence by December 10th
Fitness/wellness assessment and second CPAT
Candidates will be split into two groups and assigned to either 12/8 and 12/9 or 12/14 and 12/15. SMFRs Wellness Division will assign dates candidates will notbe able to choose their dates. You will be required to be in-person for both dates you are assigned to.
Candidates will receive these dates when contingent job offers are given.
Mid-December
Final Job Offers
January 22 2027
2027-1 Fire Academy New Employee Orientation
January 25 2027
2027-1 Fire Academy Starts
*No exceptions will be made to the application deadline.
2027 COMPENSATION:
During academy Firefighter Recruit Wage: $72074
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.
2027 Firefighter Wages:
Firefighter IV
$84805
Firefighter III
$98131
Firefighter II
$109035
Firefighter I
$121150
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.
BENEFITS
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**
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