ENTRY-LEVEL PARAMEDIC/FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT
$83,980 - Paramedic Recruit Wage during academy
$98,798/year - Paramedic Grade IV (less than 3 years of Paramedic
experience) after academy
$114,323/year - Paramedic grade III (at least 3 years of Paramedic experience)
after academy
South Metro Fire Rescue is looking for entry-level Paramedics to join our
organization.
APPLICATION DUE ON 8/28/2026 at 11:59 P.M. MST
Candidates who possess the required certifications and meet minimum
qualifications will participate in a paramedic practical exam as part of the
selection process. Additional details regarding the exam format and testing
process will be provided soon.
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates who are disqualified from the background process, may
apply again one year from contingent job offer.
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.
Colorado Residents - Required Certifications
* Current Colorado State Paramedic Certification
* Current ACLS Certification
* Current BLS Certification
Additional Certifications - If you hold either of the below certifications
please provide.
* Current National Registry Paramedic Certification
* Current PALS or Handtevy
Out-of-State Residents - Required Certifications
* Current National Registry Paramedic Certification*
* Current ACLS Certification
* Current BLS Certification
Additional Certifications - If you hold the below certification please provide.
* 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)
COMPENSATION:
* 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:
Step #1 CPAT (Valid through AUGUST 28, 2026)
Candidates are required to have a valid CPAT certificate at the time of
application.
* 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.
Additional CPAT Resources:
* 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]
Step #2 SMFR Application (Deadline August 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. MST)
Complete the application following the instructions below.
* 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.
Step #3 Paramedic Testing (tentatively scheduled for Monday, September 14,
2026).
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 **
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For all questions related to the Paramedic Hiring Process, please
email employment@southmetro.org [employment@southmetro.org].
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**