*Attention Candidates Please Note Changes to Current Testing Process
CSFD is not going to have a January 2025 recruit academy

****The Colorado Springs Fire Department is now in the process of Building an Eligibility list for a JUNE of 2025 recruit academy. The deadline for minimum requirements will be February 3rd 2025. For information about becoming a Firefighter with CSFD along with other job opportunities with CSFD please contact our recruiter at 719-385-7226**** 

Positions

Entry-Level Firefighter

We administer an entry-level testing process one to two times a year to establish a list of qualified candidates for our annual or bi-annual recruit academy(s). 

The process begins with our job posting for a building of an eligibility list. During this time, you will need to have or obtain your National Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMT-B) Certification OR State of Colorado EMT-Basic Certification, take the National Testing Network (NTN) written exam, and take the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT). Certifications must be uploaded to the department no later than February 3rd, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. CSFD Entry-Level-Upload-Links. 

Top-scoring candidates will be invited to fill out a formal application, AND then take the online video interview. Selected candidates will be given conditional offers of employment and will start the pre-employment screening. 

Individuals who are offered a final offer will be required to successfully complete our 20-week recruit training academy. The composition of the class will depend upon the needs of the department.  

Schedule of Events

January 21, 2024 – February 3, 2025: Building of an eligibility list for Recruit Academy (June 2025)

February 7, 2025 – February 20, 2025.

  • Top candidates are invited to fill out a formal application and complete the Spark Hire interview.

Early March 2025 

  • Conditional job offers.

Late March/Early April 2025

  • Pre-employment testing.

Late April 2025

  • Final job offers.

June 2025

  • Candidate begins recruit training academy. 

Currently Licensed Paramedics

Entry-Level Firefighter Paramedic

We administer an entry-level testing process one to two times a year to establish a list of qualified candidates for our annual or bi-annual recruit academy(s). 

The process begins with our job posting for a building of an eligibility list. During this time, you will need to have or obtain your National Registered Paramedic Certification OR State of Colorado Paramedic Certification, take the National Testing Network (NTN) written exam, and take the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT). Certifications must be uploaded to the department no later than February 3rd, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. CSFD Entry-Level-Upload-Links.

Top-scoring candidates will be invited to fill out a formal application, AND then take the online video interview. Selected candidates will be given conditional offers of employment and will start the pre-employment screening. 

Individuals who are offered a final offer will be required to successfully complete our 20-week recruit training academy. The composition of the class will depend upon the needs of the department.  

Schedule of Events

January 21, 2024 – February 3, 2025: Building of an eligibility list for Recruit Academy (June 2025)

February 7, 2025 – February 20, 2025.

  • Top candidates are invited to fill out a formal application and complete the Spark Hire interview. 

Early March 2025 

  • Conditional job offers.

Late March/Early April 2025

  • Pre-employment testing.

Late April 2025

  • Final job offers.

June 2025

  • Candidate begins recruit training academy.

Hiring Preparation

Entry-Level Firefighter & Firefighter Paramedic

Written Exam

We administer the National Testing Network-Ergometrics (test-provider) FireTEAM written exam. There is no study guide for the FireTEAM test, however there are two sets of practice tests (basic & extended) available for purchase on www.ergopracticetests.com.

 

A FireTEAM score is deemed valid by NTN.  Scores are determined with the following minimum and weighted scores:

 

Human Relations Score                  No minimum score - Weighted Score 70%

Mechanical Aptitude Score          No minimum score - Weighted Score 30%

Reading Score                                    Minimum score of 70% - Marked as pass/fail

Math Score                                         Minimum score of 70% - Marked as pass/fail

Total Score                                         Weighted Score of Human Relations (70%) & Mechanical Aptitude (30%)

 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure their NTN score is valid when the hiring list is pulled on February 3rd, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

 

For free computer access, please locate your nearest county library. In Colorado Springs visit Pikes Peak Library District or Pike Peak Workforce Center.

 

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification

 

Candidates at a minimum; must have and maintain a current National Registry EMT-Basic Certification OR State of Colorado EMT-Basic Certification.

 

Paramedic Candidates must have and maintain a current NREMT-Paramedic Certification OR State of Colorado Paramedic Certification. Paramedics must also hold a current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.

 

Local EMT-Basic Certificate Programs:

Colorado Out-of-State EMT OR Paramedic Request

  • All Out-Of-State Applicants will be required to apply for and obtain a valid State of Colorado EMT OR Paramedic certification card, within 30 days of receiving a final offer of employment.

For more information, please call 303-691-4932 or email cdphe.emtcert@state.co.us 

Video Interview

We conduct one-way video interviews through an online platform called Spark Hire. By invitation candidates, at their convenience, will have (7) days to complete their interview where they will respond to pre-selected interview questions. Candidate responses are video recorded and saved on the Spark Hire platform. CSFD reviewers will watch and evaluate the candidate’s interview. 

Dimensional areas covered by the video interview:

  • Professional/personal history
  • Customer/community relations
  • Working with coworkers
  • Integrity/ethics

Click here for Spark Here Candidate Boot Camp

 

Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)

This CPAT consists of eight separate events. The CPAT is a sequence of events requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. This test was developed to allow fire departments to obtain pools of trainable candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes. This is a pass/fail test based on a validated maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds. For more information about the CPAT Click Here 

 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure their CPAT is valid when the hiring list is pulled on February 3rd, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

 

*Only a CPAT licensed by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will be accepted.

 

HIRING ELIGIBILITY 

In order to be considered for employment, a candidate must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age by date of hire
  • High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
  • Have or be able to obtain a valid Colorado driver’s license 
  • Be able to pass the pre-employment background investigation, medical examination & drug screen, polygraph, and psychological testing 
  • Valid FireTEAM test score through the National Testing Network no more than 12 months prior to the testing process deadline
  • Valid Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) no more the 12 months prior to the testing process deadline
  • Have and maintain a current NREMT-Basic OR State of Colorado EMT-Basic Certification or above*
  • You must not have been convicted of a crime that would affect your ability to certify with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). NREMT's Criminal Policy
  • The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas. If hired, you will be required to provide proof or your eligibility to work in the United States. 
  • We do not permit the use of medicinal or recreational marijuana.

*After the first year of probation has been completed, employees who have a NREMT-P or State of Colorado Paramedic Certification may be eligible to take the Paramedic Promotional Examination.

Veterans’ Preference:

To be eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points you must have an Honorable Discharge and submit the following documents to receive points. 

Claiming ten (10) points:

       1.   Submit Member 4 copy of your DD214.

       2.   Submit Veteran’s disability preference letter from the Department of Veteran’s Administration

       3.   Submit Complete CSFD Veteran’s Preference form.

 

Claiming five (5) points:

       1.   Submit Member 4 copy of your DD214.

       2.   Submit Complete CSFD Veteran’s Preference form

 

*All forms must be uploaded to CSFD via the upload links on our website no later than February 3rd, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.

 

FAQs

Q: Do you need previous firefighting, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Paramedic certification to be considered for employment? A: We do not require previous firefighting experience. We do require a National Registry EMT-Basic OR State of Colorado EMT Basic Certification. Paramedics are also required to be a National Registry Paramedic OR have a State of Colorado Paramedic Certification, prior to entry-level employment. 

 

Q.: Do you need your Firefighter 1 & 2, or Fire Science degree to be hired? A: No, you do not need your Firefighter 1 & 2, or a Fire Science degree to be hired.  Our Training Academies are designed to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1001. Academy graduates receive the following national certifications: Wildland Firefighter Red Card, HazMat Operations, and Firefighter I. Upon successful completion of one year probation, new firefighters will be certified to the Firefighter II level.

 

Q: I already have my Firefighter 1 & 2, Wildland Firefighter Red Card, and HazMat Operations certification. Can I graduate early? A: No, all entry level trainees regardless of experience will receive the same training in our 20-week Training Academy.

 

Q: Does CSFD require a college degree to become a firefighter? A: No, however a high school diploma or GED Certificate is required by the date hire.

 

Q: Are there age, height, and weight requirements to be a CSFD firefighter? A: Interested candidates must be 18 years old by the date of the hire, there is no age cutoff, and there are no height or weight requirements.

 

Q: Does CSFD allow tattoos? A: Yes. Visible Tattoos or decals cannot be obscene, offensive, or distract from the professional appearance. Face/Head are not allowed. Neck- Allowed if below the Class C uniform collar. Allowed above the class C collar if on the back of the neck, not forward of the earlobe, and no higher than the base of the skull. Nothing is allowed on the front of the neck. Hands- Allowed. For more information on CSFD appearance policy contact Human Resources.  

Q: Do I get paid in the academy? A: Yes, the academy is paid full-time. The monthly pay rate is $5,220. 

 

Q: I am an out of state candidate, how many times will I have to travel to Colorado? A: Once, applicants that receive a conditional offer of employment will have to come and do the pre-employment screening. 

 

Perks & Benefits

  • PTO (vacation, sick, and holidays)

  • Health Insurance (includes medical, dental, and vision)

  • Short & Long Term Disability

  • HRA & Flexible Spending Accounts for Health & Dependent Care

  • City Employee Medical Clinic & Pharmacy

  • Basic & Voluntary Life Insurance

  • Retirement Plan (through FPPA)

  • Roth IRA & 457 Plans (voluntary)

  • Tuition Reimbursement 

  • Uniform Allowance

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Longevity Pay

  • Wellness Programs, Fitness Classes & Gym Discounts

A CAREER THAT GIVES BACK

Before we are firefighters, we are people. One of the greatest draws to this profession is the ability to connect on a human level and make a meaningful difference, in potentially the worst moment of a person’ s life. When 911 is activated, it is normally due to circumstances that are beyond the normal scope of control. It is profoundly rewarding to have the opportunity to positively impact a frightening situation and help return a chaotic event to some level of normalcy.

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

In addition to emergency response, we believe in strengthening the fabric of our community through providing fire safety education and demonstrations, participating in local events, creating platforms to interact with and develop the youth in our neighborhoods, and fostering relationships with key community advocates.

 

PEER SUPPORT

Given the nature of this career, our firefighters are often exposed to traumatic experiences which can have a detrimental impact on their mental health. We have made it a priority to take care of our own, so we offer internal health and wellness programs addressing physical, emotional, and mental relief. The department also has a chaplain who serves to provide the spiritual needs of all department members, regardless of religious affiliation or background.

 

For further information, please contact our Recruiter:

(719) 385-7226 or (719) 323-3078

CSFDHR-SMB@coloradosprings.gov