Firefighter

City of Cedar Rapids, IA; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cedar Rapids Fire Department is seeking dedicated firefighters to protect residents and visitors in IA. You will respond to fires and medical emergencies, perform rescues, operate and maintain fire apparatus, and participate in ongoing training and safety programs.

Applicants must meet certification requirements and pass civil service processes. A structured recruitment schedule outlines testing, interviews, and academy milestones to join a dynamic municipal team.

Qualifications

• Must possess Iowa or NREMT certification.
• Completion of Iowa Firefighter 2 Certification prior to probation.
• Civil service eligibility and related training required.
• Military service or degree paths accepted as alternative qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Responds to fire alarms and controls fires using equipment.
• Provides emergency medical care to injured individuals.
• Performs rescues including water, confined space, and high-risk scenarios.
• Drives and maintains apparatus and supports equipment readiness.
• Participates in drills, inspections, and pre-fire planning.
• Completes routine maintenance and adheres to safety protocols.

Skills

Fire fighting methods

Emergency medical procedures

Safety protocols

Team coordination

Adaptability

Education

Iowa EMT certification or NREMT

Iowa Firefighter 2 Certification

Bachelor’s/Associate degree (any field)

Military service (4 years)

Job description

Are you ready for a career where every day brings an opportunity to serve, protect, and make a difference? The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is seeking dedicated individuals to join our team of professionals responding to fires, medical emergencies, technical rescues, disasters, and other critical incidents while serving one of Iowa’s largest and most vibrant communities.

About our Organization

At the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community’s diverse backgrounds, and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.

About our Community

Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city. Cedar Rapids - Why you should live here!

About this Opportunity

Provides direct services, individually and as a member of a team, in the suppression and control of hazardous fires, and other kinds of emergency assistance to the public as circumstances may require, including medical, trench, confined space, rope rescue, water rescue, life safety training; USAR and/or natural or manmade disasters.

Works under immediate supervision, though there is often opportunity for individual initiative and judgement during emergency operations.

The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.

Proposed Firefighter Recruitment Schedule 2026-2027

**All CPAT testing will take place in Dubuque, IA**

• August 26th, 2026- September 18th, 2026- Applications Accepted
• Week of September 28th, 2026- Written Exam
• September 16th & 19th, 2026 - CPAT Orientation
• October 14th & 17th, 2026- CPAT Practice
• November 21st, 2026- CPAT Final Test
• Week of December 7th, 2026- Human Resources & Fire Department Interviews
• Week of December 14th, 2026- Civil Service Interviews & Certification of List
• Week of January 11th, 2027- Fire Department Interviews
• January 18th- February 28th, 2027- MMPI/Contingent Offers/Pre-Employment Physicals
• March 1st, 2027 - Fire Academy First Day

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Responds to fire alarms; lays hose lines, operates nozzles, pumps, hydrants, fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus and other fire fighting equipment to control or extinguish fire; looks for hidden fires; climbs ladders and works from ladders and in high areas;
• Provides emergency medical assistance to injured persons and those overcome by fire and smoke, or in response to non-fire related medical emergency calls such as heart attacks, drowning, poisoning, shock and extrications, in order to medically stabilize and/or sustain major life functions;
• Responds to and rescues individuals from life-threatening situations, including extrications, water rescues, trench, confined space, floods, tornadoes, hazardous materials leaks or spills, rope rescue, cave-ins, and high buildings or other structures, person's stuck or entrapped in manmade or natural environments; to provide technical support services and restore normalcy to area;
• Drives apparatus to emergency site, as assigned; ensures that apparatus is functioning properly, operates pump and other special equipment;
• Participates in salvage operation and post-fire clean-up; protects property from water;
• Participates in drills and training sessions; participates in fire brigade training for community industries. Participates in inspections of commercial and residential properties;
• Participates in pre-fire planning and development of property maps and sketches;
• Cleans, performs preventative maintenance and repairs equipment and apparatus, including trucks, masks, hoses, nozzles, couplings, ladders, pump operations on apparatus, etc.;
• Wears and properly uses safety equipment including personal protective, fall protection equipment, self- contained breathing apparatus and gas detection equipment;
• Performs station maintenance work, including cleaning and minor repairs to quarters, buildings and grounds;
• Conducts fire station tours for the general public, demonstrating equipment and apparatus, and answering questions;
• Reads various work guides;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures and safety practices; Attends work regularly at the designated place and time;
• Supports continuous process improvement initiatives; Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of fire fighting methods and techniques;
• Knowledge of emergency medical assistance procedures;
• Knowledge of construction of buildings as applied to inspections and pre-planning programs; Knowledge of hazardous substances and their control;
• Knowledge of City geography;
• Knowledge of OSHA permit-required confined space entry protocol, respiratory protection standards, right-to-know laws, CPR and First Aid;
• Knowledge of currentNFPAcodes in relationship to job title and position;
• Skill in fire suppression;
• Skill in administering emergency medical assistance; Skill in rescue methods and techniques;
• Ability to properly utilize the following equipment and tools: wide variety of fire apparatus, equipment and tools associated with the fire control operation and non-fire emergencies, and for the most part unique to fire control programs, personal protective equipment, gas detectors, fall protection equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus;
• Ability to perform confined space entry, including rescue, using permit-required protocol; Ability to work cooperatively and to maintain effective working relationships to accomplish job responsibilities;
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Ability to swim (with gear on and PPE)
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.

Required Special Qualifications

• Iowa or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician certification or
• 4 years of military service (Active, Reserve or National Guard) with honorable discharge or
• 4 years of military service (Active Reserve or National Guard) and remain active in guard or reserve component or
• Completion of two or four year degree from accredited institution and
• Completion of Iowa EMT certificate prior to completion of probational period and
• Completion of Iowa Firefighter 2 Certification prior to completion of probationary period and
• Valid Iowa Driver's license at the time of hire (maintained throughout employment as a sworn fire department employee).

Essential Physical Abilities

• Requires the following with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing which permits the employee to communicate effectively; Sufficient vision which permits the employee to operate equipment and tools;
• Sufficient manual dexterity and personal mobility which permits the employee to operate equipment
• Participate in annual physical fitness assessment.

Schedule

At the time of hire, probationary Firefighters will work Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm while undergoing basic firefighter training. Once the basic school is completed, probationary Firefighters will be assigned to the fire shift schedule that includes 24 hour rotating shifts on 53 hour work week (including weekends and holidays).

Salary

• During 8 week training period, Day rate will be $33.09/hour
• After training is completed and assigned to shift (53 hour work week). Shift rate will be $24.97/hour.