Firefighter

City of Tacoma; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

Excellent retirement plan

Salary based on 92.2 hour pay periods

Job summary

The City of Tacoma invites applications for entry-level Firefighter/EMT positions with the Tacoma Fire Department. You will respond to fires, medical incidents, and rescues, protecting life, property and the environment.

Qualifications include high school diploma or equivalent, 18+, Washington driver's license, CPAT within six months before hire, EMT certification by the Firefighter Recruit Academy, and NFPA 1582 medical standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age 18.
• CPAT certification within six months prior to hire.
• EMT certification required by completion of Firefighter Recruit Academy.

Responsibilities

• Protect life, property, and the environment through firefighting and EMS.
• Perform general duty firefighting work and maintain equipment and records.
• Interact with the public in a positive manner during emergencies.

Skills

CPAT certification

EMT certification

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) is currently seeking candidates interested in serving our community as firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

TFD takes great pride in its ability to serve the needs of our diverse community. Each day our citizens call upon us to respond to a variety of emergencies: fires, emergency medical incidents, technical rescues, hazardous materials, marine incidents and more. Firefighter/EMTs are responsible for the protection of life, property, and the environment. They perform general duty firefighting work: combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, providing emergency medical services, and maintaining fire department equipment, apparatus and quarters. Firefighters also prepare and maintain a variety of records and electronic reports and constantly interact with the public in a positive way.

TFD protects a service area of 71 square miles (Tacoma, Fife, Fircrest and associated waterways) with a population of more than 200,000. The department also services the Port of Tacoma, one of the largest container ports in North America, covering over 2,400 acres. TFD has 17 active fire stations distributed throughout our response area. Our front-line uniform personnel staff operates 17 engine companies, four ladders, five medic units, three command vehicles, and four full-time BLS transport units. Uniformed personnel also cross-staff a fireboat, hazardous material unit and technical rescue vehicle. The majority of the uniformed force is engaged in fire suppression and emergency medical service delivery.

For additional information please visit the Tacoma Fire Department page.

The City of Tacoma offers generous employee benefits:

• Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment
• Medical, dental, and visioncoverage for eligible employees, spouses/domestic partners, and eligible dependents, including children up to age 26
• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code
• Vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Excellent Retirement plan
• Salary based on 92.2 hour pay periods

Graduation from high school or equivalent and a minimum of 18 years of age.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington State Driver's License is required at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter
• In accordance with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) standards, must have a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification completed within the six months prior to hire (information about how to complete this requirement will be included in a candidate's conditional offer letter)
• Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician is required by completion of Firefighter Recruit Academy EMT Training with maintenance thereafter
• Firefighter candidates are evaluated by the minimum medical standards (NFPA 1582) adopted by the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs. These standards include being a non-smoker, which is defined as having quit use of any tobacco product two or more years ago and having normal lung function.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take the in-person written examination tentatively scheduled for either December 15th or 16th, 2026. There will be no alternative test dates. Applicants must pass the written examination in order to be placed on the eligible list for further hiring consideration.

TACOMA FIRE DEPARTMENT 2026 RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

The upcoming entry-level firefighter written exam will evaluate whether or not you possess the critical, job‑related skills and abilities necessary for success on the job.

Qualified applicants for the 2026 recruitment will be provided instructions on the process and next steps to follow to take the in‑person entry‑level firefighter test. In preparation for the 2026 Entry‑Level Firefighter test, Tacoma Fire Department is offering a free orientation guide as a helpful tool to prepare for the online firefighter test. The orientation guide will be attached to the confirmation email you receive regarding the written test.

Additional employment information:

• Eligible candidates will be selected to submit a personal history questionnaire (PHQ) and then will be selected for oral board interviews.
• Individuals who are given a conditional offer of employment must also pass a background check, pre-employment medical examination, drug screening, and provide a CPAT certification
• New employees must successfully complete a one-year probationary period, from date of hire, prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.
• This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma andIAFFLocal 31.

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay Details

Hourly: $36.19 - $50.14

Annual Salary: $86,754.67 - $120,195.61

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI