Firefighter / Paramedic

Gurnee, Village of (IL); Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Education reimbursement

Funded pension

457 plan

Section 115 HSA

Labor-management relation

Holiday bonus

Health insurance

24h shifts

Paid time off

Visible tattoos allowed

No residency required

Job summary

The Gurnee Fire Department is recruiting for Firefighter/Paramedic positions to deliver advanced emergency medical care and full firefighting services. Responsibilities include medical interventions, rescue operations, vehicle operation, and ongoing training.

Applicants must meet firefighter and paramedic certifications, pass NTN/FireTeam exams, and maintain eligibility while pursuing licensure. The department offers competitive pay and robust benefits in a 24-hour shift system.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age at time of hire.
• Maximum age 35 at time of hire (unless exempt).
• Valid driver's license with ability to obtain a Class B non-CDL within 6 months.
• Provide CPAT card with Ladder Climb by 12/01/2026; issue date 12/01/2024–12/01/2026.
• Pass FireTeam NTN examination.
• US Citizenship or Naturalized status.
• Illinois OSFM Basic Operations Firefighter certification with paramedic program status by hire.
• IL OSFM Basic Operations Firefighter certification & Licensed Paramedic.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced EMS and firefighting duties including IVs, intubation, cardiac monitoring and medications.
• Perform fire suppression, rescue operations, apparatus driving and equipment maintenance.
• Prepare detailed medical reports and conduct public education.
• Assist in inspections and daily training to maintain readiness.

Skills

Age requirement

CPAT by deadline

US citizenship

Driver's license

Firefighter/Paramedic licensure

Paramedic education enrollment

OSFM firefighter certification

Job description

The Gurnee Fire Department is recruiting to fill immediate vacancies for the position of Firefighter / Paramedic.

For Department questions or to schedule a station tour, contact Deputy Chief David Douglass at 847-599-6600

About the Gurnee Fire Department

• Population served: 60,000 in 30 sq. mile radius
• Three (3) Fire Stations
• Sworn personnel: 60 – actively hiring to fill additional positions
• Daily minimum staffing of 15 members
• Apparatus: 4 Engines, 6 Ambulances, 1 Ladder Truck, 1 Heavy Rescue Squad
• 8,000+ calls per year

Additional Information

• Competitive pay
• Additional pay stipends for Advanced Tech Firefighter and Fire Apparatus Engineer certifications
• Educational and training reimbursement
• Excellent funded pension
• Supplemental 457 Retirement Plan options and Section 115 Retirement Health Savings Plan
• Great labor and management relationship
• 120 hour holiday bonus in addition to salary
• Health insurance - BCBS Illinois PPO or BlueAccess HMO plan choices
• Rotating shifts of 24 hours on / 48 hours off
• Paid time off - up to 11 shifts upon hire (first year)
• Visible tattoos permitted within Department Policy
• No residency or living radius requirement

Firefighter-paramedics provide both advanced emergency medical care (including IVs, intubation, cardiac monitoring, and medication administration) and full firefighting duties such as fire suppression, rescue operations, apparatus driving, hose deployment, ladder work, ventilation, and equipment maintenance. They also complete detailed medical reports, conduct public education, participate in inspections, and maintain readiness through daily training.

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria to apply

• Illinois Office of State Fire Marshall Basic Operations Firefighter certified, with proof of enrollment or active good standing in a paramedic program by date of hire
• Illinois Office of State Fire Marshall Basic Operations Firefighter certified & Licensed Paramedic
• Licensed Paramedic or currently enrolled in a paramedic program with expected licensure by date of hire

Other Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age at time of hire
• Maximum age of 35 years of age at time of hire(unless otherwise exempt per state statute)
• Possess a valid driver’s license with the ability to obtain a Class B non-CDL or equivalent within 6 months of hire (training provided by the Gurnee Fire Department)
• Provide a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card with Ladder Climb by December 1, 2026. Must have a date of issue between 12-1-2024 and 12-1-2026 to be valid.
• Successfully pass the FireTeam examination offered through the National Testing Network
• United States Citizen or Naturalized Citizen

Oral Interview

Eligible candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.

An initial eligibility will be created, and eligible candidates may apply for preference points:

Preference points - maximum of 10 points

1. Veterans' Points / Military Service with an Honorable Discharge: 5 points
2. Education Points: up to 5 points
3. Associate's degree (fire service or emergency medical services): 2.5 points
4. Bachelor's degree (any curriculum): an additional 2.5 points (5 points total)

Final Eligibility list candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully pass additional post-offer screenings. Post-offer examinations / screenings include but are not limited to: verification of all qualifications; polygraph examination; psychological evaluation; background investigation; confirmation of CPAT card upon department request; and medical / vision examinations and drug screen.

Completion of the FireTeam National Examination and / or Gurnee Fire Department Employment Application is not a guarantee of eligibility to continue in the process. Candidates may be disqualified after completion of the test or submission of application for reasons including but not limited to not meeting minimum position qualifications; incomplete application or examination requirements; not meeting passing standards for the NTN examination; or other disqualifying factors related to Firefighter / Paramedic candidacy or employment. The department may pass over a candidate in lieu of an alternate candidate with license/certification that would better serve the needs of the department.