Firefighter/Paramedic

Lake Forest; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lake Forest's Fire Department seeks dedicated firefighters to join a dynamic team delivering top-tier public safety services. New hires enter an eligibility process with exams, interviews, and preference point consideration as part of a rigorous selection pathway.

Candidates must be CPAT certified with an Illinois EMT-Paramedic license before hire, be a U.S. citizen or eligible for employment, and possess a valid class B non-CDL or equivalent as required. Training will be provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• CPAT and Ladder Endorsement required within 12 months prior to interview.
• Illinois EMT-Paramedic license by date of hire.
• U.S. Citizenship or eligible for employment in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergency medical service to the public.
• Respond to fires and related emergencies.
• Engage with community through public education and outreach activities.
• Maintain apparatus, vehicles and facilities; perform custodial tasks as needed.
• Commit to ongoing training in firefighting, EMS, and safety protocols.

Skills

CPAT

Public safety mindset

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Illinois EMT-Paramedic license

Job description

NOW HIRING - THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAKE FOREST FIREFIGHTERS

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AVAILABLE

Applications will be processed as they are received

NTN Testing Deadline: Due at time of application submittal

Do you have a passion for people and community? Are you innovative, adaptive, and dependable? Apply to be the next member of the Lake Forest Fire Department!

Join the Lake Forest Fire Department and become part of a team committed to excellence in service and innovation. With a major renovation of Station 1 underway, our newly expanded, state-of-the-art public safety building will double our operational space and elevate your training and work environment. If you're ready to make a difference in a community that values its first responders, apply today and help shape the future of public safety in Lake Forest.

To apply for our 2026 eligibility list, review the online new hire orientation packet. There is no application fee

Hiring Process

1. 1. Written Exam: Complete the exam through the National Testing Network (NTN) which is due at time of application submittal.

   NTN requires a fee to take the exam. Candidates with financial hardship may request a voucher before registering for the exam by emailing [e-mail]. Visit NTN FAQs for fee subsidy details.

2. 2. Spark Hire Interviews: Candidates who pass the written exam must also complete a one-way video interview within seven days after receiving the invitation.
3. 3. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BFPC) Interviews: Candidates who pass the Spark Hire interview will be invited for an in-person interview with the BFPC. Dates and times are to be determined.
4. 4. Preference Points: Those passing the BFPC interview will be placed on a ranked Preliminary Eligibility List, at which point candidates may then apply for applicable preference points. Preference points must be claimed in writing, within 10 calendar days after posting of the Preliminary Eligibility List.

• Emergency Medical Service: respond to and perform all necessary activities needed for the providing of emergency medical service to the public.
• Fire Response: respond to and perform all necessary activities needed for the extinguishing fires.
• Public Engagement: perform public education activities by performing home surveys, fire station tours, fire drills, block parties, and demonstrations as assigned.
• Vehicle and Building Maintenance: perform custodial work and minor repairs on apparatus, vehicles, and buildings in a timely and complete manner.
• Certification: maintain Paramedic certification per Illinois Department of Public Health requirements.
• Continuous Training: participate in training related to firefighting methods, vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance, emergency medical operations, fire prevention activities, and other fire department activities.

Age: 21-35 years of age unless otherwise exempt by Illinois statute.

Citizenship: must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified as a “protected individual” pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B).

Driver's License: must possess or be able to obtain a valid class B non-CDL or equivalent driver’s license.

Eyesight/Vision: must have corrected vision to least 20/25.

Education: at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Physical Ability: pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and Ladder Endorsement within 12 months prior to interview with Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. CPAT test results will remain valid within one year prior to this date. Visit http://www.nipsta.org/176/Firefighter-Testing to learn more.

Paramedic Certification: valid Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-Paramedic (IDPH EMT-P) license by date of hire.