Firefighter Trainee

The City of El Paso Texas; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Worker's Compensation & Unemployment

Firefighters Health Insurance after 60

Voluntary Health Coverage

Flexible Spending Account

Gym membership eligibility

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The City of El Paso Texas invites applicants to join the Fire Academy program. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and meet education/experience requirements by entry. The role involves classroom instruction, rotations, and field training to obtain firefighter/EMT certification.

Formal licensing requirements include state driver licenses and CPR/EMT certifications, with a detailed background and medical exam process. Applicants should prepare for a rigorous selection process.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of general work experience or twelve college credits with 2.0 GPA.
• Must meet education and experience by entry into the academy.
• No specific software or tooling required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and field training to acquire firefighter/EMT certification.
• respond to emergency incidents and follow Training Chief guidance.
• complete evaluations, drills, and protocol adherence.

Skills

General work experience

Education

High School Diploma / GED

12 college credits

Job description

MOS Code: None

Education and Experience: High School Diploma, GED or higher, and two (2) years of general work experience or twelve (12) post‑secondary semester credit hours in any field of study with a minimum of 2.0 GPA. Must meet education and experience requirements by the time of entry into the academy.

Requirements

MOS Code: None

Education and Experience: High School Diploma, GED or higher, and two (2) years of general work experience or twelve (12) post‑secondary semester credit hours in any field of study with a minimum of 2.0 GPA. Must meet education and experience requirements by the time of entry into the academy.

Licenses and Certifications: Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state. Texas Class "B" Driver's License Permit or equivalent issued by another state at the time of entry into the academy. Certified by the American Heart Association in Health Care Provider Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation upon entry into the academy. Certification as a Basic Emergency Medical Technician or higher through the Texas Department of State Health Services and as a Basic Structural Firefighter through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection by time of graduation from the Academy.

Special Requirements: Must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age and meet all standards set forth by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Department of State Health Services. Meet El Paso Fire Department pre‑appointment standards, including a rigid background investigation and a comprehensive medical examination with drug screening. Must meet special requirements by the time of entry into the academy.

General Purpose

Under immediate supervision, participate in assigned classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and field training designed to acquire certification as a firefighter and basic emergency medical technician or higher.

Typical Duties

Participate in classroom lectures, response simulations, live field exercises, ambulance and hospital clinical rotations, and other activities. Includes: rigorous physical preparation, written testing, and performance evaluations. Involves: Study and practice job related structural firefighting, and basic and/or paramedic advanced emergency medical care methods according to established department rules, regulations, protocols and standards; including, but not limited to fire and rescue tactics, patient care, safety and survival techniques, ladder operations and hose deployment, engine and ambulance operation and maintenance, self‑contained breathing apparatus use, hazardous materials awareness, station and company familiarization, computer and communications systems procedures, property salvage and security guidelines, and incident reporting and administrative recordkeeping. Respond to emergency incidents as instructed by the Training Chief.

General Information

Test Date: To be announced.

Note: Applicants are encouraged to include all relevant education, experience, and/or certifications in their application, as these qualifications may make them eligible for a conditional job offer prior to the formal ranking process, provided they meet all program requirements.

The City of El Paso may apply up to 12 additional points for military service; a DD214 member 4 form must be attached to your application for review and determination of eligibility. The additional points will change your ranking on the eligibility list!

Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be invited to take the written examination. Those who receive a passing score on the written examination and meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on an eligible list.

Candidates on the eligible list may not be certified for hire until successful completion of the Candidate Physical Agility Test, comprehensive background investigation, and oral board interview. Applicants will be scheduled according to their rank on the eligible list. The number of applicants scheduled to move forward will depend on the number of vacancies available.

Candidates must be successful at each stage to move forward through the process. A conditional offer of employment will be given to those selected pending successful medical examination and drug screening results.

Note: The CPAT ­‑ Candidate Preparation Guide is available for download here.

Note: Military veterans must submit DD form 214(s) member 4 at time of application to qualify for veterans points.

Note: Please note: Applicants with foreign diplomas, transcripts, and degrees must have all documents translated and evaluated by an agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) prior to submitting them to the Human Resources Department. Please visit www.naces.org/members for more information.

A résumé and/or other documents will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Comments such as "See résumé" are not acceptable and will result in the application being considered incomplete.

To qualify for this position, the required education, experience, knowledge and skills must be clearly stated on your application’s employment history. We do not use any information on your resume to review if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Failure to fully detail all experience and job duties in the application, or copying/pasting directly from the job specification, or responses referring to your résumé will eliminate you from consideration for the position.

• Fire Trainees are covered under the City’s Worker's Compensation and Unemployment Insurance Programs.
• Per the Fire Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) temporary employees, are eligible for Fire fighters Health Insurance after 60 days of service.
• Voluntary dental, vision, life, and disability coverage from Safeguard and Concordia Dental, Block Vision, ING Life Insurance and UNUM Disability Insurance.
• Option to participate in a Flexible Spending Account (medical and dependent care).
• Option to become members at EP Fitness and pay for their monthly gym membership fees through payroll deductions.
• Employees also have access to an employee assistance program at no cost through Access EAP.

01

Do you have a High School Diploma, GED or higher and two (2) years of general work experience or twelve (12) post‑secondary semester credit hours in any field of study with a minimum of 2.0 GPA?

• Yes
• No
• No, but I am able to meet the minimum qualifications by time of entry into the Fire Academy in February 2027.

02

Do you have a valid USA driver's license? If so, what type of driver's license do you have?

• Texas Class A - CDL or equivalent from another state
• Texas Class B - CDL or equivalent from another state
• Texas Class C or equivalent from another state
• No, I do not have a valid driver’s license.

03

Are you eighteen (18) years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you completed any Fire Technology, EMT, or Paramedic training program (such as Fire Tech High School, EPCC, or another accredited program)? If YES: Please indicate the name of the program(s) completed and the month/year of completion. If NO: Enter "N/A" in the space below.

05

Do you currently hold any required or relevant certifications related to Fire Technology, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or firefighting? If YES: Please indicate the name of each certification and the month/year it was obtained. If NO: Enter "N/A" in the space below.

06

Do you have two (2) or more years of experience working in emergency services, including employment with a private ambulance company, emergency medical services (EMS), or a fire department? If YES: Please indicate the employer/agency name, position held, and dates of employment (month/year to month/year). If NO: Enter "N/A" in the space below.

07

Criminal Convictions: Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify applicants. A criminal conviction will be considered only in relation to the job for which you are applying. Do NOT list successfully completed deferred adjudications. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in the past 7 years? Please DO NOT list anything over 7 years old.

• Yes, Convicted of a felony
• Yes, Convicted of a misdemeanor
• Yes, Convicted of a felony and misdemeanor
• Not applicable

08

If you were convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, list complete details of WHAT you were charged/ticketed with? Each offense(s) must be listed: If not applicable, please enter "N/A" in the space below:

09

If you were convicted of a felony, or misdemeanor, list complete details of WHEN you were charged/ticketed? Each offense(s) must be listed: Please enter MONTH and YEAR of charge(s)/ticket(s): If not applicable, please enter "N/A" in the space below:

10

If you were convicted of a felony, or misdemeanor, list complete details of WHERE you were charged/ticketed? Each offense(s) must be listed: Please enter CITY and STATE of charge(s)/ticket(s): If not applicable, please enter "N/A" in the space below:

11

Applicants with foreign diplomas, transcripts and degrees must have all documents translated and evaluated by an agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) prior to submitting them to the Human Resources Department. Have you had your diploma, transcripts, degree or other required documents translated and evaluated by an agency of NACES?

• Yes, it has been translated and certified and I can provide documentation upon a job offer.
• No, I have not had my degree translated and certified.
• N/A - my degree is from an accredited U.S. university or college.

12

Candidates will be evaluated based on the information provided on the application and the completeness of the responses to the Supplemental Questions. The following will disqualify you from moving forward in the recruitment process. Failure to fully detail all work experience and job duties. Failure to fully detail all lead, supervisory and managerial experience and duties if required. Overlapping dates of work experience. Copying and pasting directly from the job specification. Responses referring to your résumé.

• I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information.
• Required Question