Firefighter-EMT
SERVE WITH COURAGE!
Overview
The Urbana Fire Department, an ISO Class 1 department, is building an eligibility list for Firefighter-EMT that will be valid for up to two years. As vacancies for the position of Firefighter-EMT occur within the UFD, candidates will be selected from this list. If you wish to be considered for this position, you will need to successfully complete the selection process. For detailed information on what the selection process entails, please visit: www.urbanacareers.org/hiring-process.
Salary and benefits:
Candidate without AEMT or EMT-I certification: $60,505.37; candidate with AEMT or EMT-I certification: $62,320.53. Benefit information is available at: www.urbanacareers.org/iaff-benefits.
Salaries listed per the IAFF Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2025-2026.
Salary information based on a 24-hour schedule equaling 2,864 hours per year.
Minimum Requirements:
To be eligible to take part in the examination process for Firefighter, all individuals interested in becoming a City of Urbana Firefighter must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum of 20 years of age and under 35 years of age, unless exempted per state statute (65 IL 5/10-2.1-7.1). Exemptions to exceed the maximum age limit are allowed for military service and volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time firefighters meeting certain conditions. No candidate will be hired unless they have reached the age of 21 at the time of offer;
- Legally authorized to work in the U.S. (Must meet I-9 requirements);
- Valid driver's license (valid Illinois driver's license at time of hire);
- High school diploma or equivalent;
- Proof of completion of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and proof of passing the Ladder Climb Test with any licensed agency. Proof of completion of CPAT and Ladder Climb Test must be provided by the conclusion of the interview process, which is anticipated to take place in January of 2026. The CPAT must also have been issued no more than 12 months prior to this date. CPAT and Ladder Climb certification must also be valid at time of employment offer;
- No felony convictions; no misdemeanors which preclude service as a fire fighter by statute (65 ILCS 5/10-1-7.1(i));
- Completion and submission of online application by December 14, 2025.
- Ability to satisfy background standards.
CPAT Testing Information:
Candidates must register for the CPAT at one of the locations below or another certified CPAT testing facility: Application Instructions:
Your completed application must be submitted by Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST. There is no fee to apply. You will need electronic copies of your driver's license and high school diploma or college transcripts.
Written Test Information:
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the National Testing Network to offer two testing options: in-person or online. We will be using the FireTEAM test; the same test will be used for both options. Applications must be submitted by Friday, October 24, 2025 in order to sit for the in-person written exam. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to test. You can download an overview of the test here and order a practice test at: www.fireteamtest.com. Please note that only ONE test score will be accepted for the 2025 recruitment process.
Option 1: Test in Urbana
The written tests are scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025 and Friday, December 5, 2025 in Urbana. Candidates who have applied for the position, meet the minimum qualifications, and indicate (on the application) that they would like to test in-person will be e-mailed an invitation to test. Seating will be limited, so invitations will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis. If you choose the in-person test, there is no fee to test. We will not conduct any physical agility testing or interviews, so please feel free to dress comfortably. If you need special testing accommodations or an alternate test date due to a documented impairment, religious commitment, or because you are current military personnel, please contact Human Resources Coordinator, by email [email protected] no later than October 10, 2025.
Option 2: Test through NTN
You may test online through NTN at home. Click here for information on the virtual FireTEAM test requirements. You may also test at any of the NTN locations, including Parkland College in Champaign, pending availability. Test scores are accepted on an on-going basis until December 14, 2025. You will need to complete both a City of Urbana employment application for this position and an application through NTN. For more information including pricing, visit: Candidate Frequently Asked Questions. Begin by visiting: https://nationaltestingnetwork.com.
A testing fee waiver may be provided to candidates who provide proof of financial hardship. Please download and complete the fee waiver form which can be found here. Then scan and submit the form along with your proof of hardship to [email protected]. Please initiate this process early; the waiver review process may take up to three weeks and does not exempt candidates from meeting the December 14, 2025 testing deadline. NOTE: the application fee waiver decision must be made PRIOR to scheduling the FireTEAM exam; it cannot be applied retroactively.
Position Summary:
For complete information, please refer to the position description.
Residency Requirement:
Firefighters are required to live within a 35-mile radius of the corporate limits of the City of Urbana. This requirement only pertains to individuals who are hired by the Urbana Fire Department. There is no residency requirement to test.
The City of Urbana Welcomes Diversity!
We foster an environment that values and encourages mutual respect, inclusion of all people, and utilizing differences and similarities as an organizational asset.
We welcome applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity. EOE.
