Hybrid Firefighter Probationary at Zionsville Fire Department

The Zionsville Fire Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic.  Lateral transfers are encouraged to apply.  Applications will be used to conduct a hiring process with the purpose of filling current vacancies and creating an eligibility list for future hiring.  Interested persons should complete and submit this online application. All applications, must be submitted no later than August 29th 2025 by 4pm. It is very important to enter an accurate email address that you check regularly, as this is how most communication will be sent.

  All applicants must:

• Be at least 20 years of age and less than 40 years of age on date of hire, unless the applicant is already a member of the 1977 Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension and Disability Fund.
• Have graduated from high school or have attained a GED or equivalent
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• CPAT Requirements: You must possess a valid CPAT certification with a completion date after October 13, 2024.  This certification, must be submitted by 4pm on October 13, 2025 . Applicant must maintain a valid CPAT certification while the eligibility list is active (two years). Information on obtaining a CPAT certification can be obtained on the recruitment tab on the Zionsville Fire Department website, https://www.zionsville-in.gov/687/Recruiting 

In order to select the most qualified applicants, the department has established a competitive application process.  This application process is designed to ensure that the selection of new recruits will be accomplished in a fair and objective fashion.

The proposed timeline for the application process is as follows:

Component 1: Written Aptitude Test                      Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 8:00am

Component 2: Ladder Climb & Tunnel Crawl        Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 1:00pm and Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 8:00am 

Component 3:  Structured Oral Interviews            Monday - Friday, September 15-19 2025 starting at 8:00am 

You will be provided a specific date and time to attend each of the application process components.  Failure to arrive on your specified date and time will remove you from the application process.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will participate in the Written Aptitude Test.  Your score on the Written Aptitude Test will be used to rank you in the application process.  The Physical Agility Test will consist of a Ladder Climb and a Tunnel Crawl.  These events are Pass/Fail events.  Those applicants who successfully complete the Physical Agility Test will proceed to the Structured Oral Interview. Your score during the Structured Oral Interview will also be used to rank you in the application process.  

Applicants who successfully complete all components of the application process will be ranked on an eligibility list for current and future hiring. The eligibility list will remain active for a period not to exceed two years.  All applicants ranked on the eligibility list must maintain a valid (within 12 months) CPAT certification while the eligibility list is active to be considered for a Conditional Offer of Employment.  Hiring preference may be given to applicants who possess a State of Indiana EMS-Paramedic license or State of Indiana Firefighter II and Hazardous Materials Operations certifications.

 
2025 Compensation and Benefits Package for new recruit Firefighters is below.  Lateral transfer Firefighters compensation and benefits will be based on years of service and qualifications.  

(Package presented for full-time firefighters – this information is subject to change)

Salary

• Year 1- Probationary Firefighter/EMT I salary: $63,490
• Paramedics receive an extra $5,400 stipend that is added to their salary.

Pay Dates

Work Schedule for Full-time Firefighter

• 24 / 48-hour shift work
• Kelly Day (24-hour relief shift) every 21 days – Assigned by Chief of the Department

Paid Time Off (PTO) 

Full-time firefighters working 24/48 shifts have the following paid leave:

• Five (5) duty days                    During first year
• Seven (7) duty days                 After one (1) year
• Nine (9) duty days                   After five (5) years
• Eleven (11) duty days              After ten (10) years
• Thirteen (13) duty days           After fifteen (15) years
• Fifteen (15) duty days              After twenty (20) years

A Duty Day for a full-time sworn firefighter is set at a 24-hour work shift.

In addition to PTO, Full-time Firefighters also receive 24 hours of Floating Holiday leave per year

Holiday Pay

Full-time firefighters receive $300 holiday pay for the shift that works the scheduled Town of Zionsville holidays.  

Overtime and Comp Time

• Twenty-one (21) Day work period
• Over 159 hours worked for full-time firefighter to be compensated at one and one-half (1 ½) times the normal hourly rate
• Not to exceed 96 hours of comp time – over 96 hours to be compensated
• Banked comp time may be carried over calendar year and hiring anniversary date - Not to exceed 96 hours of comp time

PERF ‘77(1977 Police and Fire Pension Fund)

1977 Fund was established to pay pension, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible public safety officers and their survivors.

All Town of Zionsville full-time firefighters will be members of PERF ’77 Fund.  

20.3% Employer portion of the certified salary (2025 certified salary is $89,703.20) is payable by the Town

6% Employee portion of the certified salary is also paid by the Town

Insurance 

Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability are all offered

Voluntary Benefits

The following benefits can be paid by the employee through a payroll deduction:

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE UPLOADED BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

• Birth Certificate
• High School Diploma or equivalent transcripts
• College or University Degree transcripts (If Applicable)
• DD214 (member 4 copy) and Citations (for those applicants with military background)
• Copy of Driver's License (front and back)
• Copy of Social Security Card
• Any Court Order requesting a name change (If Applicable)
• Any Fire, EMS, or relative certifications
• Copy of CPAT Certification (if you currently have one)

Job purpose

This position is specifically training to respond to emergency situations involving fire, medical emergencies, hazardous materials, special rescues, and to provide support to fire prevention efforts.   

Duties and responsibilities

               Firefighter/EMT shall be responsible for:

• Respond to emergency incident for fire suppression, victim rescue and emergency medical services
• Operate on the emergency scene has the incident command requests
• Carries out fire prevention activities 
• Participates in fire, ems and rescue trainings
• Performs routine upkeep and maintenance on equipment
• Maintains station housekeeping and routine administrative tasks  
• Supports department rules, policies, and procedures

Qualifications

Minimum education qualification of a high school diploma or equivalent is required. 20 years old at date of hire, Valid Indiana’s Driver License

Recruit Firefighter

• Indiana Department of Homeland Security Haz-mat Awareness and Operations
• Indiana Department of Homeland Security FF I/II Certification
• Indiana Department of Homeland Security EMT Certification
• Indiana Department of Homeland Security Tech Rescue Awareness

Probationary Firefighter

• Obtain NIMS ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800
• Complete FF/EMT JPT program
• Complete Ambulance Orientation packet
• Complete within 1 year of graduation recruit academy to move to FF/EMT I

Firefighter/EMT I

• Complete 1 year of service
• *Indiana Department of Homeland Security Fire Officer and Tactics Certification
• *Complete UL course as assigned by the training division

Firefighter/EMT II

• Complete 2 years of service
• *Indiana Department of Homeland Security Driver Operator-pumper Certification

Firefighter/EMT III

* Course that are recommended but not required.

Working conditions

Firefighter/EMT will be working 24 hour shifts and on occasion 48 hour shifts. May have long period of sleepless night due to emergency situations. Work may have to be completed in adverse weather conditions. 

Physical requirements

Position is physically demanding and may require climbing, lifting (150 pounds), pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, stooping and running.

Direct reports

• No direct reports