Civil Service: Firefighter/Paramedic at City of Cleveland Heights, OH

About the Department

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

CITY OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS

ANNOUNCES

AN OPEN COMPETITIVE RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION FOR

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC

APPLICATIONS:  

August 29 to September 19, 2025 

Applicants may apply online at www.clevelandheights.gov.  Click on the Employment Opportunities tab and select the appropriate examination.  

FILING FEE AND RETURN:  

Application non-refundable filing fee is $35.  Once your application has been approved you will be provided with the information to make your payment.  You will not be placed on the applicant list until your payment has been received.

Copies of supporting documents must be uploaded at the time of application.   Incomplete applications will not be accepted.  To receive bonus points supporting documentation must be uploaded at the time of application. 

SALARY:

3^rd Class:  $79,107.48  + 5% for Paramedic Certification.

2^nd Class:  $85,036.12  + 5% for Paramedic Certification.

1^st Class:   $90,954.68  + 5% for Paramedic Certification.

EXAMINATION:

The examination will be in person.

Thursday, September 25, 2025 Doors open at 5:30 pm and the test begins promptly at 6:00 pm.

Cleveland Heights Community Center

One Monticello Boulevard (Monticello and Lee Road)

Cleveland Heights, OH  44118

An applicant must pass the written examination by achieving a 70% or better grade.

Physical Agility Test:

The Physical Agility Test takes place at Tri-C West Fire Tower.  The physical agility testing can be waived for any applicant who has proof of passing the Tri-C physical agility test during the twelve months preceding September 25, 2025 with a passing score of 4 minutes and 30 seconds or less. For those candidates who need to take the physical agility test, Tri-C West has posted testing date for September 14, 2025 The cost is $75.00 payable to Tri-C. For more information contact Tri-C directly.   The certificate of passage must be turned in at or prior to the written exam. A copy may be emailed to Civil Service Secretary, Tanya Jones at [email protected] or fax (216) 291-5803. (no photos or screenshots, the attachment must be a PDF if emailed)

Only upon successfully passing both the written and physical elements of this test will an applicant be placed on an eligibility list for possible appointment.   An applicant’s rank on the eligibility list will be based on the applicant’s written score plus any applicable credit points.  The eligibility list is valid for one year with the possibility of being extended for an additional year.

Examples of Duties

THE POSITION:  

The Cleveland Heights Fire Department seeks, ambitious personnel who possess the attitude, knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential job functions of the Firefighter/Paramedic classification and be free of medical conditions that would preclude one from successfully performing said functions or would pose a threat to the health or safety of oneself or others.  Emotional stability and maturity are also required.

Newly hired personnel shall, along with incumbent personnel, fill the dual roles of Firefighter and Paramedic.  All personnel are required to satisfactorily comply with the rules and regulations of the Fire Department, as well as the Civil Service Commission.

This position is subject to a 12-month probationary period of employment.  Paramedic certification and licensure shall be maintained. Firefighter duties include but are not limited to, fire inspection, fire prevention, fire suppression, rescue, and other forms of emergency and non-emergency services to and for the public good.

General Requirements

CITIZENSHIP: 

Every applicant for admission to any examination for a position in the Classified Service must be a citizen of the United Sates.

AGE:  

Minimum of 21 years of age and maximum of 32 years of age at the time of appointment.

EDUCATION:  

Every applicant for appointment to the Classified Service of the Division of Fire shall be required to hold a current, valid certification from the State of Ohio to practice as a paramedic and a State of Ohio firefighter I/II certification.   Candidates who are currently enrolled in a Paramedic class or FFI/II class may apply with proof of enrollment (a letter from the Director of the program).  However, the candidate may not be appointed to the Division until the course(s) are successfully completed.  This is required to be uploaded with the application.

OTHER:  

Must possess a valid state of Ohio driver’s license with a driving record that meets the minimum insurance standards per the City’s policy.  A copy of the driver’s license is required to be uploaded with the application.

Five (5) credit points will be added to the passing grade if said applicant has had at least twelve (12) months of active-duty service in the United States Armed Forces and, if separated, has been separated under honorable conditions.  A copy of Form DD214 for military credit, if applicable.

Candidates from the eligibility list in order of rank will be contacted for an interview with the Fire Chief if an opening occurs.

Before a conditional offer of employment, a candidate must certify that they have never committed a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.  This will be verified through a thorough background check investigation.

Furthermore, before a conditional offer of employment, an applicant will be required to undergo an examination for drug usage at random.  This examination will be in the form of a urine test.  Any applicant whose results from the drug screening examination are determined to be positive shall be rejected unless such results can be satisfactorily related to the advice of a recognized medical practitioner.

Following a conditional offer of employment, the candidate must pass a comprehensive medical evaluation by a physician chosen by the City of Cleveland Heights personnel.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin/ancestry, military status, disability, age, and religion. 

Supplemental Information

The written examination will be 150 questions taken from the following books:

• Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills and Hazardous Materials Response, 4^th Edition, IFCA/NFPA
• Emergency Care, 14^th Edition, Limmer / O’Keefe