Lateral Firefighter Paramedic

Job Posting: Lateral Firefighter Paramedic (Job #2026-00006)
Application Open: March 16, 2026
Application Deadline: April 16, 2026 
Starting Salary (2026): $91,183 annually, DOQ
Salary Range: $91,183 – $128,118 

Other Forms of Compensation: None
Job Type:  Full-Time, non-exempt from the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Start Date: August 3, 2026
Fire Academy Start Date: August 10, 2026

North Metro Fire Rescue District is currently accepting applications for the position of Lateral Firefighter Paramedic. The District is actively recruiting paramedic-certified applicants who will attend an abbreviated Fire Academy.

Why Join North Metro Fire?

At North Metro Fire, our people are our greatest strength. We are a team committed to professionalism, compassion, and service. As an equal opportunity employer, we foster a family-oriented culture that supports employee development, wellness, and career growth.

Apply today and join a dynamic, high-performing team that serves with pride.

Minimum Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• Current CPAT certification by final offer date

• Current State of Colorado Paramedic certification or National Registry Paramedic (NRP) certification

• Meet the Lateral Paramedic definition:

• Candidates must be currently employed by a fire service agency with a minimum of two (2) years' experience with the agency and must complete all steps for hire as outlined below. Candidates with over 10 years of fire service experience who have been separated from fire service employment within the previous three years may be considered a Lateral Hire at the discretion of the Fire Chief.

• The current agency must be similar or larger than North Metro Fire in terms of size of district, population served, and services provided. The agency must utilize Fire-Based EMS that provides emergency transport.

• Candidates will be considered for lateral hire once they have demonstrated the knowledge skills, and abilities of a step grade Firemedic II in accordance with the position job description and district rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Position Summary:
Under direct supervision, Firefighter Paramedics participate in a wide range of emergency and non-emergency services, including:

• Fire suppression

• Technical rescue and hazardous materials response

• Emergency medical response

• Equipment and facility inspections and maintenance

• Public education and community outreach

• Ongoing training and development

This position requires successful completion of the Fire Academy. Upon graduation, Firefighter Paramedics are assigned to emergency response shifts as part of a 56-hour work week.

Work Schedule:

• Academy Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (additional hours as required)

• Operational Schedule (Post-Academy): 56-hour rotating schedule, including 48 to 72 continuous hours

Direct Reports: None

North Metro Fire Rescue offers an excellent benefits package:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Long-term and short-term disability coverage

• Life insurance

• Flexible Spending Plan

• Longevity pay

• FPPA Defined Benefit Pension Plan

• RHS account

• Tuition assistance

• Wellness program and recreation center pass

• Onsite gym

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday leave

See the District’s benefits summary for full details.

Important Testing & Selection Dates

(Tentative; dates subject to change. Testing with * is required to be in-person. Qualified applicants will be notified of exact testing dates once available.)

• EMS Skills Assessment: Week of April 27, 2026 *

• General Assessment Center: April 27 - May 4, 2026 *

• Chiefs’ Interviews: Week of May 18, 2026 *

• Conditional Offers Extended: Week of May 18 - May 22, 2026

• Medical, Drug, METS, and Phobia Testing: Week of May 26 - June 19, 2026 *

• Background and Reference Checks: Week of May 26 - June 19, 2026

• Firefighter Skills Testing: Week of June 19, 2026 *

• Final Job Offers: Week of June 29, 2026

• Hire Date: August 3, 2026

• Academy Start Date: August 10, 2026

 

The Equal Pay Act of 2021 requires North Metro Fire Rescue to notify all current employees of a new or vacant position that is a promotional opportunity. A “promotional opportunity” exists when North Metro Fire Rescue has or anticipates a vacancy in an existing or new position that could be considered a promotion for one or more of its current employees in terms of compensation, benefits, status, duties, or access to further advancement. This position is covered by the North Metro Fire Rescue District Civil Service Committee.

The Firefighter/Paramedic, in accordance with prehospital protocols and district policy, responds to medical incidents and provides Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS), and medical transportation services to patients. Firefighter/Paramedics are responsible for providing patient care both on-scene and en route to the hospital, which involves using mobile computers, electronic patient care reporting (ePCR) software, and mobile radios; interacting with patients and performing physical examinations; communicating their examination findings to the hospitals; setting up, operating/administering, and monitoring medical equipment, including cardiac monitors, intravenous solutions (IVs), ventilators, and defibrillators; performing medication administration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), endotracheal intubation, and other advanced airway procedures; applying splints, backboards, cervical collars, and other stabilizing measures; completing patient care reporting and transportation documentation; inventorying, requesting, and stocking drugs and EMS supplies and equipment. As required by law and in adherence to district policy, appropriately maintains custody and documentation of any assigned controlled substances. Participates in EMS-related programs and training, as well as other district activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 1. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
As a condition of continued employment during the Fire Academy, employee must:1. Possess a valid, unrestricted Colorado Driver’s License.2. Be able to maintain Paramedic certificate issued by the State of Colorado.   3. Possess and maintain CPR certification.4. Valid CPAT certification.  

Will be achieved during the academy or through reciprocity:
1.  Possess and maintain a State of Colorado Fire Fighter I certification, or higher.2. Possess and maintain a State of Colorado Hazardous Materials Operations Certification, or higher.3. All required certifications will be accomplished before beginning any assignment within the Operations Division.

Personnel must serve a minimum of one year in all firefighter grades.  Firefighter IV personnel serve in probationary status for one year from the date of graduating from the District’s Fire Academy.  Successful completion of the initial probationary period as described within the Firefighter Grades Promotional Process SOP includes passing a written and practical examination and receiving a satisfactory performance evaluation.

Requirements: 1. Firefighter Paramedics shall be required to attend and pass a Fire Academy.  The District will determine the length of the academy and the subject matter covered.2. Failure to successfully pass the Fire Academy’s tests, written and practical, will be cause for termination.  During the Fire Academy, a Firefighter Paramedic must obtain an 80% or better score on the written exams and a “pass” score on all practical exams to successfully pass an examination.  Specific evaluation information is included in the Fire Academy Handbook.3. Firefighter Paramedics must successfully pass a final Fire Academy examination in accordance with the North Metro Fire Rescue District Promotions SOP, as well as the Civil Service Rules and Regulations, and the Employee Rules, Regulations and Benefits Manual. 
Firefighter Paramedics Shall:1.  Obtain and maintain all required certifications.   Achieve and maintain all standards pursuant to the policies and procedures of the Fire District and the Fire Academy.  When appropriate, Firefighters must teach subject matter to others, or train others through explanation, demonstration or practice. 2.   Establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with the general public and co-workers, communicating effectively both verbally and in writing. Firefighter Paramedics must demonstrate the ability to make rapid and effective decisions under stressful conditions.3.  Operate and maintain all equipment, apparatus, and vehicles assigned.  Keep accurate records and reports as appropriate for the position. Successfully adapt to the Fire Academy environment and consistently demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the profession. A Firefighter Paramedic must perform under strenuous conditions and must maintain Fire Academy physical fitness standards recognized within the NMFRD Fitness SOP. 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: –  Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and safe driving record for continued employment. New hires must, as a condition of employment, pass the following applicable pre-offer and post-offer/hire processes: oral board/s, reference checks, background checks including criminal background check, sex-offender registry, and driving record check.

Compensation details: 91183-128118 Yearly Salary