Job: Career Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic

The Canon City Area Fire Protection District (CCAFPD) is seeking qualified candidates for Career Firefighter/EMT. This job announcement and testing process is intended to establish an eligibility list of candidates for a hiring pool to be effective early 2026. If pool numbers, or vacancy needs dictate, a new testing process may be implemented, or the eligibility list end date may be extended at the District's discretion. 

This is a line position that is responsible for the performance of specific activities and daily operations of an assigned shift; response to Emergency Medical Service, Fire, Rescue, Hazardous Materials and other emergency and non-emergency incidents. This position is for a standard suppression/shift schedule (Modified Berkley-24 on,24 off,24 on,24 off,24 on,96 off), though may require some over-time commitments for training, meeting attendance, performance of specific duties, and call-backs on off-duty days for emergency incidents, non-emergency incidents, and/or station coverage.

Position: Full-Time Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic

Work Schedule:

• 56-hour average work week based on a Modified Berkeley schedule.
• This schedule averages ten, 24-hour shift days per month.

Salary:

• The base salary range for the position is 2026 is $5,494-$6,528/month
• Plus Kelly Pay, health, vision, dental, life insurance, pension, clothing, longevity, and leave benefits*.

*This Salary and benefit package is for reference only.

Minimum Qualification by date of hire:

1. Must be at least 18 years age;
2. Must posses a high school diploma or GED equivalency;
3. A valid driver's license issued in the United States and be able to obtain a Colorado Driver's License;
4. Current State of Colorado EMT Certification or Current National Registry EMT and the ability to obtain State of Colorado reciprocity within 3-months of hire;
5. Valid CPAT completion documentation from within past 12 months;
6. Possesion of an appropriate, valid ICS 200 and ICS 700 completion certificate.

Qualification perferred:

1. Colorado EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic Certification, or current National Registry EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic Certification (additional monthly stipend paid)
2. State of Colorado Firefighter I Certification, or higher
3. State of Colorado Driver/Operator Certifications
4. NWCG Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or higher

Application Process:

Full information is available online at the following web address:

htts://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/index.cfm 

Interested applicants must submit all of the following documents as instructed below, to be received by the District prior to March 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. MDT.

Application Packet:

1. Complete the National Testing Network PHQ with  references
2. Upload Cover letter
3. Upload Resume
4. Upload copies of all required, and other applicable certifications, degrees, diplomas

(Any certifications pending completion at the time of application shall be noted on a separate sheet by certification name, course enrollment information and anticipated certification date.)

Your cover letter, resume, and other required documents shall be uploaded to National Testing Network @ htts://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/index.cfm You must include a valid email address with your application, as this will be the primary method of coommunication for all follow-up information concerning your application. You should receive an email reply confirming your application receipt. If you do not receive an email within 7 days of submission, please call 719-275-8666. All communications for questions related to the application/hiring process must use: employment@canonfire.org.

Assessment Process:

PHQ and document review - March 6th through March 11, 2026.

• Completeness of application and proper transmittance of required application documents will be examined by the employment screening staff. Any missing or incomplete information or documentation may result in your application being rejected
• Application packets will be evaluated based on completeness of PHQ, cover letter and resume, and certifications held.
• The top applicants will be notified and invited via email to take the Cognitive Entry Level Examination and Video Interview. These invitations are expected to be sent by March 12, 2026.

Cognitive Entry Level Examination & Video Interview - Must be complete by March 20, 2026.

Invited candidates will go to the following link to complete the Cognitive Testing (FireTEAM and PSSA Tests) & Video Interview:

htts://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/index.cfm

Click on "Find Jobs" Tab

Click "Firefighter Jobs" From Dropdown Menu

Find the Canon City Area Fire Protection District Link and select it

Click "Continue" on the top left

Read the Pop-up Menu and make your appropriate selection to continue

Follow the directions on the next several screens to select your test method, etc.

Oral Board Assessment (Optional) - tentatively scheduled for March 25-26, 2026.

Highly qualified applicants from the Cognitive Entry Level Examination and Video Interview may be offered an Oral Board Assessment. This will be an in-person interview with a panel of evaluators. This component of the testing process may or may not be used solely at the discretion of the District. 

CPAT Requirement

Any applicant that is presented with a conditional offer of employment must provide documented proof of successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) within the 12 months preceding the expected hiring date. Successful passing of the CPAT assessment is required prior ro final offer of employment.

Notification

Following the completion of the Assessment Process, the Fire Chief will then establish a final eligibility pool of candidates. Should a candidate in the eligibility pool be offered employment and choose to not accept the offer of employment due to circumstances deemed acceptable by the fire chief, they will be allowed to remain in the pool for future openings during the effective dates of the eligibility pool. If they decline an offer of employment a second time, they will be removed from the eligibility pool.

MAKEUP TESTS, ORAL ASSESSMENTS, or INTERVIEWS WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED WITHOUT A VALID REASON AS APPROVED BY THE FIRE CHIEF. You are expected to be ready at the time and place the assessment are administered. 

Conditional Offer of Employment - tentatively scheduled for March 30, 2026

Applicants that are selected to receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to complete a drug screening, medical examination, and a full background check of criminal activity, driving record and court records. In addition, applicants may be required to complete a psychological assessment. By applying to the department, you agree to these terms and full disclosure of all requests for information and screening. This may include contacting your previous employers. Tentative Academy start date is April 16, 2026.