Firefighter/Paramedic

City of Elgin

Contact Information

Address:

Website:

• www.cityofelgin.org

Phone:

• 847-931-6071

Email:

• Lizzy.Soderstrom@elginil.gov

Application Deadline:

• 12/29/25
• @ 11:59 PM Central

Salary:

• $83,462.00 - $111,241.00

Sworn:

• 145

Population:

• 112,000+

Position Details

The City of Elgin is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic.

The Elgin Fire Department has 145 sworn firefighters who provide a full range of coverage to 38.8 square miles and service a population of over 112,000 people.

The coverage area includes the historic downtown area, two major medical facilities, two college campuses, multiple industrial and office parks, Grand Victoria Casino, a growing commercial segment, as well as single and multi-family homes.

Services are also provided along main transportation routes that include sections of Interstate 90, routes 20, 31 and 25, the Randall Road corridor, the Northwest METRA rail line, and two major freight lines.

The City of Elgin offers exceptional opportunities that include cultural arts, entertainment and recreation that are unmatched by surrounding suburbs. Located 38 miles northwest of Chicago, we are proud of our diversity and culture. The growing City enjoys ready access to public transportation, diverse housing stock and a mix of commercial establishments. Residents and visitors enjoy a thriving cultural arts community, world-class parks, historical museums and over 100 places of worship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Essential functions – Provide response to all-hazard emergencies including fire, emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials, water rescue & recovery, technical rescue, and natural & man-made disasters.
• Typical tasks – when not responding to emergencies include a variety of job related tasks such as daily training & education programs, tool & equipment maintenance. The department administers community risk reduction programs that include public education, CPR training, business safety surveys and commercial pre-planning. Firefighters also participate in aggressive and ongoing on the job training programs. 

To apply for the position follow steps below:

STEP 1

Ensure that you meet the minimum requirements of the position

Submit an application with the City of Elgin by clicking on "Apply" at the top of this posting

Attach all required documents to this application

STEP 2

You will need to go to the Public Safety Answers website to sign up for the written test complete the initial testing process.

Click on the following link to take you to the Public Safety Answers website:

https://www.publicsafetyanswers.com/elgin

The testing will begin November 24, 2025.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Copy of birth certificate / Naturalization papers if born outside of US
• Candidates may not be older than 35 by December 29, 2025 unless:
• Previous employment as a fulltime firefighter in a municipality or FPD.
• Candidate may be older than 35 years if they have served in the military while at the age of 35 with an honorable discharge and is no older than 40 years old by December 29, 2025.
• Candidates must be 21 years old by December 29, 2025, unless:
• May be 19 years or older by December 29, 2025 and have not less than 3 years participation in the Elgin Fire Explorer Program or Elgin Police Explorer Program and 100 hours of volunteer time in the Elgin Fire Explorer Program or Elgin Police Explorer Program. You may be placed on the eligibility list, but shall not be appointed until you have reached the age of 21.
• Candidates must be citizens of the United States or an alien admitted for permanent residence or lawfully admitted for temporary residence who can produce evidence of intention to become a citizen of the United States.
• Copy of a valid driver's license
• Copy of a High School Diploma or GED required
• Copy of Military Separation papers (DD 214), if applicable 

Must have your EMT- Basic license and CPAT by DATE OF HIRE:

• Copy of Illinois Department of Public Health EMT- Basic license or EMT - Paramedic license
• Copy of valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card and Ladder Certification dated between November 17, 2024 and date of hire 

Awarding of preference points is done after the final stage of the process for original appointment for the following reasons; provided, however, that a maximum number of twenty (20) points may be awarded to any person during the appointment process.

• Five (5) additional points will be given on the eligibility list to those candidates that have completed a minimum of two (2) years at the Elgin Fire Explorer Program
• Five (5) additional points will be given for a four (4) year degree from an accredited college/university
• Three (3) additional points will be given for 60 credit hours or more of college credit from an accredited college/university
• Three (3) additional points will be given on the eligibility list for being a resident within the geographic boundaries of the City of Elgin for a period of not less than one (1) year prior to the awarding of points.
• Five (5) additional points will be given on the eligibility list to those candidates who have 1 or more years of active duty military experience with an honorable discharge as provided in 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6.3(h)(1).
• Up to five (5) additional points will be given on the eligibility list to those candidates who have served as a Basic Operations Firefighter (Firefighter II), Advanced Technician Firefighter (Firefighter III), or licensed paramedic for a municipality or fire protection district, based on the requirements set forth in 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7.1 

Written Examination: 

The entry level test for firefighter will be conducted by Public Safety Answers. The test will be a virtual test that candidates must take by December 29, 2025.

The test will evaluate whether or not you possess the critical, and job-related, skills and abilities necessary for success on the job.

Upon completion of the written examination, all candidate scores are automatically forwarded to the City of Elgin. Candidates who score at or above 75% on the written examination will be moved to the video interview questions stage of the process.

Background Investigation:

The candidates who successfully pass the written examination and video interview stages of the process will be subject to a background investigation which could consist of the following: complete criminal history check at the national, state and local level; complete traffic history at the state and local level; review of employment history with prior employers and possibly current employer; verification of military status (if applicable); personal/phone interviews with personal references.

Candidates passing the background investigation will be scheduled for an oral interview.

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT):

CPAT cards can be obtained from NIPSTA (Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy),  The City of Naperville, MABAS 24 (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 24)  CIFCA (Central Illinois Fire Chiefs Association), or IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) and must be dated between November 17, 2024 and date of hire.

Contact each vendor directly for more information on the CPAT testing they may offer: 

• NIPSTA - www.nipsta.org
• Naperville - www.naperville.il.us
• MABAS 24 - www.mabas24.org
• CIFCA - www.centralillinoisfirechiefs.com
• IAFF- https://www.iaff.org/cpat/find-cpat-test-site/

Conditions of Continued Employment: 

Applicant must satisfactorily complete the 12 month probationary program, be certified as a Basic Operations Firefighter (Firefighter II). At the Fire Chief's discretion, the applicant must be able to be licensed through the State of Illinois as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic and be able to continue to maintain that license.

For more information on our fire department visit us on:

City of Elgin's Fire Department page: Elgin Fire Department

Facebook: City of Elgin Fire Facebook

For additional questions you can contact Lizzy Soderstrom at:

847-931-6071

OR

By email at:

Lizzy.Soderstrom@elginil.gov

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