Firefighter - Closing Date 10/10/2026

Description

**READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS & THE JOB POSTING CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION**

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under general supervision, performs fire suppression, fire prevention, and inspections; performs life support medical care and emergency medical treatment; performs fire prevention activities as assigned.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES:

• Performs fire suppression and rescue activities (e.g., operates hose lines and nozzles, ladders and aerial ladders, etc.); responds to fire accidents and disaster alarms.
• Performs mop-up and over-haul activities (e.g., takes out walls and ceilings to ensure fire is extinguished, removes furniture, removes debris, and cleans up water, etc.).
• Checks equipment and performs tasks to ensure proper operation of emergency and firefighting equipment (e.g., hoses, oxygen tanks, medical kits, locating fluid levels, tire pressure, lights, fuel, stores fire hoses, cleans squad equipment, etc.).
• Performs routine upkeep of building and its contents (e.g., sweeps, mops, waxes floors, washes windows, cleans restrooms, and vacuums carpet).
• Attends training sessions and demonstrations to enhance and maintain self-knowledge of present and new methods and techniques of firefighting and fire inspections.
• Promote fire and safety prevention as assigned.
• Perform fire inspections as assigned.
• Prepares and submits records, reports, or other documentation as required (e.g., work performed, run reports, state reports, etc.).
• As assigned, drives and operates motorized firefighting equipment.

**Email will be the line of communication between the City and candidates. Candidates must monitor their email and spam folders so they do not miss instructions.

**When applying, upload your high school diploma/GED equivalent, college transcripts, and diploma (if achieved), a current CPAT certification, and your DD214 if you have previous military service.  Applications will not be considered eligible for employment or granted an interview if any of the above are not uploaded on the application.

**All applicants, including current firefighters, are required to have a current CPAT certification through February 2027.

**If you do not have a current CPAT certification, you can obtain certification by signing up for the CPAT event hosted in Hopkinsville, KY on September 26th, 2026.  Signup is on the paducahky.gov website on the Human Resources page under "Job Opportunities," or at Vincennes University, the KY Fire Commission, or any other officially sanctioned CPAT testing facility.

**Applicants that have already obtained IFSAC certifications in: Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Operations, and Driver Operations Pumper along with 300 training hours certification, and previously graduated from The Fire Academy of Kentucky or currently employed as a full-time firefighter with a fire department and a minimum of two (2) consecutive years full-time paid firefighter experience will be evaluated on their firefighter job skills as to whether they must attend the KY Fire Academy or an abbreviated Academy within the Department.

**Wages start at $17.03 with increases at 6 months and 1 year.  For depiction of a full year salary working the 24/48 schedule, year Two annual salary is $63,598.08 + $4,653 KY State Incentive Pay = $68,251.08 plus longevity pay.

Additional Benefits Include:

Additional $4,653 Incentive pay from the KY Fire Commission for training requirements met.

Longevity Pay

Career Advancement Opportunities (Drive the Apparatus, Group Supervisor, Shift Supervisor, Management, and More)
Annual Pay Increase
Clothing Allowance
Paid Vacation and Holidays
Comprehensive Health and Wellness Package
Gym Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
And More!!

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, must posses a minimum educational requirement of a high school diploma, or its equivalent as approved by the United States Armed Forces Institute, or a recognized institute of higher learning or the Commonwealth of Kentucky, must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language, must be a person of good moral character, good reputation in the community in which s/he lives, law abiding, and loyal to the U. S. A. government, must have standard visual acuity without correction, not less than 20/40 in one eye, and 20/100 in the other eye, IFSAC Firefighter I & II Certification, Kentucky EMT Certification. Applicants must possess a current CPAT certification through February 2027. Applicants shall have a valid driver's license.

When applying, please upload your high school diploma/GED equivalent, college transcripts and diploma if achieved, current CPAT card (through February 2027), and anyone with previous military service must upload their DD214.   Applications will not be considered eligible for employment or granted an interview if any of the above are not uploaded on the application.

If you do not have a current CPAT certification, you can obtain certification by signing up for the CPAT event hosted in Hopkinsville, KY on September 26th, 2026.  Signup is on the paducahky.gov website on the Human Resources page under "Job Opportunities," or at Vincennes University, the KY Fire Commission, or any other officially sanctioned CPAT testing facility.

Testing Information:
The written test will be on October 17th, 2026, at 9:00 am, at the Paducah Recreation Center, 1527 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Paducah, KY 42001. We will provide you with additional information once we receive and process your application.

The test is an aptitude and character test. There is no study guide that goes along with this test.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to perform heavy physical labor in required firefighting equipment under hazardous conditions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of department policy and procedure, fire suppression and rescue techniques, fire apparatus operation and maintenance, tools, equipment, and instruments utilized in fire fighting operations, safety practices, and procedures. Must be able to demonstrate physical strength and the ability to function in a hazardous environment in full firefighting gear (includes SCBA). Ability to follow oral and written instructions, diagnose malfunctions, and take appropriate corrective actions. Ability to prepare and deliver speeches to specialized audiences and the general public. Ability to prepare concise and accurate reports.