Lateral Firefighter and Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

City of Grand Junction • Grand Junction, CO

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Are you looking for a change of pace, a career that makes a difference, and a place you can call home? The Grand Junction Fire Department is experiencing unprecedented growth, and we are excited to welcome the next generation of community servants to join our family! Firefighters and Firefighter/Paramedics respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, working with their assigned station crew to provide basic or advanced life support care to patients. Additional duties include performing fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency rescue operations. Academy is typically scheduled 44-48 hours per week. Upon graduation from the Lateral Fire Academy the Grand Junction Fire Department has a 48/96 work schedule. This position is a safety-sensitive position, which means you will be subject to random drug screens due to the nature of the work performed.

Requirements

• Lateral Firefighter: Colorado EMT certificate OR National Registry EMT certificate on or before October 12, 2026.
• Lateral Firefighter: CPR certificate on or before October 12, 2026.
• Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic: Colorado EMT-P certificate OR a National Registry EMT-P certificate on or before October 12, 2026.
• Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic: PALS certificate OR PEPP certificate on or before October 12, 2026.
• Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic: ACLS certificate on or before October 12, 2026.
• Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic: CPR certificate on or before October 12, 2026.
• General (for all positions): Minimum 3 years’ experience in a full-time paid position on an all-hazards fire department.
• General (for all positions): Firefighter II certification (ProBoard or IFSAC Accredited).
• General (for all positions): Hazardous Materials Operations certification (ProBoard or IFSAC Accredited).
• General (for all positions): Current State of Colorado Driver’s License or ability to obtain.
• General (for all positions): Driver Operator Certification (ProBoard or IFSAC).
• General (for all positions): Proof of completion of an emergency vehicle operator program (i.e. VFIS, CEVO, EVOC or other equivalent internal department program).
• General (for all positions): Must successfully complete a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1580 physical
• General (for all positions): Color perception resulting in the ability to use imaging devices.
• General (for all positions): High school diploma or equivalent.
• General (for all positions): Must be 18 years of age upon time of hire.
• General (for all positions): Ability to pass a thorough background check.
• General (for all positions): Current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification. If you do not possess a current CPAT certification, you must obtain one by September 10, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Attend, participate, and successfully complete all skill blocks of the fire academy; learn and complete Mesa County Protocols; meet all job performance indicators to operate as a Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic.
• Perform various EMS and firefighting activities to protect life, property, and environment.
• Respond to a variety of emergency and non-emergency calls including emergency medical response, fire suppression, traffic collisions, hazardous materials incidents, building collapses, wildland fires, technical rescue, and extraction.
• Operate a variety of fire suppression and life-saving equipment.
• Perform station and equipment inspections and maintenance.

Benefits

• Hiring Bonus of $4,000 paid upon graduation and successful completion of Mesa County Protocols.
• Free or low-cost healthcare services for employees and dependents enrolled in a City health plan.
• Preventive care, health assessments and coaching, treatment for common illnesses, lab services, physical therapy, a medical massage therapist, and behavioral health counseling.
• Wellness programs, challenges, and classes that empower employees and their families to stay healthy and thrive.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED