Lateral Firefighter and Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic

City of Grand Junction • Grand Junction, CO

12d • $25 - $36 • Onsite

About The Position

The Grand Junction Fire Department is experiencing unprecedented growth and is seeking to hire Lateral Firefighters and Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics. These roles involve responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, working with station crews to provide basic or advanced life support care, and performing fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency rescue operations. The academy is typically 44-48 hours per week, and upon graduation, the work schedule is 48/96. This is a safety-sensitive position subject to random drug screens.

Requirements

• Lateral Firefighter: Colorado EMT certificate OR National Registry EMT 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.
• CPR certificate on or before October 12, 2026.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a full-time paid position on an all-hazards fire department.
• Firefighter II certification (ProBoard or IFSAC Accredited).
• Hazardous Materials Operations certification (ProBoard or IFSAC Accredited).
• Current State of Colorado Driver’s License or ability to obtain.
• Driver Operator Certification (ProBoard or IFSAC).
• Proof of completion of an emergency vehicle operator program (i.e. VFIS, CEVO, EVOC or other equivalent internal department program).
• Must successfully complete a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1580 physical.
• Color perception resulting in the ability to use imaging devices.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be 18 years of age upon time of hire.
• Ability to pass a thorough background check.
• 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

• 32 days of paid annual leave to be used for personal and/or sick days
• 11 paid holidays
• Health insurance options
• Employer-matched retirement
• City employee health clinic
• City employee child care center
• Wellness program
• Employee Assistance Program
• $4,000 hiring bonus for Firefighter/Paramedic upon graduation and successful completion of Mesa County Protocols.

What This Job Offers

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