Palos Heights Fire Protection District

Firefighter/Paramedic Application
Deadline 4/4/2025 4:00 PM

Stanard & Associates, Inc. administers the application process for the Palos Heights Fire Protection District , and the Palos Heights Fire Protection District retains authority over the application process and hiring of individuals. All applicant information and application forms are the property of the Palos Heights Fire Protection District . Stanard & Associates, Inc. does not establish the qualification or eligibility requirements, required application procedures, or related employment standards and procedures and is limited in addressing questions or requests for information in these areas.

THERE IS NO APPLICATION FEE FOR THIS POSITION.

The application deadline for this application has been extended to April 4, 2025. 
The online written exam will now be conducted from April 16-18, 2025.

 

Palos Heights Fire Protection District

Palos Heights, Illinois

The Palos Heights Fire Protection District is accepting applications to the position of firefighter/paramedic.

Starting Salary: $75,000; $115,400 estimated after 5 years (tentative agreement on new CBA)
                            7 shift days paid time off the first year, maximum of 26 days upon full seniority
Population: 11,819
Sworn Fire Service Personnel: 21
 

All Applicants Must Meet the Following Minimum Requirements established by the Palos Heights Fire Protection District:

  • Must be 21 years of age by the written exam date (April 16, 2025), and less than 35 years of age at the time of hire, unless previously employed as a full-time firefighter paramedic; as provided for in Illinois Statutes;
  • Must must be able to legally work in the United States;
  • Must have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent;
  • Must be licensed as a paramedic in Illinois (EMT-P) -OR- a nationally registered paramedic (if applying from outside of Illinois) -OR- an EMT-B currently enrolled in a paramedic program, (proof of enrollment required). Must be a Licensed Paramedic, in Illinois, by date of hire;
  • Possess an OSFM Certificate Firefighter II -OR- Basic Operations Firefighter Certificate (at time of application);
  • Must have, and maintain, an Illinois Driver's license or equivalent;
  • Must have a current CPAT card with ladder climb certification, issued within 12 months of the application deadline date (April 4, 2025);
  • All firefighters must live within 50 miles of Palos Heights Fire District Headquarters, by 1 year from the date of hire.

Preference Points will be awarded by the Palos Heights Fire Protection District for any one of the following:

  • Military Experience: Applicants with a minimum of (1) year of active duty U.S. military service with an Honorable Discharge. Military Form DD-214 (indicating status of discharge) must be submitted with application to qualify;  
  • Fire Service Experience:  Applicants who have at least two (2) years full-time (career) firefighting employment.  A copy of all payroll stubs for the last two (2) year period -OR- letter from current, and any previous employers must be submitted with application to qualify;
  • Education: Possess an Associate’s Degree in the field of Fire Service or Emergency Medical Services from an accredited community or junior college -OR- a Bachelor’s Degree in any field from an accredited college or university. A copy of the diploma or unofficial transcripts must be submitted with application to qualify;
  • Residency:  Applicants who are currently residents within the Palos Heights Fire Protection District at the time of application.  Copy of mortgage/rental lease agreement, tax documents, or current utility bill indicating the applicant's name and current address must be submitted at time of application to qualify. 

Submission of Application:  Applications MUST be submitted online by Friday, April 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM (CST).  Faxed, e-mailed, mailed or dropped off applications will NOT be accepted. Applications submitted after the deadline will NOT be accepted. Only one application per person, per testing cycle will be accepted.  

Mandatory Orientation and Written Examination Testing Dates:  

Following completion of all application materials and review of minimum qualifications, successful applicants will be invited to participate in remote on-line written exam testing starting at 9 AM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 through Friday, April 18, 2025 at 4 PM.  The test will only be available during this time period.  Candidates will need to have access to a laptop or desktop computer.  

All candidates will receive an email approximately one week prior to the written exam date regarding their status in the process. NOTE: PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL SPAM FOLDER AS SOMETIMES EMAIL PROVIDERS (SUCH AS GMAIL, YAHOO, ETC.) SEND OUR EMAILS DIRECTLY TO SPAM. 

 
Important Disclaimer for Potential Applicants:  As part of this application form, you will be required to submit copies of the following documents as part of your application. Applicants failing to provide the following documentation with their application will be ineligible to continue in the hiring process. 
  • Birth Certificate;
  • High School Diploma -OR- GED Equivalent Certificate;
  • Valid Driver's License;
  • Current CPAT card with ladder climb (please see Summary of Hiring Process for more information on obtaining CPAT)
  • Current EMT-P -OR- EMT-B license issued by the IDPH or NREMT;
  • If an EMT-B, proof of current enrollment in a paramedic program;
  • OSFM Certificate Firefighter II -OR- Basic Operations Firefighter -OR- Equivalent;
  • Preference Points Documentation (proof of one of the following: military, college degree, or fire service experience, if applicable).
 
The Palos Heights Fire Protection District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.