Firefighter/Paramedic - SAFER Grant

Salary: $67,684.50 Annually
Location : City of St. Cloud, FL
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Department: FIRE
Division: FIRE CONTROL
Opening Date: 10/02/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt


Description
Advance Your Career. Serve Your Community. Lead the Way.

The City of St. Cloud Fire Rescue is hiring 24 Firefighter/Paramedics as part of a major department expansion funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the FY2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant. These permanent positions will support our growing city and the addition of new fire stations, allowing us to deliver faster response times and more efficient emergency services to the residents we serve.

We're growing with our community, adding 48 new firefighter personnel with new stations already under construction. Whether you're an experienced paramedic looking for your next challenge or newly certified and ready to launch your career, this is your opportunity to be part of something bigger and help shape the future of fire and emergency services in one of Florida's fastest-growing cities.

Why St. Cloud Fire Rescue?

Premier Benefits Package

• Outstanding pension program with a 4% multiplier that vests in just 10 years
• Retire at any age with 20 years of service - one of the best retirement benefits in the region
• 8-year Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)
• Ability to purchase additional pension years for prior military service
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with access to a free employee and family health clinic
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education

Work-Life Balance

• Current 24/48 shift schedule
• City Council is reviewing funding strategies to support a transition to a 24/72 shift schedule , creating even better work-life balance for our crews
• 120 hours of paid annual vacation leave (increases with years of service)
• 144 hours of paid sick leave annually
• 156 hours of paid holidays
• Sick leave counts toward total hours worked for regularly scheduled shifts

Career Growth & Development

• Paramedic continuing education provided and paid for by the department
• Career advancement opportunities into leadership and specialized roles
• Specialized training opportunities in special operations, aerial operations, rope rescue, and truck operations for our tower truck
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Opportunity to grow with a rapidly expanding department

At St. Cloud Fire Rescue, we're built on a foundation of service, accountability, and innovation. Every day, you'll work alongside dedicated professionals who are committed to protecting our community and supporting each other. As a paramedic, you'll bring critical advanced life support skills to our team while having opportunities to mentor, lead, and advance your career and make a meaningful difference.

This is your chance to join a department that's investing in its future and in you. Apply today and advance your career with St. Cloud Fire Rescue.
****IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW -- PLEASE READ CAREFULLY****
It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. Please provide a complete history of your work experience. Describe your paid work experience for the past ten (10) years and list all gaps in work history. List each promotion or transfer as a separate job even if they were with the same employer. Include Military, part time, seasonal, temporary and self-employment. We may contact previous employers to verify employment information. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Please do not indicate any personal information on your application/resume (e.g., marital status, family members, medical, etc.).

TESTING & HIRING PROCESS FOR THE CITY OF ST. CLOUD FIRE DEPARTMENT


*Candidates will be notified of the testing process after all applications have been reviewed.

Duties and Responsibilities
The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Performs fire suppression as a team member and/or individually by manning hose lines, operation had held fire suppression equipment, and carrying out related duties in an emergency firefight situation.
• Performs emergency medical services on persons injured or ill according to National, State and Department guidelines at either EMT or paramedic level depending upon certification.
• Performs rescue functions to extricate victims from occupancy filled with heat, smoke , and toxic gases by entering occupancy and physically removing victims.
• Performs rescue and extrication functions of victims involved in vehicular entrapment using specific hand and pneumatic equipment.
• Performs salvage and clean-up functions as required at the conclusion of fire-related emergency scenes.
• Maintains physical conditioning and physical stamina required to perform firefighting duties.
• Performs routine inspects of personal safety equipment in order to ensure equipment is in optimum condition and promptly notifies superiors of deficiencies.
• Attends classroom and outdoor training sessions in order to continuously update knowledge and skills required for effective performance.
• Communicates and interacts with co-workers and the public to receive emergency instructions or relay emergency information.
• Participates in Public Relations activities such as school demonstrations and safety demonstrations at various venues, to promote the image of the Department as a public safety provider in the community.
• Performs clean-up and janitorial duties in stations to maintain a clean working and living environment.
• Operates Fire Rescue Department emergency vehicles as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum age is 18 years.
• Graduation from high school or completion of the GED
• Maintenance of a current/valid State of Florida Driver's License that meets requirements outlined in the City's Employee Handbook as well as any requirements by the City's insurance carrier (at no additional cost, or risk), and determined by the City to be an acceptable driving record history.
• Possess a State of Florida Firefighter Standards I and II Certification
• Must have completed an Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) with the number of hours completed.
• American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider
• Possess a State of Florida Paramedic License
• American Heart Association ACLS Provider
• American Heart Association PALS (Preferred)

Please attach a copy of the following documents to your application:

• State of Florida Paramedic License
• State of Florida Fire Fighter Standards I and II Certification
• Completed 16 Hour Emergency Vehicle Operators Course Certificate (EVOC) or have completed the Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (CEVO)
• American Heart Association BLS, PALS, and ACLS Healthcare Provider
• Affidavit of Compliance Tobacco Abstention Policy ()
• Valid State of Florida Driver's License

Other Information:

Applicants may obtain a copy of the EEOP Short Form upon request.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Physical Requirements :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift repeatedly and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Mathematics:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Language Ability :

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Reasoning:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Work Environment :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of St. Cloud is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in all of its employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran or family status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws. The City participates in employment eligibility verifications through E-verify. Veteran's preference is given in accordance with Florida Law.
City of St. Cloud Benefits Package
We believe our City employees to be our most valuable asset. To attract and retain those employees, we offer a competitive wages and benefits package including on-the-job training, seminars, and performance appraisals.

We invite you to look at the benefits the City of St. Cloud has to offer. We think you will find that the rewards of the job are equal to the challenge.

All of our Full-time regular employees are eligible for the , which includes:

• On-Site Employee Health Care Center - free for employees and their dependents on the health insurance plan
• Paid Vacation
• Sick Leave (Ability to roll over from year to year)
• 11 Paid Holidays for General Employees and Police Officers- The Fire department employees can earn up to 156 holiday hours per fiscal year (prorated from the employee's start date).
• One (1) Floating Holiday for General Employees and two (2) for Police Officers.
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Awards Programs
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Discounted Automobile Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Holiday Bonus - subject to City Council approval
• Indianapolis Plan ( Police Officers )
• Life and Accidental Death (One-time annual salary paid by City)
• Long Term Disability Coverage (paid by City)
• Management Leave
• Sick Leave Bank available for all employees - for Fire Union sick leave bank information, see

(PDF)
01


Are you at least 18 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

02


Will you have a State of Florida Firefighter Standards Certification at the scheduled date and time of the job offer?

• Yes
• No

03


Will you have a State of Florida Paramedic License at the scheduled date and time of the job offer?

• Yes
• No

04


Which best describes your level of education?

• No High School Equivalency
• High School Diploma or Equivalency
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

05


Do you have a valid Florida Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question