Firefighter/Paramedic

Firefighter/Paramedic Position

The Town of West Hartford announces an open competitive examination for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. Applications will only be accepted electronically. The application deadline is June 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The salary range is $70,746 - $95,394 per year, subject to increase upon contract ratification.

The West Hartford Fire Department is accepting applications for current Firefighter/Paramedics, Paramedics, and/or graduating Paramedic students to be considered for Firefighter/Paramedic positions. This is general duty fire prevention, fire protection, and firefighting work in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, doing rescue work, and providing emergency medical care in cases of emergency. Assist in the maintenance of equipment, stations, and apparatus. In addition to the general duties of Firefighter, as Paramedic, this position also provides patient care and treatment in medical emergencies under the direct or indirect supervision of a sponsor hospital physician, and in the event of life-threatening emergencies, on own initiative to the extent authorized by the Sponsor Hospital and Advanced Life Support protocols. When not involved in providing emergency care, the Firefighter/Paramedic works under the general supervision of a company officer. Employees in this classification are required to "advance" to danger rather than to retreat from it in the interest of decreasing the condition.

Minimum qualifications include being at least 18 years of age, graduation from a standard high school or a recognized general education equivalency (GED), a valid driver's license, a CT Licensed Paramedic, current ACLS, PALS, and BLS CPR certifications, and a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification issued no earlier than August 31, 2025.

Preferred qualifications include a valid paramedic medical control from a Connecticut hospital, graduation from the CT Fire Academy Recruit Program or comparable recruit firefighter training program, and Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 175 pounds. Wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus is required and each employee must be able to pass a fit for seal test. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands, and reach and stretch with hands and arms with a full range of motion. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, jump, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk and taste or smell. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high precarious places and confined spaces. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electric shock and vibration. The employee is often exposed to excessively high temperature intensities and sudden temperature changes. The noise level in the working environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud. The employee may be required to work rotating shifts, and is considered essential emergency personnel. Any personnel in this position are required to work during emergency situations and are subject to be recalled to work at any time. Remains on stand-by time for all fires and emergencies except on days off and vacation.

Examination passing score/weight includes a written examination, an oral board interview, and a practical exam. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the written examination to participate in the next phase of the examination - the oral board interview. Candidates who fail to achieve the minimum passing score on the written examination will be disqualified from further consideration for the position. The Town reserves the right to limit the number of candidates invited to participate in the written examination and oral board interview examination.

Candidates must upload an active paramedic license or proof of enrollment and estimated completion by 6/15/27, and an active CPAT certification issued no earlier than 8/31/25. If you have difficulty uploading documents, please email Melissa Henowitz, HR Specialist, at View email address on click.appcast.io by the application deadline in order to have your documents considered.

Approximate testing timeline for this hiring includes: 6/15/26 - application deadline, week of 6/22/26 - written exam, week of 6/22/26 - oral panel interview/Paramedic practical, week of 6/29/26 - chief interview for initial round of hiring (additional interviews possible). Must have CPAT certification by 6/15/26 and Paramedic license by 6/15/27 and by appointment.

Once a conditional offer is extended, candidates must successfully complete a physical examination and psychological examination, drug testing, and a non-smoking requirement. Candidates will be required to attest to this fact prior to being certified for eligibility. Character requirements include meeting the highest legal and ethical standards, no drug related conviction, felony conviction, conviction for any Class A or Class B misdemeanor or any conviction for domestic violence. Candidates will undergo a rigorous background investigation before a final offer of employment. An applicant may be disqualified for reason such as but not limited to, poor employment history, recent use of illegal drugs, or previously undetected criminal activity. Any omission, falsification, fabrication, lie or misleading statement will automatically result in disqualification from further consideration with Town of West Hartford.

Applications may be completed by following the link on the "Jobs" page at Job Openings - Town of West Hartford (westhartfordct.gov). Applications must be completed by the posted deadline, unless such date is extended by the Director of Human Resources. It is the policy of the Town of West Hartford that discrimination in any way on the basis race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity/expression, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, military/veteran status, political belief, criminal record, disability or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements and any exceptions under applicable state or federal law toward employees is strictly prohibited and will be not be tolerated. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The Department of Employee Services provides reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation on the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email Alan Horner. Individuals who do not have access to a computer or need assistance completing an online application may visit the Noah Webster Library or its branches for access and assistance.