The City of Sterling Heights is currently seeking Firefighters Paramedics and Firefighter EMT-Bs! We are currently accepting applications and will consider applicants who may not have all certifications. Are you interested in the opportunity of a lifetime and becoming a first responder? Check out the below benefits and information, instructions for testing, and apply today!
Firefighter Paramedic Summary of Benefits:
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Pay range is $71,050 (2026 first step rate) to $106,134 (2028 last step rate) with step increases annually and on July 1st; Candidates with prior experience with an IAFF Department are eligible to start at a higher rate!
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Defined Pension Benefit with a 2.5% multiplier
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Medical Coverage at a very low premium share; Employer contribution into Health Savings Account + Employer Match
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Dental, Vision, and Disability benefits at no cost for you or your dependents
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Access to an onsite Employee Health & Wellness Center staffed with a physician and nurse for you and your dependents
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Work 10 24-hour shifts per month with opportunity for overtime
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Generous annual holiday pay of 240 hours
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Generous vacation, personal, and sick time banks
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Opportunity to be part of a Hazmat, Tech Rescue and Tactical Emergency Medic Team
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Uniform and food allowance
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Education allowance, tuition reimbursement, longevity pay, and much more!
For the full position requirements, please visit this link: 2026 Firefighter Paramedic Minimum Requirements with Benefits Summary
Firefighter EMT-B Summary of Benefits:
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Pay range is $55,825 (2026 first step rate) to $83,242 (2028 last step rate) with step increases annually and on July 1st; Candidates with prior experience with an IAFF Department are eligible to start at a higher rate!
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Defined Pension Benefit with a 2.5% multiplier
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Medical Coverage at a low premium share; Employer contribution into Health Savings Account + Employer Match
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Dental, Vision, and Disability benefits at no cost for you or your dependents
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Access to an onsite Employee Health & Wellness Center staffed with a physician and nurse for you and your dependents
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Work 4 10-hour shifts Tuesday through Friday with opportunity for overtime!
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Thirteen (13) paid holidays
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Generous vacation, personal, and sick time banks
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Opportunity to become a Firefighter Paramedic!
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Uniform and food allowance
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Education allowance, tuition reimbursement, longevity pay, and much more!
- Please note that these benefits are subject to change pursuant to any Memorandum of Understanding or Letter of Understanding between the IAFF Union and the City.
For the full position requirements, please visit this link: 2026 Firefighter EMT-B Minimum Requirements with Benefits Summary
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the unit commander, respond with their assigned unit to fire alarms and other emergencies as required; participate in fire prevention activities; extinguish fires and protect life and property against the hazards of fire; exercise prudent use, care, and maintenance of firefighting apparatus and property; drive apparatus and perform related work as required.
Qualification Standards
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The individual shall be capable of the rigors of active firefighting, including the commonly used terms/tasks of search and rescue, ventilation, hose practices, salvage and overhaul, and protection of exposures.
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The individual shall be capable of boarding standard (NFPA compliant) fire apparatus and securing themselves within/on the apparatus.
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The individual shall be capable of rendering medical aid to persons of automobile accidents, industrial accidents, sickness, drowning, electrocution, animal attacks, insect stings/bites, drug overdoses, and injuries and illnesses of a similar nature.
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The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
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The individual shall have the senses of hearing, feeling, smell and sight to allow them the ability of responding to and carrying out the orders of superiors.
Essential Job Functions
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Climb over obstacles; climb through openings; climb ladders, jump down from elevated surfaces; jump over obstacles, ditches and streams; and crawl in confined areas to search, investigate and/or rescue.
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Communicate effectively over Fire Department radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications, often under adverse conditions such as siren usage and vehicle operations.
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Communicate verbally and effectively by listening to people and by giving information, directions and commands.
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Conduct searches of buildings and large outdoor areas, which may involve walking and/or standing for long periods of time and which requires the ability to distinguish color and perceive shapes.
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Conduct visual and audio observations.
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Enter and exit vehicles quickly to perform rescue operations or answer an emergency call.
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Exercise independent judgment, within legal, department, and City guidelines, to determine when there is undue danger and report the dangerous condition to their supervisor.
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Gather information by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses and informants.
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Operate an emergency vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits while exercising due care and caution, and in exception to traffic control devices and in congested traffic, and in unsafe road conditions and environmental conditions such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
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Operate firefighting equipment, mechanical equipment and tools. Pull/drag hose lines, use rope and tie a variety of fire service knots.
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Perform Fire Department functions while working various shifts and unanticipated overtime.
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Perform tasks, which require lifting, carrying or dragging people or heavy objects while performing rescue or general firefighting functions.
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Perform searches of persons, which involve touching and feeling (palpitation) to detect potential injuries.
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Prepare various forms and other reports, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
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Read and comprehend rules, regulations, policies, procedures and the law for purposes of ensuring appropriate fire fighter behavior/response and performing activities involving the public.
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Use body force to gain entrance through barriers to investigate and/or rescue.
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Use first aid equipment, splints and bandages. Operate oxygen delivery equipment, including resuscitators/inhalators, suctioning equipment and defibrillation equipment.
Non-Essential Job Functions
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Inspects establishments or activities where permits or licenses are necessary for operation.
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Regardless of assignment, prepares loss and written reports and maintains assigned equipment.
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Receives and participates in varied Fire Department-related training. May be required to speak in public on Fire Department-related matter, and may be required to appear on either CCTV or Cable-TV.
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Assists with pre-fire surveys, library maintenance, fire station maintenance, equipment inventories, research assignments, and ancillary paperwork and filing.
The City utilizes Empco, Inc. for our Firefighter testing. All interested candidates must have an active test score with Empco, Inc. as of Sunday, August 30, 2026. Scores with Empco, Inc. stay active for 1 year. If your score has expired or you need to test to obtain an active score, visit Empco's website at www.empco.net/fts, complete a profile and register for the written exam.
Human Resources will reach out and schedule oral board interviews with candidates who have an active score with Empco, Inc (as defined above) and who have completed the employment application by Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Check out this video to see what it's like to be a Firefighter here in the wonderful City of Sterling Heights: https://youtu.be/968jWCspbt8
For any questions regarding the recruitment process or if you would like to speak to someone to learn more, please reach out to a member of the HR team at 586-446-2315 or [email protected].
Applicants must successfully pass the character background check, psychological examination, drug test, and physical examination administered by or directed by the City of Sterling Heights.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the Firefighter job classification. These statements are not exhaustive and should not be construed as a complete listing of all job duties required of the Firefighter job classification.
As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Sterling Heights prohibits and condemns discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The City of Sterling Heights is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive workplace. We are committed to the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of employment. We value each employee and appreciate the unique qualities every employee possesses. We will continue these efforts as we plan and prepare for a prosperous future.
EOE/M/F/D
