If currently enrolled in Fire College, Paramedic School, or EMT School proof of enrollment must be submitted with application. A written letter from the school or school instructor is acceptable and must contain the start and end date of the program. Must be dual certified or single certified Firefighter, Paramedic, or EMT by October 19th, 2026.
Firefighter/EMT: $48,426.00 Annually
Rescue Driver Incentive: $1,872.00 Annually
Dual certified Firefighter/Paramedic: $56,926.00 Annually
Additional $10,000 annually as lead medic on rescue: $66,926.00 Annually
Cleared Single Cert Paramedic: $49,060.00 Annually
Paramedic Trainee: $40,560.00 Annually
Key Details for Trainees:
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Single Certs will be classified as a Trainee until dual certification
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If hired as single cert you will be required to be dual certified within 1 year.
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Sponsorship for Certification: Applicants hired as single certs will be sponsored to obtain dual certification.
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Commitment Requirement: Trainee employees must agree to a 2-year commitment which starts upon successful completion of dual certification.
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS BEFORE SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION:
THERE ARE FOUR (4) STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
1. Complete the Alachua County Employment Application and upload ALL the
required documents by Friday, July 3rd, 2026.
2. Complete and pass Alachua County FPAT or possess a current CPAT. Valid CPAT
and/or FPAT certificates must be dated within 1 year of application date.
3. Once you pass FPAT or turn in a VALID CPAT, then complete the candidate
assessment through Public Safety Answers using the following link: https://www.publicsafetyanswers.com/alachua
4. In Person Interview.
The candidate assessment must be taken no later than Sunday, July 5th, 2026. The candidate assessment is a 15-45 minute, self-administered psychometric assessment. It measures reasoning and problem-solving skills, plus 25 traits, or dimensions of personality, intended to measure an individual’s characteristics for the purpose of determining the best fit for employment in a specific position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
INCLUDED IN SUBMISSION OF ALACHUA COUNTY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION, PROOF OF THE FOLLOWING MUST BE PROVIDED:
1. A sworn affidavit attesting to the non-use of tobacco products. Click the link below to retrieve tobacco affidavit.
https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/HR/Documents/ADACompliant/AC Tobacco Affidavit.pdf
2. A color copy of a Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
3. Successful applicants must meet all requirements for Drivers as listed in Florida Statutes 401.281.
NOTE: Please list at least two professional references in your application. Professional references are defined as individuals who have supervised your work, worked closely with you in a professional capacity, or can speak to your job-related skills and performance.
IF YOU CURRENTLY POSSESS THE FOLLOWING, PLEASE SUBMIT WITH THE ON-LINE APPLICATION:
1. State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance
2. State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification
3. State of Florida Paramedic Certification
4. Basic Life Support Card - CPR & AED Card or BLS for Healthcare Provider (CPR & AED)
5. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Card or ALS for Healthcare Provider card
UPON APPOINTMENT TO POSITION, THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETED AND MAINTAINED AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC):
Must complete the department-certified 16-hour EVOC course within the first month of employment.
Ongoing Certification:
Continued certification is necessary to maintain employment.
Successful completion of a 12-month probationary period is required.
This is responsible technical work in the Fire Rescue Services Department protecting life and property by performing firefighting, driving apparatus, performing emergency medical aid, hazardous materials and fire prevention duties.
An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for safely transporting a crew and medical equipment to the patient, assisting in providing immediate care to the critically ill or injured on an emergency basis, transporting the patient to a medical facility, and performing firefighter duties including combating, extinguishing and preventing fires as required.
Work is performed within standard operating procedure guidelines and an employee is expected to exercise independent judgment, based upon firefighting and emergency medical training.
Work is performed under a higher- level supervisor and is reviewed through observation of results obtained. This position reports directly to a Lieutenant when assigned on a fire apparatus or a Rescue Lieutenant when assigned on a Rescue.
Classification Pay Structure:
The Alachua County Fire Rescue pay structure includes classification levels defined by the step plan.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
Performs firefighting activities including operating related fire equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks.
Provides emergency medical treatment to the Basic Life Support level of certification and training. Provides assistance with Advanced Life Support medical procedures.
Receives emergency and non-emergency calls from dispatch; drives the emergency unit to the call and/or hospital using the most expeditious route.
Utilizes all required safety measures when performing assigned job duties.
Responds to medical, rescue, fire and other emergency and non-emergency calls.
Operates radio in accordance with system standards and guidelines.
Assists in loading patient and/or transportation of patient to a medical facility.
Makes up stretcher and cleans inside of vehicle after each call.
Inspects vehicle daily; ensures that vehicle is clean, fully equipped and in proper operating condition and in compliance with all state and local laws.
Prepares reports as required.
Attends and participates in company drills and training sessions.
Performs routine station housekeeping and routine office work as required.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of emergency medical, rescue and fire equipment, operation and maintenance.
Knowledge of basic life support emergency medical treatment.
Knowledge of fire prevention, suppression, and extinguishing techniques.
Knowledge of defensive driving techniques and methods and ability to execute such methods quickly and efficiently.
Knowledge of Alachua County's street systems and geography.
Knowledge of departmental Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) manuals, and Rules & Regulations.
Ability to rapidly determine locations by quadrant addressing.
Ability to react quickly and efficiently in emergency situations.
Ability to receive, follow and execute orders from a supervisor.
Ability to follow precise technical instructions in an emergency situation.
Ability to learn and operate relatively complex firefighting and rescue equipment.
Ability to perform prolonged and difficult work under adverse conditions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and representatives from other agencies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; frequently lift and/or move 50 pounds; and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
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 regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outdoor weather conditions and is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Confidential Position: (Trainee and Firefighter) Certain personal information for employees (and specific family members) in this job position is exempt from public records pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
