Firefighter/Paramedic

Job Information

PARK RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
505 BUTLER PLACE
PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS 60068
847-318-5202
https://www.parkridge.us

Updated: July 05, 2024

Position Title: Firefighter/Paramedic
Salary Information: $85,536 starting salary with a top-out salary of $120,029
Benefit Information:

PPO/HMO – 13% premium paid by the employee
Dental – 13% premium paid by employee
Group vision insurance option
FSA, health, and dependent
Life insurance – $40,000, premiums paid 100% by City
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500/year
EAP services free and confidential
Deferred compensation and Roth plan options
Leaves of absence in accordance with IAFF CBA
Department Application Due Date: August 2, 2024
*PHQ is required

Candidate Contact Person
Jill Velan
HR Generalist
847.318.5202
[email protected]

Department Overview

The Park Ridge Fire Department is a mission-driven organization committed to providing excellent emergency response and fire prevention services to its residents and those who visit.  The Department provides fire, EMS, and special operations emergency response services to the City of Park Ridge and to surrounding communities through mutual aid agreements and is a member of MABAS Division 3. The Department responds to nearly 6,000 calls annually out two stations. The Department employs 52 fulltime members, 51 are sworn and staffs a minimum of two ALS-equipped suppression companies, two ALS ambulances, and a shift commander each day working a 24/48 schedule.

City/County/Area Information

Bordering suburb along the northwest side of Chicago in Cook County, covering 7.1 square miles.

Population: 40,000

Job Requirements

Age: 21-35
US Citizen: Required
High School Grad/GED: Required
Valid State Driver’s License: Required – Illinois
Ability to Read/Speak English: Required
Vision: 20/20
College: Not required, but will increase preference points
Academy Certification: Not required, but will increase preference points
Prior Experience: None
Necessary Certifications:

State of Illinois EMT/Paramedic Licensure at the time of conditional offer
CPAT and ladder climb exercise completion within 12 months of the application date
Additional Requirements

When a conditional offer is extended, the candidate must provide State of Illinois paramedic licensure. Graduation from the Lutheran General Hospital paramedic program is not required but increases preference points.
Proof of Basic Operations Firefighter Certification or equivalent is not required but increases preference points.
Proof of military service active duty/inactive/reserve duty, including DD214 or other discharge papers, is not required but increases preference points.
Hiring Process

• Background check
• Pre-background meeting with Fire Department and HR staff
• Polygraph
• Interview with Board of Fire and Police Commission
• Post-offer drug screening
• Post-offer physical and stress test
• Post-offer psychological testing
• Preference Points

Qualified applicants who provide proof of the following documents at the time of application will receive preference points as described below. The maximum amount cannot exceed thirty (30) points.

(a) Veteran’s Points: Candidates engaged in the military service of the United States for a period of at least one (1) year of active duty and who were honorably discharged from that place or who are now or have been members on inactive or reserve duty, shall receive five (5) preference points added to their Initial Eligibility List score. Candidates engaged in the military service of the United States for a period of at least one (1) year of active duty and who were honorably discharged therefrom, or who are now or have been members on inactive or reserve duty, shall be preferred for appointment to and employment with the fire department.

(b) Residency within the City (e.g., proof of voter registration, lease, home ownership): three (3) preference points.

(c) Education: A bachelor’s degree with a concentration in fire science studies: five (5) preference points; a bachelor’s degree: three (3) preference points; and an associate’s degree with a concentration in fire science studies: two (2) preference points (the degree must be from an accredited college or university listed in the United States Department of Education database).

(d) ALGH EMS Paramedic Program Graduate: A candidate who has graduated from the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (ALGH) EMS Paramedic Program and is a member of the ALGH EMS System (or its successor Program and System) in good standing shall receive five (5) preference points.

(e) Illinois OSFM Basic Firefighter Certification: Candidates who possess a current Basic Operations Firefighter Certification from the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (“OSFM”) (or the replacement or updated equivalent classification) shall receive three (3) preference points. NOTE: Candidates who have a current Firefighter II (Two) Certification under the applicable Illinois City of Park Ridge Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Administrative Rules 107949_13 23 OSFM certification requirements (or the replacement or updated equivalent classification) shall receive three (3) preference points. The OSFM’s current designation of “Basic Operations Firefighter” Certification and its prior designation of “Firefighter II (Two)” Certification are the same level of certification.

(f) Calculation of Points: Veterans’ preference points and education preference points awarded under these rules shall not be cumulative.

Schedule/Training/On The Job Demands

All members are required to earn EMT-P privileges in the Advocate Lutheran General EMS System upon hire, attend a regional fire academy earning several OSFM certifications (Basic Operations Firefighter, Fire Service Vehicle Operator, and Hazardous Materials Operations), satisfactorily complete a year-long probationary training program, and achieve good results on probationary performance evaluations. Upon completion of initial training, members will be assigned to a 24/48 schedule where they will be expected to work as productive team members with other shift personnel. Emergency response it the priority of shift personnel followed by readiness, training, and routine facility maintenance. Demands of the job include high stress scenarios that may place personnel in IDLH environments. Honesty, integrity, commitment, and pride are core principles the Department values as are character and teamwork.

Equal Opportunity Employer