Firefighter

Salary: $55,401.00 Annually
Location : City Hall 300 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number: 201-0326
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 03/01/2026
Closing Date: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Nature of Work

This is general duty firefighting work in the protection of life and property by combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires. This work also involves responding to emergency medical calls providingcare for those who are sick or injured. Primary responsibility is for specialized firefighting duties under emergency conditions that may involve personal hazards. Specific orders and directions are given by superior officers, but work requires a thorough individual understanding of firefighting methods gained by training and experience. A large part of the time is spent in training and routine work in the maintenance of firefighting equipment, apparatus, and quarters, an inspection of premises for fire hazards, and the performance of varied details in and around the fire station. An employee may be assigned to operate and maintain a major piece of firefighting equipment or apparatus employing special skills learned on the job.

This posting is to build a list of eligible candidates in preparation for future hiring.
Minimum Training and Experience

• Must be at least 18 years old
• High School Diploma or GED
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain a Michigan's Driver's license by date of hire.
• At least 20/30 corrected vision or 20/100 for uncorrected
• In addition to no felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions may also disqualify a person from obtaining a valid Michigan Emergency Medical Services (EMS) license. An EMS license, EMT level or above, is required for all GRFD firefighters. Please click HERE to review details on the criteria and/or to view if this may affect your candidacy for a Firefighter position.

Questions? Email us at
Join us for informational Open Houses on the following dates:
Location: East Leonard Elementary School, 410 Barnett St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Open House Dates:

Thursday, March 26th, 2026, 4pm - 7pm

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, 4pm - 7pm

Saturday, May 16th, 2026, 9am - 12pm

Thursday, May 28th, 2026, 4pm-7pm
Other Necessary Qualifications
Important dates and additional information are listed here. Please read through this entire posting.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Candidates who pass all assessment steps will be placed on an eligible for hire list. The eligible list will be active for at least six (6) months.

The next Fire Academy start date is anticipated to be January 4, 2027

Step One: Civil Service Test - Written Exam

Step Two: Civil Service Test - Physical Agility / Performance Exam

Step Three: Civil Service Test - Oral Exam
TESTING DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Written Exam / Civil Service Test

Testing dates on June 6 (Sat), 9, 11, 13 (Sat), 16, 23, 25, and 26; Testing Dates on July 7, 9, 10, 11 (Sat), 14, 16, and 17

For applicants who live 250 miles away from Grand Rapids, a remote testing option will be provided.

Cognitive/Behavioral Assessment- Candidates meeting minimum qualifications will be emailed instructions on scheduling an assessment. Applicants living 250 miles or more from the City of Grand Rapids will be offered an online at-home proctored test option.

This assessment is an entry-level Firefighter exam developed and published by Industrial/Organizational Solutions (IOS) Inc., National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI). Study guides are sold by the test publisher and may be purchased from their website: Additionally, study guides are available for reference in the following Grand Rapids Public Library branches: Main, Madison Square, Ottawa Hills, Seymour, Van Belkum, Westside, and Yankee Clipper.

Candidates who pass the cognitive/behavioral assessment will be invited to complete the Physical Agility - Performance Exam.

Physical Agility / Performance Exam.

A valid CPAT card may be submitted to have the physical agility test waived. Click HERE to view the requirements of the Physical Agility test.

Physical Agility Testing Dates: July 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25 (Sat), 28, 29, 30. Second Attempt Dates: August 12, 13, and 14
Oral Exams.These will be in-person, panel-led oral exams. Oral Exams will take place September 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25.

Sign up for the GRFD Newsletter
Additional details are available at
Other Information
We offer great benefits to our employees, including:

• Competitive salary
• Attractive work schedule
• Paid sick leave/vacation/holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision, starting on the first day
• Tuition reimbursement
• Extra pay for college incentive
• Pension plan
• Continuing career training and education
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling sessions
• Homeownership grant opportunities in target areas
• Diverse career advancement opportunities

Should an applicant need any disability related accommodation or other consideration in the application or selection process, please notify the human resources department upon submittal of application

The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

This position is not covered by Social Security. For more information about this, please click
01

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you 18 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid State of Michigan driver's license or a valid driver's license from another state that can be transferred to Michigan upon employment?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

05

In addition to no felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions may also disqualify a person from obtaining a valid Michigan Emergency Medical Services (EMS) license. An EMS license, EMT level or above, is required for all GRFD firefighters. The requirements to obtain and maintain a license are linked to the job posting for you to reveiw. After reviewing the criteria, are you able to obtain or maintain an EMS License?

• Yes
• No

06

How has your life experience shaped and prepared you to serve the Grand Rapids community as a Firefighter?
07

Describe your experience and what you've learned from working in high-pressure, physically demanding environments where quick decision-making and teamwork were essential?
08

This information is for test scheduling purposes ONLY - Do you live 250 miles or more from the City of Grand Rapids? Applicants living 250 miles or more from the City of Grand Rapids will be offered an online at-home proctored test option.

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate provided by a licensed agency? If so, please attach your cetificate to your appilcation.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Salary: $55,401.00 Annually
Location : City Hall 300 Monroe Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number: 201-0326
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 03/01/2026
Closing Date: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Nature of Work

This is general duty firefighting work in the protection of life and property by combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires. This work also involves responding to emergency medical calls providingcare for those who are sick or injured. Primary responsibility is for specialized firefighting duties under emergency conditions that may involve personal hazards. Specific orders and directions are given by superior officers, but work requires a thorough individual understanding of firefighting methods gained by training and experience. A large part of the time is spent in training and routine work in the maintenance of firefighting equipment, apparatus, and quarters, an inspection of premises for fire hazards, and the performance of varied details in and around the fire station. An employee may be assigned to operate and maintain a major piece of firefighting equipment or apparatus employing special skills learned on the job.

This posting is to build a list of eligible candidates in preparation for future hiring.
Minimum Training and Experience

• Must be at least 18 years old
• High School Diploma or GED
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain a Michigan's Driver's license by date of hire.
• At least 20/30 corrected vision or 20/100 for uncorrected
• In addition to no felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions may also disqualify a person from obtaining a valid Michigan Emergency Medical Services (EMS) license. An EMS license, EMT level or above, is required for all GRFD firefighters. Please click HERE to review details on the criteria and/or to view if this may affect your candidacy for a Firefighter position.

Questions? Email us at
Join us for informational Open Houses on the following dates:
Location: East Leonard Elementary School, 410 Barnett St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Open House Dates:

Thursday, March 26th, 2026, 4pm - 7pm

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, 4pm - 7pm

Saturday, May 16th, 2026, 9am - 12pm

Thursday, May 28th, 2026, 4pm-7pm
Other Necessary Qualifications
Important dates and additional information are listed here. Please read through this entire posting.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Candidates who pass all assessment steps will be placed on an eligible for hire list. The eligible list will be active for at least six (6) months.

The next Fire Academy start date is anticipated to be January 4, 2027

Step One: Civil Service Test - Written Exam

Step Two: Civil Service Test - Physical Agility / Performance Exam

Step Three: Civil Service Test - Oral Exam
TESTING DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Written Exam / Civil Service Test

Testing dates on June 6 (Sat), 9, 11, 13 (Sat), 16, 23, 25, and 26; Testing Dates on July 7, 9, 10, 11 (Sat), 14, 16, and 17

For applicants who live 250 miles away from Grand Rapids, a remote testing option will be provided.

Cognitive/Behavioral Assessment- Candidates meeting minimum qualifications will be emailed instructions on scheduling an assessment. Applicants living 250 miles or more from the City of Grand Rapids will be offered an online at-home proctored test option.

This assessment is an entry-level Firefighter exam developed and published by Industrial/Organizational Solutions (IOS) Inc., National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI). Study guides are sold by the test publisher and may be purchased from their website: Additionally, study guides are available for reference in the following Grand Rapids Public Library branches: Main, Madison Square, Ottawa Hills, Seymour, Van Belkum, Westside, and Yankee Clipper.

Candidates who pass the cognitive/behavioral assessment will be invited to complete the Physical Agility - Performance Exam.

Physical Agility / Performance Exam.

A valid CPAT card may be submitted to have the physical agility test waived. Click HERE to view the requirements of the Physical Agility test.

Physical Agility Testing Dates: July 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25 (Sat), 28, 29, 30. Second Attempt Dates: August 12, 13, and 14
Oral Exams.These will be in-person, panel-led oral exams. Oral Exams will take place September 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25.

Sign up for the GRFD Newsletter
Additional details are available at
Other Information
We offer great benefits to our employees, including:

• Competitive salary
• Attractive work schedule
• Paid sick leave/vacation/holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision, starting on the first day
• Tuition reimbursement
• Extra pay for college incentive
• Pension plan
• Continuing career training and education
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling sessions
• Homeownership grant opportunities in target areas
• Diverse career advancement opportunities

Should an applicant need any disability related accommodation or other consideration in the application or selection process, please notify the human resources department upon submittal of application

The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

This position is not covered by Social Security. For more information about this, please click
01

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you 18 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid State of Michigan driver's license or a valid driver's license from another state that can be transferred to Michigan upon employment?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

05

In addition to no felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions may also disqualify a person from obtaining a valid Michigan Emergency Medical Services (EMS) license. An EMS license, EMT level or above, is required for all GRFD firefighters. The requirements to obtain and maintain a license are linked to the job posting for you to reveiw. After reviewing the criteria, are you able to obtain or maintain an EMS License?

• Yes
• No

06

How has your life experience shaped and prepared you to serve the Grand Rapids community as a Firefighter?
07

Describe your experience and what you've learned from working in high-pressure, physically demanding environments where quick decision-making and teamwork were essential?
08

This information is for test scheduling purposes ONLY - Do you live 250 miles or more from the City of Grand Rapids? Applicants living 250 miles or more from the City of Grand Rapids will be offered an online at-home proctored test option.

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certificate provided by a licensed agency? If so, please attach your cetificate to your appilcation.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

• 

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