Firefighter Recruit

Introduction



The starting rate of pay for a new Firefighter Recruit is $62,961.60 annually.

This position is part of the Fire Step Pay Plan. Firefighter Recruits who successfully complete the fire academy will be promoted to the first step of the Firefighter Step Plan which is $63,398.40 annually and will progress through the steps on the anniversary date of their hire date based on performance.

The Firefighter Recruit is a position which prepares incumbents for performing public safety work involving the protection of life, property and the delivery of Scottsdale Fire Department programs. Incumbents are sent to the Fire Academy for training in firefighting methods, emergency medical services, fire code enforcement and prevention practices, salvage operations, public relations, physical fitness and associated topics to prepare for appointment as a Firefighter.

IMPORTANT: If you are requesting to have Preference Points applied to your written exam score, you must attach a copy of your DD214, SF-15, or certification, in the "attachment" portion of the application. You will want to locate and convert your forms into a PDF version prior to starting the application process. For more information on Preference Points, click here .

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A minimum of 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
• College course work that includes any combination of firefighting, EMS and academic subjects is preferred.

Licensing, Credentials and Other Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 39 months prior to the start date. Note: Graduated Driver's Licenses (Class G) are considered restricted.The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona.
• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Arizona Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) Certification at time of offer.
• Current (within 90 days of offer) Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) Certification.
• Preferred: Current Emergency Paramedic Certification or National Registry Emergency Paramedic Certification.
• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

Essential Functions

To view the full job description, essential functions, click here .

Work Environment/Physical Demands

To view the work environment and physical demands, click here .

Benefits Highlights:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
• City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
• Participation in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS)
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
• Pet Insurance
• Bilingual pay compensation

Please visit the Human Resources and Benefits Information page for more information.

Selection Process:
The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state “See Resume” in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

SELECTION PROCESS STEPS
Important dates for this recruitment:
September 16, 2025 - If invited , this will be the ONLY date available for the online written exam. September 29 , 2025 through October 5, 2025 - If invited , this week will be the ONLY week for candidates to complete their online Spark Hire Interviews. November 1, 2025 - If invited , this date will be the ONLY day available for candidates to complete the CPAT. Successful candidates will be provided with a CPAT Certification November 8 , 2025 (and November 9, 2025 if needed ) - Successful candidates will be invited to the assessment. This day will be the ONLY day available for candidates to complete the assessment. The assessment will be devised of two parts, first being a physical assessment, and second will be a demonstration of City of Scottsdale Employee Values along with Scottsdale Fire Department Core Values .
Please note: You must be successful each step of the process to continue on to the next.

Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process that may include a panel interview. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening that may include:

• Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
• Criminal Background screening
• Drug Screen
• 39-Month Motor Vehicle Department Records Check
• Physical Examination

The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Years of experience are based on a work schedule of 2,080 hours per year for full-time positions and 1,040 hours per year for part-time positions, and while work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, depending upon the job classification, education may not be substituted for work experience.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits, click here .

Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.

Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking here .

Closing Date/Time: 8/15/2025 11:59 PM Arizona

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• City of Scottsdale

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