Firefighter 3/C Cadet

Firefighter 3/C Cadet

Salary

$44,304.00 - $48,422.40 Annually

Location

Albuquerque, NM

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2601170

Department

Fire

Division

FD-Fire Suppression

Opening Date

06/18/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Bargaining Unit

NU

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

The Firefighter 3/C (cadet) will be trained and educated by members of the Albuquerque Fire Rescue Training Division so that the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician are acquired. Successful completion of the Fire Academy will provide the opportunity to serve the citizens of Albuquerque as a Firefighter.

Firefighter Annual Salary (estimated) - First Year $39,211.04, Second Year $49,389.76, and Third Year $62,258.56.

EMT Basic Firefighter Annual Salary (estimated) - First Year $39,458.24, Second Year $53,679.36, and Third Year $62,258.56.

Paramedic Firefighter Annual Salary (estimated) - First Year $46,535.36, Second Year $60,751.04, and Third Year $64,995.84.

Certified Paramedics will receive an incentive pay of 4.4% added to their base rate pay and will begin upon achieving the rank of Firefighter 1st class .

This is a safety sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Essential and Supplemental Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the functions listed below. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Cadet will learn the policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations of both the City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
• Cadet will learn standard operating guidelines and protocols pertaining to suppression firefighting, wildland firefighting, delivery of emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, technical rescue response, incident command and safety.
• Cadet will meet all training expectations needed to complete the 19 week (for current State or National Registry EMT-B or higher) or 28 week (for non-EMT) Fire Academy as a Firefighter II certified by the State of New Mexico.
• Cadet will meet all academic and physical fitness standards established by the Albuquerque Fire Rescue.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Must be 18 years of age by the academy start date
• If a Veteran must submit an Honorable Discharge, or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions, as stipulated on your DD-214. All other Discharges, with the exception of a Dishonorable Discharge, will be considered on a case by case basis
• Must be a United States Citizen or Legal Resident
• Must possess a valid drivers license (out-of-state applicants must obtain a New Mexico drivers license within 30 days of being hired)
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class E New Mexico drivers license (within 30 days of graduation of the academy)
• All cadets that do not hold an EMT License, will be provided EMT Basic License training and be required to successfully complete the course and obtain New Mexico State License
• Must have valid CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) Certificate.
• If applicants are not New Mexico Licensed but are Nationally Registered EMT and/or Paramedics and are selected as cadets, they will be required to complete the reciprocity process and acquire a State of New Mexico EMT license prior to graduation from the academy
• Males under the age of 25 must be registered for Selective Service (Click here for more information on Selective Service)
• Create your portfolio by visiting https://abqfire.com/
• Submit all required documentation to https://abqfire.com/

PREFERRED TRAINING, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic, Intermediate/Advanced or Paramedic License
• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Fire Fighter 1 and/or 2 Certification
• Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Certification

SELECTION PROCESS

• Must pass the Fire Rescue Cadet Written Examination
• Must pass the Structured Oral Interview
• Must pass the City of Albuquerque medical examination and drug screening
• Must pass a comprehensive background check

Click here for details on the testing process.

Click here for details on minimum qualifications.

Working Conditions

Environmental and Physical:

• Intense 19 or 28 week firefighter and emergency medical technician training academy
• 40 hour work week, Monday through Friday, 0800-1700, with some exceptions
• Indoor and outdoor work performance in hot, cold, windy, dark, smoky, confined spaces, elevated heights, and other environments
• Exposure to heavy and powerful equipment, sharp objects, uneven and slippery surfaces

Total Rewards. Total You.

The City of Albuquerque takes pride in offering our employees one of the most attractive Total Rewards packages in New Mexico. In addition to competitive salaries, the City provides benefit options for health, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, and much more. The City also has pre-tax savings plans for healthcare, childcare, and parking. Employees participate in the state's public retirement system (PERA), with the City paying up to 75 percent of the employee's contribution. That's higher than any other contribution rate in the state of New Mexico!

Paid holidays? Check

Paid parental leave? Check

Paid birthdays off? Check

Vacation and sick leave starting Day 1? Check and check

Our people matter and we prioritize physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. With resources such as onsite and mobile medical clinics, an employee assistance program that encourages work-life balance, and tuition assistance and professional development pathways, the City is committed to equipping our employees with tools to better their lives and grow their careers while serving their community.

Total Rewards - City of Albuquerque

Fire Department

Albuquerque Police Department

01

Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED? (if applicable, attach supporting degree or transcripts)

• Yes
• No

02

Will you be at least 18 years of age by the academy start date?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid New Mexico drivers license or have the ability to obtain within 30 days of your date of hire?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess or have the ability to obtain, a valid Class E New Mexico drivers license (within 30 days of graduation from the academy)?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a current State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License at the basic level or higher (prior to graduation from the academy)?

• Yes
• No

06

Identify each current State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License you possess (attach a copy of each license).

07

Do you possess or have the ability to obtain a CPAT Certificate?

• Yes
• No
• N/A

08

If you have not served in the military and are a male under the age of 25, have you signed up for Selective Service (if applicable, please attach your Selective Service registration)? If you did not serve in the military and are female OR a male over the age of 25, please respond "N/A".]

• Yes
• No
• N/A

09

Do you live greater than 100 miles from the City of Albuquerque?

• Yes
• No

10

An Applicant that lives 100 miles or greater from the City of Albuquerque may participate in the Out-of-Town Applicant examination week. Applicants will be scheduled to take the Written Examination, Pack Test, and Structured Oral Interview. Each applicant must pass each element of the hiring process before proceeding to the next portion of the hiring process. Failure of any one element will result in removal from the hiring process. Out of Town applicants must provide a Certificate that indicates successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test when reporting for the Written Examination. The CPAT must have been completed within one year of the date of the Written Examination. Are you Participating in the Out-of-Town process?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you a United States citizen or Legal Resident?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have the ability to provide all required documentation one week before the written exam?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Albuquerque

Address 400 Marquette N.W.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87103

Phone 505 768-3700

Website http://CABQ.GOV