Firefighter/Paramedic/EMT
Salary
See Position Description
Location
911 S.E. 5th St, Gainesville, FL
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
FY26-17052
Department
Fire Rescue Services
Division
Fire & Emergency Services
Opening Date
06/05/2026
Closing Date
7/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Minimum Qualifications
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:
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS BEFORE SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION:
THERE ARE FOUR (4) STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
required documents by Friday, July 3rd, 2026.
and/or FPAT certificates must be dated within 1 year of application date.
assessment through Public Safety Answers using the following link: https://www.publicsafetyanswers.com/alachua
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:
https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/HR/Documents/ADACompliant/AC Tobacco Affidavit.pdf
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.
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:
State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance
State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification
State of Florida Paramedic Certification
Basic Life Support Card - CPR & AED Card or BLS for Healthcare Provider (CPR & AED)
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.
Position Summary
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.
Examples of Duties
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 Countys 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.
Supplemental Information
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.
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future. BoCC-Contributed Benefits
Optional Benefits
NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.
You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits.
Vacation Leave - Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.
Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.
01
If an applicant meets all minimum qualifications as posted he/she is referred to the appropriate hiring manager. The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for the ones with the specific experience he/she is seeking. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.
02
Do you currently have a State of Florida Certificate of Compliance or are you currently enrolled in a Florida Firefighter I & II program?
03
Do you currently possess a Paramedic Certification or are you currently enrolled in a Paramedic program?
04
Do you currently possess an Emergency Medical Technician Certification or are you currently enrolled in an Emergency Medical Technician program?
05
I understand that I must list at least two professional references in my 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.
06
I understand 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.
07
I understand that once my application has been submitted for this specific position that I will NOT be able to make any changes to it. Any changes to my master application will only be reflected in any future positions for which I may apply.
Required Question
Employer Alachua County
Address 12 S.E. 1st Street, 1st Floor
Gainesville, Florida, 32602-2877
Phone (352) 374-5219
Website https://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/HR/Pages/HumanResources.aspx