Firefighter

The Arlington Heights Fire Department accepts applications on a continual/rolling basis for the position of Firefighter and is actively hiring for vacant positions.

ALL TEST RESULTS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59pm on November 12, 2026, for review and in order to earn your place on the Preliminary / Initial Eligibility List. Initial eligibility list will be established the week of November 23, 2026. Candidates on the Preliminary / Initial Eligibility List will be given 10 days to apply for preference points starting November 27, 2026. ALL PREFERENCE POINT DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59PM ON December 6, 2026, concluding the 10-day preference point window.

Entry-Level Candidates Path to Appointment: Apply and test — Complete the written examination and submit your application with all required documentation as soon as possible. You must include a current, valid CPAT card and approved Ladder Climb card from a licensed agency to qualify for placement on an eligibility list (all CPAT and Ladder Climb testing costs are your responsibility). Complete all examination elements — Testing components, passing scores, and relative weights are established by the Board of Fire and Police Commission at the beginning of each testing process. Establishment of the Preliminary / Initial Eligibility List - If you pass the examination with the required percentage, you will be included on the Preliminary / Initial Eligibility List. Claim your preference points — Those who appear on the Preliminary/Initial Eligibility List will have 10 days to elect military preference points and any other preference points identified by the Commission. Follow the instructions to elect points — they are not applied automatically. Earn your place on the Final Eligibility List — After preference points are awarded, you'll be ranked by combined examination score and preference points, regardless of when you tested. Your name remains on the list for 24 months. Certification and selection — Eligibility lists are certified through the Board of Fire and Police Commission on an as-needed basis. When a vacancy is filled from the list, appointment is made from the ten highest-ranked candidates.

Benefits: Annual Pay Increase; Paid Vacations, Holidays, and Sick Leave (5 Vacation days upon hire, 13 FLSA Days); Excellent and Comprehensive Health, Vision, Dental and Life Insurance; No Residency Requirement; Uniform/Equipment Allowance; 24 hours on / 48 hours off Schedule; Specialty Assignments; On-Duty Physical Fitness Program - 24/7 Access to On-Site Fitness Facility; Tuition Reimbursement (up to $3,000 Undergraduate / $5,000 Graduate per year).

The Fire Department covers all initial uniform, equipment, and basic fire academy training costs.

Requirements: Age 21-35 (unless exempt); High school diploma or GED; Valid driver's license; Legally eligible to work in US; Written examination (required); Candidate Physical Ability Test with Ladder Climb (required, must be completed by November 12, 2026); No felony convictions or disqualifying misdemeanors; Ability to read, speak, and write English; Vision correctable to 20/20; EMT certification or higher preferred (can earn preference points with paramedic cert or military service)

Salary: Upon Hire: $84,184 - After 54 months: $124,097 annually (Effective January 1, 2027)

Application Deadline: 2026-11-12