Firefighter (EMT or Paramedic, Entry Level or Lateral)

NATURE OF WORK
This is skilled firefighting and emergency medical work in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, operating and maintaining fire equipment, apparatus, and quarters, and responding to medical emergencies and rendering emergency medical assistance. Work also involves custodial maintenance of fire station equipment, apparatus and quarters. Employees of this class learn and participate in the operation of apparatus and the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions. Firefighting and rescue work are the most difficult and responsible areas of activity, a major portion of time is spent training and studying methods, techniques, and organization, and in routine duties in the care and maintenance of fire department property and equipment. Work is usually performed in accordance with specific instructions and well-defined policies and procedures, under the command of a superior officer. Supervision is received from an administrative superior.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
To be qualified to apply and test for the Firefighter/EMT position, candidates must meet all of the following criteria listed in blue. Items in green are preferred: Graduation from high school or equivalent GED, Any combination of training and experience that provides the above knowledge, abilities, and skills, Incumbent must possess a valid Nebraska Driver's License when operating a vehicle, Possess current Nebraska license as an Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Also having a current National Registry as an Emergency Medical Technician - Basic is preferred Must reside within 30 linear miles of city limits on a serviceable road. Candidates residing outside the residency requirement must establish residency within 30 linear miles within the first six months of employment. Ability to meet such physical requirements as may be established by the City. Preferred: Current National Registry Certification and State of Nebraska License as a Paramedic, Preferred: Experience with a career, combination, or volunteer fire department in the field of firefighting Preferred: NFPA 1001 (Firefighter I) and NFPA 1072 (Hazardous Materials Operations) certifications recognized by the Nebraska State Fire Marshall. Preferred: Associates Degree or higher in Fire Science or related field. Preferred: Ability to converse effectively in Spanish. NOTE: Any candidate that does not possess NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Operations recognized by the Nebraska State Fire Marshal at the time of hire will be required to obtain such certification within one year of employment.

Application Instructions and Schedule: In order to be considered, please complete and submit the application available on the city's website (www.fremontne.gov). If you are viewing this posting on any other website, you must visit the city's website to obtain the city's application and submit a completed application to be considered. Applications must be submitted by November 1, 2026. Upon receipt of your application, we will email you an additional questionnaire to complete and submit. This questionnaire and the requested copies of documents must be completed and returned no later than November 2, 2026.

Selection Process - All candidates must be available for the following hiring exercises, all are conducted in person: Written Testing – This is a written entry level test. Testing is tentatively scheduled for the Week of November 9th. Your testing date will be provided after your completed application packet is received. Physical Agility Test - Testing is tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9th. The PAT is usually conducted the same day as the written testing. Chief's Interview – in-person interview. We will notify you of a date at a later time. Command Panel Interview - in-person interview. We will notify you of a date at a later time. Fingerprinting – required for all firefighter candidates. Further instructions are provided during the hiring process, after your application has been received. Background Checks Civil Service Commission Interview – in-person interview. We will notify you of a date at a later time. Candidates must be available for all scheduled hiring activities to be considered. We will attempt to work with scheduling conflicts, but alternative dates or times may not be available.

If you have any questions regarding your application packet or the selection process, please contact the Human Resources team at (402) 459-2371 or jobs@fremontne.gov.

Lateral Firefighter Applicant Qualifications & Process
In order to qualify as a lateral candidate, applicants must meet the following criteria: At least two years of experience as a paid, full-time professional Firefighter/EMT or Firefighter/Paramedic with a fire department. The department's primary responsibility must include fire suppression/protection, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), hazardous materials response, and technical rescue response. Volunteers, part-time, and seasonal firefighter experience do not qualify. Must be currently employed by a career (paid, full-time) fire department. If there is a gap in continuous experience within the past two years, the break must be less than 30 days to qualify as a lateral applicant. Must possess a current Nebraska EMT or Paramedic license. Must possess a current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) EMT or Paramedic certification. EMS Certifications: EMT's must possess a current American Heart Association (AHA) CPR/BLS certification. Paramedics must possess current AHA CPR/BLS, AHA ACLS, and AHA PALS certifications. Must possess current Nebraska Firefighter I and Nebraska Hazardous Materials Operations (HazMat Ops) certifications. (Nebraska State Fire Marshal or Pro Board and IFSAC) Preferred Qualifications: Nebraska Firefighter II (Nebraska State Fire Marshal or Pro Board and IFSAC)

Lateral Application/Testing Process: Applications: In order to qualify for the lateral hiring process, candidates will need to demonstrate the required experience on their application and provide copies of their licenses/certifications (FF1, Haz Mat Ops, ACLS, PALS, etc.) to demonstrate they meet the above requirements. Once lateral status is confirmed, the candidate will proceed in the hiring process. Lateral candidates will not be required to complete the written exam. They will be required to participate in all other hiring steps.

Requirements: EMT or Paramedic certification

Salary: $58,106 to 92,372 - depending on experience and qualifications

Application Deadline: 2026-11-01