Firefighter/Paramedic Recruitment

people taking a test at dozens of tables spread out in North Central College's field house

The City of Naperville, Illinois, is a dynamic community of approximately 150,000 residents, located 28 miles west of Chicago. Various publications have named Naperville as one of the best cities in the United States in which to live. The city has gained national recognition for its family-friendly environment, excellent schools and library system, low crime rate and vibrant downtown area.

The Naperville Fire Department is responsible for protecting approximately 150,000 residents (daytime population of 200,000) living in a 50 square-mile area. A nationally accredited agency, the Naperville Fire Department’s mission is to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens of Naperville. This is accomplished by providing professional, quality fire prevention and public education programs, as well as effective and efficient fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue and other emergency services.

During the past two decades, the Naperville Fire Department has experienced rapid growth. The department operates 10 fire stations strategically placed throughout the city. In 2023, the Naperville Fire Department updated and renovated its main station, providing individual bunk rooms for staff. Updates are planned for two more stations next year, with more planned for the future. The department currently employs more than 200 sworn personnel, who operate six front-line engines, two heavy-duty rescue squads, eight paramedic ambulances, two front-line ladder trucks, and two battalion commander vehicles 24 hours per day. The Naperville Fire Department Local 4302 and the City of Naperville are currently negotiating an updated collective bargaining agreement. The department anticipates holding a spring fire academy in April 2025.

Citizenship and residency

Applicants must be citizens of the United States of America. Proof of citizenship will be required at time of the background screen. Sworn personnel of the Naperville Fire Department shall not be required to be residents of the City of Naperville.

Age

Applicants must be at least nineteen (19) years of age and shall be under thirty-five (35) years of age.

However, the age-35 limitation shall not apply in cases where the applicant was previously employed as a full-time firefighter in a regularly constituted fire department of (i) any municipality or fire protection district located in Illinois, (ii) any fire protection district whose obligations were assumed by a municipality under Section 21 of the Fire Protection District Act (70 ILCS 705/21); or (iii) a municipality whose obligations were taken over by a fire protection district. To qualify for these exceptions to the age limitations, the applicant shall have been actively working as a firefighter within two (2) years of the date of his or her application to this City. To qualify as “employment status” for purposes of this section, the applicant must have received or should receive a W-2 from a municipality under federal law or regulations. 

Furthermore, the age-35 limitation shall not apply to any applicant who turned 35 while serving as a member of the active or reserve components of any of the branches of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state, whose service was characterized as honorable or under honorable, if separated from the military, and is currently under the age of 40.

Age for application will be calculated as of the date of the exam. Proof of birth date will be required at time of the background screen. Note that the minimum age for appointment to the position of firefighter/paramedic with the City of Naperville shall be twenty-one (21), calculated as of the date of a conditional offer of hire.

Education

Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent at the time of application.

Application and Testing

  • The application period ended at 2 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2024.
  • Written Test - At the time of application, candidates chose between an in-person test held on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, or an online test held during the week of Nov. 11, 2024.

Please direct ALL QUESTIONS regarding the application process, required documents or testing to (800) 343-HIRE (4473) or recruitment@IOSOLUTIONS.com

Upon the Start of the Screening/Background Process, Applicants Shall Furnish:

  •  A copy of their “birth record” as proof of citizenship and age. Applicants may submit copies of a U.S. county- or state-issued birth record, valid U.S. passport, or naturalization papers as their birth record. Hospital-issued birth certificates will not be accepted.  
  • A copy of their high school diploma. The Board will also accept a copy of the applicants’ high school transcript (showing graduation date) or evidence of a G.E.D. equivalence diploma. In cases of applicants who were educated outside the United States, appropriate documentation of a high school-level diploma shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • A copy of their valid driver’s license, including the back side if license bears renewal sticker.
  • A copy of their valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card with ladder certification. 
  • A copy of their valid Paramedic License (EMT-P), proof of passing the National Certified Paramedic Exam, or copy of their valid RN License; candidates must be licensed as an Illinois EMT-Paramedic or passed the National Certified Paramedic Exam (or be a current RN able to go through the Paramedic Bridge Program through Edward Hospital) in order to start the screening/background process.
  • Reference Letters - Applicants are required to provide three original reference letters. The signed letters of character/reference may be written by anyone (except relatives or current employers) who has known you for more than three years and who can vouch for your personal or professional character. Each letter should contain the following:
    • Addressed to the City of Naperville's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
    • Author's name, address, phone number and signature
    • Letter should state the number of years the author has known you (minimum three years).
    • Display the date when the letter was written
    • Be an original document (no copies or faxes)

Candidate Physical Ability Testing (CPAT) Card May Be Obtained at

Scope of the Testing Process

  • Written Test with Situational Judgment Test

Preference Points

A. Veteran’s Preference Points

Applicants who served in the United States military actively for at least one (1) year and who were honorably discharged or are now on inactive or reserve duty shall be preferred for employment and shall receive not less than five (5) preference points. Proof of such service must include a copy of his or her most current Military Form DD-214 (long form) as proof of active service, evidence of the honorable discharge and a sworn affidavit by the candidate.

B. Cadet Preference Points

Candidates who have successfully completed at least two (2) years of study with the City of Naperville’s Fire Department’s Cadet program may receive from zero (0) to five (5) preference points. The amount of points to be awarded shall be announced at the time of the notice of the examination process. For the 2024 testing, there will be two (2) points awarded for completing two (2) years with the Cadet program; three (3) points for completing three (3) years; and four (4) points for completing four (4) years.

C. Educational Preference Points

Any candidate who has successfully obtained an associate’s degree in the field of fire service or emergency medical services, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may receive from zero (0) to five (5) preference points. The Board reserves the right to award a greater number of preference points for job-related degrees than for non-job-related degrees. For the year 2024, the number of points that shall be awarded to applicants who have successfully obtained an associate’s degree in the field of fire service or emergency medical services, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university are five (5). Preference points awarded under this sub-section shall not be cumulative.

Weight of Components

Testing Component  

Minimum Passing Score  

Weighting of Components

Written Test              

70%

60%

Situational Judgment Test

N/A

40%

Wages and Benefits  

The Fire Department expects to hire 15 to 20 personnel over the next two years. Pay rate for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic is negotiated between the City of Naperville and the International Association of Firefighters Local 4302. The starting pay for a Firefighter/Paramedic is $74,467.39 as of Jan. 1, 2024. A rate that will be effective as of Jan. 1, 2025, will be determined once the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified. An excellent benefits package is provided. 

The City of Naperville is an equal opportunity employer; women and
minority candidates are encouraged to apply.