NEW: Firefighter/Paramedic (Entry Level) Testing NOW Available!

DEADLINE: October 4, 2024

EXAMINATION:  The City is proud to partner with National Testing Network (NTN) on the next Firefighter/Paramedic Eligibility Test.  NTN provides the ability to apply and test for our department from the comfort of your home and on your schedule. Interested persons must complete testing at NTN in addition to completing this application. Candidates must complete an examination at the agreed upon time set by NTN and it must be completed BEFORE October 4, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. If you schedule to complete your exam after the deadline, you will not be considered eligible for this call for applications. All testing protocols set by NTN are to be strictly adhered to by the candidate. Failure to adhere to the testing guidelines will result in an incomplete application.

Application: Click here to apply.

Applications may be filled out directly on the City’s website.  No written or emailed application or application will be accepted.

You must submit the following documents in addition to the completed application:

• Signed Consent and Release Forms
• Copy of your high school diploma (or GED)
• Copy of valid driver’s license (both sides)
• Copy of birth record as proof of citizenship or residency
• Copy of a valid IDPH Paramedic License or proof of current enrollment in a paramedic program with your anticipated completion date.
• Copy of a valid CPAT and Ladder Climb Certificate dated 10/4/2023 – 10/4/2024

All applications and materials must be submitted by October 4, 2024 at 4:00 pm 

2024 STEP 1 SALARY: $79,919

BENEFITS:

• Generous Health (10% employee premium share), Dental (12% employee premium share), and Vision (20% employee premium share) insurance package, which are detailed here.
• Tuition reimbursement program for those obtaining a career applicable associates, bachelor, or graduate degree from an accredited educational institution. Reimbursement of up to two (2) classes per semester; percentage reimbursed is based on grades.
• 24 hours on shift, 48 hours off shift scheduling.
• Paid-Time Off including Vacation accruals, Sick accruals, and Personal Leave accruals.
• Retirement savings options including a Retirement Health Savings plan, 457b, Roth IRA options through MissionSquare and Nationwide.
• Fire Pension
• Specialty and growth opportunities including: HazMat, Dive, Technical Rescue and consistent and engaging training opportunities.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS? For questions pertaining to the application and process, please contact the Des Plaines Fire Department at 847-391-5339 or email lbuccieri@desplainesil.gov.

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS? Please contact National Testing Network at 206-428-3265 or visit NTN.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

• Emergency Services – Provides firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, water/ice rescue and recovery, vehicle accident extrication, hazard mitigation and technical rescue services. Also participates in regional readiness and responses involving mutual-aid and automatic-aid agreements and cooperative special team activities. The Department’s training function falls within this Division.
• Administration and Support Services – Includes the leadership team who plans, coordinates and supports the department’s many functions, including: personnel and human resources functions; practices and procedures for emergency and non-emergency operations; budgets and procurement of all equipment, supplies and services and manages the maintenance and repair of fire stations, vehicles and equipment.
• Fire Prevention – Reviews building plans for life-safety hazards and code compliance in remodeling and new construction projects, completes inspections of public and business occupancies to ensure/enforce code and safety compliance, presents fire prevention programs to community organizations and conducts voluntary home fire safety surveys. The Division investigates causes and origins of fires, investigates and prosecutes arsons in conjunction with the Police Department, and coordinates fire-safety activities and fire prevention practices with Federal, State, County and other local fire officials.
• Emergency Management – Responsible for the planning and preparedness necessary to coordinate the elements of an effective Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program which integrates all available first responders, city departments, resources, key elected and appointed officials, citizens corps and the private sector into a cohesive disaster management effort. 
• Other Services – Mutual aid services to neighboring fire departments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• If not already a member, a $55 non-refundable membership fee to National Testing Network (NTN), and/or $12 to participate in City of Des Plaines examination testing
• U.S. Resident
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Valid driver’s license (valid Illinois driver’s license by date of hire)
• 20 to under 35 years of age as of the date of the written exam, but must be 21 prior to appointment, unless otherwise provided by the Rules and Regulations and/or Illinois Statute (e.g., exception for attaining age 35 during military service, exception for certain previous full-time police officer employment)
• No felony convictions
• Residency in Illinois by date of hire
• Copy of a valid CPAT and Ladder Climb Certificate dated 10/4/2023 – 10/4/2024
• Valid IDPH Paramedic License or proof of current enrollment in a paramedic program with your anticipated completion date.

HIRING PROCESS:

• Complete the online application here.
• Take the examination through the National Testing Network.
• Both must be completed on or before October 4, 2024.
• Preliminary eligibility list is established by the BFPC.
• Preference points will be awarded.
• Final eligibility list is established by the BFPC.
• Background checks begin in list order. Background checks include:
  • Completion of a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
  • Completion of a fingerprint background check at the City of Des Plaines Police Department
  • Completion of a polygraph examination
• Background investigation interview with the BFPC.
• If background investigation is passed, a conditional offer is made. 
• Psychological interview
• Physical examination 
• Start date established

ELIGIBILITY LIST: All eligibility lists can be found on the BFPC website.