Entry Level Firefighter Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO

INVITATION ONLY RECRUITMENT
ENTRY-LEVEL & EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER RECRUIT FOR SPRING 2027-1 ACADEMY
Firefighter Recruit Wage $72,074
APPLICATION DUE 8/28/2026 11:59 p.m. MST
This is an invitation-only recruitment. Only individuals who have received a direct invitation via email from South Metro Fire Rescue are eligible to apply based on their FireTEAM test scores from our recent recruitment.
Applications submitted by individuals who did not receive an invitation email will not be considered and will be removed from the recruitment process.
If you did not receive an invitation from South Metro Fire Rescue, please do not submit an application. We encourage you to monitor our Careers page on our website (www.southmetro.org) in December/January when our applications are open to the public.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Performs firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue work in emergency situations. Provides basic life support care under standard protocols and statutes. Maintains apparatus, vehicles, equipment, and fire stations. Employees are assigned to a field station and perform a wide variety of firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue techniques under direct and limited supervision.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have High School diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) by hire date of 1/22/2027.
• Must be 18 years of age by hire date 1/22/2027.
• Valid CPAT certificate through application deadline of 8/28/2026.
• Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado driver's license by 1/22/2027.
• Possess and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with SMFR's Driving Records Policy.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical, fitness/wellness assessment, medical evaluation, drug screen, and psychological exam, as well as a second CPAT immediately prior to final offers (this will be paid for by SMFR).

** PLEASE NOTE: SMFR does not permit the use of marijuana including the previous 12 months from contingent offer regardless of whether it is legal in the state of Colorado. **
CPAT:
Candidates are required to have a CPAT certificate that is valid and available to upload with their application. This certificate must be valid through August 28, 2026.

• Only a CPAT license by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) or the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will be accepted. South Metro Fire Rescue does not host the CPAT test. It is the candidate's responsibility to obtain the certification on their own.

Out of State Locations:
National Testing Network
If there are no locations near you, the Phoenix Training Center in Arizona, on National Testing Network's website has multiple tests each week (see link below).
https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ntn-arizona-cpat.cfm
Colorado Locations:
Denver Fire Department
Aims Community College
Pikes Peak State College
VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS:
After applications are submitted and reviewed, approximately 250 candidates will be invited to a 15-minute virtual interview with SMFR personnel. Interviews will be conducted live via Microsoft Teams and will require candidates to be on camera.
If more than 250 applicants meet the minimum qualifications, candidates will be selected based on the FireTEAM scores submitted to us in March, 2026. Updated National Testing Network (NTN) FireTEAM scores earned after that date will not be considered for this recruitment.
ORAL BOARD:
After completion of virtual interviews, successful candidates will be invited to oral boards.
TENTATIVE ACADEMY HIRING PROCESS TIMELINE
The hiring process timeline is subject to change at any time.
July 27, 2026
SMFR Application opens
August 28, 2026
SMFR Application deadline 11:59 p.m. MST
September 21, 23, 24, 2026
Virtual Interviews
November 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 2026
Oral Boards (required to be in-person)
Third week of November
Contingent Job Offers extended via email
End of November to mid-December
Pre-employment Testing (background check, psychological evaluation)
Wellness Dates for all candidates: December 8th and 9th OR December 14th and 15th
Second CPAT (In-state candidates): December 10th
Second CPAT (Out-of-State Candidates): Complete your second CPAT at an IAFF-licensed testing location in your state of residence by December 10th
Fitness/wellness assessment and second CPAT
Candidates will be split into two groups and assigned to either 12/8 and 12/9 or 12/14 and 12/15. SMFR's Wellness Division will assign dates, candidates will not be able to choose their dates. You will be required to be in-person for both dates you are assigned to.
Candidates will receive these dates when contingent job offers are given.
Mid-December
Final Job Offers
January 22, 2027
2027-1 Fire Academy New Employee Orientation
January 25, 2027
2027-1 Fire Academy Starts
*No exceptions will be made to the application deadline.
2027 COMPENSATION:
During academy, Firefighter Recruit Wage: $72,074
After graduating academy and based on experience, recruits would start at FF IV or FF III pay grade. Firefighters receive a pay grade increase annually on their hire date.
2027 Firefighter Wages:
Firefighter IV
$84,805
Firefighter III
$98,131
Firefighter II
$109,035
Firefighter I
$121,150
Additional Compensation

• SMFR strongly values education and in turn, compensates employees who have a degree with an education differential from the date of hire as follows:
  
  • Associates $1,000 annually
  • Bachelors $3,000 annually
  • Masters $5,000 annually
  • Ph.D. $6,000 annually

Experienced Firefighters

• We value previous paid firefighter experience and are willing to compensate our new hires based on the paid experience they bring to SMFR.
• To qualify for experienced Firefighter pay upon completion of our academy, applicants must have at least 3 years of paid experience as a firefighter (within the last 12 months) with a full-time fire service agency whose primary responsibility is fire protection and emergency medical service.

BENEFITS
South Metro Fire Rescue's compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain highly skilled and motivated employees. As such, SMFR's compensation is more than base pay. All regular full-time SMFR employees enjoy a total compensation package including base wages, leave accruals, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance employer-paid premiums, Retiree Health Savings, Death & Disability and employer-paid pension contributions as well as a positive work culture including a robust Fitness, Wellness and Rehabilitation Program, educational opportunities and support, job security and other positive non-monetary values which are intended to collectively position SMFR as an employer of choice in its geographic area. SMFR recognizes that being an employer of choice has different meanings to different people depending on what elements a person highly values. But SMFR's overall goal is to be a great place to work.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For all questions related to the Firefighter Hiring Process, please email employment@southmetro.org.
**South Metro Fire Rescue is an Equal Opportunity Employer**
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.