Iaff Contract Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The City of DeKalb is accepting applications and testing for Firefighter/Paramedic to establish an eligibility list and fill immediate openings!

The process and the minimum qualifications are dictated by the Board of Fire & Police Commissioner's Rules and Regulations and are detailed in the recruitment brochure. For consideration the following documents must be submitted with your online application:

• At least 21 years of age, but less than 35 years of age unless exempt from such age limitation as provided in Section 5/10-2.1-6 of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Act. Proof of birthdate is required.
• Copy of State of Illinois (IDPH) Paramedic License (EMT-P) or letter from instructor. Please Note: The EMT-P requirement may be satisfied by a letter issued by an accredited EMT-P training and certification program indicating that at the time of application, the applicant is a student in good standing, with tuition paid in full, who is expected to graduate the EMT-P program with a grade of at least 80%, within the next 3 months. Applicants must have EMT-P status at time of hire, to be eligible for hiring. (attach to application)
• Valid Driver's License (attach to application)
• Minimum of High School Diploma or Equivalent (attach to application)
• No felony convictions and or crime involving moral turpitude as specified in Section 5/10-2.1-6 Part C of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Act.

Additional minimum requirements at time of conditional offer of employment:

• Successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) with Ladder Climb Certification conducted by a licensed agency within twelve (12) months prior to the conditional offer of employment.
• State of Illinois (IDPH) Paramedic License (EMT-P).
• Must pass psychological and medical examinations, and drug screening (including cannabis).

Preference points given for the following:

• Basic Operations Firefighter (Firefighter II) Certification
• Military experience
• Currently meeting residency requirements

For more information about the DeKalb Fire Department and to view the Annual Report, please click the links below:

• Fire Department Annual Report 2025
• DeKalb International Association of Firefighters Local 1236 Collective Bargaining Agreement

Candidates must fill out an application with NTN AND the City of DeKalb:

• The City of DeKalb Application can be found at: Firefighter/Paramedic | Job Details tab | Career Pages
• The NTN application and scheduling of the written exam can be found at: www.nationaltestingnetwork.com. Please select Firefighter Jobs and sign up for the City of DeKalb Exam.

Selection Process

Upon completion of the written exam, all candidate scores will be forwarded to the City of DeKalb hiring officials. The cut-off score for the written examination will be based on the recommendation of the developer of the written examination and consistent with minimally qualified performance in the Firefighter/Paramedic position. The top twenty (20) candidates who achieved the highest passing scores will be invited to participate in the oral interview. If in the event the 20th place is a tie score, all candidates that achieve a 20th place tie score will advance to the oral interview. Those eligible to participate will receive an e-mail notification with the interview schedule. Interviews are anticipated to be scheduled at the end of October 2026.

The selection process includes submission of the applications, written exam, oral interview, and background investigation. Psychological and medical exams, and drug screening (including cannabis) are completed upon conditional offer of employment.

Questions about the NTN testing process and/or written exam? Please call: National Testing Network – 1 (855) 821-3761

Questions about the City application? Please call: City of DeKalb, Human Resources Department – 1 (815) 748-2301

Written Exam Due: Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Applications Due Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, fire pension, deferred compensation plan with match, education bonus, clothing allowance, wellness reimbursement, longevity pay, wellness bonus. Paid time off including vacation in lieu of holidays, vacation, sick leave, Kelly days, bereavement leave and compensatory time. To view more information regarding benefits, please view the current IAFF contract.