Firefighter​/Paramedic Testing

Overview

The City of DeKalb is accepting applications and testing for Firefighter/Paramedic to establish an eligibility list and fill immediate openings. Please view the recruitment brochure and application instructions.

The process and the minimum qualifications are dictated by the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Rules and Regulations and are detailed in the recruitment brochure.

• 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. 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.

• 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.

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

Candidates must fill out an application with NTN and the City of DeKalb.

• The City of DeKalb Application can be found at:
• The NTN application and scheduling of the written exam can be found at:  Please select Firefighter Jobs and sign up for the City of DeKalb Exam.

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

Questions about the NTN application and/or written exam? Please call:
National Testing Network – 1

Questions about the City application? Please call:
City of DeKalb, Human Resources Department – 1

Applications AND Written Exam Due:
Friday, October 31, 2025.

Please view the City’s policy regarding the hiring of immediate family members of a current City employee, elected official, or appointed official prior to completing an application for employment.