Fire Fighter Recruit

About the Role

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Fire Fighter Recruit, working with the Yuma Fire Department. The ideal candidate will be team-oriented, adaptable, and dependable.

Hiring Process

The steps below must be completed prior to hire:

• Pre-Physical Testing
• Written Exam
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Sessions
• CPAT Testing
• Panel Interviews
• Chief's Interview
• Medical Examination
• Fire Academy

Pay Information

• During Fire Academy (until graduation): $24.5154 hourly / $50,992 annually (based on a 40-hour week / 2080 hours per year)
• Upon successful completion of the 22-week Fire Academy and promotion to Fire Fighter/EMT:
  • 40-hour week / 2080 hours annually = $28.1550 hourly / $58,562 annually
  • 56-hour week / 2912 hours annually = $20.1106 hourly / $58,562 annually

Job Information

Under close supervision, attends Yuma Fire Department Fire Academy to learn skills and proficiency levels according to the departmental guidelines.

Essential Functions

• Attends classroom training sessions and takes notes required to complete Fire Academy.
• Completes written, oral and skills proficiency examinations for a wide variety of required Fire Fighter skills and knowledge, and maintains required levels of proficiency.
• Participates in physical conditioning training and testing, and maintains required levels of physical fitness.
• Adheres to Fire Academy rules and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years of age by September 6, 2025
• Must meet Fire Department standards for medical examinations and physical ability

Knowledge, Skills, and Licenses

Knowledge of: City policies and procedures; safe work practices, occupational hazards and safety precautions.

Skill in: Maintaining academic and professional standards in accordance with Department policies; following verbal and written instruction; reading and understanding training materials and completing written, physical, and skills testing; learning and applying training materials and training instructions.

License and Certification Requirements: A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required. Upon graduation from the Yuma Fire Department Academy all candidates will be required to possess a Fire Fighter I and II, Arizona Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic, and Hazmat First Responder Operations certification.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Work is performed in a classroom environment, and in the field for training exercises; requires strenuous physical efforts, and Cadets are expected to successfully meet physical and academic demands related to the academy environment.

Application Process and Key Dates

• Application closes Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. or upon receipt of 600 applications, whichever comes first.
• Pre-Physical: 30-minute assessment on one of the following Sundays: September 20, 27, or October 4, 2026 – Yuma Civic Center, 1400 West Desert Hills Drive, Yuma AZ 85365.
• Written Exam: Week of October 12, 2026 – Yuma Civic Center, 1440 West Desert Hills Drive, Yuma AZ 85365.
• CPAT Orientation Sessions: 8 orientation sessions held every Saturday from October 17, 2026 through November 28, 2026. Detailed information will be sent to qualified applicants.
• CPAT Testing: Week of December 7, 2026 – City of Yuma, Public Safety Training Facility, 3575 S. Ave 4E (Gary Maas), Yuma AZ 85365.
• Panel Interviews: Week of December 14, 2026.
• Chief's Interview: Week of January 5, 2027.
• Medical Examination: Required prior to hire; dates to be determined.
• Hire Date: February 2026.
• Fire Academy: A 22-week paramilitary training program. It is the fire service equivalent of a police academy and training is designed to prepare for obtaining Firefighter I and II and Emergency Medical Technician certifications.

Benefits

• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS): Employees contribute 11.87% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 11.87% of employee gross wages through automatic deduction.
• Long Term Disability (LTD): Employees contribute .11% and the City contributes .11% of employee gross wages.
• Short Term Disability: Provided at no cost to the employee.
• Social Security & Medicare: Employees pay a contribution into the Social Security & Medicare System.
• Worker's Comp.: Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided.
• Unemployment Insurance: Employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Administered by the Yuma Area Benefit Consortium. Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived).
• Life Insurance: The City provides a life insurance policy equal to your annual salary, with an Accidental Death and Dismemberment rider for an equal amount. Employees may elect additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary at their cost.
• Flexible Spending Account: Provides a reimbursement account for certain medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Employee Assistance Program: Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.
• Compensatory Leave (Comp. Time): Paid leave that an employee has elected to accrue in lieu of overtime payment.
• General Leave: Accrual varies by years of service:
  • 0 to 5 years: 6.14 hours per pay day (153.5 hours annually)
  • 5 to 10 years: 7.74 hours per pay day (193.5 hours annually)
  • 10 to 15 years: 8.06 hours per pay day (201.5 hours annually)
  • 15 to 20 years: 8.7 hours per pay day (217.5 hours annually)
  • 20+ years: 9.34 hours per pay day (233.5 hours annually)
• Sick Leave: July 1 of each year, employees will have 40 hours of sick leave added to their sick leave bank. New employees will have 40 hours added on their date of hire.
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 4 weeks following the birth of an employee's child or the placement of a child in connection with adoption or foster care.
• Holidays: The City recognizes 12 holidays per year at eight hours per holiday: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and an additional day in conjunction with Christmas.
• Deferred Compensation: Employees may participate in a tax-sheltered Annuity Plan (457 Plan) through payroll deduction.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Eligible full-time employees may receive up to a maximum of $3,500 per calendar year for undergraduate and graduate level courses.
• Smoke-Free Work Environment: The City prohibits smoking in, and within a reasonable distance of, all buildings used for City business or occupied as workspace, including City owned and operated vehicles.