Firefighter

About the Role

The Arlington Heights Fire Department is seeking candidates for four Firefighter and Firefighter/Paramedic vacancies. The next Entry-Level Final Eligibility list will be certified by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners the week of December 14, 2026.

Pay

• Firefighter: $84,184 – $124,097
• Firefighter/Paramedic: $90,498 – $133,406

Benefits

• Annual pay increase
• Paid vacations, holidays, and sick leave
• 5 vacation days upon hire (prorated based on date hired within the year)
• 13 FLSA Days / "Hanson Days" (commonly referred to as "Kelly Days" at other agencies)
• Excellent and comprehensive health, vision, dental, and life insurance
• No residency requirement
• Uniform/equipment allowance
• 24 hours on / 48 hours off schedule
• Specialty assignments
• On-duty physical fitness program – 24/7 access to on-site fitness facility
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $3,000 undergraduate / $5,000 graduate per year)

Requirements

• Minimum age: 21
• Maximum age: Must be under 35, unless exempt from the age-35 hiring requirement as permitted by 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6(d), 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6.3(c), and 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-14
• Legally eligible to work in the US
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver's license required
• Has not been convicted of a felony, or any misdemeanor that, in the judgment of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, renders the applicant unsuitable for the position
• Ability to read, speak, and write the English language
• Vision correctable to 20/20
• Written examination: required
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT): required with Ladder Climb event; any verifiable CPAT within one year of your written exam date is accepted. Upload certification to your PST account.
• PST Personal History Statement: required within 14 days of passing required exam(s)

Preference Points

Candidates who achieve a passing score on the written examination are eligible to claim preference points. A maximum of thirteen (13) points may be claimed in the following categories:

• Military Experience (5 points): Those who served in active military or naval service of the United States for at least one year and were honorably discharged, or who are now or may hereafter be on inactive or reserve duty in such service. (Inactive/reserve duty status is in lieu of an honorable discharge, not active-duty time served.)
• EMT-Paramedic Certification (5 points): Must have either EMT-Paramedic from the Illinois Department of Public Health or Nationally Registered Paramedic from NREMT and be in good standing with current EMS System. Copy of certification required as proof.
• Office of the IL State Fire Marshal – Basic Operations Firefighter Certification (3 points): Copy of BOF course completion and IL-OSFM Certification required as proof.

Application Deadlines

• All test results and required documents must be submitted by 11:59 PM on November 12, 2026, for review and to earn a place on the Preliminary / Initial Eligibility List.
• Initial eligibility list established the week of November 23, 2026.
• Candidates on the Preliminary / Initial Eligibility List have 10 days to apply for preference points starting November 27, 2026.
• All preference point documentation must be submitted by 11:59 PM on December 6, 2026.
• Applicants who do not meet the above deadlines may be considered for future eligibility certification.
• To apply: https://www.publicsafetytesting.com/departments/ArlingtonHeights/IL-Firefighter