Firefighter Recruit 8-2026 Academy- Information Only Posting! Background Screening in progress

About the role

A Summary of City of Mesa Benefits is linked here.

The Firefighter - Recruit position is a trainee class used to prepare incumbents for performing public safety work involving the protection of life and property and the delivery of Mesa Fire and Medical Department (MFMD) programs. Preparation involves training in fire suppression, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and emergency and nonemergency incident response. A Firefighter Recruit must demonstrate the ability to use fire suppression and emergency medical services skills in accordance with MFMD standards, as well as engage in fire code enforcement, public education, and station and equipment maintenance activities prior to academy graduation. This class is also responsible for performing related duties as required.

Responsibilities

• Learn to perform emergency medical treatment and to ventilate burning buildings by opening windows and holes in roofs and floors, position and climb ladders to gain access to the upper levels of buildings, assist in advancing hose lines and making connections to hydrants, direct streams of water on fires, and perform search and rescue operations inside burning buildings, while wearing personal protective equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds that significantly impairs body cooling, in high humidity (up to 100 percent) situations, relying on self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for ventilation, and in environments with extreme temperature fluctuations (400+ degrees Fahrenheit).
• Receive close supervision from a Fire Captain assigned as the Fire Training Officer who reviews and evaluates work in progress and upon completion to ensure conformance to standard operating procedures.
• Perform related duties as required.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age by Monday, February 2, 2026.
• Graduation from high school or GED by Monday, February 2, 2026.
• Possession of a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) with a licensed CPAT agency is required to apply. For the August 2026 Academy, a valid CPAT must be dated between August 2, 2025, and the date your application is submitted. You must include the agency, CPAT number, and date in your response to the supplemental questions.
• Must have a valid Arizona Class D Driver's License by hire or promotion date and must have an acceptable driving record.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical.
• Must meet and maintain National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Mesa Fire and Medical Department physical standards.
• Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight-fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134 by hire date and must maintain certification.
• Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a psychological examination is required.
• Must not be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.

Qualifications

• Must not be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.

Skills

• Ability to use fire suppression and emergency medical services skills in accordance with MFMD standards.
• Engage in fire code enforcement, public education, and station and equipment maintenance activities.
• Perform related duties as required.

Benefits

A Summary of City of Mesa Benefits is linked here.

Pay

• Firefighter Pre-Recruit Pay: $34,958 Annually
• Firefighter - Recruit Pay: $57,593 Annually
• Mesa Firefighter Pay (After Promotion from Firefighter Recruit Academy): $60,562 Annually

Schedule

This class is FLSA nonexempt and has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position.