Paramedic

About the role

Provides basic and advanced life support and emergency pre-hospital care and rescue services to persons in medical emergencies or life-threatening disasters and catastrophes. Department: Public Safety/Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

Responsibilities

• Drives or accompanies driver in emergency medical vehicle to site of emergency as informed by dispatcher or supervisor.
• Helps extricate victims from entrapment or hazardous environments.
• Provides rescue, basic and advanced life support or other emergency medical care as needed.
• Maintains radio or other contact as necessary with Public Safety Dispatch, EMS Command Staff, EMS Physician, receiving hospital, and other agencies as necessary.
• Follows the EMS Physician's instructions on medical treatment.
• Accompanies victims to hospital as driver and/or provides continued pre-hospital care to patients in the emergency medical vehicle.
• Makes complete report to physician of incident and treatment administered.
• Files complete reports (e.g., patient care reports, insurance forms, etc.) on each case on a timely fashion by manual and automated methods.
• Works all shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Maintains adequate stock of equipment and supplies; washes and disinfects medical equipment; washes and cleans emergency medical vehicles.
• Performs vehicle/equipment checks as required.
• Performs activities and functions of other personnel as assigned or required.
• Performs such other related tasks and duties that are assigned or required.

Requirements

• Submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
• Become a resident of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
• Possess a current, valid Certificate of Completion of Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT‑P) training or a current, valid Prehospital Registered Nurse (PHRN) Certification (from any state or a nationally recognized certificate) at the time of exam.
• Present a current PA Department of Health EMS Vehicle Operator endorsement at appointment and maintain throughout employment.
• Present a current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License prior to appointment and maintain throughout employment.
• Written requests for accommodation on the basis of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered.
• City conducts pre‑employment and promotional background investigations (criminal background, driver's license, City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments); disqualification possible based on results.
• Out‑of‑state candidates with a valid Class C Motor Vehicle Operator's License from another state must obtain a valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License and present to Human Resources within one week of hire.
• EMT‑P certificate/card or PHRN certification must be presented at the time of the Physical Agility Test; if lacking PA EMT‑P, training available via CCAC or CEM (contact numbers provided).
• If not a Pennsylvania resident but hold a Paramedic Certificate from another state, may obtain information about acquiring a PA Certificate of Completion of EMT‑P by contacting the Emergency Medical Service Institute (EMSI) at (412) 242‑7322.
• Work experience: None required for this position.
• Education/Training: See General Application Requirements listed above.
• Equivalency: None permitted; no substitution of education/training and/or work experience toward qualifying requirements.
• Civil Service Examination: Written: None required. Performance: Based on knowledge/abilities in Position Description; exam date tentatively September 24, 2026; optional pre‑test training September 17, 2026. Medical examination required.

Pay

• Salary: $27.45 per hour (1st year). Future salary increases subject to bargaining contract terms.
• Rate progression opportunities:
  • Paramedic Second Year: $29.61/Hour
  • Paramedic Third Year: $37.76/Hour
  • Paramedic Fourth Year: $36.03/Hour
  • Paramedic Fifth Year: $40.51/Hour
  • Crew Chief: $43.57/Hour