The City of Geneva Fire Department is hiring! Are you ready to answer the call? If so, come join a professional, progressive and nationally accredited department serving an exceptional and supportive community!

Application and Testing Information

Qualified candidates should complete an application through the National Testing Network website. 

Candidates will be required, if they have not done so already, to complete a career firefighter entrance examination through National Testing Network. The deadline to apply, and test, is January 31st, 2026.

Candidates must have a valid CPAT issued within one-year of their application. Please see the links below for area CPAT testing locations. A full list of requirements can be found below.

CPAT testing locations

• Naperville Fire Department
• Central Illinois Fire Chiefs
• Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA)
• The Southwestern United Fire District (SUFD)
• MABAS 24
• Huntley FPD

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be 21 years of age at the time of application, and under 35 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have a current State of Illinois Firefighter II or Basic Operations - Firefighter certification.
• Must be a certified EMT-Paramedic, Illinois Department of Public Health OR
• Be a certified EMT-Basic, Illinois Department of Public Health AND, at time of hire, be enrolled and in good standing in the Southern Fox Valley EMS Paramedic certification program AND complete field internship (ride time) requirements with the City of Geneva Fire Department.  
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Provide proof of having passed a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), as designed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and International Association of Firefighters. Candidate exam must have been taken within 12 months prior to the application deadline.
• Must pass a written examination and oral interview.
• Must pass, after conditional job offer, polygraph test, medical exam, psychological exam, drug screening and an intensive background investigation.
• If hired and prior to completing probation, you must live within 25 miles from the corporate limits of the City of Geneva. Residency must be obtained before the completion of his/her probationary period (one year).

Training

The department requires all career firefighters who are not certified paramedics to maintain his/her certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Firefighter/Paramedics are also required to maintain their EMT-P certificate. The Geneva Fire Department conducts on-duty, as well as department-wide, training programs for all members. All career firefighters are expected to attend and participate in these sessions.

Further, the department strongly encourages its members to pursue additional training and certification levels through statewide courses offered by the Illinois Fire Service Institute and area junior colleges, in addition to specialized courses and seminars. The department also encourages personnel to pursue higher educational degrees (Associates, Bachelors and Masters).

Uniforms and Protective Clothing

The City issues personal protective clothing to each member who is expected to care for the equipment. Each career firefighter has an annual clothing allowance of $500 that is to be used for station uniforms and items related to his/her work.

Work Schedule

All of the career full-time firefighters are on a 24-48 hour schedule. There are eight holidays recognized by the City of Geneva. Shift firefighters who are scheduled to work on a city-recognized holiday will receive 12 hours of holiday pay for that day. Firefighters receive eight Kelly Days per year (every 14th shift).

Salary

The City of Geneva has instituted a merit/step system for salary consideration as indicated by the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The starting salary for a firefighter/paramedic is $76,360 with top pay achieved at six years.

Vacation and Personal Days

New employees are eligible for five shift days of vacation after the first year of employment. Further, the City allows three personal days after 30 calendar days of employment. 

Firefighter’s Pension Fund

All full-time, career firefighters are eligible to apply for admission into the Firefighter’s Pension Fund after the first 30 days of employment. Contributions are made through payroll deductions.

Benefits

The City provides group medical, dental and life insurance to all full-time employees with the City.

The Geneva Fire Department will pay a predetermined amount of tuition cost for pre-approved associate and undergraduate college courses after one year of employment, based on budget authority. Employees are required to sign a “Tuition Reimbursement Agreement” before the start of a class or course.

The City provides employee counseling on a confidential basis through the Tri-City Family Services organizations. This is available to the employees and his/her family at no cost regarding emotional or mental health problems.