Job Information

SOUTH METRO FIRE RESCUE
9195 EAST MINERAL DRIVE
CENTENNIAL, COLORADO 80112
(720)989-2422
http://www.southmetro.org

Bookmark: http://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/fullJobDetails.cfm?agencyjobid=698&jobid=2&agentid=488

Updated: March 02, 2026

FIREFIGHTER

FIRETEAM TEST DUE BY 3/31/2026

South Metro Fire Rescue is seeking entry level and experienced Firefighters to join our organization for the upcoming 2026-2 academy.

The next fire academy is scheduled to begin on August 14, 2026.

To be considered for this hiring process, you must complete the steps below:

1. Complete the FireTEAM test by Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

2. Possess valid CPAT by application deadline of Sunday, April 5, 2026.

3. Complete application on South Metro’s website (www.southmetro.org), on the top tab click Careers, and click Current Opportunities, click Firefighter Recruit) no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).

· Must be 18 years of age by hire date of 8/14/2026.

· Valid FireTEAM test score through 3/31/2026.

· Valid CPAT certificate through application deadline of 4/5/2026.

· Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado driver's license by hire date 8/14/2026.

Possess and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with SMFR’s Driving Records Policy.
Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical, fitness/wellness assessment, medical evaluation, drug screen and psychological exam.**

**SMFR does not permit the use of marijuana including the previous 12 months from contingent offer regardless of whether it is legal in the state of Colorado. **

HIRING PROCESS:

Step #1 FireTEAM TEST

Candidates are required to take the FireTEAM test. The test is administered through the National Testing Network and available 3/2/2026 – 3/31/2026. Visit the FireTEAM website, identify a testing center near you and register to take the test.

https ://national testingnetwork. com/pub licsafety j obs/search.cfm?position=2&state= All+ States

· IMPORTANT: If you have taken your FireTEAM test prior to SMFR opening the hiring process, please login to your FireTEAM account and add SMFR to permit us to view your FireTEAM score no later than 3/31/2026.

· If your scores are still valid from the last process and you already selected SMFR to view your scores, there shouldn’t be any further action needed with National Testing Network.

Minimum passing scores with FireTEAM.

Test	Minimum Passing Score
Human Relations	75
Math	70
Mechanical	65
Reading	70

For frequently asked questions regarding the FireTEAM test and/or the National Testing Network (NTN) please visit: https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/fags.cfm

Step #2 CPAT

· Candidates are required to have a CPAT certificate that is valid and available to upload by the application deadline of April 5, 2026.

· Only a CPAT license by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) or the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) will be accepted. South Metro Fire Rescue does not host the CPAT test. It is the candidate’s responsibility to obtain the certification on their own.

CPAT Resources for out-of-state candidates:

National Testing Network (NTN) provides convenient professional administration of the CPAT in various states. Use this link https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/cpat_location.cfm to schedule a CPAT through NTN. You can obtain your CPAT with various agencies; just ensure it is an accredited test by the IAFF.

If there are no locations near you, the Phoenix Training Center in Arizona, on National Testing Network’s website, has multiple tests a week (see link below).

https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ntn-arizona-cpat.cfm

Colorado Locations:

Denver Fire Department

Aims Community College

Step #3 APPLICATION:

Complete an application through SMFR’s website (www.southmetro.org), on the top tab click Careers, and click Current Opportunities, click Firefighter Recruit). This must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

* Only applicants whose FireTEAM scores rank within the top 350 submitted to SMFR will be considered to move forward in the selection process.

Step #4 SELECTION PROCESS

After application review, approximately 250 candidates will be invited to a 15-minute phone interview. From there, approximately 100 will move forward to oral boards.

Candidates who receive a contingent job offer will have to successfully pass our background process that includes pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical, fitness/wellness assessment, medical evaluation, drug screen and psychological exam.

· Candidates will have to complete and pass another CPAT at the time of the physical, fitness/wellness assessment.

TENTATIVE ACADEMY HIRING PROCESS TIMELINE:

**The hiring process timeline is subject to change at any time**

March 31, 2026	FireTEAM test deadline
April 5, 2026	SMFR application deadline at 11:59 p.m. MST
April 8, 2026	SMFR will invite a limited number of candidates to phone interviews based on FireTEAM scores
April 13,15,16	Phone Interviews
May 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18	Oral Boards (required in person)
May 19, 2026	Contingent Job Offers
Mid-May –mid-June	Background Process
June 15-17	Fitness/wellness assessment and second CPAT* (required in person) *The second CPAT will be conducted by Denver Fire and paid for by SMFR
End of June – early July	Final Job Offers
August 14, 2026	2026-2 Fire Academy New Employee Orientation
August 17, 2026	2026-2 Fire Academy Starts

COMPENSATION:

During academy, Firefighter Recruit Wage: $67,282

2026 Firefighter Wages

o Firefighter IV $81,543

o Firefighter III $94,357

o Firefighter II $104,841

o Firefighter I $116,490

Additional Compensation

SMFR strongly values education and in turn compensates employees who have a degree with an education differential from date of hire as follows:

Associates $1,000/year
Bachelors $3,000/year
Masters $5,000/year
PhD $6,000/year

Experienced Firefighters

We value previous paid firefighter experience and are willing to compensate our new hires based on the paid experience they bring to SMFR.
To qualify for experienced Firefighter pay upon completion of our academy, applicants must have at least 3 years of paid experience as a firefighter (within the last 12 months) with a full-time fire service agency whose primary responsibility is fire protection and emergency medical service along with a 400-hour academy.
Experienced Firefighters will receive Firefighter III wage after graduating academy.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For all questions related to the Firefighter Hiring Process, please email employment@southmetro.org.

**South Metro Fire Rescue is an Equal Opportunity Employer**

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