Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) by date of hire.
• Must be 18 years of age by date of hire.
• Valid FireTEAM test scores.
• Valid CPAT uploaded with application.
• Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado driver’s license Possess and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with SMFR’s Driving Records Policy by date of hire.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical, fitness/wellness assessment, medical evaluation, drug screen and psychological exam. More information in SMFR Background Standards link. 
  • Please note: 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.
• IMPORTANT: To help prepare for your fitness/wellness assessment, click here for a sample program from our Wellness Division.

SMFR Background Standards (PDF)

*Any candidates who are selected during the hiring process that do not possess a EMT-B will go through a separate EMT-B course either before or after academy. Candidates who already possess a valid EMT-B will not need to attend the EMT-B course.

Firefighter Job Description (PDF) 

SMFR Firefighter Hiring Process Overview

Firefighter Recruit Salary During Academy - $67,282

2026 Firefighter Grade IV through I - $81,543 - $116,490

ALL COMMUNICATION WITH THE HIRING PROCESS WILL BE DONE VIA EMAIL FROM EMPLOYMENT@SOUTHMETRO.ORG. PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM INBOX FOR ANY EMAILS FROM US.

Click here for a snapshot of the 2026-2 hiring timeline

Step #1 FIRETEAM test, CPAT, and Submit Application

Deadline has passed

• If your scores are still valid and you already selected SMFR to view your scores from the last hiring process, then nothing needs to be done with National Testing Network. The next step for you would be submitting an application and attaching your current CPAT.
• If you took your FireTEAM test before our job post opened, please log into your National Testing Network profile and add SMFR to view your scores.
• If you were part of our last recruitment process, you need to apply again since this is a different recruitment process.

Information about the FIRETEAM test

• The test can be taken online or in-person.
• A video based test consisting of 4 different components: Human Relations, Math, Mechanical, and Reading. 
• There is a fee to take the FireTEAM test that will be at the candidate's expense.
• You can purchase a practice test before taking the actual exam. More details here. 
• See FireTEAM Video Practical Test for more details.
• Schedule your FireTEAM test. 

CPAT

This test consists of eight events commonly performed in the fire service. It is designed to test a candidates strength and endurance. It is physically demanding and requires the candidate be physically fit to be able to perform essential job tasks and be successful.

Candidates are required to have a valid CPAT certificate at the time of application. There are numerous testing sites in Colorado. Please see the links below for agencies that offer a CPAT test. Out-of-state applicants, please refer to National Testing Network's link below or see if there is an accredited test though the IAFF where you live. 

Colorado Options

Denver Fire

Aims Community College

Out-of-State Option

National Testing Network

Phoenix Testing (weekly tests)

Submit Application to SMFR 

On the top of this webpage, click on Careers and click on Current Opportunities to apply. Please be advised: only the candidates with the top 350 FireTEAM scores will be considered to move forward in our selection process. All FireTEAM categories must have the minimum passing score to be considered. All candidates that submit a FireTEAM score to SMFR will be notified either way via email after the application deadline. 

Step #2 Phone Interviews 

After applications are submitted and reviewed, approximately 250 will be invited to a 15-minute phone interview with SMFR personnel. 

Step #3 Oral Boards required in-person

After phone interviews, a limited number of candidates will be invited to participate in Oral Boards. The Oral Board panel will consist of SMFR personnel of various ranks that will ask behavior based questions. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you as a person and how you would be as member of the SMFR family. 

Oral boards will include both Firefighters and Paramedic/Firefighters. Our intent is to create an academy class made up of roughly equal numbers from each rank. While we strive for this balance, final selections will be based on overall oral board performance. The highest-scoring candidates, regardless of rank, will receive a contingent job offer to ensure we fill the academy with the strongest candidates.

Don't know how to prepare?! Follow this link for some helpful interview tips.

Contingent Job Offers

Candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical and fitness/wellness assessment, medical evaluation, drug screen, and psychological evaluation. *Candidates will have to complete and pass another CPAT at the time of the physical fitness/wellness assessment (SMFR will pay for this expense).

Physical Fitness/Wellness Assessment 

To help you prepare for the fitness and wellness assessment, as well as to ensure you're physically fit for the academy, please click on the link below. Candidates who receive a final job offer are expected to follow this training program.

WELLNESS PROGRAM

Compensation

2026 Firefighter Recruit Wage During Academy $67,282

After graduating academy and based on experience, recruits would start at FF IV or FF III pay grade. Firefighters receive a pay grade increase annually on their hire date. 

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED)
• Must be 21 years of age by hire date.
• Valid CPAT certificate with application.
• Current Colorado State Paramedic Certification or National Registry Paramedic Certification.
• Current American Heart Association ACLS Provider.
• Current American Heart Association CPR Provider.
• Possess or be able to obtain a Colorado Driver's License by date of hire.
• 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. See more information in the SMFR Background Standards link.
  • Please note: 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.
• IMPORTANT: Our Paramedic/Firefighters are required to successfully pass our fitness/wellness assessment just like the Firefighter candidates. To help prepare for your fitness/wellness assessment, click here for a sample program from our Wellness Division.

SMFR Background Standards (PDF)

*We are not requiring Paramedic candidates to take the FireTEAM test as part of the hiring process. 

Paramedic Firefighter Job Description (PDF)

SMFR Paramedic/Firefighter Hiring Process

2026 Paramedic/Firefighter Recruit Salary During Academy $78,752

Paramedic/Firefighter Grade IV through I - $94,998 - $135,711

Click here for a snapshot of the 2026-2 hiring timeline

ALL COMMUNICATION WITH THE HIRING PROCESS WILL BE DONE VIA EMAIL FROM EMPLOYMENT@SOUTHMETRO.ORG. PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM INBOX FOR ANY EMAILS FROM US.

Step #1 CPAT 

This test consists of eight events commonly performed in the fire service. It is designed to test a candidates strength and endurance. It is physically demanding and requires the candidate be physically fit to be able to perform essential job tasks and be successful.

Candidates are required to have a valid CPAT certificate through the date of hire. There are numerous testing sites in Colorado. Please see the links below for agencies that offer a CPAT test. *Be advised that all tests need to be accredited through the IAFF.

Colorado Locations

Denver Fire

Aims Community College

Out of State

National Testing Network

Phoenix Training Center (weekly tests)

STEP #2 Application

On the top of this webpage, click on Careers, and click on the Current Opportunities to submit your application. You must possess all required certifications listed above for your application to be considered. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants can expect an update after the application deadline or possibly sooner.

STEP #3 Paramedic Testing  

Candidates will participate in a Paramedic testing process. There will be two testing components: a scenario-based practical and a medical knowledge assessment. All materials are based on National Registry standards. 

Scenario-based practical evaluates clinical reasoning, patient management, and decision making.

Medical knowledge assessment evaluates rhythm identification, 12-lead interpretation, and core ALS pharmacology.  

Successful candidates in the Paramedic testing will be invited to a 15-minute phone interview. 

Phone Interviews and Oral Boards 

Candidates who successfully pass the Paramedic testing process, will be invited to a 15-minute phone interview. The panels will consist of line personnel and one HR representative. Firefighter and Paramedic/Firefighter candidatess will all

 

 The Oral Board panel will consist of SMFR personnel of various ranks that will ask behavior based questions. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you as a person and how you would be as member of the SMFR family.  

Oral boards will include both Firefighters and Paramedic/Firefighters. Our intent is to create an academy class made up of roughly equal numbers from each rank. While we strive for this balance, final selections will be based on overall oral board performance. The highest-scoring candidates, regardless of rank, will receive a contingent job offer to ensure we fill the academy with the strongest candidates.

Don't know how to prepare?! Follow this link for helfpul interview tips. 

Contingent Job Offers 

Candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment background check, criminal history review, physical and 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 (SMFR will pay for this expense).

Physical Fitness/Wellness Assessment 

To help prepare for the physical and fitness/wellness assessment, please click on the link below.

WELLNESS PROGRAM

Compensation

2026 Paramedic/Firefighter Recruit Wage during academy $78,752

Benefits Package

SMFR offers a comprehensive benefits package consisting of:

• Health insurance including medical, dental, and vision
• Generous paid time off
• Family and medical leave including maternity and parental leave
• Military leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Basic and Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability
• Retirement Plans
• Robust Wellness Program
• And more!

2026 Benefit Guide