Position Overview

OPENING DATE: July 1, 2026

CLOSING DATE: August 31, 2026

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR ENTRY-LEVEL FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT TESTING

The City of Champaign is accepting applications for the position of Entry-Level FIREFIGHTER.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications

U. S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States (must meet I-9 requirements).
Valid Driver's License.
High School Diploma or equivalent.
21 yearsofagebythedateofhire.
Note: Some convictions, misdemeanors or serious traffic offences may disqualify applicants from further consideration, if the criminal conviction history has a substantial relationship to the position applied for:

Medical, physical, and psychological examinations and a criminal background check will be required. The starting annual salary is $75,867 plus an excellent fringe benefits package; $83,593 after one year. Applications must be submitted online to: www.applytoserve.com.

Other Information

Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process. The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Champaign's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the city's mission and values at https://champaignil.gov/city-managers-office

This position is covered under the City of Champaign International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Bargaining Unit labor agreement. This information is current as of February 12, 2026.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a $500 individual and $1,000 family deductible. The plan covers nearly 98% of providers and facilities across the State of Illinois and grants access to providers nation-wide through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Regular full-time International Association of Fire Fighters employees pay $35 of the employee health insurance premium per month and 50 percent of the premium for dependent(s) for the 2026/2027 plan year. Premiums for employee only and dependent coverages may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee's last day of work at the City.

Health Insurance Premiums PPO (2026-27 Plan Year)

Type of Coverage

City Pays (per month)

Employee Pays (per month)

Employee Only

$906.00

$ 35.00

Spouse

$644.00

$644.00

Children (one or more)

$399.50

$399.50

Family (spouse and children)

$690.50

$690.50

DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE

Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City’s Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).

The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.

Dental Premiums

Type of Coverage

Low Monthly Premium

High Monthly Premium

Employee Only

$25.54

$ 44.50

Employee/Spouse

$52.57

$ 91.60

Employee/Children

$60.01

$102.82

Family

$95.76

$163.08

Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.

Vision Premiums

Type of Coverage

Monthly Premium

Employee Only

$ 7.34

Employee/One Dependent

$13.94

Family

$20.48

LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides a $10,000 term life insurance policy through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.

Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.
Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.
Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.
Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.
- Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.
- Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.

PENSION

Fire Fighters are covered by the Fire Pension Fund. Employee contributions to the Pension Fund are 9.455 percent of salary; additional contributions are paid by the City.

PERSONAL LEAVE

At the beginning of each fiscal year July 1st, IAFF members are credited with either 36 hours (52-hour work week) or 32 hours (40-hour work week) of personal leave. Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year. Personal leave during the first year of employment varies based on the date of employment.

Date of Hire

24 Hour per Day Schedule

40 Hour Per Week Schedule

7/1 - 10/31

36 Hours

32 Hours

11/1 - 2/29

24 Hours

16 Hours

3/1 - 6/30

12 Hours

8 Hours

HOLIDAYS

Holiday pay for IAFF members is included in the base rates for IAFF members. The City recognizes the following holidays:

New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

VACATION

Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Maximum accumulations are 360 hours for 52-hour week officers and 272 hours for 40-hour week officers.

BIWEEKLY ACCRUAL

Years of Service

52-Hour Week

40-Hour Week

Through the 5th year

5.17 hours

3.98 hours

Beginning 6th year

5.82 hours

4.48 hours

Beginning 7th year

6.46 hours

4.97 hours

Beginning 8th year

7.11 hours

5.47 hours

Beginning 9th year

7.75 hours

5.96 hours

Beginning 12th year

8;08 hours

6.22 hours

Beginning 15th year

8.80 hours

6.77 hours

Beginning 20th year

10 hours

7.69 hours

SICK LEAVE

Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 5.17 hours per pay period (52-hour week officers) and 3.69 hours per pay period (40-hour week officers).

LONGEVITY PAY

Employees Receive Longevity Pay Based Upon Their Years Of Continuous Employment With The City. Longevity Pay Is An Addition To The Employees’ Base Wage Rate, As Follows

Years of Service

Longevity Rate

5 years

2.5 percent

10 years

5.0 percent

15 years

7.5 percent

20 years

10.0 percent

Deferred Compensation Plan

The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan and/or Roth plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400) or Human Resources at 217-403-8770.

UNION DUES

The IAFF union establishes regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union. Dues are currently 1.25% of the members’ base pay, inclusive of longevity (hourly rate), per month. Social members pay a fixed $101.54 per month. Active and Social members have the option to participate in a voluntary program that contributes $8.00 per month.

CONTRACT

View the current City of Champaign International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Bargaining Unit contract at champaignil.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units.

City of Champaign

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