Job Description

This is an informational post ONLY outlining the hiring process for our Firefighter - Paramedic or Firefighter - EMT position with Forest Grove Fire & Rescue.

Job Classification: Firefighter - Paramedic or EMT

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue is hiring for current vacancies and establishing an eligibility list that will be used to fill vacant and future vacant Firefighter - Paramedic or Firefighter - EMT positions. The established eligibility list will be active for 12 months unless extended or dissolved earlier by the Fire Chief due to operational needs.

Firefighter - Paramedic or Firefighter - EMT candidates must have all testing completed (FireTEAM exam and updated PHQ) by the department’s closing date of 11:59 P.M. on 10/25/2026 to be considered for the position.

The Full Firefighter Job Description Can Be Reviewed here.

All Firefighter - Paramedic or Firefighter - EMT candidates must take the FireTEAM exam and complete the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) through National Testing Network (NTN) via the following link: https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/index.cfm.

Candidates may submit a Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) through National Testing Network (NTN). Candidates who do not have a current/passing CPAT from within the last 6 months have the option to sign up for the CPAT via NTN OR if selected to move forward in our process, the PAT will be offered through City of Forest Grove at a TBD date.

Salary Information: $29.8270 - $37.0013 per hour (for 48/96 hour shift work)

Advancement within the range is considered annually based on performance. Additional compensation is available for qualified employees through the City's incentive program which can be found in the IAFF Local 1660 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Benefit Information: The City strives to provide the best, most equitable and cost-effective benefits for employees in recognition of the influence employment benefits have on the economic and personal welfare of our employees.

Health Insurance –Northwest Firefighters Relief Association (NFRA), including retirement benefits.
HRA VEBA Contributions up to $400 per month based on health insurance elections (Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association)
Group Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
Section 125 Plans
Retirement – Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); City currently pays employee share also.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation through payroll deduction
Kelly Days
Vacation Leave
Sick Leave
Holiday Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Physical Fitness Incentive
Incentive and Premium Program (including 10% for Paramedic licensure)
Voluntary supplemental whole life insurance through payroll deduction

Candidate Contact Person:

Christina Vandehey, Human Resources Analyst

PH:503-992- 3201 or Email: cvandehey@forestgrove-or.gov

Department Overview: Forest Grove Fire & Rescue is a combination fire department providing fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue, and fire & life safety education to the City of Forest Grove and surrounding rural communities. Our Mission: We prevent harm by protecting life, property, and the environment.

Area Information: The City of Forest Grove has a population of 27,338 and covers an area of 5.8 square miles. The City of Forest Grove is also contracted to provide emergency services to the surrounding Forest Grove Rural Fire District, protecting an additional 5,000 residents throughout 75 additional square miles. Forest Grove is located 23 miles west of Portland and offers the advantages of small city living, as well as being only 45 minutes from downtown Portland and 60 minutes from both the Cascade Mountain range and the Pacific coast. Forest Grove's location provides a multitude of recreational opportunities from water sports and fishing to hiking and hunting. Excellent educational facilities range from elementary schools through Pacific University, a four-year liberal arts university.

Minimum Qualifications

Job Requirements:

Age: 18

US Citizen: Yes

High School Grad/GED: Yes

Valid Driver's License: Class C (must be maintained through duration of employment)

Vision: Consistent with NFPA 1582, Section 6.4, A) Vision must be better than 20/40 (binocular) corrected with contacts or glasses, or 20/100 uncorrected, B) Cannot be monocular, C) must not be monochromatic, affecting the use of a thermal imaging camera, and/or D) no visual impairment that would prevent essential job tasks.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in firefighting, fire science, emergency medical services or a related field.

Experience:

One year of fire suppression or related emergency services experience.

Certifications:

Possession of an Oregon or National Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate
Oregon Licensure or National Registry Paramedic certification is highly preferred

Possession of, or ability to obtain within six months of hire:

NFPA Firefighter 1
NFPA Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations
NFPA Driver/Pumper certifications

Desirable Certifications:

NFPA Firefighter 1 and 2 certificate, or Pro-Board/IFSAC or equivalent
NFPA Instructor 1 certificate, or Pro-Board/IFSAC or equivalent
NFPA Fire Officer 1 certificate, or Pro-Board/IFSAC or equivalent
NWCG Type 2 Wildland Firefighter, or equivalent

Additional Information

Hiring Process:

Next Deadline: To be considered, the following MUST be in the NTN system (visible to Forest Grove Fire & Rescue) by 11:59 P.M. on 10/25/2026:

Your NTN FireTEAM test with the following passing minimum scores:

Human Relations Score: 70%
Mechanical Score: 60%
Reading Score: 80%
Math Score: 70%
Your Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) must be up to date with all fields completed by 11:59 P.M. on 10/25/2026.
Candidate may submit a Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) through National Testing Network (NTN). Candidates who do not have a current/passing CPAT card from within the last 6 months have the option to sign up for the CPAT via NTN OR if selected to move forward in our process, a local PAT will be offered through City of Forest Grove at a TBD date.

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue Application Process:

Once all passing scores are pulled from NTN, Forest Grove Human Resources will notify successful candidates via email about the next steps in the process which will require completing an application through the NEOGOV system, after which the following steps occur:

Application screening for minimum qualifications & preferred qualifications
Interview Process
Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) through National Testing Network (NTN) OR PAT through City of Forest Grove at a TBD date due to NTN’s schedule being full for CPAT testing
Chief’s interview
Background investigation
Criminal and Driving Record Check
NFPA 1582 Physical Examination
Pre-Employment Drug Screen

Specific Disqualifiers/Behaviors:

Felony, Criminal Activity Disqualifiers:

Please click on the below link to see a full list of felony and criminal disqualifiers https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/FirePrograms/Pages/Cert-Rev-Denial.aspx

Driving Disqualifiers:

The following are general driving record guidelines for City of Forest Grove employees, however the totality of a candidates’ driving history will be considered with relation to suitability for a firefighter position. Please also see OAR 259-008-0290 & 259-008-0310 for full list of driving disqualifiers. Criteria that may indicate an unacceptable driving record includes, but is not limited to:

Three or more minor moving violations within a three-year period.
Two or more chargeable crashes within a three-year period. Chargeable means that the driver is determined to be the primary cause of the crash through speeding, inattention, etc.

Contributing factors, such as weather or mechanical problems, will be taken into consideration. Any citation issued at the site of a crash will be considered a single incident.

Any combination of crashes and/or moving violations based on the Driver Screening Guidelines.
Suspension of Driver’s License.

Types of driving violations listed by risk category, are as follows:

Class 1 – Major Violations

DWI/ DUI
Refusing a substance test
Fleeing or eluding a police officer
Commission of a vehicular felony
Vehicular manslaughter
Hit and run
Reckless driving
Drag/ street racing

Class 2 – Crashes

Crashes regardless of fault

Class 3 – Minor Violations

Speeding
Failure to yield
Improper lane change
Running red light or stop sign
Suspension of driver’s license
Various moving violations

Drug Use Disqualifiers:

Must comply with the City of Forest Grove’s Substance Abuse Policies as summarized in part below: A City employee may not knowingly possess, use, transfer, offer, share, attempt to sell or obtain, manufacture, or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or the metabolite of the substance in any situation during which the employee is engaged in a job-related activity including, but not limited to, the following situations:

While on or in City property, including but not limited to buildings, parking lots, or City leased or rented space;
Driving or a passenger riding in any vehicle or equipment used to facilitate or conduct City business; and
In any other circumstance in which the safety of employees, customers, clients, or the public at large; or the productivity, quality of work products or services, or security of property or information can be impacted.

Drugs:

Substance(s) considered unlawful under Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 or the metabolite of the substance including but not limited to marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP) and:

Prescription or non-prescription drugs which may impair judgment or job performance.
Drugs which may be illegal to use when not prescribed by a physician and shared prescription drugs for which the employee is not the patient.
Prescription drugs which are prohibited are those which have either not been prescribed for the employee to treat an existing circumstance or those which, although prescribed for the employee, may impact the individual’s ability to function safely at work and have not been brought to the attention of the employees’ immediate supervisor. Drugs for personal health management for which side effects are not the norm, e.g. vitamins, birth control pills, etc., need not be disclosed if in fact no side effects are experienced. However, the employee is responsible for updating the supervisor if drug reaction varies from the norm and has the potential for impacting workplace performance.

Alcohol:

Ethanol, isopropanol, or methanol

Additional Disqualifiers:

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue will make a determination regarding a candidate’s overall suitability to be considered for employment as a Firefighter based on the totality of their history in the areas above.

Please be sure to include a valid email address you check frequently (including spam and junk folders) in your application, as candidates may be notified via email.

The City strives to provide the best, most equitable and cost-effective benefits for employees in recognition of the influence employment benefits have on the economic and personal welfare of our employees.

Health Insurance –Northwest Firefighters Relief Association (NFRA), including retirement benefits.
HRA VEBA Contributions up to $400 per month based on health insurance elections (Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association)
Group Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
Section 125 Plans
Retirement – Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); City currently pays employee share also.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation through payroll deduction
Kelly Days
Vacation Leave
Sick Leave
Holiday Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Physical Fitness Incentive
Incentive and Premium Program (including 10% for Paramedic licensure)
Voluntary supplemental whole life insurance through payroll deduction

City of Forest Grove

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Firefighter - Paramedic or EMT