Purpose of the Position

Join Our Great Team!

City of Wausau Firefighter/Paramedics respond to emergencies and perform fire suppression activities, rescue work, hazardous materials response, and basic or advanced life-support emergency medical service.

Whether you're currently a Paramedic student, or looking for your first job as a Firefighter/Paramedic, or looking for a new department to continue your career, we welcome you to apply!

Current Paramedic Program Students Welcome!

If you are an EMT-Basic actively enrolled in a Wisconsin Technical College System Paramedic program and are on track to obtain your Wisconsin EMT-Paramedic license, we encourage you to apply. Successful candidates may be placed on an eligibility list and must obtain licensure before beginning employment as a Firefighter/Paramedic.

Lateral Hire Opportunity! Candidates who have a minimum of two (2) consecutive years at a previous fire department may be eligible for a lateral transfer to employment with the Wausau Fire Department. View the Labor Agreement (link below) for current salary rates.

City Of Wausau Fire Department Website

https://www.wausauwi.gov/your-government/fire

City Of Wausau Fire Department Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/WausauFireDepartment

Current Labor Agreement between the City of Wausau and Wausau Firefighter Association Local 415, IAFF, AFL-CIO and CLC:

https://www.wausauwi.gov/your-government/human-resources/labor-contracts

About The Wausau Fire Department

It is the mission of the Wausau Fire Department to provide rapid, professional, emergency services to protect and enhance our community. To accomplish this mission, it is imperative we employ members who believe in and live by our Core Values: Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, Respect, and Compassion.

The Wausau Fire Department is a full-time career department and currently has 74 members, all trained to perform multiple tasks to our high standards.

In 2025, the Wausau Fire Department responded to a total of 7,206 calls for service. The Wausau Fire Department is a Licensed EMS provider within the State of Wisconsin. EMS is the highest demand on our service and requires all operations personnel working as a team to provide seamless coverage around the clock for our citizens and visitors. We responded to over 6,300 EMS incidents in 2025.

The City of Wausau is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Responds to fire calls and rescue individuals from emergency situations. Evacuate occupants of burning structures and assist them to safety.
Respond to fire calls and perform fire suppression, exposure protection, confinement, ventilation, salvage, overhaul operations.
Maintains a state of readiness of facilities, vehicles, apparatus, and equipment by inspections, cleaning, testing, and maintenance.
Respond to emergency medical calls and provide service within the constraints of the department's protocol and up to level of training. Service includes basic and advanced life support.
Function within an assigned role in an incident management system.
Participate in drills and attend training exercises in firefighting, fire equipment, hazardous materials, rescue, and emergency medical skills; successfully complete training programs in all phases of duties and responsibilities.
Perform technical rescues such as confined space, high/low angle, extrication and ice/water.
Respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials and work within the level of training in operations, technician, or specialist positions.
Perform fire prevention and public education programs including public speaking and conducting classes in such topics as fire extinguisher usage, fire drills, and CPR/first aid.
Interact with the public performing essential non-emergency duties such as fire prevention inspections, public fire education, and injury prevention education.
Respond to non-emergency calls for assistance and safely perform assigned functions required to assist the public, including but not limited to providing information, lifting assistance, and pest removal.
Perform routine maintenance and janitorial duties on buildings and grounds of the fire department.
Perform inspection, maintenance, and cleaning on all emergency and non-emergency equipment and apparatus. Perform general maintenance work and upkeep of fire department property, facilities, equipment, apparatus and vehicles as directed.
Participate in the department's wellness program.
Perform related work as required.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements

18 years of age or older
High School Diploma, GED, or HSED
State of Wisconsin or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) License and actively enrolled in Paramedic training in one of the Wisconsin Technical College system programs to obtain EMT-Paramedic licensure
State of Wisconsin Firefighter I and Firefighter II Certifications (or IFSAC Accredited)
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) 700 and 100 Certifications
Hazardous Materials Operations Certificate
CPAT Certification obtained within the last 12 months from anticipated hire date
Valid Unrestricted Driver's License
Excellent moral character and highest personal integrity

Preferred Qualifications

Associate Degree in related field
State of Wisconsin or National Registry EMT-Paramedic License
Hazardous Materials Technician

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Ability to wear respirators, to include Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.
Ability to distinguish color within NFPA standards 1582.
Ability to drive and operate fire apparatus, ambulances, and other department vehicles; properly utilize equipment for extrication of persons trapped in vehicles or buildings.
Maintain knowledge of streets, addresses, water supply and pre-plans within the City of Wausau.
Thorough knowledge of all firefighting and emergency techniques and procedures authorized by the Wausau Fire Department.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally, written or electronic. Specifically, having the ability to accurately document fire reports, fire prevention inspection reports and patient care reports.
Ability to keep accurate records and use state of the art technology.
Ability to read and interpret technical written materials, codes, ordinances and standards.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, the public and City personnel.
Physical ability and endurance to efficiently and effectively perform strenuous physical labor in threatening and stressful situations.
Ability to obtain and maintain certifications and licensure as required by the position and the department.
Ability to recognize and protect possible evidence at a fire scene and assist in determining origin and cause.
Thorough knowledge of the uses, maintenance requirements and locations of all firefighting and emergency equipment, tools, and apparatus used by the department.

Physical and Working Environment

Significant physical demands typically found in heavy industry or construction work, and with significant exposure to workplace hazards. Position requires regular and frequent lifting, moving, bending, twisting, and turning. Significant and frequent exposure to disagreeable and environmental conditions which typically requires the use of extensive or specialized clothing and/or personal protective equipment is normal for the position.

Additional Information

Additional Information

IMPORTANT! All applications must have a Resume attached in the "Attachments" section of the application. Applications that are not complete and do not have the required attachment will not be considered.

Candidates who currently enrolled in one of the Wisconsin Technical College system programs to obtain EMT-Paramedic licensure in the near future may be placed on an Eligibility List.

Candidates Are Encouraged To Attach Copies Of The Following In The Attachments Section (please Attach All Documents As One PDF If Possible)

National Registry EMT-Basic License -or- State of Wisconsin EMT-Basic License
State of Wisconsin Firefighter I Certificate (or IFSAC accredited)
State of Wisconsin Firefighter II Certificate (or IFSAC accredited)
NIMS-ICS 700 Certificate
NIM-ICS 100 Certificate
Hazardous Materials Operations Certificate
Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Certificate

If already obtained, please attached the following:

National Registry EMT-Paramedic License -or- State of Wisconsin EMT-Paramedic License

IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

For candidates advancing in the recruitment process, the following steps may be involved up to the point of hire: written exam, oral interviews, writing sample, EMS skills check-off, background check, reference check, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and drug/alcohol screening.

SCHEDULING INFORMATION

In 2025, an MOU was signed and later voted on to approve a new "48/96" schedule as the standard work schedule. The schedule of work is 48 hours On-duty, 96 hours Off (On-duty day begins at 6:45 a.m.) A 48-hour shift will be considered "a swing." Each day will still count as an individual 24-hour period to coincide with current Labor Agreement language.

SALARY INFORMATION

Effective 6/21/2026, the starting monthly salary for a Firefighter will be $5,338.02 per the current Wausau Firefighter Association Local 415, IAFF, AFL-CIO and CLC Labor Agreement. The monthly salary for a Firefighter with a paramedic license will be $5,658.30. Salary increases occur after 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 10 years of employment as a Firefighter/Paramedic.

Information about our lateral transfer program can be found in the labor agreement (Article 12.F.)

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

The City of Wausau will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Human Resources Department or phone (715) 261-6630 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant's application, records, recommendations and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the City not provide access to this information.

If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Human Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law.

Additional Notices

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/fmla

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/employee-polygraph-protection-act

The City of Wausau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Wausau offers competitive salaries and a range of excellent benefits as follows:

State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending for Health and Dependent Care
Annual Biometric Health Screening - free to employees on the health plan
Access to In-house Licensed Athletic Trainer
Wellness Programs
Optional Life Insurance
Optional Long Term Disability Insurance
Optional Critical Illness Insurance
Optional Accident Insurance
457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Employee Assistance Program - Available to all employees and family members at no cost to the employee
Paid Leaves
- Vacation - based on years of service
- 10 Holidays
- Personal Holidays
- Perfect Attendance - Paid hours for perfect attendance
- Sick Leave - hours accumulate on a bi-weekly basis
Clothing Allowance
Longevity Pay

01

Are you 18 years of age or older?

02

What is the highest level of education that you have received?

Some High School
High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
Skills Certificate/Technical Diploma
Some College/No Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Masters Degree
Doctorate Degree

03

Are you a Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedic?

04

Do you possess a State of Wisconsin EMT-Paramedic license?

Yes
No
I possess an EMT-Paramedic license from a state other than Wisconsin

05

If You Do NOT Currently Possess An EMT-Paramedic License Issued By The National Registry Or State Of WI, Please Indicate The Month And Year That You Anticipate Obtaining This License

06

Do you possess Firefighter I certification (WTCS Board of IFSAC Accredited)?

07

Do you possess Firefighter II certification (WTCS Board or IFSAC Accredited)?

08

Do you possess the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) 700 and 100 certifications?

09

Do you possess Hazardous Materials Operations certification?

10

Do you currently have a CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certificate?

No, I do not have a CPAT certificate
Yes, I have a CPAT certificate

11

If you do not have a CPAT certificate, when will you meet this requirement (anticipated month/year)?

12

I acknowledge that, by accepting employment with the City of Wausau Fire Department, I am agreeing to the following condition of employment: From the date of hire, I will not smoke, chew, or use any tobacco product(s) on or off duty during my duration of employment with the Department and, further, if I do smoke, chew, or use any tobacco product(s) at any time while employed with the Department, I will be subject to dismissal for cause. I understand this condition, agree to it, and accept such condition of employment as a requirement for continued employment.

I agree to the No Tobacco Use Condition of Employment
I do not agree to the No Tobacco Use Condition of Employment
Required Question

City Of Wausau

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