Fire Department Recruitment

A Message from Fire Chief Jeremy Mauthe

Thank you for your interest in joining the St. Charles Fire Department. We’re proud of the work we do and excited to share what makes our department a great place to build a career. This page will provide information about job requirements, the testing process, our department and community culture, benefits of working for St. Charles Fire, and opportunities for career advancement.

What sets our department apart is our culture- one built on pride, professionalism, mutual accountability, and a strong sense of responsibility to one another. From day one, our personnel are committed to helping new employees succeed through mentorship, teamwork, and support.

We also offer many opportunities for our members to get involved beyond daily operations. Personnel can participate on specialty teams and committees such as Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Dive Rescue, Fire Investigations, Honor Guard, Public Education, SCBA, Health & Wellness, and more. These units provide avenues for professional growth, skill development, and meaningful contributions to the department.

We operate out of three firehouses with an exceptional fleet of ALS apparatus and a high-quality array of fire tools and equipment. St. Charles Fire is proud to be among the top 1% of fire departments in the nation that are both Accredited and ISO Class 1 rated. Excellence isn’t just a goal here- it’s our standard. Whether through training, daily operations, or public service, we’re always working to raise the bar.

If you’re looking to join a department with high standards, a strong focus on training, and a culture grounded in teamwork and support, you’ll find it here at St. Charles Fire.

We look forward to meeting you.

Stay safe,
Jeremy Mauthe
Fire Chief
St. Charles Fire Department

 

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Minimum Qualifications 

  • Be a United States Citizen 
  • Be a high school graduate or GED certified 
  • Possess a valid driver’s license 
  • Be at least twenty (20) years of age by the last date for filing applications, although must have attained the age of twenty-one (21) to receive appointment to the position of Firefighter-Paramedic 
  • Be no older than thirty-five (35) years of age at time of appointment, except as otherwise provided by statute 
  • Must have a current State of Illinois Firefighter II or Basic Operations Firefighter certification 
  • Be an EMT/Paramedic licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or provide documentation of participation in an IDPH approved Paramedic Program at time of application, with eligibility for appointment only after successful Paramedic License is obtained 
  • Must have successfully completed the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and ladder climb within the twelve (12) months prior to the application deadline 
  • Successfully complete all components of the testing process 
  • Meet the requirements of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Rules, Municipal Codes, Ordinances, and contracts, and the laws of the State of Illinois

Benefits

  • Starting Firefighter-Paramedic pay, as of 5/1/2025, of $84,130 with top pay at $120,186 at 5 years of service
  • Longevity pay starting at year 6
  • Kelly day every 9th shift
  • Starting with an accrual of 5 shifts vacation leave with 12 shifts after 20 years of service
  • Accrual of six shifts of sick leave per year
  • Personal day can be earned through sick leave incentive
  • 10 paid holidays annually
  • HMO, PPO, and High Deductible Plan offerings with wellness incentives
  • Prescription, Dental, and Vision Plan offering
  • Section 125 Flexible Spending or Health Savings accounts depending on medical plan selection
  • City provided and optional supplemental life insurance
  • Membership in the Firemen's Pension Fund
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Roth IRA
  • College Savings Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • $4,000 college tuition reimbursement available annually

Firefighter Testing and Hiring Process

The hiring process for the position of Firefighter-Paramedic is broken down into two phases: the testing phase and the hiring phase.

Testing Phase

Candidates interested in joining the St. Charles Fire Department complete the testing phase first. Testing is completed, at a minimum, every two years. The culmination of the testing phase is the posting of the Final Eligibility Roster.

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**Subscribe above to be notified of upcoming testing**
Hiring Phase

When there is a vacancy for the position of Firefighter-Paramedic, candidates will be contacted based on position on the Final Eligibility Roster.

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