Firefighter/Paramedic Entrance Exam

Position Objectives:

The Painesville Fire Department is currently looking to hire for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. All testing will be done through the National Testing Network, a third-party vendor. Please use the link here or go to their website www.nationaltestingnetwork.com to access the listing to submit your application. All application materials should be submitted directly to the National Testing Network. Applications and other required materials will not be accepted by the City of Painesville. Application and testing deadline is Friday, May 30, 2025. You must meet the minimum requirements listed below.

Minimum Requirements:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE TEST (Proof of the below must be submitted with application)

• Completed City of Painesville Employment Application
• Must possess a valid Ohio Driver’s License
• U.S. Citizenship; please provide copy of social security card and birth certificate.
• High school diploma or Equivalent (GED); please provide a copy of diploma or official transcripts
• Must possess a certificate of completion of the firefighter physical agility test with a time of 4 ½ minutes or less from either Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) or Auburn Career Center. This certificate shall be dated within one (1) year prior to the application and testing deadline. (Anything before 5/30/2024 will not be valid)
• Must be certified by the State of Ohio as a Level II firefighter and a Paramedic at the time of appointment.

CONTINUED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AFTER SUCCESSFULLY PASSING THE EXAM (Passing score of 70% on written exam is required to continue)

• Must be at least 21 years of age and under 31 years of age at the time of original appointment. (No Person shall be eligible to receive an original appointment on and after his/her thirty-first (31^st) birthday, or prior to his/her twenty-first (21^st) birthday).
• However, firefighters who have prior fire service in the state of Ohio between the ages of 31 through 35 are also eligible to receive an appointment.
• Must be certified by the State of Ohio as a Level II firefighter and a Paramedic at the time of appointment.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST       

Applicants shall be required to successfully complete the Firefighter Physical Agility Test given by either Tri-C or Auburn Career Center.  At the time of the testing deadline, applicants must possess a valid certificate of having successfully completed the Physical Agility Test.  Applicants shall be responsible for taking this test, at their own expense, on their own initiative. Certificates issued within one (1) year prior to the application and testing deadline shall be considered valid also.  A time of 4 ½ minutes or less shall be required to be considered successfully completed.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Prior to appointment, a complete physical examination will be given, including hearing, vision, cardio-pulmonary, lumbar-sacral examinations and drug and alcohol testing.  Candidates will also undergo a polygraph test and psychological evaluation, and a full background investigation and driver record check. 
• Those individuals hired shall be required to abstain from tobacco/nicotine use for the duration of their employment with the Painesville City Fire Department.
• Those individuals hired shall be required to pass a physical, approved by the City of Painesville, annually.
• Those individuals hired shall be required to have and maintain:

• A valid Ohio Driver’s License
• State of Ohio Certification of Level II Firefighter
• State of Ohio Certification of Paramedic

Any falsification, misrepresentation or deliberate omission of face either included within the application or provided during the pre-employment process shall be justification for denial of employment, or if employed, termination therefrom.

Benefits:

The City of Painesville offers a competitive benefits package, which includes:

•   Medical, Dental and Prescription Insurance (full-time employees only)
•   Employee Wellness Program
•   Direct Deposit Program
•   Employee Assistance Program (full-time employees only)
•   Worker's Compensation Insurance
•   $25,000 Term Life Insurance (full-time employees only)
•   Family Medical Leave, Bereavement/Funeral Leave, Jury Duty Compensation, Military Leave
•   Holidays, Sick Time, Vacation Time
•   Prior credit for service with State of Ohio Public Employers
•   Section 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plans

•   Ohio Police & Fire Pension System (OP&F)

More Information:

ADDITIONAL CREDIT (Maximum of 20%)

• Additional credit in the maximum amount of 20% shall be granted to applicants, only after receiving a passing score of 70% and providing proof at the time of application for the following: Prior service in this country’s armed forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army National Guard or the reserve units of such) who have been honorably discharged shall receive an additional credit of 10% of applicant’s written score. (DD214 required)
• Education Credit as follows (A copy of your degree or official college transcripts required)
• Associate degree in Emergency Medicine, Fire Science, Emergency Management shall receive an additional credit of 5% of applicant’s written score.
• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Medicine, Fire Science, Emergency Management shall receive an additional credit of 10% of applicant’s written score.

• Prior full-time career firefighter service with another fire department for five (5) or more years of satisfactory service shall receive an additional credit of 10% of applicant’s written score. Only full years shall apply. (Letter with service dates from prior employer)

All application materials should be submitted directly to the National Testing Network. Applications and other required materials will not be accepted by the City of Painesville. Please see the attached Exam Posting for a check list of application materials.