How to get hired at City of Saint Paul Fire Department
Saint Paul hires Firefighter/EMTs from a City eligible list created through a periodic open exam process that includes a physical performance test. Candidates may test without EMT certification but must hold National Registry and Minnesota EMT (or paramedic) to be interviewed and hired, followed by background, psychological, medical and drug screening. New hires attend a paid academy of about 14-16 weeks and earn Minnesota firefighter licensure there.
Apply / get notifiedOfficial recruitment page
Minimum requirements
- At least 18 years old src
- High school diploma or GED src
- Valid Minnesota Class D driver's license or out-of-state equivalent src
- Current National Registry and Minnesota EMT or Paramedic certification to be interviewed and hired (not needed to test) src
- Pass background (criminal history, references, driving record), psychological assessments, medical exam and drug screen src
Certifications
- EMT: required before hire (e.g. before final offer/background)
- Firefighter I/II: not required (academy provided)
Source: official page
Tests
- Physical Performance Test (physical): City test with its own prep guide; not identified as CPAT src
- Interview (oral): By invitation, EMT required src
- Psychological assessment (Phase 1 and 2) (other) src
Hiring process
- Apply during open process
- Exam process incl. physical performance test
- Eligible list
- Interview (EMT required)
- Background and Phase 1 psych
- Conditional offer
- Medical, drug screen, Phase 2 psych
- 14-16 week academy
Source: official page
Starting pay
$72,363-$100,522/yr base (56-hr week) plus 8.25% EMT or 11.4% paramedic premium src
Academy
About 14-16 weeks, Mon-Fri 40 hrs/week; earns MN firefighter licensure src
Checked 2026-11-05 against the department's official pages (linked). Hiring windows open and close quickly; always confirm on the official site before you apply. See every academy, EMT program and test site in Minnesota.