Champaign Fire Department
Champaign, Illinois
The City of Champaign, Illinois is accepting applications to the position of firefighter with the Champaign Fire Department.
Salary:
Probationary Firefighter: $75,867
Salary after 1st year: $83,593
Sworn Fire Service Personnel: 107
Benefits:
- Eleven (11) Paid Holidays;
- Personal leave credit of 36 hours each fiscal year;
- Vacation accrual rates based on years of service with a maximum accumulation of 360 hours;
- Sick leave accrued at 5.17 hours per pay period in addition to 72 hours of sick leave upon hire;
- Generous longevity pay based upon completed years of continuous employment with the City;
- Health insurance – employee pays $35 per month for individual coverage; 50 percent paid for dependent coverage;
- $10,000 term life insurance policy for each full-time employee and the option to purchase an additional life insurance policy through payroll deduction;
- Participation in the Fire Pension Fund;
- Option to participate in the City’s deferred compensation 457 Plan administered by Mission Square Retirement;
- Option to participate in the City’s Flexible Spending Plan (medical, dependent care, and adoption expenses);
- Option to participate in the City’s dental insurance plan;
- Option to participate in the City’s vision insurance plan;
- Uniforms and equipment are provided to all Firefighters. In addition, each non-probationary Firefighter shall be eligible to receive an annual uniform allowance to be used by the Firefighter to dry clean his/her uniform or purchase additional clothing and equipment.
All Applicants Must Meet the Following Minimum Requirements established by the City of Champaign Fire Department:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S. (Must meet I-9 requirements at time of hire);
- Provide proof of a valid Driver’s License;
- Provide proof of a high school diploma or equivalent;
- Be less than 35 years old by the date of the written examination, unless otherwise exempt by state statute, and at least 21 years old before February 27, 2029;
- Provide proof of completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) with Ladder Climb with any licensed agency issued prior to November 29, 2026 and issued no more than 12 months prior to November 29, 2026. CPAT certification must also be valid at the time of conditional offer of employment;
- NOTE: Some convictions, misdemeanors or serious traffic offenses may disqualify applicants from further consideration if there is a substantial relationship between the criminal history and the position of Probationary Fire Fighter;
- Submit $25.00 non-refundable application fee or apply for and qualify for a waiver.
Virtual Firefighter Information Session
Persons interested in learning more about the Champaign Fire Department, the position of firefighter, and the testing process are encouraged to attend a virtual recruitment information session on:
Tuesday, July 22, 2026 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/233193878025484?p=Phwr1DNc4MAJ43r1C8
Meeting ID: 233 193 878 025 484
Passcode: RB9rE9tN
A recording of the session will be available atchampaignfire.comafter the event.
Submission of Application: Applications MUST be submitted online by Monday, August 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM (CST). Faxed, e-mailed, mailed or dropped off applications will NOT be accepted. Applications submitted after the deadline will NOT be accepted. Only one application per person, per testing cycle will be accepted.
On-line Written Examination Testing: Following completion of all application materials and review of minimum qualifications, successful applicants will be invited to participate in remote on-line written exam testing available between Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 9:00 AM and Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Candidates will need to have access to a laptop or desktop computer. All candidates will receive an email approximately one week prior regarding their status in the process, along with further instructions for taking the on-line written exam. NOTE: Please be sure to check your email spam folder. Many email account providers automatically send our emails there in error (i.e. Google, Yahoo, etc.).
Important Disclaimer for Potential Applicants: As part of this application form, you will be required to submit various documents, records and/or additional forms. Be sure to allow sufficient time to gather this documentation and fully complete the application before the deadline. In other words, do not wait until one day before the deadline to collect and submit additional required documentation. In order for your application to be accepted, all materials must be submitted and received prior to the deadline. For a complete list of required documents, click to the page titled "Summary of the Hiring Process" (this information is accessible prior to the payment page).
The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.