Job Information

CRYSTAL LAKE, CITY OF
100 W. WOODSTOCK STREET
CRYSTAL LAKE, ILLINOIS 60014
815-356-3653

Bookmark: http://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/fullJobDetails.cfm?agencyjobid=2447&jobid=2&agentid=1343

Updated: May 21, 2026

CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE
Invites applications for the position of
Full Time Firefighter/Paramedic

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department has been approved by City Council to increase their overall staffing numbers. Testing is being conducted to fill current full-time Firefighter/Paramedic vacancies. This test will also be used to establish an Eligibility List for future available positions.

Application Deadline: Monday, June 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST (Click Firefighter/Paramedic | Employment Opportunities | Crystal Lake, IL for application). Must complete City of Crystal Lake employment application AND upload required documents.

Written Exam Deadline: Candidates are required to complete National Testing Network’s FireTEAM exam by 5:00 p.m. CST Monday, June 8, 2026.

Must have Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic License at time of application. Applicants are required to be Nationally Paramedic certified (National Registry) with the ability to obtain IDPH EMT-Paramedic Certified by date of hire.

Must have valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) including ladder climb issued by a licensed agency no more than 12 months PRIOR to June 8, 2026 (CPAT cards must be dated between 6/8/25-6/8/26).

**CPAT testing dates fill up fast so DO NOT DELAY in scheduling your CPAT exam.

o Information regarding the CPAT can be obtained by visiting one of the following:

§ Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA)

· CPAT Schedule | NIPSTA, IL

§ Village of Romeoville

· Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) | Romeoville, IL

§ City of Naperville

· Candidate Physical Ability Test | The City of Naperville

§ Huntley Fire Protection District

· CPAT Testing | Huntley FPD

§ National Testing Network

· CPAT Pre-Test | CPAT Orientations and CPAT Practice Tests | National Testing Network

§ Central Illinois Fire Chiefs Association

· Central Illinois Fire Chiefs Association :: CPAT Schedule

Salary Range effective May 1, 2025: $81,628 - $120,497. Currently in negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement.

How to Apply:

· Visit Firefighter/Paramedic | Employment Opportunities | Crystal Lake, IL and complete the online application, including uploading the required documents, by Monday, June 8, 2026 5:00 CST.

· Complete the National Testing Network’s FireTEAM exam and submit your score to Crystal Lake via the National Testing Network by Monday, June 8, 2026 5:00 CST.

About the Fire Rescue Department

The City of Crystal Lake is located in McHenry County, approximately 45 miles northwest of the City of Chicago. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department provides service for the City of Crystal Lake, the Crystal Lake Rural Fire Protection District, the Village of Lakewood, and portions of Lake in the Hills. The area served is approximately 51.2 square miles, with a resident population of nearly 56,000 based on the 2010 census.

The City of Crystal Lake is the largest city in McHenry Country, and the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department’s service area includes four U.S. highways, a railroad (Union Pacific), three large lakes (Crystal Lake and Three Oaks Recreation Area), and McHenry County College.

· Three Stations

· Responded to 7,862 calls in 2025

· 74 Sworn Personnel

· Specialty Teams include Dive Rescue, Technical Rescue, Sonar, and Hazardous Materials.

Minimum Qualifications

· Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic License at time of application

Applicants are required to be Nationally Paramedic certified (National Registry) with the ability to obtain the IDPH EMT-Paramedic Certified by date of hire.

· Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) including ladder climb issued by a licensed agency no more than 12 months PRIOR to June 8, 2026 (CPAT cards must be dated between 6/8/25-6/8/26).

· Applicant must be 20 years of age at time of application deadline (must have reached age 21 by date of hire) and under 35 years of age at time of application deadline, except as otherwise determined by State Statute.

· U.S. Citizenship

· No Felony Convictions

· High School Diploma or Equivalent

· Valid Driver’s License

· Ability to speak, read and write English

· Meet Visual Acuity Standard of correctable to 20/100 in each eye uncorrected, correctable to less than 20/40 and able to meet vision standards (NFPA 1582).

For candidates with only a National Paramedic License (National Registry):

You are required to obtain an Illinois EMT or Paramedic license. Please visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/licensing.html and/or work with the organization from which
you were sponsored to begin this process. Proof of such request from IDPH is required prior to the written exam and the actual Illinois Paramedic license will need to be provided prior to hire date.

Any questions concerning the employment process should be directed to:

Julie Meyer, Director of Human Resources
City of Crystal Lake
jmeyer@crystallake.org

(815) 356-3653

Selection Process:

Each phase of the process is pass/fail and required to proceed to the next. Candidates who successfully pass the written exam will be invited to participate in an on-site interview to be held in June. An eligibility list of applicants will be established in numerical order based on a minimum passing score on the written examination and oral interview, which we anticipate posting by July. The Eligibility List is valid for a period of two years from the date of certification or until the list is exhausted. Further participation in our process will take place as vacancies occur. Applicants will be invited, in rank order, to participate in and successfully advance through the following steps:

· Basic interview with representatives of the Fire Rescue and Human Resources Departments

· Character and background investigation

· Polygraph Examination

· In-depth interview with representatives of the Fire Rescue and Human Resources Departments

· Post-offer examinations including but not limited to psychological evaluation, medical examination, vision screening and drug screening.

· All appointments are subject to a probationary period.

All portions of the testing process are mandatory. Failure to attend and complete any portion of the process will result in elimination from employment consideration.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department accepts for employment and promotes its employees without regard to perceived or actual race, age, sex, color, religion, political preference, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, order of protection status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status or class protected by federal, state, or local law.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department bases its hiring practices and promotions on merit, experience, education and other qualifications applied to all applicants and in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and as required by any other applicable federal, state, or local law. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing accommodations in the recruitment process should notify the City of Crystal Lake Human Resources Department in advance.

All information contained in or connected with your application will be considered personal and confidential to the extent possible or permitted by law and used only in conjunction with your possible employment by the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department. Please furnish us with complete information as outlined in your application.

THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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