Fire Department · Career
San Marcos Fire Department
San Marcos, TX · Hays County
San Marcos Fire Department seeks a Paramedic with current Texas certification, offering $23-$31 hourly. Apply by July 11, 2026.
San Marcos Fire Department seeks EMT-Basic/A-EMT with a salary of $19-$25 hourly. Apply by July 11, 2026.
The San Marcos Fire Department (SMFD) is a professional, civil-service organization operating under Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code. Its roughly 109 firefighters staff three rotating shifts (A, B, and C) on a 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off schedule.
The department serves San Marcos, a growing city in central Texas between Austin and San Antonio, home to Texas State University. SMFD combines emergency response with an active community-facing mission, running fire-prevention and public-education efforts.
Beyond emergency response, the department invests heavily in outreach through programs such as the Home Smoke Alarm Program, a Junior Fire Academy, and a Citizens Fire Academy. It recently added a blocker truck to improve roadside-incident safety and uses the Community Connect platform to communicate with residents.
MissionSan Marcos Fire Department is dedicated to providing a well-trained, motivated, and diverse team of professionals who deliver excellence in prevention, educational programs, and emergency response services to our community in a safe, responsible, and efficient manner.
SMFD hires through the Texas civil-service process, conducting annual testing that produces an eligibility list valid for one year from the test date. Candidates take a written civil-service exam (the IPMA-HR FF-EL series, with a study guide available online) and must pass a Physical Ability Exercise (PAE). A Texas firefighter certification and a paramedic/EMT license are not required to apply, and certifications from other states may transfer.
At the time of writing the department is not accepting applications. Prospective candidates can create a job-interest alert on the city's GovernmentJobs.com portal to be notified when the next testing cycle opens, or contact Human Resources directly at 512-393-8060.
Requirements
- Be 18 to 40 years old on the date of the entrance exam
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
- Obtain a Class B Texas driver's license within one year of employment; a valid license with an acceptable driving record is required
- Comply with all applicable Texas Civil Service requirements and regulations
- Texas firefighter certification is not required to apply (out-of-state certifications may transfer)
- A paramedic or EMT license is not required to sit for the civil-service exam
Hiring process
- Apply during the annual testing cycle (eligibility list is valid one year from the test date)
- Take the written civil-service exam (IPMA-HR FF-EL series; study guide available online via PublicSafetyCompass)
- Complete the Physical Ability Exercise (PAE)
SMFD does not host its own fire academy.
Is San Marcos Fire Department hiring right now?
Not currently. SMFD is not accepting applications at this time, but it tests annually. You can sign up for a job-interest alert on the city's GovernmentJobs.com portal to be notified when the next cycle opens.
What are the basic requirements to apply?
Applicants must be 18 to 40 years old on the date of the entrance exam and hold a high school diploma or equivalency. You must obtain a Class B Texas driver's license within one year of employment and comply with all civil-service requirements.
Do I need to be a certified firefighter or EMT to apply?
No. A Texas firefighter certification is not required to apply, and a paramedic or EMT license is not required to sit for the civil-service exam. Certifications earned in other states may transfer.
What does the hiring process involve?
Testing is held annually. Candidates take a written civil-service exam (the IPMA-HR FF-EL series, with a study guide available online) and must pass a Physical Ability Exercise. The resulting eligibility list is valid for one year from the test date.
What is the work schedule?
Firefighters work a 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off schedule across three rotating shifts (A, B, and C).
Does the department run its own academy?
No, SMFD does not host its own fire academy.