Firefighter

The Sterling Fire Department is conducting ongoing testing to develop a list of candidates for FIREFIGHTER. Candidates who meet all entry requirements that do not possess Basic Firefighter Operations (BOFF) or EMT-B will be sent for paid training.

Candidates must complete department application, the Fire Team test, and the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA) on the National Testing Network website - https://nationaltestingnetwork.com 

The CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) with ladder climb must be valid at the time of the conditional offer of employment.

Applicant must provide the following documents at the time of application submittal:

• High School diploma or GED certificate (copy)
• Certified Birth Certificate (copy)
• College or University degree (copy) – if applicable
• Veterans: Military Service record and DD214 (copy)
• EMT-P or EMT-B certification (copy) – if applicable
• Firefighter Basic or Advanced certification (copy) – if applicable
• Valid Driver’s license (color copy)
• Citizenship and/or naturalization papers – if applicable
• Social security card (copy)

MANDATORY ORIENTATION: To be announced at a later date.

ORAL INTERVIEWS: To be announced at a later date.

Firefighter Requirements:

• Age: Applicants must be at least twenty (20) years of age but shall not be appointed until applicant reaches twenty-one (21) years of age. All applicants must be under thirty-five (35) years of age unless otherwise exempted by statute.
• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States at the time of filing formal application.
• Residence: Residence in the City of Sterling is NOT required prior to employment. Residency within a 20-minute response time of the main station as calculated by MapQuest or Google Maps is required within 12 months of graduation from the academy.
• Education: Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED certificate.
• General Physical Condition: Must be able to demonstrate physical agility and muscular coordination; and pass a rigid background, physical, and psychological examination.
• Vision: Visual acuity must be 20/20 or correctable to 20/20 normal color vision/depth perception. Contact lenses permitted with the above requirements.
• Driver’s License: Must have valid driver’s license.
• Criminal Record: Must not have any felony convictions nor have been convicted of certain misdemeanors.
• Must be able to read/speak English.

Starting Salary - $69,368.76 (Effective 5/1/2026)

Firefighter Benefits

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Downstate Fire Pension
• Sick Time
• Vacation Time
• Flex Spending
• Specialty Pay
• 6% of base pay in lieu of holidays
• Education Incentives

Hiring Process:

Application:   Completed application and required documents submitted thru National Testing Network (NTN). 

Department Application   Written Examination:  Successful completion of the FireTeam exam through National Testing Network and completion of the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA). All modules of the FireTeam test must successfully be passed and overall cumulative score of 70% obtained.

  Preliminary Eligibility Register:  Candidates shall be placed on the preliminary register in order as determined by their written test scores.

  Oral Interview: Oral interviews will be held. This is a structured interview with the Sterling Fire & Police Commission. Candidates will be notified of the date and time of their interview by email & USPS.   Final Eligibility Register: The final eligibility register will be posted after the oral interview and application of all preference points allowed by the Fire & Police Commission.

Candidates will be notified when an opening for firefighter exists. Candidates will be required to pass a background check, polygraph examination, psychological examination, and medical examination including drug screening.

Candidates are not guaranteed employment with the Sterling Fire Department or by the City of Sterling; employment is conditional based on passing the post offer medical examination and drug screen. Regulations governing testing and eligibility are set forth in the Sterling Fire & Police Commission Rules and Regulations. The final list terminates no later than two (2) years from the date of posting.

Hiring Process Contact: Sara Young, Administrative Assistant 815-632-6600 syoung@sterling-il.gov

Fire Department Contact: Dave Northcutt, Fire Chief 815-632-6682 dnorthcutt@sterling-il.gov