Entry-Level Firefighter/Paramedic 

APPLICATION PERIOD: 10/1/2026 – 10/31/2026

The City of Bowling Green is accepting applications from October 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026, and is establishing an Entry-Level eligibility list for the position of Firefighter/Paramedic. All required testing must be completed by October 31, 2026. The Firefighter/Paramedic job description is available at https://tinyurl.com/5b622hrx.

Job Requirements

•       Must have high school diploma or equivalent.
•       Must be eligible to work in the United States. 
•       Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license.
•       Ohio law (ORC 124.42) and City ordinance provide that no person shall be eligible to receive an original appointment in the fire service unless the person has reached the age of eighteen (18) and has not reached their forty-first (41st) birthday. The age restriction is permitted by the Public Safety Exemption to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 U.S. Code 623 (j).
•       Valid State of Ohio Paramedic certification or current enrollment in an approved Paramedic program is required. Proof of certification or enrollment is required with the application.
•       All new hires MUST be certified by the State of Ohio as a Paramedic by the end of their one-year probationary period and certification must be maintained for the duration of the Firefighter/Paramedic’s career. Candidates who do not have their paramedic certification at time of hire will be placed as either Firefighter/EMT-I or Firefighter/EMT-B until paramedic certification is achieved. The City will not pay the cost of the Paramedic Training. 
•       Firefighter II Certification is not required to apply but Candidates who are hired without Firefighter II certification will be scheduled for the required training as soon as possible following hire. Training must be successfully completed by the end of the one-year probationary period. The City of Bowling Green will pay the cost of Ohio Fire Academy training.

Salary and Scheduling Information for Certified Firefighter/Paramedic

1. Starting Rate : $29.32 per hour (Annualized Salary $84,313*)

2. Top Rate (Achieved in One Year) : $33.82 per hour (Annualized Salary: $97,253*)

_       *Annualized salary is based on the Fire Department's 24-hour shift schedule and includes 11 paid holidays._

3. Annual Scheduled Hours: 2,704 hours

4. Work Schedule : 24 hours on duty / 48 hours off duty

5. Kelly Days: 9 annual scheduled Kelly Days

6. Holiday Pay: Additional pay at double time for hours worked on designated holidays.

7. Training: Overtime pay is provided for eligible training conducted outside of regularly scheduled work hours.

8. Probationary Period: All hires must serve a one-year probationary period.

Application and Testing Process

National Testing Network (NTN)

A valid, current National Testing Network (NTN) FireTEAM score is required for this position. ** ** Candidates must register with NTN at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com to take the test . ** ** A minimum passing average score of 70 is required and candidates must achieve a passing score in each section of the examination. Additionally, candidates must complete the Personal Information and the Personnel History Questionnaire. All portions of the test must be completed by October 31, 2026. ** ** Candidates are responsible for any costs associated with the required examinations.

Candidates who have tested with NTN within the prior 12 months may apply their existing scores to the City of Bowling Green’s current posting for consideration. Candidates are responsible for providing verification of a valid, current FireTEAM examination result with a minimum passing average score of at least 70. Candidates must have passing scores in all sections of the exam. NTN scores must be current and valid as of the October 31, 2026, application deadline .

Veteran’s Credit

Section 7.01 of the City’s Charter provides an additional credit of 1 0% of a passing examination score for honorably discharged veterans. To receive Veterans’ Credit, candidates must submit a ** ** DD Form 214 documenting an honorable discharge at the time of application. Veterans’ Credit will not be added to a failing examination score.

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Physical Agility Test

All Candidates must complete and pass the Firefighter Mile _or _ the _ _ Bowling Green Fire Division’s Physical Agility test by October 31, 2026. Candidates wishing to take the BGFD agility test must contact the Fire Division at (419) 352-3106 to obtain an information packet and schedule an appointment. Firefighter Mile and Physical Agility test results are valid for 12 months.

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City of Bowling Green Application for Employment : A City of Bowling Green application is available online at: https://gis.bgohio.org/JobApplication/employmentapplication_add.php#1 and must be must be completed by 4:30 p.m. on October 31, 2026.

Benefit Information  

The City of Bowling Green offers an outstanding comprehensive benefit package, including medical/prescription, dental, and vision insurance; City-paid life insurance; Ohio Deferred Compensation, and participation in the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund. The Bowling Green Fire Division also offers paid holidays, sick leave and vacation accrual, and paid job-related training opportunities. The Division places a strong emphasis on work-life balance and offers competitive leave accrual rates, beginning at 5.98 hours of sick leave and 10.75 hours of vacation per pay period. More information is available in the current IAFF collective bargaining agreement, available online at https://tinyurl.com/3upc7kd8.

Department Overview  

The Bowling Green Fire Division is a career combination fire and emergency medical services department providing all-hazards emergency response to approximately 31,000 residents of the City of Bowling Green, including Bowling Green State University students. The Division has earned an ISO Class 2 rating. The Fire Division provides fire and EMS coverage to approximately 12.6 square miles of urban area within City limits, as well as fire protection to approximately 3.4 square miles in rural Plain Township, and responds to approximately 4,100 emergency calls annually from two fire/EMS stations. The Division is staffed by 39 firefighters, 5 chief officers, 3 captains, and 9 shift lieutenants and is committed to continuous improvement in service delivery through progressive and ambitious goals. Please visit our website to learn more about us. You can find us online at https://www.bgohio.gov/287/Fire-Division. 

Area Information

The Bowling Green Fire Division is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, a suburban community in Wood County covering approximately 12.6 square miles. Located in Northwestern Ohio, Bowling Green is approximately 15 miles south of Toledo. https://www.city-data.com/city/Bowling-Green-Ohio.html.