Fire Department · Combination
Inver Grove Heights Fire Department
Inver Grove Heights, MN · Dakota County
“"Prevention • Response • Education"”
Apply by July 15, 2026, for a Fire Lieutenant position with an annual salary of $98,770–$125,487. Requires at least 3 years of fire service experience and specific certifications.
Inver Grove Heights Fire Department hiring firefighter with a salary of $83,429–$105,206 annually. EMT certification required within 6 months; deadline July 15, 2026.
Inver Grove Heights Fire Department seeks paid-on-call firefighters with a seven-minute response time from home to station, offering $15-$17 hourly and continuous application.
The Inver Grove Heights Fire Department protects this Dakota County suburb south of St. Paul, operating on a paid-on-call model where firefighters live or work close enough to reach a station within a seven-minute response time. Its work centers on the themes of Prevention, Response, and Education.
The department is described as a 50-year-old organization that recently transitioned to being led by its first full-time fire chief, Judy Thill. Its command staff blends decades of local service, with several leaders having joined the department in the 1980s.
Beyond emergency response, the department runs strong community programs including a Fire Citizen Academy, a Fire Explorers program for young people, and public fire-prevention education.
Inver Grove Heights hires paid-on-call firefighters and actively promotes a "Join Our Crew!" recruitment drive. New firefighters are paid during training and the department covers the cost of all required certifications, so candidates do not need prior firefighting credentials to apply.
Applicants must be at least 18 with a valid driver's license and a high school diploma or equivalent, live or work close enough to make a seven-minute response to a station, and pass a medical exam, drug screen, background check, physical ability test, and psychological evaluation before beginning the training pipeline.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old with a valid driver's license (Class D or better)
- Able to respond from home to a station within seven minutes
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Pass a medical exam, drug screen, background check, physical ability test, and psychological evaluation
- No physical disabilities that would prevent fire or rescue work
- Commit to minimum training, shift work, and call-response standards
Hiring process
- Apply for the paid-on-call firefighter position
- Pass medical exam, drug screen, background check, physical ability test, and psychological evaluation
- Complete required training (you are paid during training and the department covers the cost)
Benefits
New hires are paid during training, and the department covers the cost of all required certifications. Training is delivered through the Northern Dakota Training Academy, a consortium of five fire departments, and includes Firefighter I (120 hours) and II (40 hours), Hazardous Materials Operations (26 hours), Emergency Medical Responder certification (minimum), and Fire Apparatus Operator III certification.
New firefighters train through the Northern Dakota Training Academy, a consortium of five fire departments, completing Firefighter I & II, HazMat Operations, Emergency Medical Responder, and Fire Apparatus Operator III certifications.
What kind of firefighter positions does Inver Grove Heights hire?
The department hires paid-on-call firefighters, a non-supervisory field role working under captains, lieutenants, and the chief staff.
Do I need prior firefighting experience or certifications to apply?
No. New hires are paid during training and the department covers the cost of all required certifications, including Firefighter I & II, HazMat Operations, Emergency Medical Responder, and Fire Apparatus Operator III.
What are the basic requirements to become a firefighter here?
You must be at least 18 with a valid driver's license and a high school diploma or equivalent, be able to reach a station within seven minutes, and pass a medical exam, drug screen, background check, physical ability test, and psychological evaluation.
Where does training take place?
Recruits train through the Northern Dakota Training Academy, a consortium of five fire departments, completing roughly 120 hours of Firefighter I, 40 hours of Firefighter II, 26 hours of HazMat Operations, plus EMR and apparatus operator certification.
Is there a residency or response-time requirement?
Yes. Because this is a paid-on-call department, firefighters must be able to respond from home to a station within seven minutes.
Is the department currently hiring?
Yes. The department is actively recruiting with a 'Join Our Crew!' campaign for paid-on-call firefighters.