Fire Department · Combination
Clackamas County Fire District 1
Portland, OR · Clackamas County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Clackamas County Fire District 1 is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Clackamas Fire District #1 is a large combination district in the Portland metro area, headquartered in Milwaukie, Oregon. It provides fire suppression, emergency medical response, community paramedicine, fire prevention, building inspection, and public education across its service area.
The district serves nearly 245,000 permanent residents spread over close to 303 square miles, covering six cities (Happy Valley, Johnson City, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Gladstone, and Sandy) plus 16 unincorporated areas, and protecting more than $28 billion in assessed value.
Staffing runs to roughly 366 career firefighters and administrative personnel, supplemented by community volunteer firefighters, operating out of 24 community fire stations.
The organization traces its roots to Clackamas Fire District #54, formed in 1933, and has grown through a long series of mergers and annexations, most recently absorbing Gladstone and the Sandy Fire District in July 2026.
Clackamas Fire hires Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic candidates through a scheduled recruitment posted on the Government Jobs platform (governmentjobs.com/careers/clackamasfire). The current cycle opens applications October 1, 2026 and closes November 30, 2026, with application review in December, panel interviews in January-February 2027, scores released in March, and eligibility certification in April 2027.
Candidates need a high school diploma, GED, or college degree and an EMT (Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic) license. Those scoring 75% or higher are placed on an eligibility register for up to 30 months, then advance to a chief interview and the district's Physical Ability Test, followed by background check, drug screen, an NFPA 1582 physical, and psychological evaluation.
Requirements
- High school diploma, GED, or college degree (copy required)
- EMT Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic license (state or NREMT)
- Oregon Paramedic certification requires an associate degree or higher
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
- Able to pass a background check, pre-employment drug screen, NFPA 1582 physical, and psychological evaluation
Hiring process
- Application review against minimum qualifications
- Panel interview process (may include Spark Hire, live Zoom panel, and/or in-person panel)
- Placement on eligibility list for candidates scoring 75% or higher (valid up to 30 months)
- Chief interview and Clackamas Fire Physical Ability Test
- Background check, drug screen, NFPA 1582 pre-employment physical, and psychological evaluation
Recruits complete a recruit academy; the district advises physical preparation beforehand because firefighting is a physically demanding profession.
How do I apply to become a firefighter?
Applications are submitted through the Government Jobs platform at governmentjobs.com/careers/clackamasfire. The current recruitment opens October 1, 2026 and closes November 30, 2026.
What positions is Clackamas Fire hiring for?
The district recruits both Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic candidates.
What are the minimum qualifications?
You need a high school diploma, GED, or college degree and an EMT (Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic) license from your state or NREMT, plus a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Oregon Paramedic certification requires an associate degree or higher.
What is the hiring process?
Application review, a panel interview process (which may include Spark Hire, a Zoom panel, and/or in-person panel), placement on the eligibility list if you score 75% or higher, then a chief interview and Physical Ability Test, followed by a background check, drug screen, NFPA 1582 physical, and psychological evaluation.
How long does the eligibility list last?
Candidates who score 75% or higher are placed on the eligibility register for up to 30 months.
Is volunteer or prior experience required?
Volunteer experience is recommended but not mandatory.