Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.

Bernalillo County

Department of Human Resources

Job Descriptions

What does the red Zia symbol mean? The Zia sun symbol represent the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, the four period of each day (morning, noon, evening, and night), and the four seasons of life (childhood, youth, middle age, and old age). The centre of the sun symbol stands for life itself. The yellow field with red symbol pays recognition to the Aragon Realm of the conquistadors and their homeland in Spain.
JCV233: Cadet Fire/Paramedic

Cadet Fire/Paramedic

Job Code
Grade
Bargaining Unit
JCV233
2
Local 244 - Albuquerque Area Fire Fighters (IAFF)
       
       
Hourly
As Hourly
As Annual
17.41 - 19.45 - 22.40 USD Hourly
$17.41 - $19.45 - $22.40
$36,212.80 - $40,456.00 - $46,592.00

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a beginning level firefighting and emergency medical services (EMS) work for the purpose of training to become a Firefighter/EMT, involving initial academic and on-the-job, in-service training and development prior to receiving State certification and promotion to Firefighter/EMT upon graduation from the Fire Academy and EMT school.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Attends Fire Academy and Emergency Medical Service (EMT) classes and other formal training programs established to qualify the incumbent for State certification as a Firefighter/EMT. 

2.  Trains and participates in the operation of two-way radios, and other communications equipment used in receiving and transmitting messages. 

3.  Participates in fire drills and attends training classes in firefighting and EMS; participates in pre-fire surveys of industrial and other business buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and multi-family dwellings. 

4.  Learns how to perform general maintenance, cleaning, and upkeep of department apparatus, equipment, furnishings and structures. 

5.  Will assist and participates in the response to fire alarms or other emergencies as assigned. 

6.  Will learn how to don personal protective equipment, work in enclosed areas, lay and connect hoses, hold nozzles which direct water streams, raise and climb ladders, use fire extinguishers, prying tools, ropes, and other fire and  

medical equipment. 

7.  Performs related work as assigned. 

*The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classificationIt is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must have either a High School diploma or GED  
Must be 18 years of age or older  
Must possess a valid New Mexico State Driver’s License

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

 

The offer of this Bernalillo County position requires compliance with the following: 

 

1.  Applicant must pass the written general aptitude test aimed at firefighting and be licensed as an EMT 

2.  Applicant must pass the physical agility test. 

3.  Applicant must pass an oral interview board. 

4.  Applicant must successfully complete the post-offer employment medical examination to include compliance with the State of New Mexico’s OSHA physical, and background investigation. 

5.  Applicant must comply with the safety guidelines of the County. 

6.  Applicant must disclose a past injury or medical condition that could prevent them from successfully carrying out the requirements of the job for which they are applying for. 

7.  Employee must complete required FEMA training(s) as assigned to position.     

8.  Must have and maintain valid certification as a New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic by the end of probation.  

9.  Applicant must have a valid New Mexico driver’s license by employment date. A NM driver’s license class E will be required within 45 days of hire and employee must maintain a valid NM driver’s license, class E, while employed in this position. 

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

 

 

1.  Employee works outdoors during emergency situations and/or firefighting activities, except when in emergency vehicle or inside emergency locations. 

2.  Employee may be exposed to temperature extremes depending on weather conditions and fire hazard conditions. 

3.  Employee is exposed to intermittent high noise levels such as sirens, engines and loud voices. 

4.  Employee may be exposed to vibration of the body on an intermittent basis from vehicle rides, off road travel. 

5.  Employee may be exposed to the following hazards:  driving hazards, rescue attempts and difficult terrain, possibility of hazardous material spills and hazards inherent in firefighting.   Employee may be exposed to exhaust fumes, heat, smoke, water, dusts, fire retardant chemicals, and toxic fumes. 

6.  Employee works on uneven, natural ground surfaces, asphalt, cement, stairs, ladders, scaffolding. 

7.  Employee works with a select team without direct supervision, and at times may work with a large group of people. 

 

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS 

 

1.  Employee handles paperwork, bandages, IV solutions, medications, oxygen, and other medical supplies needed for emergency situationsEmployee utilizes protective clothing and devices (bio-medical and fire) as needed, flares, reflective vests, hearing and eye protection. 

2.  Employee may be exposed to pathogenic bodily fluids and air during rescue attempts and emergency situations. Employee may be exposed to high pressure water, fire retardant during firefighting efforts. 

PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

1.    Must be able to stand/walk for up to eight hours per day with periodic breaks.
2.    Must be able to sit up to eight hours per day with periodic breaks.
3.    Must be able to kneel and crouch for short periods on an occasional basis as needed when performing essential duties.
4.    Must be able to drive, enter and exit squad car on a sometimes-constant basis while on duty for up to eight hours total per day.
5.    Must be able to bend at the waist and twist/rotate waist as needed on a frequent basis when performing essential duties.
6.    Must be able to push/pull with arms with sufficient force to drag or restrain persons of varying strengths and size as needed.
7.    Must be able to work with arms extended on a frequent basis up to two hours at one time and up to eight hours total per day.
8.    Must be able to use legs to lift, restrain, or drag individuals as needed.
9.    Must be able to use legs to maintain balance in the performance of essential duties, sometimes in emergency situations.
10.  Must be able to use hands and fingers to grasp/manipulate equipment, persons, and materials as needed in performance of essential duties.
11.  Must be able to coordinate the use of hands and eyes in the operation of a vehicle, operation of equipment, and the performance of other essential duties.
12.  Must be able to pass the physical agility test, involving the following activities in the time frame deemed appropriate for the employee’s age:  Walk a 20 foot balance beam; run 10 yards; jump six foot cinder block wall; run 50 yards; go through a 30 inch window; around a wall; then through another 30 inch window; climb an eight foot chain link fence; run another 377 yards; pull arrest simulator down and hold three seconds; run 3 yards; pull 165 pound body bag 20 feet; push full size police car 20 feet on asphalt or concrete surface (time limit one minute); scale, without running start, a six foot cinder block wall (time limit 30 seconds); complete one and one-half mile run within national aerobic category according to age.

This position is safety sensitive. Employment is subject to a pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state rules and regulations regarding alcohol and/or drug testing. 

Revision: 8/21/2025 1:40:29 PM