Probationary Firefighter

Role overview

The City of Guelph’s Fire Services department is looking for a Probationary Firefighter to join its emergency response team. This position plays a key role in protecting lives and property by carrying out fire suppression, rescue, extrication, and related emergency response duties in hazardous situations.

The role is based at multiple locations across Guelph and is performed in person. Fire Services operates as an essential 24/7 service, so the work involves team-based response, station duties, training, and other responsibilities that may require extended periods of time in active or high-pressure conditions.

This is a permanent, full-time vacancy with 10 open positions. The role is affiliated with GPFA.

What the city offers

• Paid vacation time, with additional days earned as service increases
• Paid personal leave days
• Defined benefit pension coverage through OMERS, including full employer matching
• Extended health and dental coverage, with a Health Care Spending Account
• Employee and Family Assistance Program support
• Parental leave top-up benefits
• Access to learning and development programs, including tuition support
• Employee recognition initiatives

Key responsibilities

• Carry out fire suppression work to control, prevent, and extinguish fires efficiently during emergencies
• Deliver emergency medical response and assistance when required
• Perform rescue and extrication operations in situations such as vehicle collisions, confined spaces, water and ice incidents, high-angle rescues, and hazardous materials events
• Work with crew members and partner agencies to support public safety through the Incident Management System
• Coordinate with emergency partners such as paramedics and police as needed
• Maintain fire station facilities, vehicles, and equipment
• Assist with alarm room and dispatch functions when required, including taking emergency calls and sending resources
• Record and enter relevant information accurately while managing multiple tasks and communication demands
• Support community outreach, education, prevention programs, and inspections
• Commit to ongoing learning, wellness, and continuous improvement
• Take part in training sessions and courses to strengthen skills and learn new procedures
• Complete additional related duties as assigned

Qualifications at the time of application

• Secondary school diploma (Grade 12) or an equivalent credential
• Successful completion of NFPA Firefighter Certification 1001 Levels I and II
• Successful completion of NFPA 472 or NFPA 1072
• Current CPR BLS certification
• At least a First Responder Certificate, kept current
• Valid DZ driver’s licence, or an equivalent out-of-province licence, with a clean driving record
• Ability to provide a current driver’s abstract before the start date to confirm the licence is valid and has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act or Criminal Code of Canada within the past five years
• Acceptance of demerit points and/or the nature of any infractions will be based on the City’s requirements
• Completion of all three stages of the Ontario Fire Administration Inc. Candidate Testing Services program (OFAI CTS), with all related certificates ready to submit
• Valid OFAI certificates at the time of application
• Must be 18 years of age or older and legally eligible to work in Canada
• Ability to perform physically demanding work in dangerous and high-risk environments
• Comfort working under pressure in demanding situations
• Strong communication skills
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, along with accurate keyboarding ability

Qualifications at the time of offer

• Ability to work a 24-hour shift pattern, including weekends and holidays, with an average of 42 hours per week
• Ability to maintain a satisfactory police record check, including a Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Successful completion of NFPA 1035 (Fire and Life Safety Educator)
• Successful completion of the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)

Preferred background and assets

• Post-secondary education
• Additional relevant NFPA certifications
• Experience related to the role’s duties, gained through training, work, volunteer work, or community service
• Background in emergency-services-adjacent fields such as dispatch, firefighting, paramedicine, policing, military service, medical care, social services, skilled trades, or heavy equipment operation
• Demonstrated volunteerism and community involvement through social, civic, or community initiatives, non-profit work, counselling, or crisis intervention
• Interpersonal strengths aligned with the City’s values
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Good planning and multitasking ability
• Ability to communicate in more than one language

Work schedule

Suppression staff work on a four-platoon rotation averaging 42 hours per week. Shifts run from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. the next day.

Pay and posting details

The salary range for this role is $71,779.20 to $119,632 per year, aligned to the 2026 Probationary to 1st Class Firefighter scale under the collective agreement.

Applications are accepted from June 25, 2026 to August 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Interested candidates must submit the online questionnaire along with a resume and cover letter. Proof of qualifications will be requested at the interview stage. Applications may also be retained for future hiring needs.

Equal opportunity statement

The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessible hiring. Employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, qualifications, and organizational need. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified applicants during the hiring process upon advance request. Personal information gathered during recruitment will be used only to assess eligibility for employment.

Additional information

Service Area: Public Services

Department: Fire Services

Work location: Various locations in Guelph

Work mode: In person

Job type and duration: Permanent, full-time vacancy

Affiliation: GPFA

Number of existing vacant positions: 10