At the City of Plymouth, we all work together to add quality to life. This mission and our guiding values – CIVIC: customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection – shape our work as we advance the City Council’s strategic priority to be a city of choice. We are seeking candidates who are eager to adopt and champion our mission and values.

The fire cadet position was developed to widen and deepen the pool of qualified applicants for firefighters to fill future anticipated vacancies. The city recognizes that the current part time firefighter program limits applicants to those who live within a geographic area and have a lifestyle that affords them the ability to respond to calls as needed and work variable hours in a non-benefit earning position. The fire cadet position eliminates the geographic barrier and provides temporary full-time wages and benefits to candidates while they gain education, training and on-the-job experience in the fire service. Over the course of two years, fire cadets will obtain skills and education to meet the minimum requirements of a career firefighter position and will be eligible to apply for externally posted vacancies that arise.

Fire cadets will be immersed in a hands-on training program for fire and emergency services. Training includes learning fire suppression methods to control and stop property damage, learning rescue techniques for fire or other hazardous environments, learning to perform safety inspections and learning fundamentals of public fire safety education. This position is full-time and temporary, limited to two years maximum employment in the position.

For the first eight months, the Fire Cadet will work a variable schedule, which will include Monday and Thursday evenings, with occasional weekends. The on-going schedule will remain variable with evening and weekend hours.

Fire Cadet Information Meeting

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Plymouth Fire Station 2 (12000 Old Rockford Road)

Attend and actively participate in training

Attend the academy to obtain instruction in such topics as emergency medical care, firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials response, emergency vehicle operations, technical rescue, and related all-hazard emergency response duties.

Attend regular and assigned department training sessions to learn and upgrade firefighting skills.

Learn correct methods to perform the following functions:

Respond to fires, fire alarms, emergency medical calls, and other emergency calls.
Maintain fire apparatus, equipment, stations and grounds.
Drive/operate fire apparatus.
Conduct safety inspections and pre-fire planning of commercial buildings.

Study and demonstrate knowledge of and understanding of the information contained in study materials, manuals, departmental policies, procedures, fire and building codes, rules and regulations, and safety protocols provided by the department.

Provide a variety of public safety, community, municipal services and miscellaneous tasks to ensure the effective and prompt delivery of services.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification

High school graduate or equivalent.
18 years of age on appointment date.
Ability to successfully complete physical ability test, physical examination, background check, drug screen, pulmonary function test and psychological evaluation
Valid Minnesota driver’s license with a good driving record
Ability to meet required participation in fire department activities and training sessions.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department members and the general public.
Demonstrated conduct/performance that supports and advances the City of Plymouth's mission and guiding values, as well as the City Council's strategic themes.
Must not possess all of the following certifications:
- I.F.S.A.C or ProBoard Accredited (NFPA 1001) Firefighter II Certification or equivalent as determined by the Fire Department
- I.F.S.A.C or ProBoard Accredited (NFPA 472 or 1072) Hazardous Materials Operations Certification.
- Current National Registry Certification as an EMT.

Desired Qualifications

Previous experience working with people from various cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
More than one year experience in a customer or community service paid or volunteer position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Personal Protective Equipment

Must be able to use an SCBA, which includes a demand valve-type positive-pressure facepiece or HEPA filter mask, which requires the ability to tolerate increased respiratory workloads.
While wearing protective ensembles and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), a firefighter must be able to perform a variety of tasks including but not limited to:
- extensive crawling, lifting, carrying heavy objects, rescue operations, hose line operations, climbing and dismounting ladders.
- emergency response actions under stressful conditions, including working in extremely hot or cold environments or in extreme weather for prolonged time periods. In emergency situations, work may involve considerable personal danger.

Vision, Hearing and Smell

Must meet DOT standard, which includes:

20/40 vision with or without corrective lenses
Ability to distinguish red, green and amber
Ability to hear a forced whisper at a minimum distance of five feet

Must be able to identify the presence of smoke or chemicals by smell in accordance with NFPA 1582.9.5 and/or OSHA standards.

Lifting and Carrying Requirements

Must be able to perform the following while wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA.

Ground to Waist Level – 100 lbs.
Waist to Shoulder Level – 50 lbs.
Above Shoulders – 35 lbs.

Walking and/or Mobility Requirements

Must be able to perform the following while wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA.

Must be able to walk (forward, backwards, and laterally) and crawl while carrying or lifting.
Must be able to ascend and descend stairs and ladders while carrying heavy loads.
Must be able to balance and possess the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling when walking, standing, crouching, crawling on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.
Must be able to work in confined spaces.
Must be capable of:
- Reaching (extending hands or arms in any direction)
- Handling (seizing, holding grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hands while carrying items of substantial weight (i.e., fans, rescue equipment, foam containers, ladders, and using axes, sledgehammers, hydrant wrenches, pulling ladder halyards or using rope to lift heavy items, dragging victims and hose lines)
- Fingering (picking, pinching, or otherwise working with the fingers while manipulating items such as SCBA valves, apparatus controls, small monitoring equipment, alarm panel controls. Must be able to use rope and tie knots.)
- Feeling (must be able to discriminate differences in items by feeling. Must be able to determine the difference between hot and cold by touch. Must be able to feel a patient’s pulse.)
- Must be capable of applying a leg lock with the left and right leg upon a ground ladder to provide a safe anchor when doing fire operations.

Work Environment

Work both indoors and outdoors.
Work in extreme heat and/or extreme variations in temperature, where the temperature is sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort.
Encounter wet conditions and high humidity where atmospheric conditions have a moisture content sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort.
Encounter noise and/or vibration exceeding 80 decibels, constant or intermittent, to cause marked distraction.

Encounter a variety of physical hazards, including but not limited to, moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, working on high places, bodies of water, exposure to radiant energy, explosives, toxic chemicals, and biological agents.

The City of Plymouth

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Fire Cadet