Paramedic

Full Job Description

Provides basic and advanced life support and emergency pre-hospital care and rescue services to persons in medical emergencies or life-threatening disasters and catastrophes.

RATE PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES:

• Paramedic Second Year: $29.61/Hour
• Paramedic Third Year: $31.76/Hour
• Paramedic Fourth Year: $36.03/Hour
• Paramedic Fifth Year: $40.51/Hour
• Crew Chief: $43.57/Hour

*Base annual salary does not include other applicable pay rates (e.g. overtime, holiday, special event, etc.).

Requirements

GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment. Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
• Applicants must possess a current, valid Certificate of Completion of Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic (EMT-P) training or a current, valid Prehospital Registered Nurse (PHRN) Certification (from any state or a nationally recognized certificate) at the time of exam.

A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License is required to be presented and verified prior to appointment to the position and must be maintained throughout employment.

Written requests for accommodation on the basis of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources and Civil Service on an individual basis.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).

NOTE: Out-of-state candidates with a valid Class C Motor Vehicle Operator's License from another state must obtain a valid Class C Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Operator's License and present to Human Resources within one week of hire.

NOTE: EMT-P certificate/card or PHRN certification must be presented at the time of the Physical Agility Test.
• If you do not possess a PA Certificate of Completion of EMT-P training, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and the Center for Emergency Medicine (CEM) offer training programs. Financial aid may be available to qualified students. For more information:
• CCAC (412) 237-2500
• CEM (412) 647-5300
• If you are not a resident of Pennsylvania, but hold a Paramedic Certificate from another state, you may obtain information about acquiring a PA Certificate of Completion of EMT-P by contacting the Emergency Medical Service Institute (EMSI), at (412) 242-7322.




QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS:

Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: None required for this position.
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: See General Application Requirements listed above.
• EQUIVALENCY: None permitted for this position. Therefore, no education/training and/or work experience may be substituted toward the qualifying requirements listed above.

Qualifications

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s).

You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position.

Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.

• Written: None required for this position.

Performance: Based on the knowledge/abilities listed in the Position Description section of this announcement. The exam date is tentatively scheduled for May 13, 2026.

An optional pre-test training will tentatively be held on May 6, 2026.NOTE: The Civil Service Examination Events can be viewed here. (Please note: Some events have been modified.)

• Medical: Required.

Additional Information

• Drives or accompanies driver in emergency medical vehicle to site of emergency as informed by dispatcher or supervisor.
• Helps extricate victims from entrapment or hazardous environments.
• Provides rescue, basic and advanced life support or other emergency medical care as needed.
• Maintains radio or other contact as necessary with Public Safety Dispatch, EMS Command Staff, EMS Physician, receiving hospital, and other agencies as necessary. Follows the EMS Physician's instructions on medical treatment.
• Accompanies victims to hospital as driver and/or provides continued pre-hospital care to patients in the emergency medical vehicle.
• Makes complete report to physician of incident and treatment administered.
• Files complete reports (e.g., patient care reports, insurance forms, etc.) on each case on a timely fashion by manual and automated methods.
• Works all shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Maintains adequate stock of equipment and supplies; washes and disinfects medical equipment; washes and cleans emergency medical vehicles.
• Performs vehicle/equipment checks as required.
• Performs activities and functions of other personnel as assigned or required.
• Performs such other related tasks and duties that are assigned or required.
If you would like to be assigned a mentor from the Pittsburgh EMS Recruitment team during your application process please contact District Chief James Dlutowski at: james.dlutowski@pittsburghpa.gov or Assistant Chief Mark Pinchalk at: mark.pinchalk@pittsburghpa.gov.
Or you can complete our Career Interest Form and a member of the EMS outreach team will contact you.