Lateral Firefighter Hiring

Lateral Firefighter - The City offers a Lateral Entry Program for individuals holding both a Firefighter (TCFP) and EMT Basic (or higher) (National Registry or DSHS) certification. Eligible TCFP/DSHS certified candidates may be placed up to $73,785.00 per year depending on qualifications. 

Lateral Entry Process is currently closed. 

Eligibility Requirements

The Lateral Entry Program will help recruit qualified dual certified Firefighter/Paramedics.  As a part of the hiring process, the Fire Chief will meet with the background investigator to confirm that the applicant meets the criteria to take advantage of this program.

Applicants must:

  1. Be dual certified: Firefighter (TCFP) and EMT Basic (or higher) (National Registry or DSHS Certification).
  2. Have at least one (1) year prior full-time work experience with similar duties in a comparable fire and/or EMS agency; one year of experience will qualify for advancing one step to a maximum of 8 steps (Step 19.08).
  3. Must not have had a break in service as a Firefighter and/or EMT Basic (or higher) of more than 180 days prior to the applicant's conditional job offer.

Physical Fitness Assessment:

Candidates should be prepared to take the Physical Fitness Assessment. 

View the Firefighter Entrance Physical Ability Exercise Guidelines. (PDF)

Note on the Written Exam

No written examination required for lateral entry positions.

For additional information or questions, please contact the San Marcos Fire Department.

  1. Incentive Pay

Hiring Incentive

Firefighters hired from this list will be eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive with $2,500 at hire and $2,500 upon successful completion of the probationary period.

Incentive Pay

Firefighters are eligible to receive incentive pay for education, advanced TCFP certifications, and/or advanced EMS certifications.