Join Our Team

The Los Alamos County Human Resources Division requires an application through the LAC Human Resources webpage at:

Apply Here

All applicants are required to create a user profile in order to submit an application. Due to the high volume of applications please observe the following requirements:

• The information on the application form will be used to determine minimum qualifications for the position;

• Certifications must be identified on the application and copies attached to be considered; and

• Resumes may be attached but will not be used to determine qualification for a position.

Applications can be filled out in person in the Human Resources Division at 1000 Central Avenue, 2nd floor, Los Alamos, NM 87544. Computers will be available and HR personnel is available to assist as needed during business hours. For additional information contact the Human Resources Division at (505)662-8040. Los Alamos County is an equal opportunity employer.

The Los Alamos Fire Department is honored to be entrusted with the safety and welfare of our members and community. We are dedicated and proud to provide exceptional services for the preservation of life, the environment, and property.

The Los Alamos Fire Department's vision is to serve the unique needs of our community. We strive to exceed expectations with professionalism, accountability, and respect.

Recruits in the LAFD Firefighter Academy take part in manipulative and technical training in basic concepts of fire department organization, ropes, knots and hitches, hose and hose handling, ladder evolutions, wildland fires, fire investigation, fire prevention, salvage operations, fire department apparatus, tools and equipment, breathing apparatus, extinguishers, personal protective equipment, communications, technical rescue, hazardous materials, and Emergency Medical Services.

LAFD firefighter candidates should be physically prepared for the demands of the job as a firefighter.

At the Academy, Recruits participate in a Physical Fitness Training Program designed to educate, inspire and train Recruits to achieve and maintain an appropriate level of health and fitness for a long and fruitful career in the fire service and throughout their personal life. A fire academy works on a 4x10 schedule, working 10-hour days four days per week with three-day weekends. Recruits will also work overnight shifts to prepare them for the 48/96 shift schedule.

LAFD Recruits will participate in a minimum of 1,200 hours of fire training within the various disciplines. Your daily routine will include physical fitness, lecture, hands-on training, evaluations, and testing. As future members of the LAFFD, recruits will be held to extremely high ethical, morale, and community standards as they progress through the Academy and throughout their careers. The Fire Academy is the first step in your journey as an LAFD firefighter.

Our program will not only prepare you physically, but it will also give you the knowledge, skills, and abilities you will need to make yourself a community asset. 

As future members of the LAFD, recruits will be held to extremely high ethical, moral, and community standards as they progress through the Academy and throughout their careers. The Fire Academy is the first step in your journey as an LAFD firefighter. Our program will not only prepare you physically, but it will also give you the knowledge, skills and abilities you will need to make yourself a community asset. 

Position Summary:
Under general supervision of the Company Officer, learns entry-level fire suppression, prevention, and emergency response while training to become a Firefighter. Training will also cover public education, rescue and emergency medical services for the residents and visitors of Los Alamos County, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

Fire Recruit Job Description(PDF, 166KB)

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be eighteen years of age at time of application.
• Must be a United States Citizen.
• Must possess, or ability to obtain within 1 yr of employment, a valid New Mexico CDL-E driver’s license and maintain it. The CDL-E will require New Mexico Proof of Residency.
• Must promote to Firefighter 2-Cadet by the end of the Fire Academy.
• Must possess, or ability to obtain by the end of the Fire Academy, and maintain an EMT (B, I or P) license that qualifies for New Mexico Administrative Code 27.2 Certification and Licensing requirements and maintain positive Medical Direction status. If non-New Mexico EMT, including Paramedic license, must pass New Mexico State licensing examination and achieve positive Medical Direction status before end of probationary period.
• Must obtain ICS 100, 200, 700, 800B and 804 certifications or equivalents by the end of probation.
• Must possess or must make application for a DOE Q clearance within thirty days of employment with ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance and is subject to additional federal background investigation. Prior to issuance of the Q clearance, must be eligible at all times to be escorted into secured areas until such time as the initial investigation period has expired and a Q clearance is issued. Subsequently, should Q access authorization be under review, but not suspended or revoked, and employee remains eligible to be escorted into a secured area, a reasonable time for reinstatement shall be allowed.
• Successful passing of the LAFD examination related directly to the job duties by receiving satisfactory scores on an assessment of their abilities.
• Successful completion of an examination by a licensed physician and be free of any physical condition as listed in the LAFD Medical Standards per NFPA 1582.
• Be free of any mental or emotional condition, which might adversely affect performance. May be required to be examined by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
• Successful completion of the physical agility standard requirements of the LAFD and annually thereafter.
• Successful completion of mandatory drug screening and subsequent random drug screenings.
• Successful completion of the background investigation, including FBI fingerprint check.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or related field.
• Current DOE Q Clearance.
• Current Paramedic Certificate or License.

The applicant’s first step begins with the application process. Applicants' qualification will be determined from their application for employment and not a resume. Applicants must ensure all appropriate fields are complete and accurate. Once the application has been approved during a recruitment process, the candidate will be notified of the test dates. The Candidate will begin the testing process with a written exam, conducted online and administered by I/O Solutions.

If the candidate is successful, a physical fitness test will be scheduled. The physical fitness test consists of the following:

1.5 mile run in 13 minutes and 20 seconds (13:20) at an altitude of just over 7,000 feet above sea level.

A Criterion Task Test (CTT) - completed within 6 minutes 59 seconds (6:59). The CTT is comprised of five stations simulating fire ground activities. Visit www.firefighterchallenge.com to gain useful information on what to expect.

After successful completion of the written and physical tests, the candidate will be scheduled for an oral interview. While the candidate is not scored on appearance, appropriate attire is expected.  Candidates must also present a valid picture identification.

During the academy (approximately ~26 weeks), recruits are assigned to a 40-hour work week (2080 hours annually). After successful completion of the academy recruits will be placed on a 48/96 schedule with a 14-day FLSA (2912 hours annually). Salary rates, effective July 9,2023.

• The Los Alamos Fire Academy is ~26 weeks induration with the typical workday approximately 10hours/day for 4 days a week. Additionally, cadets are required to spend a minimum of one night every two weeks. The base rate for a recruit during the academy is $30.72 per hour.

• During the academy recruits will accrue overtime compensation in accordance with a 7-day FLSA period. Upon assignment to shift Firefighter II/Cadet can accrue overtime or compensatory time in accordance with a 14-day FLSA period.

• New-hire Firefighter Recruit can earn up to $63,900 in their first year of employment with the department. This does not include new hire bonuses or overtime.

• All new-hire Firefighter Recruits must serve a one-year new hire probationary period.

• After the probationary period personnel can be made eligible and selected for additional Specialty Team Incentive Pay. Personnel are allowed to have two paid incentives. These specialty teams and incentive rates are as follows:

Personnel are eligible after obtaining necessary licenses for EMS Incentives of

• Other paid incentive that does not count toward the two paid incentives is Shift Training Team (STT). STT pays an additional $160.00 per pay-period or $4,160 annually. The STT is responsible for facilitating department trainings for their assigned shifts. 

• After 2 years of employment personnel are eligible for Longevity Pay in accordance with the scale below:

**All rates of pay identified above after completion of the academy and assignment to shift, incentive/specialty team pay, and longevity pay are all identified and outlined in the Agreement between the Incorporated County of Los Alamos and the International Association of Firefighter’s Association (IAFF) Local 3279.

25 year PERA Retirement Plan(65% paid by Employer, 35% paid by Employee)

LAC Employee Pension- This is a mandatory supplemental retirement plan, similar to a 401k, with contributions from the employee and Los Alamos County (LAC). LAC contributes 9% and the employee contributes 1%. Employees are fully vested after 7 years.

457 Deferred Compensation Plan available

Health Insurance Benefits- Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance- LAC currently pays
80% of the monthly premium for employee, employee plus one or family.

Tuition assistance- After completion of new hire probation (one year), LAFD employees are eligible to receive tuition assistance.

Firefighter New hires will receive a total of $7,500 over the first year:

+$3,750 upon Academy graduation
+$3,750 just prior to the end of the first year upon successful completion of probationary period.

Firefighter New hires that are Nationally Registered Paramedics & licensed to provide care in New Mexico UPON HIRE will receive a total of $10,000 over the first year:
+$5,000 upon Academy graduation
+$5,000 just prior to the end of the first year upon successful completion of probationary period.

Free dorm housing provided for academy recruits