Careers and Hiring Process Schedule
We are looking for qualified individuals to join our elite team of medics and help us change the lives of the people we serve. If you’re looking for a lifelong career where you will be encouraged, trained, and supported to practice medicine as a highly-skilled clinician, then this is the place for you. We strive to make a difference by serving the people of our community on their best days, worst days, and all the days in between.
As a provider with Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS), you’ll work in a culturally rich city comprised of unique (some may say “weird”) characteristics and a flourishing population. Like our beautiful city, ATCEMS offers many diverse career opportunities that are specific to this department.
Want to make sure ATCEMS is right for you? Request a ride-along with Field or Communications staff by filling out our Rider/Observer Application. The ATCEMS Rider/Observer Program provides an opportunity for eligible citizens and prospective applicants to experience how components of the EMS department function and how medical care is managed in our system.
Eligible citizens and prospective applicants may request to participate in the Rider/Observer program for Field or Communications. Any citizen or applicant wishing to participate in the program must first complete a Rider/Observer Application. All applications will undergo a review/eligibility process which may include a criminal background search conducted by ATCEMS. You will be contacted by an EMS representative informing you if you are eligible or have been denied. If you are approved, you will be given instructions for the next steps to schedule your Rider/Observer appointment date and time. Applications are processed in the order they are received. Please allow up to 2 weeks for processing.
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or TTY (512) 974-2445.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. ADA Office: (512) 974-3256 TDD (512) 974‑3303.
How to Apply
Our department accepts applications continuously; we hire in cycles to fill each Academy class so there are deadline dates for each application cycle. Academy dates and application deadlines for each class are posted to this page. Please apply for the position and the Academy you wish to attend. Applications must be submitted by the deadline listed for each Academy class--once the posting has closed, additional applications will not be accepted for that class. Be sure you’ve read through the Hiring Process page for information on minimum requirements and how the application process works.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: A complete application and supporting documents must be submitted by the application deadline. Complete applications include your last 5 years of work history (ALL full-time, part-time, internship, volunteer, temporary, seasonal, contract work or military service must be included) with gaps of employment for 6 months or more explained. Supporting documents include: EMT certification(s); certified abstract driving record(s) for the last 3 years (or since you were licensed), to include all states in which you held a driver's license during this period; and DD-214 Member 4 copy for all military applicants.
IMPORTANT: We contact all applicants via email throughout the hiring process. It is recommended that you add iCIMS to your approved/safe sender list to ensure that our emails are properly delivered to your inbox and not marked as spam. Not taking this step may result in not receiving important updates regarding your application.
Positions:
Cadet Field: This is our entry level position for those candidates that hold an EMT-Basic or higher certification. It is titled as a Cadet during the 10-week Academy. Once a Cadet has successfully passed the 10-week Academy they will transition into the title of Medic – Field. More information about the 10-week Academy
- What if I am a Paramedic? If, you are an EMT- Paramedic and have 1 year of full-time experience on a 911 Ambulance or Critical Care Transport unit you will qualify to Apply for the Direct Hire Clinical Specialist – Field position (information below). If you do not qualify for this position, then you can apply for the Cadet – Field position. A Medic-Field employee that holds a Paramedic certification will be eligible to sit for a Clinical Specialist promotion once they have cleared to independent duty. This is only for those that hold a Paramedic certification.
Cadet Communications: This is our entry level position for those candidates that hold an EMT-Basic or higher certification. It is titled as a Cadet during the 10-week Academy. Once a Cadet has successfully passed the 10-week Academy they will transition to the title of Medic – Communications. A Medic – Communications employee will be eligible to sit for a Clinical Specialist promotion once they have cleared to independent duty. This does not require a higher-level certification to promote.
Direct Hire Clinical Specialist – Field: This is offered to those candidates that hold an EMT – Paramedic certification and they have 1 year of full time experience on a 911 Ambulance or Critical Care Transport unit. This position will also go through an initial 10-week Academy and then be transitioned into the ALS academics and credentialing process.
For more information about each of these positions please visit the Career Paths page.
Current Hiring Processes
Open and accepting applications:
EMS Cadet – Communications July 2025 Academy Class
Application Status: Accepting applications -- apply here by Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 12 p.m. (Central time). Additional hiring process dates for this process are below.
EMS Cadet – Field July or October 2025 Academy Class
Application Status: Accepting applications -- apply here by Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 12 p.m. (Central time). Additional hiring process dates for this process are below.
Direct-Hire Clinical Specialist – Field (Paramedic only) July 2025 Academy Class
Application Status: Accepting applications -- apply here by Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 12 p.m. (Central time). Additional hiring process dates for this process are below.
Please visit our Hiring Process page for more details about each hiring process element and requirements.
Cadet Class 0425 (Posting now closed, hiring elements in progress)
Cadet Class 0725 - Application is Open! Apply using the links above.
Position: Cadet – Field & Communications, and Direct-Hire Clinical Specialist – Field (Paramedic only)
Posting Opens: October 15, 2024
Posting Closes: 12pm CST on January 21, 2025
10-week Academy starts: July 14, 2025
Cadet Class 1025
Position: Cadet – Field & Communications
Posting Opens: January 22, 2025
Posting Closes: 12pm CST on April 14, 2025
10-week Academy starts: October 6, 2025
2026 Cadet Class information coming soon!
Be sure to connect with us to be reminded via email once job listings for each Academy class go live!
ACADEMY AND FIELD TRAINING
All EMS cadets- both Field and Communications– must attend and graduate from the EMS Academy prior to entering the Field Training Program. Cadets are required to participate in classroom instruction, skills labs, and physical fitness training while attending the Academy.
Graduates will be placed into a Field Training Program in order to be credentialed by the Medical Director to practice independently. To learn more about the Academy and how best to prepare, visit the Academy page.
HIRING PROCESS
Our department hosts several Academy classes per year, and we hire in cycles per Academy class. If multiple hiring processes are open simultaneously, please apply for the Academy you wish to attend. Applications and required documents must be submitted by the deadline listed for each Academy class in order to be considered--once the posting has closed, additional applications will not be accepted for that class.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to Connect with us to receive email updates on upcoming hiring process dates. For more information about the entire process, visit the Hiring Process page.
PAY AND BENEFITS
Austin-Travis County EMS Department offers a competitive salary, health benefits, a 24/72 hour schedule, and other incentives such as paid time off and department-issued uniforms and equipment.
Read about all of our benefits.
CAREER PATHS
After graduating from the Academy and clearing to independent duty, the opportunity for career advancement is possible.
We offer assignments in over 20 specialized teams as well as opportunities to promote up the chain of command. To read about career opportunities and to learn more about the rank structure, visit our Career Paths page.