The City of Watertown is launching a new alternative pathway program for qualified and interested individuals to join the Watertown Fire Department (WFD) as a Firefighter-Paramedic

The City is excited to introduce the Local Register program, a newly approved hiring process from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Human Resources Division that will supplement the existing Civil Service examination system. The introduction of this process comes not long after the newly appropriated funds in the City Council’s approved Fiscal Year 2026 budget to staff a second ambulance. This new program will expedite the process to fill key positions available with qualified individuals. Under this new process, it allows for 50% of new Fire Department employees to come from the Local Register pathway and candidates appointed through this program will receive civil service status pursuant to M.G.L. c. 31.

The Fire Department will host a Public Information Session to discuss this new hiring process and answer questions from those who may be interested in pursuing a career in the fire services. The Watertown Chief of Department, Ryan Nicholson, as well as representatives from the City’s Human Resources Department will be on hand to present and answer questions.