Fire Fighter/EMT Recruit

Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician
Fire Rescue
Full-Time 12 Months
Non-Exempt Public Safety Pay Scale
VRS-Eligible Benefits-Eligible

Job Summary/ Objective:
Under the general direction of the designated supervisor maintains and enhances skills to provide emergency and non-emergency related services including but not limited to fire suppression pre-hospital emergency medical care hazardous materials incident response technical rescue operations community engagement and life safety education.

Essential Functions:
Performs Emergency Response - Responds and performs at fire rescue and EMS emergency incidents; demonstrates rapid safe and effective actions as prescribed by relevant operational protocols policy and direction; provides basic and if certified advanced life support drives and operates fire and EMS apparatus and completes associated incident reports.

Assists Projects/Programs - As directed participates in and develops training activities to include physical training; cleans station facilities; maintains station supplies; assists with fire inspections smoke alarm installs and life safety presentations; developing and maintaining pre-plans and station maps in accordance with Department and station policies and procedures.

Provides Customer Service - Delivers internal and external customer service. Strives to ensure positive relations among system personnel. Uses discretion and an understanding of sensitive issues when participating in formal and informal discussions and when making decisions and resolving problems. Engages in joint problem-solving while maintaining a flexible approach. Demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with both external and internal contacts.

Ensures Emergency Apparatus Readiness - Maintains emergency apparatus in a state of readiness. Performs daily weekly and monthly inspections of emergency response vehicles. Ensures equipment and supplies are accounted for operating properly and ready for service. Initiates inspection reports and makes minor repairs to equipment as directed or in conjunction with Department and Station policy and procedures; completes inspection records.

Participates in and completes department-sanctioned initiatives. Participation can be independent or as a member of a team.

May perform other essential job functions specific to the position and department assignment.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods principles practices techniques procedures and equipment of fire prevention suppression and basic and advanced life support as assigned according to certifications and related assigned duties.
• General knowledge of the street system and physical layout of the County.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of the Department services.
• Skill in communicating both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to keep and maintain records logs and proper reports.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise written reports.
• Ability to identify and solve routine work-related problems.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with co-workers volunteer personnel other members of the fire and rescue staff and members of the public.
• Ability to take direction understand and follow oral and written orders.
• Ability to occasionally work independently and with others as a response team member.
• Ability to drive/operate fire and rescue apparatus and equipment as assigned.
• Ability to meet physical and mental requirements to perform the work.
• Ability to complete required training.

Required Education and Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application
• High school diploma or equivalent required

Certification License and Special Requirements:

Pre-employment:

• Successful completion of the firefighter entry-level online exam
• Successful completion of the ACFR Physical Ability Test
• Background check to include but not limited to criminal history and complete driving history Candidates will be required to submit fingerprints and may have to sign release so a complete and thorough background check can be completed
• Possession of a valid drivers license for at least 2 years required at the time of application. Driving record must meet County driver eligibility requirements
• Successful completion of a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 Medical Physical Exam

Pre-employment option:

At the discretion of the Fire Rescue Chief and in coordination with the Department of Human Resources a Firefighter/EMT candidate may be required to have certain certifications and previous experience for special recruit schools which are intended to be shorter than a traditional recruit school.

Recruit School:

Firefighter Recruits must possess the following certifications by the end of the Recruit Academy in accordance with the ACFR Recruit School Manual and the Successful Completion of Recruit Schoolpolicy.

• Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support
• Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) Firefighter I
• VDFP Hazardous Materials Operations
• VDFP Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Level II
• FEMA Incident Command Systemand 800
• TEEX Fire and Emergency Services AWR 160
• VDFP Introduction to Low Angel Rescue
• VDFP Passenger Vehicle Operation Technician
• Child Passenger Seat Technician
• Tactical Emergency Combat Care
• Others as determined by the Department

Maintains certification license and special requirements to include but not limited to:

• Valid drivers license.
• Certifications received during recruit school or as a requirement of employment.
• The employee is subject to a no-tobacco no vaping and no smoking of marijuana policy
• Pass an annual physical ability test
• Pass an annual NFPA 1582 medical physical

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Physical:

• Balancing maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking standing or crouching.
• Climbing ascending descending ladders stairs ramps requires body agility.
• Crawling moving about on hands knees or feet
• Crouching bending body forward by bending leg spine
• Feeling perceiving attributes of objects by touching with skin fingertips
• Fingering picking pinching typing working with fingers rather than hand
• Grasping applying pressure to object with fingers palm
• Handling picking holding or working with whole hand
• Hearing perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels receive information receive detailed information make discrimination in sound
• Kneeling bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees
• Lifting raising objects from lower to higher position moving objects side to side using upper extremities back - Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 165 pounds.
• Mental Acuity ability to make rational decisions through sound logic deductive reasoning
• Pulling use upper extremities to exert force haul or tug
• Pushing use upper extremities to press against objects with force or thrust forward downward outward
• Reaching extending hands or arms in any direction
• Repetitive Motion substantial movements of wrists hands fingers
• Speaking expressing ideas with spoken word convey detailed important instructions accurately concisely
• Standing for sustained periods of time
• Stooping bending body downward forward at waist with full motion of lower extremities and back
• Visual Acuity prepare analyze data transcribing extensive reading depth perception field of vision observe facilities/structures operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment close acuity for inspection of small defects machines use measurement devices
• Walking on foot to accomplish tasks long distances or site to site
• Wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus is required.

Mental:

• Perform job duties while enduring environments which are stressful up to and including environments immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
• Expected to function as part of a team in an IDLH environment
• Expected to operate in a variety of shifts to include 8 12 and 24-hour durations and in potentially sleep-deprived conditions
• Expected to process complex emotional situations involving loss of property human suffering and/or death.
• Expected to perform complex cognitive functions and analytical skills while in an IDLH environment and under stressful conditions.
• Expected to control emotions and exercise sound judgement and decision-making skills including while in an IDLH environment and under stressful conditions.

Hiring Salary:The starting pay for a new recruit without experience is *54631 per year with excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays paid vacation and sick leave health insurance options with employer contribution employer-paid life insurance VRS retirement and continuing education/training opportunities. Recruits who have graduated from an accredited college or university with an Associates Degree will receive an additional $1000 per year and those with a Bachelors Degree will receive an additional $2000 per year. This is a full time FLSA non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy P-60.

*rates are based on the Fiscal Year 2026 public safety pay scale and are subject to change.

Deadline for Applications: Position open until August 16th 2025

Process: Learn more about the hiring process for the Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) position at the

Learn more about the County as a great place to live atNew Resident Guide

You may find more information at the Albemarle County Human Resources page Work:
This position is not eligible for remote work. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Albemarle County Core Values:
Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the Countys Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through:

Community: We expect diversity equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.

Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.

Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural human and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.