Airport Firefighter Trainee

Maryland Department of Transportation; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA) is accepting applications for the Airport Firefighter Trainee within the Airport Fire & Rescue Department at BWI Marshall Airport. This entry-level role involves close supervision and rotating 24-hour shifts and requires ability to work outdoors in varying conditions.

Trainees will learn to operate firefighting equipment, perform rescue procedures, and participate in formal training programs to develop skills

Qualifications

• Must be physically fit and able to perform demanding duties.
• Must obtain/maintain required MD permits and NFPA certification within 1 year.
• Must possess a valid Maryland driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Operate airport firefighting equipment and apparatus.
• Rescue procedures and emergency medical techniques.
• Assist fire suppression and protection operations.
• Participate in formal training programs for fire suppression and rescue.
• Work outdoors in all types of weather and on 24-hour shifts.

Skills

Physical fitness

MD driver's license

Ability to work 24-hour shifts

Education

High school diploma or GED

Airfield Operator's Permit

NFPA Airport Firefighter 1003 certificate (within 1 year)

Tools

Motor vehicle operator's license

Job description

Description

Open Recruitment

Position Specific Recruitment

This is a position specific recruitment, open to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications listed below. The resulting list of eligible candidates will be used to fill this position or function only. You will need to reapply for any future recruitment conducted for this job classification.

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA) is the owner & operator of both BWI Thurgood Marshall and Martin State Airports, serving over 27 million passengers annually.

Powered by PERFORMANCE. Inspired by INNOVATION. Fueled by FUN. We are chartering careers to unprecedented Successes, Opportunities, Advancements, Results, and Service. If you’re beginning your career journey or performing at your peak level, we invite you to consider our aviation family for your career.

MDOT MAA is currently accepting applications for the position of Airport Firefighter Trainee within the Airport Fire & Rescue Department (FRD) at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI Marshall Airport).

An Airport Firefighter Trainee is an entry-level position within FRD. This position will receive close supervision from an Airport Fire Lieutenant, Fire Airport Captain, or other Fire-Rescue Service personnel. Employees are required to work a rotating 24-hour shift. Work is performed at an airport fire station, which is continually exposed to high noise levels from aircraft and at fire and rescue scenes.

Trainees will have the opportunity to learn the following examples of work;

• Operate airport firefighting equipment and apparatus;
• Rescue procedures and emergency medical techniques;
• Basic design and construction of aircraft;
• Perform fireguard duties and to establish fire lines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering crash/fire areas;
• Assist fire departments in surrounding jurisdictions;
• Participate in formal training programs designed to develop the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for fire suppression and protection, rescue operations, and emergency medical assistance;
• Assist in extinguishing fires;
• Participate in drills and other in-service training work; and
• Clean apparatus, equipment, and living and working quarters.

Employees are required to work outdoors in all types of weather and may be exposed to extreme heat, fumes, smoke, and hazardous materials. On some assignments, employees wear heavy protective clothing and safety equipment and are expected to lift and carry persons or objects weighing over 100 pounds.

This position is an emergency essential position. All employees designated as emergency essential are required to be available to work during weather, operational and/or disaster emergency conditions. Furthermore, this position requires work in a 24- hour facility and you must be available to work any shift as required by the operational needs of the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Aviation Administration.

This position is located at BWI Marshall Airport in Anne Arundel County, MD.

Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: None.

Licenses & Certifications

• Employees in this classification are assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
• Employees in this classification must obtain and maintain an Airfield Operator's Permit in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulation 11.03.01.04, Control of Vehicular Traffic on the Air Operations Area.
• Employees in this class will be required to obtain a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Airport Firefighter 1003 certificate, within one year after appointment to this class.

Additional Information

• As conditions of employment, candidates will attend a 16-week Fire Academy which also includes successful completion and certification as an Emergency Medical Technician – B.
• Persons appointed to positions in this class must maintain a prescribed level of physical fitness and will be required to take both a physical agility/ability test and a medical examination to determine continued physical ability to perform the work.
• Employees are subject to emergency recall 24 hours a day and will be required to maintain a reliable communication link (telephone or pager) for the purpose of emergency call back requirements.
• Employees in this classification are considered "Essential Employees" and will be required to adhere to all policies and procedures relating to "Essential Employees" status.
• Candidates will be subject to pre-employment drug testing in accordance with the Transportation Code of Maryland Regulations 11.02.11, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.
• Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Transportation Code of Maryland Regulations 11.02.11, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

10/14/2026

Appropriate auxiliary aids and services for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Please notify in advance. MD Relay Service Number (711). Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. The selected candidate may be subject to background and reference checks.

The Maryland Department of Transportation is not sponsoring new employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa at this time due to budgetary constraints. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Federal regulations prohibit H1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees, all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer.

Applicants who have education obtained outside of the United States will be required to provide proof of the equivalent United States education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (http://www.naces.org) or the Collegiate Registrars & World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

The incumbent in this position will not be a member of a covered bargaining unit.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, MDOT MAA does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation.

Benefits

Come join the Maryland Department of Transportation Team! We offer more than just a paycheck!!!! We offer healthcare, dental, long term disability, flexible work schedules, and so much more. Read all about our fabulous benefits in detail by visiting:

https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/tso/pages/index.aspx?pageid=152

Don't miss out on a great opportunity for a challenging career along with fabulous benefits!

• Benefits are offered to all full-time, part-time permanent and contractual (partially subsidized) employees. Temporary employees do not receive benefits.