CERTIFIED FIREFIGHTER

Town of Cary; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Cary, through the Cary Fire Department, is seeking qualified Certified Firefighters to join a premier team responsible for fire suppression, EMS, and community safety across the town. Candidates must hold NC Fire Fighter II certification and EMT credentials, with a current NC driver’s license.

The role emphasizes leadership development within a collaborative, high-performing department. New hires undergo a 4-week orientation and skills assessment, followed by rotating shifts among

Qualifications

• Must be a Certified Firefighter II with EMT certification.
• Demonstrated physical fitness and ability to meet department standards.
• Willingness to participate in training and leadership development.

Responsibilities

• Respond to alarms and participate in fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical responses.
• Maintain equipment and fire station readiness; support public education efforts.
• Engage in continuing training and performance assessments as part of the department’s standards.

Skills

certified firefighter II

EMT certification

NC Driver's License

strong physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

NC Fire Fighter I & II

OSFM certifications (if applicable)

Job description

ANNUAL STARTING SALARY

Certified Firefighter (Firefighter II): $64,688-$73,361***

*** Starting salary offers will be based on verified full-time certified firefighting experience and applicable qualifications.

Full Salary Range: $64,688- $92,580

Certified Firefighters – We Want You.

Are you a Certified Firefighter ready to take the next step in your career?

The Cary Fire Department is actively seeking Certified Firefighter professionalswho are driven, disciplined, and committed to excellence. We’re looking for you to bring your experience, skill, and leadership to a department that sets the standard across the state.

This is your opportunity to:

• Join one of the premier fire departments in North Carolina
• Work alongside highly trained, motivated professionals
• Serve a growing, progressive community
• Continue developing your skills in a culture built on teamwork, performance, and pride

What to expect as a member of the Cary Fire Department:

• The most competitive pay in the area as well as a career ladder promotion program with several levels of advancement possibilities
• Comprehensive benefits package for all stages of your life
• Ownership in an organization that is committed to excellence, high-quality service delivery and putting people first
• Commitment to making all things better through experimenting in an effort to learn, fail, and grow
• Opportunity to lead from where you are and leadership development
• Collaboration and problem-solving in a team environment

What to expect if hired as a Certified Firefighter in Cary:

All newly hired Certified Firefighters will participate in a 4-week orientation and skills assessment program designed to familiarize them with Cary Fire Department operations and ensure they can successfully demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and performance required for the position. Additional training and support may be provided when needed. Successful completion of the program, including demonstrating proficiency in required skills and meeting established department standards, is required for continued employment.

During your training and assessment, you will work to be able to:

• Perform firefighter skills at a proficient level
• Perform EMT skills at a proficient level
• Maintain a high level of physical fitness and meet established performance standards

Upon completion of assessment/training for Certified Firefighters, you will be assigned to rotating shifts at one of 9 fire stations that provide fire suppression, emergency medical aid, technical rescue, fire prevention, fire investigation, and public education services to the 60+ square-miles that are the Cary town limits.

Out of state? No problem.

We want to hear from you too! If you hold firefighter certifications accredited by IFSAC or Pro Board that are eligible for North Carolina equivalent credit, along with a current National Registry EMT (NREMT) certification, we encourage you to apply. **Please be sure to review the required onsite dates and requirements listed below before applying.

**This posting is for Certified Firefighters only**

TENTATIVE HIRING PROCESS TIMELINE: (subject to change)

September 28 – October 12 (noon) Application Window Open

October 12- October 16 Application Review

October 19- October 23 Virtual Interviews

October 26- October 30 In Person Skills Assessment (see below)

November 2- November 6 In Person Final Interviews/Decisions

November 10 Contingent Job Offers

December 1 Medical Exams/ Stress Testing

Background Investigation

Fingerprint Check

December 20 Final Job Offers

January 11 Anticipated Start Date

NOTE--- Where timeline is labeled "In Person," candidates MUST be on site.

Applicants selected for consideration in the hiring process will be required to participate in a skills assessment. The assessment will include selected practical skills drawn from the North Carolina Firefighter certification standards. Additional information regarding the skills assessment, including the date, time, location, and any preparation instructions, will be provided via email. These assessments are Pass/Fail.

• Responds to alarms and participates in the suppression of fires, including rescue, forcible entry, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul work and first response emergency situations;
• Responds to basic life support calls as an EMT;
• Administers defibrillation as needed;
• Provides other emergency medical procedures consistent with Wake County protocols;
• Provides assistance to other emergency medical personnel;
• Performs basic rescue functions in vehicle extrication, collapsed structures, trench, confined spaces, high level, and swift water;
• Works with the Police Department in performing missing person searches;
• Responds to hazardous materials calls including weapons of mass destruction, radiological emergencies, and drug labs;
• Assists in maintaining fire apparatus and equipment, cleans fire station and grounds; checks readiness of equipment;
• May also have responsibility for checking and maintaining specialty rescue equipment;
• Plans work assignments and procedures;
• Prepares risk assessments for multi-family, residential, commercial, and public buildings;
• Participates in continuing training and instruction program by individual study of technical material and attendance at scheduled drills and practices;
• Gives educational talks and demonstrations to groups of children and adults;
• Gives firehouse tours to visitors and assists with educational programs throughout the year;
• Participates in mandatory physical fitness training;
• Assists in residential fire safety checks;
• Performs other job-related tasks as required

Knowledge of basic firefighting principles, techniques and procedures; Knowledge of the practices of life support skills as an EMT; Knowledge of town layout including street names; Knowledge of the operation of fire equipment; Knowledge of the occupational hazards of the work and of necessary safety precautions; Proficiency in emergency medical techniques and procedures; Ability to learn fire prevention and pre-planning strategies and techniques; Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; Ability to communicate with co-workers and the general public clearly, effectively, and efficiently; Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with fellow employees and the public; Ability to keep simple records and prepare reports; Ability to use computers in automated information processing; Possession of mechanical aptitude.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF A CERTIFIED FIREFIGHTER (Firefighter II)

Firefighters must have the agility and physical strength to do prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to walk and move about without assistance, lift, and carry heavy objects, climb, stoop, pull, push, reach, and perform all other physical activities normally encountered in fire suppression work like pushing objects up to 25 pounds, pull objects from 25 to 50 pounds, and lift or pull victims. Firefighters must be able to smell, talk, hear and see, and effectively and efficiently communicate with citizens and co-workers. There is no age MAXIMUM.

The following are the MINIMUM Requirements to apply for Certified Firefighter.

• Must have successfully graduated from a qualifying, direct delivery fire academy (community college, a municipal fire department, regional training center, etc)—authorized to deliver certified fire and rescue training courses and testing or possess at least one (1) year of full-time paid firefighting experience.
• A high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 18 years of age (at time of employment) is required
• A valid, NC driver's license with a good driving record is required (must obtain a NC Class "B" license within 1 year of hire)
• NC Fire Fighter (I & II)
• NC EMT
• NC Hazardous MaterialsOperations
• ICS-100, IC S-200
• IS-700 NIMS, IS-800 NRF

Out-of-state applicants are welcome to apply. Employment is contingent upon receiving Equivalent Credit for the required certifications and meeting all of the above qualifications once equivalency has been granted.

***TR Rescue Common Passenger Vehicle or TR-Ropes is required or must be obtained within first 12-months of hire date.

THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS OF APPLICATION AND EMPLOYMENT MUST BE MET IN ORDER FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE ACCEPTED AND FOR YOU TO BE HIRED:

• You must include a valid email address on your application and check it regularly to ensure that a spam blocker does not prevent you from receiving important information. All communication with candidates will be through the email address provided on your application.
• You must include your OSFM Certification Transcript Summary as an attachment to this application if you are certified in North Carolina. (if applying from out of state, all certifications must be attached).