Certified Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technician

Frederick County Local Government; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Career Growth

Community Impact

Job summary

Frederick County Local Government seeks dedicated Firefighter/EMT personnel to respond to emergencies, perform fire suppression and rescue operations, and maintain equipment and stations for rapid action. A strong emphasis is placed on continuous learning and community impact, with required EMS certifications and a valid driver’s license.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED and meet Virginia fire and EMS qualification standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid Driver’s License with minimum of two years driving experience.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergencies (fire, medical, hazardous materials).
• Fire suppression, life‑saving rescue operations, and hazardous materials mitigation.
• Maintain equipment and stations to keep apparatus ready for action.
• Attend regular training sessions to stay sharp and learn new skills.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Pay:We value experience! If you’re certified as an AEMT, EMT-I, or Paramedic, you'll earn up to:
  • AEMT + $4,500
  • EMT-I + $6,500
  • Paramedic + $9,000
• Career Growth:We invest in our people. From training programs to hands-on experience, you'll have every opportunity to advance.
• Community Impact:This isn’t just a job; it’s a way to make a real difference in the lives of others.

As a Firefighter/EMT, Fire & Rescue Technician, and/ or Fire & Rescue Specialist, you will:

• Respond to Emergencies:Whether it’s a fire, medical emergency, or hazardous materials incident, you’ll be the one to step in when others stepback.
• Fire Suppression & Rescue:Engage in critical fire suppression, life‑saving rescue operations, and hazardous materials mitigation.
• Maintaining Equipment & Stations:Ensure that all apparatus and equipment are ready for action, and help keep our stations in top condition.
• Continuous Learning:Attend regular training sessions to stay sharp, learn new skills, and be prepared for any situation.

• A High School Diploma and/or GED is required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License with a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience.

To qualify for Firefighter/EMT:

• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Firefighter I & II
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Hazardous Materials Operations
• Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services or NREMT Certified EMT or higher

To qualify for Fire & Rescue Technician:

• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Firefighter I & II
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Hazardous Materials Operations
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Driver Operator Pumper
• Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services or NREMT Certified EMT or higher
• Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in a career department

To qualify for Fire & Rescue Specialist:

• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Firefighter I & II
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Hazardous Materials Operations
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Driver Operator Pumper
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs or IFSAC, NBFSPQ certified Fire Instructor
• Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services or NREMT Certified EMT or higher
• Must have a minimum of 4 years of experience in a career department

Communication & Composure: Strong verbal and written communication skills are a must, as is the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Physical & Mental Strength: This role often involves hazardous conditions. You’ll need the physical ability to handle challenging situations and the mental fortitude to make quick, sound decisions.

Fire & Rescue Automatic Disqualifiers

Criminal History:

1. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

2. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to petit larceny under Section 18.2-96 of the Code of Virginia or any offense involving moral turpitude that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Crimes of moral turpitude include but are not limited to: fraud, all theft offenses, and perjury.

3. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor sex offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia, another state, or the United States, including but not limited to sexual battery under Section 18.2-67.4 of the Code Of Virginia or consensual sexual intercourse with a minor 15 or older under clause (ii) of Section 18.2-371 of the Code of Virginia, or domestic assault under Section 18.2-57.2 of the Code of Virginia or any offense that would be domestic assault under the laws of another state or the United States.

4. Any conviction that requires registration in the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.

5. Undetected commission of any of the above crimes, as an adult.

Traffic Violations:

1. Has not held a valid driver’s license for a minimum of two (2) years.

2. Driver’s license suspended or revoked within three years of application.

3. Convicted within the past five years of any of the following:

• Operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Fleeing or eluding a police officer
• Failure to stop after an accident (hit and run)
• Operating a vehicle with a suspended license
• Participating in a speed contest or drag race
• Reckless driving or driving to endanger
• Violation of state regulations on implied consent

4. Convicted within the past ten years of any of the following:

• Homicide or manslaughter with a motor vehicle
• Theft or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony
• Assault with a motor vehicle
• More than two convictions for motor vehicle moving violations (other than those listed above) during the past three years
• Involvement in two or more avoidable (at fault) accidents during the previous three years

Drugs:

1. The illegal sale or distribution of any illegal drugs in the past 7 years.

2. Any use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule I of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia in the past five years from the date of application submission is an automatic disqualifier unless you have successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program. This does not include marijuana.

3. Any illegal use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule II of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia in the past two years from the date of application submission is an automatic disqualifier unless you have successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program.

4. The illegal use or possession of marijuana or a derivative thereof within the previous twelve months.

Illegal drug is defined as set forth in the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 800 et al. and by the Code of Virginia.

Other:

1. Past or current gang affiliation.

2. Dishonorable discharge from any military service.

3. Untruthfulness and/or the intentional withholding of information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position. Examples of intentional withholding of information would include deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements.

4. Intentional failure to follow the directions outlined in the testing process or relying on others to complete any portion of the testing process.

Note:

This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of background disqualifiers. Applicants who are successful in the initial testing will undergo a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination. Areas of concern will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis within the context of the full investigation/review. Examples of areas of concern may include, but are not limited to:

Reduction of charges as a result of a plea agreement or other form of sentencing disposition prior to a conviction in any of the aforementioned criminal and driving history categories.

Crimes committed as a juvenile, including undetected crime.

Patterns of reckless and/or irresponsible driving.

Multiple convictions of driving under the influence.

Illegal drug use or possession that does not fall within the parameters defined above, including the use or possession of prescription drugs without a proper prescription.

Less than honorable military discharge, erratic work record, or unfavorable employment references.

Pending litigation or prosecution for criminal offenses must be resolved prior to consideration for employment. Some minor offenses are classified as Class 1 misdemeanors (e.g., littering) but would not result in automatic disqualification.

Convictions of this nature would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in the context of the full investigation/review.

To learn more about Frederick County, Virginia employee benefits,please visit the following webpage: https://www.fcva.us/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits

All positions are subject to a criminal background check for any convictions that relate to the job duties and responsibilities. Frederick County Virginia Government is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The County’s EEO Utilization Report is available at www.fcva.us/jobs