Entry Level Firefighter/EMT-Basic (Firefighter II)

Center for Digital Governmtent; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 56,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Digital Government is seeking entry-level EMT/Firefighter candidates for a full-time position with the Fire Department. This highly competitive role offers comprehensive training in fire suppression and emergency medical services while requiring applicants to pass several assessments, including a written exam, physical ability test, and medical evaluations.

Benefits

Health insurance and dental coverage

Annual leave and sick days

Pension benefits after 20 years of service

Paid training during Fire Academy

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Class C driver's license.
• Minimum of 6 months work experience required.
• Candidates must be at least 18 years old by January 2026.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergency medical services and support firefighting activities.
• Participate in drills and training exercises.
• Perform fire prevention inspections and public education presentations.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position Description

The FY26 Proposed Budget includes an increase to the pay range: $56,402 - $110,079 (Bill 47-25)

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK: Provide emergency medical services to the highest level of certification; operate advanced life support or basic life support medical unit and/or other emergency firefighting and rescue equipment; participate on drills and training exercises; and perform fire prevention inspections, public education safety presentations, and fire suppression activities. Please visit the Fire Department's website at https://www.aacounty.org/departments/fire-department/Employment/ for information regarding local recruitment events. This full-time, permanent, safety-sensitive position is in the Fire Department and may require shift work.

The following information is provided so you have key dates to plan for during the recruitment and selection process:

SCHEDULE OF CRITICAL DATES

• Sunday, June 24, 2025 - Deadline to submit application.
• Saturday, July 12th OR Sunday, July 13th - Written Exam and Oral Assessment* [There are no virtual/online options this year].
• Late August 2025: Candidate Physical Ability Test and Background Overview (Note: Only a limited number of candidates will be invited to this step of the process. This is a highly competitive process in which a large number of applications are generally received for a limited number of vacancies.)
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Orientation*
• Final CPAT (Test) will be administered*
• Medical Evaluations*
• January/February 2026 and June/July 2026 Academy Start Date(s)*
  
  

(*Must Attend)

CANDIDATES MUST ATTEND THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND ORAL ASSESSMENT ON THE ASSIGNED DATES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ENTRY LEVEL EMT/FIREFIGHTER. PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THE EXACT DATES AND TIMES WILL BE SENT TO YOU BY AN EMAIL INVITE.

Description of In-person Administration of Written Examination and Oral Assessment:

Two (2) components: Written examination and the structured oral process (SOP) - which is a video-based oral assessment. These two components will be given in one day, Saturday or Sunday, over the weekend (July 12th-13th). Candidates will be invited to either Saturday or Sunday. Everyone will take the written test and oral assessment back-to-back on the same day. Candidates will be moved to individual oral assessment rooms as they complete the written test and as testing rooms become available. Candidates may expect a testing period of two (2) to seven (7) hours, with an anticipated average of three and a half (3.5) hours.

No electronic devices, including smartwatches and smart glasses, or physical media will be allowed at the testing location; however, candidates are encouraged to bring food and drinks in a small cooler or bag. Please clearly mark your cooler/bag, as they will be held in a separate location during testing. Calculators, pocket dictionaries, and other testing aids will not be allowed.

Candidate Test Orientation Guide: https://mmtests.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Anne-Arundel-Co-Firefighter-2025-Orientation-Guide.pdf

A VALID PICTURE ID MUST BE PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF THE WRITTEN EXAM - YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TAKE THE EXAM IF THIS IS NOT PROVIDED.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED equivalency, six (6) or more months work experience; a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license; Must be at least 18 years of age prior to the start date of the Academy, January/February 2026.

NOTE: This is an entry-level position; NO PRIOR FIRE SERVICE RELATED EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

NOTE: This is a Safety Sensitive position and employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing.

NOTE: Work experience may include volunteer and internship hours.

Supplemental Qualifications

SELECTION PROCEDURES:

To be considered you must meet the minimum qualifications and successfully complete the following:

Written Examination,

Oral Assessment,

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT),

Background,

Medical Examination,

Controlled Dangerous Substance Test (CDS)

• The Written Examination and Oral Assessment are scheduled in person on Saturday, July 12, 2025, OR Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Severna Park High School (60 Robinson Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146). Applicants will receive an email invite with the exact days and times. A VALID PICTURE ID MUST BE PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF THE WRITTEN EXAM - YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TAKE THE EXAM IF THIS IS NOT PROVIDED.
• CPAT and Background Overview and Orientations. A limited number of candidates will be invited to move forward. Those invited will be determined by their success in the written examination/oral assessment.
• CPAT Testing Window. There is an 8-week window to successfully pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Candidates who have recently passed with another jurisdiction may receive reciprocity.
• Final CPAT
• Background Investigation - The process will overlap with the 8-week CPAT window. Reasons for disqualification may include, but are not limited to poor work history, poor driving record, felony conviction, falsification of application or other documents, failure to meet physical standards, inability to competitively complete any of the component parts of the selection process, or any other disqualifying causes determined by the Fire Department and/or the Office of Personnel.
• Medical Examination - Candidates who are conditionally offered employment must successfully complete a NFPA 1582 medical examination and a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) test before consideration for the Fire Training Academy.
  
  

Note: This is a highly competitive process in which generally a large number of applications are received for a *limited* number of vacancies. It is our obligation to select those applicants best qualified to meet the needs of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Applicants must achieve a sufficient standing in relation to other applicants and the number of vacancies in order to remain under consideration.

VOLUNTEER PREFERENCE: Volunteer members of the Anne Arundel County Fire Service who have actively served the two (2) years prior to application, have passed the MFRI basic Firefighting course, are Certified Emergency Medical Technicians, and have competitively completed ALL selection procedure components are then awarded preference for inclusion on the eligibility list.

VETERAN PREFERENCE: "Eligible veteran" means a veteran of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States who has received an honorable discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion of military service, including the National Guard, the Coast Guard and the Military Reserves. An eligible veteran does not include a person who is employed by the County at the time of application. An eligible veteran applying for the position of Firefighter II who successfully completes all components and lawful requirements of the selection process shall receive preference in hiring. This hiring preference shall not displace any preference provided for Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters as stated above.

BENEFITS: Twenty-six (26) annual leave days and fifteen (15) paid sick days yearly. Ability to choose from a variety of health plans, dental and vision coverage, retirement and deferred compensation plans, group life and supplemental insurance, and potential merit salary increases. Employees will be eligible for pension benefits upon completion of 20 years of service or age 50 and 5 years of service.

RECRUIT CLASS: The starting date for Recruit Class 66 is expected to be January/February 2026, and Recruit Class 67 is expected to be June/July 2026. All appointees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period equal to the time required to successfully complete the department’s entry-level training program plus twelve (12) months.

TRAINING: Paid training in fire suppression and Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) during the Fire Academy. The level of medical certification you have upon entry into the academy will determine which course(s), if any, you must complete. Recruits who fail to complete any portion of their training successfully will be subject to immediate termination. A recruit who does not possess either Maryland or National (EMT-B) will be required to successfully complete the EMT-Basic program during the Fire Academy and then must successfully complete (EMT-P) training if required by the Fire Department at a later date. Reciprocity may be possible for out-of-state EMT-B certification.

NOTE: Candidates are strongly encouraged to OPT-IN FOR TEXT MESSAGING with their application. Updates and reminders will be communicated via email and text message

• Medical/Health Insurance Plans
• Open Access Aetna Select HMO-EPO
• Aetna Open Choice PPO
• Dental Insurance
• CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up)
• CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE)
• CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
• Vision Insurance
• EyeMed
• Employee Life Insurance
• Term insurance of up to 2 times salary ($100,000 maximum) for employees at no cost.
• Ability to purchase Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Disability Income Insurance

• Pension Plan
• Normal retirement after 20 years of service or Age 50 and 5 years of service
• Deferred Compensation Section 457 Plan
• Direct Deposit
• Credit Union
• Holidays
• Sixteen days provided as Annual Leave
• Annual Leave
• Less than 5 years 10 days
• 5 to 10 years 15 days
• 10 to less than 20 years 20 days
• 20 years and more 25 days
• Disability Leave
• Accrual at a rate of 15 days a year
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free, confidential counseling for employee and family members four times per year per problem per family member; also counseling on legal and financial issues; assistance in locating childcare and elder care
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Reimbursement
• Health Care Reimbursement
• Voluntary Benefits
• Provides you an opportunity to enroll in any or all of the benefits listed below with the convenience of payroll deduction
• Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care Rider
• United Legal Benefits
  
  

01

The supplemental questions are a very important first step in our screening process. Therefore, you are required to complete these questions so that we may initially determine your eligibility for this position. A lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this position. This means you will be ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process. Please check "yes" to show that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Required: Have you already graduated from high school or have a GED, or will you have graduated from high school or have a GED by January 2026?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Required: Do you have six (6) or more months of paid or unpaid work experience in any field? Note: You must say "Yes" to this question to be qualified. Any job experience paid or unpaid will be credited. This includes volunteer service hours, part-time positions, and even internships.

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

If you answered 'Yes' to the above question, please describe your paid or unpaid work experience and include length of time. Note: Insufficient information in response to this question may lead to disqualification. Do not respond with "See Resume" or simply "Yes." This work must be in the work-history section of your application.

05

Required: Will you be at least 18 years of age by January 2026?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Required: Do you have a valid driver's license? This is at least a non-commercial Class C (or higher) motor vehicle operator's license in Maryland. You must have an equivalent driver's license if you are from another state.

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Please list your drivers license number and the state it is issued in.

08

Are you a certified EMT-B?

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

If you answered 'Yes' to the above question, include your certification number and expiration date.

10

I understand that I am required to show a valid picture ID to be admitted to the written and oral examination. I understand that I will not be permitted to take the examination and assessment if this information is not provided at the scheduled time

• I have read the above statement and understand that I am required to bring the above-mentioned materials to the examination and assessment.
  
  

11

The Written/Oral Assessments will be offered on either Saturday, July 12, 2025, or Sunday, July 13, 2025. In-person testing is required this year. Please select your first preference for testing days. Note: We will do our best to honor your first preferences; however, due to room capacities and spot limitations, you may be invited to another testing option.

• Saturday, July 12, 2025
• Sunday, July 13, 2025
  
  

12

If we are unable to accomodate your first preference for testing dates, are you able to attend on the alternate date?

• Yes
• No
  
  

13

Candidates are strongly encouraged to opt into text messaging from Neogov. Candidates are also encouraged to check their email (including spam) frequently so as not to miss any communications about the process. All communications are time-sensitive, failure to respond timely to a communication may result in disqualification. Please indicate "Yes" that you have understood this statement.

• Yes
• No
  
  

14

Did a county employee refer you? If yes, indicate their name, department and badge/id number. If you weren't referred by an Employee indicate N/A.

• Required Question