FIRE CAPTAIN - 5/28/26

Charleston County Government

Awendaw (SC)

On-site

USD 21,000 - 29,000

Full time

37 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision and Life

Paid holidays and leave

Retirement benefits

Deferred compensation

Professional development

Job summary

Charleston County Government seeks a Fire Captain to direct fire suppression and medical response on assigned shifts, supervising personnel and ensuring safety and readiness of equipment. The role requires strong incident command, decision-making under pressure, and coordination with community services.

The position entails conducting pre-fire planning, fire prevention education, and station-based training while maintaining EMS readiness.

Qualifications

Six years current consecutive firefighting or sworn experience including three years as Firefighter/Fire Engineer.
Current/previous SCFA/ IFSAC Driver Operator certification.
IFSAC/Pro-Board Firefighter I & II Certification.
IFSAC Fire Instructor I or equivalent.
IFSAC/Pro-Board Pump Operator I & II.
Firefighting Tactics and Incident Command Systems.
Fire Officer I or equivalent.
NIMS-ICS Incident Command training or equivalent; CPR/AED First Aid or higher.

Responsibilities

Directs the activities of Fire personnel during assigned shifts and supervises safety of personnel.
Assigns, directs, and supervises firefighting, medical emergencies, and life/property protection.
Directs routes to emergency calls and integrates incident management systems.
Deploys and manages personnel and ensures safe operation of fire equipment and apparatus.
Participates in public education, fire prevention, and community relations activities.

Skills

Communication

Supervision

Leadership

Emergency response

Education

Associate degree (Fire Science or related)

EMT or higher

IFSAC Firefighter I & II

Tools

SCBA

PPE

Job description

Under the direction and guidance of the Battalion Chief, A Fire Captain directs the activities of Fire personnel during an assigned shift. An employee in this class supervises a number of personnel and has responsibility for their safety. Duties include: assigning, directing, and supervising firefighting, medical emergencies, and related life and property protection; directing the route to be taken to emergency calls; implementing and/or integrating into an incident management system; making decisions regarding firefighting methods to be used; deploying and managing personnel; ensuring the safe operation of fire equipment and apparatus; and assisting Fire Community Services with, and participating in, public education, community relations, and fire prevention programs and activities. This class is also responsible for performing related duties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

$18.17

Essential functions will vary according to the work environment and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

The responsibility for motivating, supervising, training, and evaluating subordinate-level employees is a significant element of this position. Fire Captains are responsible for prioritizing, scheduling, and completing tasks associated with non-emergency response activities such as pre-fire planning, fire and life safety education, and station-based training activities. Incumbents are required to supervise and participate in the care and maintenance of a fire station, apparatus, equipment, and grounds. A Fire Captain must also be skilled in and capable of performing firefighting duties and perform these duties as necessary. Work at fire scenes and other emergencies may involve strenuous physical exertion, often under adverse climatic conditions. In these situations, the employee is exposed and subjected to dangers and hazards that could result in severe injuries. Work at this level differs from that of a Fire Engineer by the ongoing performance of supervisory and administrative work. Supervision is received from a Battalion Chief; however, the Fire Captain is still responsible for the company’s overall company performance and must exercise independent judgment. Fire Captains may be required to fill in for a Battalion Chief in an acting capacity. Shift Fire Captains are required to work 48-hour shifts with 96 hours of off duty time (you may be required or subject to be called back to work under specific circumstances). Fire Captains may also be assigned to administrative (day) assignments, which involve working 40-hour work weeks. Incumbents in the Fire Captain class, and administrative/day or other assignments from the Fire Captain class, may be required to function in a lower level class; must be able to demonstrate proficient performance of the essential functions of the lower level class including but not limited to pumping, driving, and firefighting duties; and will be required to possess and maintain required certifications including but not limited to current Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification or higher, valid South Carolina Class E Driver’s License, current or previous IFSAC Driver Operator Certification. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Minimum Qualifications Required.

Six years current consecutive firefighting or other sworn experience including three years’ experience as Firefighter and Fire Engineer in a progressive department.
Current/previous SCFA/ IFSAC Driver Operator certification
IFSAC/Pro-Board Firefighter I & II Certification
IFSAC Fire Instructor I or equivalent
IFSAC/Pro-Board Pump Operator I & II
Firefighting Tactics and Incident Command Systems
Fire Officer I or equivalent
National Fire Academy Command & Control of Incident Operations Course.
(Preferred) Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree (or higher) in Fire Science, Fire Science Technology, Fire Service Professional, Fire Service/Fire Administration, Advanced Emergency Medical Technology (Paramedic). Emergency Response and Operations, or Emergency Management; (or approved, equivalent fire service/emergency medical services degree) OR any associate's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and the following semester courses from an accredited college or university with a grade "C" or better is required:

Special Requirements.

Current EMR certification. Must possess a valid Class E South Carolina Driver’s License. Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight-fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134 by promotion date and must maintain certification.

Certificates And Licences

Must possess a valid state Class E driver's license. National Incident Management System (NIMS-ICS) Incident Command training or equivalent including Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, and 400 as well as IS 700 and 800; and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) First Aid or greater. Must obtain within one (1) year of promotion: Fire and Life Safety Educator certification; IFSAC Fire Officer II or equivalent; and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher certification.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Communication:

Communicates with management, peers, subordinates, and other County employees to assign and coordinate emergency scene tasks, evaluate performance, and establish and maintain effective working relationships. Solicits professional development needs of subordinates and provides guidance in helping subordinates meet their individual career goals. Assists employees in understanding their progress toward department and individual goals through performance appraisals, as well as frequent and timely feedback. Instructs others in fire safety, fire prevention, firefighting, and emergency medical services (EMS). Communicate with the public to conduct business inspections, participate in school programs, deliver emergency medical care, answer questions, assess patient needs, etc., conduct public safety training classes. Produces written documents, such as memos, repair orders, fire and EMS reports in documenting technical and legal matters, and other forms of communication to propose improvements, evaluate performance, or document outcomes. Monitors and respond appropriately to radio traffic including the request for progress reports at emergency scenes. Communicates with Awendaw-McClellanville Department personnel, and other agencies in performing emergency scene operations including formulating and transmitting on-scene reports, position-condition-action-needs (CAN) reports, and routine radio traffic.

Skill In

Manual/Physical: Operates motor vehicles (examples: automobiles, fire apparatus and vehicles) requiring a standard Class E South Carolina Driver's License. Operates hydraulic and pneumatic rescue tools, fire pumpers, aerial ladders, ground monitors, etc. Uses appropriate hand and power tools (such as axes and prying devices) to enter vehicles or structures. Performs search and rescue functions inside burning buildings and treats victims who require first aid. Aims and/or directs placement of fire streams. Works in small, cramped areas to rescue trapped, endangered, or injured people. Climbs ladders or steps and works at heights greater than 10 feet to reach people trapped on building roofs. Moves dirt and burned-building debris to rescue trapped or endangered people, or to overhaul a structure. Moves earth with various tools in fighting brush fires and rescuing trapped persons from cave-ins. Moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more (examples: five-inch fire hoses, EMS equipment, smoke ejectors, trauma boxes, people on body boards, and salvage equipment) for distances of more than 20 feet. Use common hand tools to perform tasks at emergency scenes or at the fire station. Mixes gasoline and oil to fuel power tools used in firefighting and rescue activities. Works with cleaning fluids and agents, chemicals, paints, or similar solutions, using personal protective equipment, while performing fire station maintenance duties and mitigating hazardous materials incidents. Detects the following: natural gas leaks while performing emergency work; traffic sounds when approaching traffic at vehicle accidents in roadways; sounds of impending building collapse; calls for assistance; and alarms, sirens, and other signs of alarm or warning to remove self from danger and assist others in hazardous situations. Works in a variety of weather conditions. Enters data into a department computer (PC) or other keyboard device to document fires, first aid incidents, and fire prevention reports. Monitors firefighting performance to determine compliance with Awendaw-McClellanville Fire District’s Standard Operating Procedures and related standards. Distinguishes colors to identify chemicals involved in fires by smoke color, and to identify the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704M System, Hazardous Materials. Uses appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), while performing firefighting-related tasks in environments that may be immediately dangerous to life (IDLH atmospheres). Meets scheduling and attendance requirements.

Mental:

Prioritizes, assigns, and directs personnel during emergency scene operations under stressful conditions. Functions as an Incident Commander, Sector, or Branch Officer as needed or assigned. Evaluates subordinates' work performance to ensure conformance to standards. Analyzes data, such as documented work behaviors, evaluations, reports, and product information, to make recommendations to management regarding work performance, disciplinary actions, and the purchase or replacement of equipment. Comprehends and makes inferences from written material to perform work safely, and operate equipment at emergency incidents according to equipment instructions and preplans; performs emergency operation duties in accordance with department standard operating procedures; and identifies, resolves, and/or refers life safety hazards in buildings. Learns job-related material relating to EMS, supervisory, and firefighting duties through on-the-job training and in classroom settings.

Abilities

Firefighting methods and modern fire prevention practices; locally adopted fire code. Emergency medical methods and procedures. Overhaul and salvage operations. Hydraulics principles and their application to fire apparatus operation. Supervisory, training, and evaluation practices and techniques; departmental operating procedures, rules, and regulations. The Personnel Rules and Management Policies; traffic laws and regulations; and computer-based dispatch and reporting systems.

Ability To

Recognize life safety hazards. Analyze emergency situations and react quickly, calmly, and correctly to act effectively, giving due regard to hazards and circumstances; supervise and direct assigned personnel activities and daily operations; administer emergency medical care and first aid to injured persons; respond to and direct the route to be taken to emergency calls; supervise the care and maintenance of station, fire apparatus, and grounds; maintain logs and other periodic and activity reports; Engage in strenuous physical activity, which under emergency situations may require long working hours under emotional stress. Participate in physical fitness programs and comply with department medical and fitness requirements; and perform all essential functions of this position.

Charleston County offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, including but not limited to: