Fire Fighter Trainee

County of Kauai; United States; On-site; USD 54,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical for family

Vested retirement after 10 years

Vacation leave 21 days

Job summary

County of Kaua'i invites applications for a Fire Fighter Trainee to learn firefighting techniques under supervision and participate in on-the-job training at the Fire Department Headquarters on Kaua'i, HI.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma (or equivalent), two years of general work experience, and required certifications such as First Responder, CPR, and USLA ARRT. The position supports a Civil Service track with a full on-site schedule.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Two years general work experience.
• Valid Hawaii Type 3 driver's license or equivalent.
• First Responder Certificate or higher.
• CPR and USLA ARRT certificates.

Responsibilities

• Attend training sessions and participate in drills and demonstrations concerning firefighting and rescue procedures.
• Study firefighting manuals, policies, codes and regulations.
• Tour fire districts to learn street and building layouts and fire hydrant locations.
• Assist in conducting fire company inspections and basic firefighting tasks.
• Perform cleaning, maintenance and service of firefighting equipment and station facilities.

Skills

Reading

Writing

Computation

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Job Posting End Date: September 25, 2026

Job Title: Fire Fighter Trainee

Salary Range: N/A

Position Salary: 5,646.00 USD Monthly

Location: Fire Department Headquarters

Civil Service or Non Civil Service: Civil Service

Job Summary: Serves in a trainee capacity, receiving on-and-off the job training to learn the theories, techniques and methods used in firefighting tasks under immediate supervision; and performs other duties as required.

Examples of Duties

• Attends training sessions and participates in informal discussions, on-the-job training, practice drills and demonstrations concerning firefighting, rescue and first aid procedures and techniques;
• Studies firefighting manuals, departmental policies, procedures, fire codes, rules and regulations;
• Participates in tours of fire districts to study and become familiar with the location of streets, building, hydrants, water resources, standpipe connections, sprinkler connections and fire escapes;
• Participates in conducting fire company inspections;
• Assists in the performance of a variety of firefighting and rescue work;
• Performs salvage and clean-up work when fire is under control such as removing debris, loose beams, floorings, excess water and furnishings from the buildings;
• Reloads hoses, ladders, and other firefighting and rescue tools and devices for return to station;
• Washes, polishes and services firefighting apparatus and equipment;
• Washes, tests and dries hoses;
• Performs housekeeping and maintenance tasks in maintaining station building, grounds and equipment;
• and Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Training & Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from high school, and two (2) years of general work experience.

Qualifying General Work Experience: Any work experience which may involve the basic skills: reading, writing, computation and communication.

License Requirement: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license, as required (Hawai‘i Type 3 or equivalent);

Prior to completion of probation candidate must possess the following certificates:

• First Responder Certificate or higher
• American Heart Association Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation Certificate
• United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Aquatic Rescue Response Team (ARRT) Certificate

Important Information for Fire Fighter Trainee Applicants

The probation period is part of the examination/selection process. All Fire Fighter Trainee recruits must successfully pass an initial probation of one (1) year before becoming a regular member of Civil Service. Information provided herein constitutes requirements known at the time of announcement of this examination and may be revised or changed without limitation or notice for good reason thereafter.

Tests: Applicants will be required to qualify on appropriate examinations. The examinations will consist of a written examination and physical performance evaluation. Please note exams are held ONLY on Kaua'i. We do NOT conduct testing in other jurisdictions. When attending the qualifying written and performance examinations, please be prompt. There will be no admittance if you are late. No spectators are allowed at testing sites.

The written examination has been tentatively scheduled for October 6, 2026 - October 7, 2026 The physical performance examination has been tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2026 - October 22, 2026.

Physical Performance Evaluation: Candidates must be able to perform the following (Applicants must pass each event in order to move to the next event):

• 100-yard pool swim within 2 minutes 5 seconds.
• Dive and retrieve a 5 lb. weight within 45 seconds after swimming the 100-yard pool swim.
• 10 flights of stair climb carrying a hose bundle, approximately 50 lbs., within 25 seconds.
• Aerial ladder climb (No time limit).
• Endurance event, one mile run within 8 minutes.
• Fire attack and rescue obstacle course event within 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for The week of November 2, 2026 .

Work Shift/ Schedule: 24/7; shift work (United States of America)

Equal Opportunity Employer It is the policy of the County of Kauaʻi that there shall be no discrimination in employment pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, and the Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapters 368 and 378. Except for bona fide occupational or other legal requirements, no individual employed by the County, or applying for employment with the County, shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy or reproductive health decisions, arrest and court record, assignment of child support, national guard participation, Veteran status, credit history, domestic/sexual violence victim status, or any other basis covered by state or federal laws governing non-discrimination.

Join our Team of over 1,300 employees on the island of Kaua’i and start building a better tomorrow for you, your family and the Kaua’i community!

I’ve submitted my application, what happens next?

For civil service positions, applicants will be evaluated based on the content of their applications and depending on the position, may require additional assessments such as a written examination, performance examination or evidence of a valid driver’s license before being placed on an eligible list for that class of work.

Depending on your ranking on the eligible list, you may be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

For non-civil service positions, applicants do not need to meet minimum qualification requirements.

Oral Interviews are conducted with a panel of interviewers and if you are selected for an interview you will be contacted by the hiring department.

Employment references will be conducted for the final applicant.

After offer, depending on the position, other requirements such as criminal background check, physical examination, and drug testing may be required.

What is an eligible list?

Applicants for civil service positions who meets the minimum qualification requirements are placed on an eligible list which will be used by departments to fill a vacant position for that class of work. An applicant will remain on an eligible list for 6 months.

What is the difference between a civil service and non-civil service position?

A civil service position must be filled through the merit system whereby applicants must be qualified to fill a position. Becoming a civil service employee provides an individual with various rights not afforded to non-civil service employees. For more information about civil service recruitment, visit our website: Employment Opportunities - Kauai County, HI Hiring for a non-civil service position is usually processed by the hiring department. There are no minimum qualification requirements and your employment is considered “at will” which means that you may be discharged by the hiring department at any time.

Do you allow substitutions for minimum qualification requirements (education for experience or experience for education)?

Yes we do! For more information about allowed substitutions for a specific position, visit Class Specifications and search the specific job description that you are interested in.

What benefits does the County of Kaua‘i offer?

The County of Kaua’i offers generous leave time that employees start earning as soon as you are hired!

• 21 days of vacation leave
• 21 days of sick leave
• 13 paid holidays (14 in an election year)
• FREE medical for your entire family!
• Vested retirement benefits after 10 years of service!

And much more!

For more information about benefits, visit our website: Benefits of Becoming a County of Kaua‘i Employee

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