Firefighter Trainee

City-of-Asheville; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 44,940 - 51,064; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary during academy

Health Insurance

401K with employer match

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Holiday Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Sick Leave

Job summary

The City of Asheville invites applications for an entry-level firefighter. You will respond to fire emergencies, medical crises, and disasters, while undergoing 3–5 months of paid Firefighter Trainee training. After completing the academy, you enter 24-hour shift rotations and begin earning stepwise compensation.

Benefits include health, retirement plans, and ongoing professional development. Applicants must graduate high school, possess a valid driver's license, and work toward EMT/NFPA

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must obtain NC EMT and NFPA certifications within one year of hire.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities essential.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fire calls and perform suppression tasks.
• Provide emergency medical care and assist in rescue operations.
• Participate in training, inspection, and station maintenance.
• Educate the public on fire safety and engage with community.
• Maintain physical fitness and adhere to safety procedures.

Skills

Communication skills

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certification readiness (NC EMT/ NFPA)

Job description

Are you ready to start a rewarding and impactful career? The City of Asheville invites you to apply for the position of an entry-level firefighter. This role offers the opportunity to serve your community as a crucial member of a dedicated team, responding to fire emergencies, natural disasters, and medical crises.

As a firefighter, you will engage in:

• Emergency Response: Act swiftly and effectively to fire calls, disaster situations, and medical emergencies.
• Technical Training: Learn and master firefighting techniques, hazardous materials handling, and emergency medical care through rigorous study and training.
• Life-Saving Work: Perform responsible and technical tasks to protect Asheville residents from fires, environmental hazards, and disasters, providing emergency medical treatment and conducting rescue operations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Fire Control and Extinguishment: Apply advanced techniques to manage and extinguish fires.
• Medical Assistance: Deliver critical emergency medical care to the sick and injured.
• Station Maintenance: Participate in the upkeep of equipment and station quarters to ensure readiness.
• Public Interaction: Exhibit tact and courtesy when dealing with the public and those in distress, maintaining a professional demeanor at all times.

This role demands rapid response, strenuous physical exertion, and the ability to make independent judgments in high-pressure situations. Your performance will be evaluated based on your effectiveness in emergency responses and adherence to established procedures.

For more information on the hiring process, including timelines, practice exams, and assessment descriptions, please visit the Asheville Fire Department's website.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and persons of all genders and races are encouraged to apply.

Tentative start date is January 4, 2027. The academy lasts from 3-5 months based on certifications.

Academy Pipelines

• Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT/ Technical Rescuer certification: 12 weeks
• Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT: 18 weeks
• Certified NC EMT / or NREMT: 18 weeks
• No Experience or FF Only: 25 weeks

Candidate Selection Process

• Applicant Physical Ability Testing (APAT) - Testing Sessions:
  • Week of September 28th (Specific dates to be communicated)
  • Week of October 5th (Specific dates to be communicated)
• Written Testing:
  • Scheduled test dates (Virtual)
  • Week of October 5th
• Structured Interviews:
  • October 19th - October 23rd
• NFPA Physical:
  • November 2nd (alt November 3rd)
• Start date:
  • January 4, 2027.

Final applicants are subject to the following checks and screenings:

• Pre-Employment Drug Screening: Ensure a drug-free workplace.
• Driving Record Check: Verify safe driving history.
• Background Check: Confirm suitability for the role.

Additionally, final applicants must successfully complete a physical examination per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 guidelines. This comprehensive physical includes tests for hearing, vision, breathing capacity, and cardiology. These examinations require scheduled appointments, and the City’s physician or physician assistant must provide final clearance. The exams are conducted at the City's expense after a conditional offer is made but before a final offer of employment.

Fire Academy Training

All successful candidates will attend the City of Asheville Fire Department's Fire Academy as paid Firefighter Trainees for approximately 3-5 months. The training schedule is generally Monday to Friday, typically varying between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM, though hours may vary due to instructional needs. Upon successful completion of the academy, firefighters will begin 24-hour shift rotations.

Incentives

Education Incentive: Available for candidates with an Associate’s Degree or higher.

Language Incentive: Offered to candidates proficient in more than one language who can successfully pass a foreign language competency test.

This position is non-exempt.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Fire Response: Respond to fire calls as a firefighter and perform necessary fire suppression tasks.
• Disaster Response: Handle environmental and other disasters involving hazardous materials, such as gas leaks, fuel spills, and chemical emergencies, by taking proper steps to mitigate hazardous situations.
• Emergency Medical Response: Act as an emergency medical technician, perform necessary rescue work, and administer emergency medical care.

Non-Emergency Assistance

• Continuous Training: Participate in a continuous training program to improve competence in all areas related to firefighting functions and meet Federal, State, and Local standards.
• Equipment Maintenance: Assist in the inspection and maintenance of assigned apparatus and equipment, and perform station maintenance.
• Public Education: Actively participate in public fire and life safety education activities, hydrant maintenance, professional development reviews, and any other assigned duties.
• Rescue Operations: Use specialized hand and power tools to rescue victims of fire, disaster, and other emergencies.
• Medical Procedures: Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation as necessary.
• Physical Fitness: Maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness for duty.
• Pre-Fire Planning: Participate as a member of a company in pre-fire planning.
• Data Management: Utilize computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet, file maintenance, and/or database programs to enter, store, and retrieve information.
• Traffic Control: Assist with traffic control duties as required.
• Off-Duty Response: Respond on an off-duty basis in the event of a major fire, rescue, hazardous materials, or other emergencies.

Other Duties

Perform related work as required.

What You Bring

We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements or have comparable experience and/or education will be considered:

• Graduation from high school (or equivalent) by the start of the Fire Academy.
• Verbal and written communication skills, and reading comprehension skills necessary to successfully complete basic firefighter training and certification.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience required to perform the essential position functions.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Must be at least 18 years of age by the starting date of the academy.
• Obtain the following certifications issued by the State of North Carolina within one (1) year of the date of hire (all courses and tests required will be offered during the academy):
  • Firefighter II
  • Hazardous Materials Operations
  • EMT-B
  • Technical Rescuer
• Persons of all genders and races are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Starting Salary $44,940.32 (21.60 hourly) during the academy
• Upon graduation from the academy annual salary is $51,064.52
• AEMT 5% Supplement
• Advanced FF 5% Supplement
• Annual Leave – 12 days per year
• Government Credit Union eligibility
• 401K with up to 6% employer match
• 457B with up to 6% employer match
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Health Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Medical and Dependent Care
• On-Site Medical Office
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year
• Holiday Leave – 11 days per year
• Sick Leave Sharing Bank Option
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave

For City of Asheville employee benefits information, click here.

About the Asheville Fire Department

The mission of the City of Asheville Fire Department is to protect the lives, property, and environment of all people within Asheville by preventing the occurrence and minimizing the adverse effects of fires, accidents, and all other emergencies. We accomplish this mission with firefighter pride, preparedness, and professionalism, focusing on quality customer service and continuous improvement.

The Asheville Fire Department is an accredited agency, having received its first accreditation status in 2005. Our members dedicate countless hours to examining past, current, and future service levels and internal performances, comparing them to current research and industry best practices to maintain this accreditation. This designation, along with an ISO rating of 1, affirms that our firefighters provide the highest levels of service and professionalism while protecting the lives and property of all people in the city of Asheville.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The City of Asheville is proud to be a second-chance employer.