What are the responsibilities and job description for the Firefighter position at City of Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Description
The Fayetteville Fire Department is currently accepting applications for certified and non-certified applicants. Applicants must submit an online application before 4:00 PM on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Starting salary for inexperienced/entry level Firefighters: $45,000/year.
Candidates must be available for hire upon receipt of a contingent offer in order to be considered.
Position Requirements
Certified-Inexperienced Requirements
In order to qualify as a Lateral Hire Firefighter, at the time of application, applicants must be:
We invite you to tour our Fire Department recruitment site at www.fayettevillenc.gov/City-Departments/Fire-Department. By visiting this site, you may also find detailed information on requirements, benefits, and the recruitment process.
For firefighter recruitment process updates, like us on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/fayfire
This recruitment is for a Fire Training Academy scheduled to begin early 2027. Certified-Inexperienced and Lateral Hire candidates may be contacted at any time during the calendar year for employment opportunities and will be eligible for an abbreviated fire academy schedule. The process will consist of a Written Exam, Physical Ability Test and a Panel Interview. The selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment drug screen, physical, a complete background investigation to include reference checks and driving history checks.
_____________________________________________________________________
Note
_____________________________________________________________________
Participation in each step of the process is by invitation only. Candidates will be notified via e-mail of the specific date, time and location for each step of the selection process.
Anticipated Written Exam Dates
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Written Exam Location:
TBD
Anticipated Practice Physical Ability Test date: Tuesday, November 03, 2026
Anticipated Physical Ability Test dates: Wednesday, November 04, 2026 - Saturday, November 07, 2026
NOTE: Candidates must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the complete job description, unassisted, at a pace and performance level consistent with the bona-fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) requirements. This requires a high level of physical ability to include vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, strength, etc.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Health And Dental Insurance
The City of Fayetteville Employee Healthcare Benefit Plan provides comprehensive and affordable health and dental coverage while maintaining reasonable costs to employees. Coverage is available for all regular status employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. The premium is deducted on a pre-tax basis, with the City paying a portion of the premium. Qualifying employees are eligible for benefits on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of service.
Employer Paid Leave
Vacation Leave
Regular employees begin accruing vacation leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on years of service
and the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work.
Sick Leave
Regular employees begin accruing sick leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on the number of hours
scheduled to work; regular full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month. Sick leave hours accumulate without
limits and may be used toward creditable service upon retirement from the NC Local Governmental Retirement System.
Holidays
The City of Fayetteville observes 12 paid holidays per calendar year. When Christmas day is on a Wednesday, an
additional holiday is provided making for 13 paid holidays.
Bereavement
Regular employees are eligible for bereavement leave. The City will authorize 24 hours per calendar year to mourn or
attend a funeral or memorial service of a family member.
Retirement
The City of Fayetteville assists employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the NC
Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular employees
scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member
of this system, employees are required to contribute 6% of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis.
Deferred Compensation Plans
To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These
programs enable regular full-time, and part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week, an opportunity to save a
portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefits. These programs are the NC 401(k)
plan and NC 457 plan; both administered by Empower. The City currently contributes 4% of base salary to an eligible
employee’s NC 401(k) account.
Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits
Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction:
The first year an employee contributes to the retirement system, the City provides a death benefit of $3,000 once the
employee is benefits eligible. After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided
by the NC Retirement System that is equal to the highest 12 months’ salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no
less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit.
Pay Periods / Deduction For Benefits / Direct Deposit
City employees are paid bi-weekly (every other Friday). Benefit deductions are taken for 24 pay periods of the year. As an added convenience and safety measure, the City requires all new employees to sign up for direct deposit.
Employee Assistance Program
The EAP is available at no cost to all employees and their household members. The EAP provides confidential guidance
on legal, financial and personal issues affecting your health, relationships and job.
Also Available To Public Safety Fire Department Employees
Responses to the supplemental questions must reflect the information provided under the "Work Experience" section of the application. Your responses will be used to determine whether or not you possess the minimum qualifications required for this position at the time of application.
From the list below, please select the type of position you are applying for:
In Order To Be Considered As a Lateral Entry Firefighter, You Must Submit Copies Of The Following Documents By Uploading/attaching To This Application
Are you a current City of Fayetteville employee?
This position requires you to be 18 years of age on or before September 25, 2026. Do you meet this requirement?
Do you currently possess valid driver's license?
If you currently possess an out of state driver's license, will you be able to obtain a North Carolina Driver's license within 30 days of employment?
Have you held an out-of-state driver's license (other than NC) in the past 3 years?
Do you currently have an acceptable driving record in accordance with the City of Fayetteville driving standard? Click here to view the City of Fayetteville's driving standard's list of an unacceptable driving record criteria.
This position requires completion of, or equivalent to, the 12th grade. Will you be able to provide proof of meeting this requirement?
This position requires office/field environment; emergency firefighting environment; work at heights on scaffolding and ladders; work with water; work in confined spaces; travel from site to site; work closely with others; exposure to electrical, noise and radiant energy hazards; and inclement weather conditions. Are you willing to accept these working conditions?
This position requires working 24 hour shifts, holidays and weekends. Are you willing to accept this working condition?
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED! You may attach a resume; however, the application MUST include a 10-year history. Please answer all questions on the application in their entirety and your application MUST include the following:
The Fayetteville Fire Department is currently accepting applications for certified and non-certified applicants. Applicants must submit an online application before 4:00 PM on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Starting salary for inexperienced/entry level Firefighters: $45,000/year.
Candidates must be available for hire upon receipt of a contingent offer in order to be considered.
Position Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age on or before September 25, 2026.
- Must be eligible to work in the United States.
- Must have no felony and limited misdemeanor convictions.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and, if out of state, be able to obtain a North Carolina driver's license appropriate for vehicle operating within 30 days of employment.
- Must have no loss of license within the past year and an acceptable driving record in accordance with the City of Fayetteville Driving Standard.
- Click here to view the City of Fayetteville's driving standard.
- Must be in good physical condition as required by the essential job functions and be willing to submit to drug screening and a complete physical (upon conditional offer of employment and while employed).
- Must be able to meet standards for NC EMT certification within one year of employment.
Certified-Inexperienced Requirements
- Must meet all previously identified position requirements.
- Must possess a NC Firefighter II certification (must meet ProBoard/ IFSAC accreditation).
- Must possess Hazardous Materials Operations certification (must meet Proboard/IFSAC accreditation).
- Must possess a current State of North Carolina EMT certification
- Must possess a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
- Starting salary for Certified-Inexperienced applicants will be based upon verification of certifications.
In order to qualify as a Lateral Hire Firefighter, at the time of application, applicants must be:
- Currently employed as a paid full time firefighter employed by a state, county, or municipal fire department; OR
- A retired firefighter who voluntarily separated (within the last 12 months) as a paid full-time firefighter from a state, county, or municipal fire department; OR
- A former paid firefighter who separated (within the last 12 months) as a result of lay-offs from full time employment by a state, county, or municipal fire department; WITH
- A minimum of two years firefighting experience while employed as a paid full-time firefighter by a state, county, or municipal fire department.
- Must meet all previously identified position requirements.
- Must possess a NC Firefighter II certification (must meet ProBoard/ IFSAC accreditation).
- Must possess Hazardous Materials Operations certification (must meet Proboard/IFSAC accreditation).
- Must possess a current State of North Carolina or EMT certification
- Must possess a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
- Starting salary for Lateral Hire applicants will be based upon verification of previous experience, completion of higher education, fire service certifications and alignment with the FFD Career Development program.
We invite you to tour our Fire Department recruitment site at www.fayettevillenc.gov/City-Departments/Fire-Department. By visiting this site, you may also find detailed information on requirements, benefits, and the recruitment process.
For firefighter recruitment process updates, like us on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/fayfire
This recruitment is for a Fire Training Academy scheduled to begin early 2027. Certified-Inexperienced and Lateral Hire candidates may be contacted at any time during the calendar year for employment opportunities and will be eligible for an abbreviated fire academy schedule. The process will consist of a Written Exam, Physical Ability Test and a Panel Interview. The selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment drug screen, physical, a complete background investigation to include reference checks and driving history checks.
_____________________________________________________________________
Note
_____________________________________________________________________
Participation in each step of the process is by invitation only. Candidates will be notified via e-mail of the specific date, time and location for each step of the selection process.
Anticipated Written Exam Dates
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Written Exam Location:
TBD
Anticipated Practice Physical Ability Test date: Tuesday, November 03, 2026
Anticipated Physical Ability Test dates: Wednesday, November 04, 2026 - Saturday, November 07, 2026
NOTE: Candidates must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the complete job description, unassisted, at a pace and performance level consistent with the bona-fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) requirements. This requires a high level of physical ability to include vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, strength, etc.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Health And Dental Insurance
The City of Fayetteville Employee Healthcare Benefit Plan provides comprehensive and affordable health and dental coverage while maintaining reasonable costs to employees. Coverage is available for all regular status employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. The premium is deducted on a pre-tax basis, with the City paying a portion of the premium. Qualifying employees are eligible for benefits on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of service.
Employer Paid Leave
Vacation Leave
Regular employees begin accruing vacation leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on years of service
and the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work.
Sick Leave
Regular employees begin accruing sick leave the first day of employment. Accruals are based on the number of hours
scheduled to work; regular full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month. Sick leave hours accumulate without
limits and may be used toward creditable service upon retirement from the NC Local Governmental Retirement System.
Holidays
The City of Fayetteville observes 12 paid holidays per calendar year. When Christmas day is on a Wednesday, an
additional holiday is provided making for 13 paid holidays.
Bereavement
Regular employees are eligible for bereavement leave. The City will authorize 24 hours per calendar year to mourn or
attend a funeral or memorial service of a family member.
Retirement
The City of Fayetteville assists employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the NC
Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular employees
scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member
of this system, employees are required to contribute 6% of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis.
Deferred Compensation Plans
To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These
programs enable regular full-time, and part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week, an opportunity to save a
portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefits. These programs are the NC 401(k)
plan and NC 457 plan; both administered by Empower. The City currently contributes 4% of base salary to an eligible
employee’s NC 401(k) account.
Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits
Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction:
- > Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) – Healthcare and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (pre-tax)
- > Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- > Optional Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment
The first year an employee contributes to the retirement system, the City provides a death benefit of $3,000 once the
employee is benefits eligible. After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided
by the NC Retirement System that is equal to the highest 12 months’ salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no
less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit.
Pay Periods / Deduction For Benefits / Direct Deposit
City employees are paid bi-weekly (every other Friday). Benefit deductions are taken for 24 pay periods of the year. As an added convenience and safety measure, the City requires all new employees to sign up for direct deposit.
Employee Assistance Program
The EAP is available at no cost to all employees and their household members. The EAP provides confidential guidance
on legal, financial and personal issues affecting your health, relationships and job.
Also Available To Public Safety Fire Department Employees
- NC Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program
- Advancement/Promotion potential through a career development plan
- uniform service
Responses to the supplemental questions must reflect the information provided under the "Work Experience" section of the application. Your responses will be used to determine whether or not you possess the minimum qualifications required for this position at the time of application.
- I have read and complied with the above statement.
From the list below, please select the type of position you are applying for:
- Non-Certified/Inexperienced applicant
- Certified-Inexperienced Firefighter/EMT
- Lateral Entry Firefighter
In Order To Be Considered As a Lateral Entry Firefighter, You Must Submit Copies Of The Following Documents By Uploading/attaching To This Application
- NC Firefighter I and II certification
- NC Hazardous Materials Operations certification
- NC EMT or National Registry EMT certification
- AHA CPR card, or equivalent
- I have read and complied with the above statement.
Are you a current City of Fayetteville employee?
- Yes
- No
This position requires you to be 18 years of age on or before September 25, 2026. Do you meet this requirement?
- Yes
- No
Do you currently possess valid driver's license?
- Yes
- No
If you currently possess an out of state driver's license, will you be able to obtain a North Carolina Driver's license within 30 days of employment?
- Yes
- No
- Currently possess a NC Drivers License
Have you held an out-of-state driver's license (other than NC) in the past 3 years?
- Yes
- No
Do you currently have an acceptable driving record in accordance with the City of Fayetteville driving standard? Click here to view the City of Fayetteville's driving standard's list of an unacceptable driving record criteria.
- Yes
- No
This position requires completion of, or equivalent to, the 12th grade. Will you be able to provide proof of meeting this requirement?
- Yes
- No
This position requires office/field environment; emergency firefighting environment; work at heights on scaffolding and ladders; work with water; work in confined spaces; travel from site to site; work closely with others; exposure to electrical, noise and radiant energy hazards; and inclement weather conditions. Are you willing to accept these working conditions?
- Yes
- No
This position requires working 24 hour shifts, holidays and weekends. Are you willing to accept this working condition?
- Yes
- No
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED! You may attach a resume; however, the application MUST include a 10-year history. Please answer all questions on the application in their entirety and your application MUST include the following:
- Drivers License Number
- Employer information including salary, address, phone number, supervisor name, and reason for leaving for each employer
- Complete Education History (including High School)
- A complete 10-year history to include gaps you have had between employment and/or school attendance. Example: Office Assistant 1/2011 – present The Company 123 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 (910) 555-5555 Unemployed 6/2004 – 12/2010 Unemployed Student 12/2000 - 6/2004 My High School Fayetteville, NC 28301 Applications without a 10-year history and all the required information will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Please take a moment to review your application for completeness.
- I have read and understand the above statement
- Required Question
Salary : $48,400 - $52,310