Fire Lieutenant

The Wilmington Fire Department is hiring Fire Lieutenants

The purpose of this position is to protect life and property of the citizens of Wilmington.   Performs supervisory and technical duties in the areas of fire suppression, emergency medical care, hazardous materials incidents, fire personnel training and public relations. This is accomplished by exercising a high degree of judgment and initiative while making critical fire and life safety related decisions, supervising personnel, overseeing housekeeping duties and equipment maintenance, and assuming responsibility for the apparatus.  Other duties include serving on committees, acting as Fire Captain, completing reports, testing equipment and apparatus, attending continuous professional training, inspecting hydrants, and coordinating monthly training. Performs all other duties as assigned and/or as necessary at the discretion of the Battalion Chief.

Application Procedure: 
To be considered for this excellent opportunity, applicants must submit a completed online employment application, the Career Plan Report, Supplemental Questionnaire and upload all required documents by posting deadline.

• Upload certification/proof of EACH required qualification
• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire. Certification numbers will not be accepted in lieu of uploaded documents.

• Submit a Letter of Recommendation from your supervisor
• Ensure all certifications are in your training folder

All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to frequently check their e-mails after the closing of the post to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment. If selected to move forward, applicants will receive their scheduled date and time for testing and interview, and all supporting information that may be needed. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information.  Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment. Missing an email will not be an accepted justification for missed assessments. 

• October 26, 2026 at 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM  EST
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• October 27, 2026 at 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EST
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• Supervises personnel by prioritizing and assigning tasks, ensuring tasks are completed, conducting performance evaluations, identifying training needs, coordinating, and presenting training for personnel, administers disciplinary actions in accordance with the City policy, responding to citizen complaints and employee grievances, writing reports, keeping personnel records, maintaining a state of readiness, and communicating to personnel.
  
  
• Commands fire ground operations during emergencies by directing subordinates in all aspects of fire ground activities, using apparatus and equipment for fire suppression and control.  
  
  
• Ensures the safety and accountability of all personnel and citizens during emergency operations.
  
  
• Performs non-emergency operations and public relations by assisting the Fire and Life Safety division and working with the public to protect life and property.
  
  
• Performs administrative tasks by writing reports, serving on committees, maintaining records, and participating in the review of departmental policies and procedures.
  
  
• Will perform all other duties as assigned and/or as necessary.

All Applicants Must Possess:

• Education and experience: 
  • Internal Candidates:
    • Have an associate’s degree with a minimum of 2 years as an Engineer in the Wilmington Fire Department or graduate with a WFD internal certificate with a minimum of three years and meet the minimum of 61 points on the Career Planning Report from the areas of Formal Education and Experience
  • External Candidates:
    • Have an Associate’s degree and minimum of 6 years with a career fire department with 2 of those years as an acting company officer.
      
      
• Minimum Requirements for all candidates:
  • Valid driver’s license by application close
  • NCOSFM Certified Firefighter or IFSAC/Pro-Board-Certified Firefighter
  • NCOEMS EMT credential or National Registry EMT with the ability to obtain North Carolina reciprocity
  • Pro Board/ IFSTA Hazmat Operations certification
  • NIMS ICS 100, 200, and 700 certifications
  • WFD Candidate School II
  • Pro Board/ IFSTA Fire Officer 1 Certification
    
    
• Additional Requirements by Applicant Type:
  • Internal Applicants (Current Employees):
    • Must possess Class B in state you currently reside
    • Must possess Blue Card certification 
    • Must possess NFA Safety Officer
    • Must have completed the Lieutenant Task Book
    • Have no more than two points on record for a preventable vehicle or nonvehicle accident within 12 months of the closing date
    • Have no formal disciplinary action above a first written reminder within 12 months of the closing date
    • Most recent annual performance rating must be “Meets Expectations” or better
    • Must provide a letter from his/her immediate supervisor recommending the candidate for the position and stating that the candidate meets job requirements as outlined in the Lieutenant's job description and is ready for the position 
  • External Applicants:
    • NC Class B must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
    • NFA Safety Officer certification must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
    • Lieutenant Task Book must be completed within six (6) months of hire
    • Blue card certification completed within six (6) months of hire
    • NCOSFM Emergency Vehicle Driver Certification within six (6) months of hire
    • Driver Operator & Pumps or IFSAC/Proboard within six (6) months of hire
    • Fire and Life Safety Educator 1 certification within six (6) months of hire

Additional Information:

• Continued employment is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining all required certifications and credentials within the specified timeframes
• Failure to meet certification requirements may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination

• A driving history and a criminal history check will be performed on all internal candidates who are placed on the certified roster for promotion.
  
  

• Required documentation submitted to HR

  • Copy of a High School Diploma, High School Transcript or GED Certificate.  Note: Copy of a College Diploma and/or official or unofficial transcript may be attached in lieu of High School Diploma and/or HS Transcripts. Continuing education credits are not accepted
    
    

• Driving History Check, Personal and Professional Reference Checks, *Fingerprint-based state and national criminal record check

  • *This position has been identified to interact with children and must comply with NC G.S. 153A-94.2(b) requires an applicant for employment that "works with children in any capacity, must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI.” These checks must be conducted in accordance with G.S. 143B-1209.26(Download PDF reader), the statute which authorizes the SBI to provide a fingerprint-based state and national criminal record check to cities and counties.
    
    

• Post-offer Pre-Employment Physical, Stress Test and Drug Screen