Fire Fighter/EMT Recruit

Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician
Fire Rescue
Full-Time, 12 Months
Non-Exempt, Public Safety Pay Scale
VRS-Eligible, Benefits-Eligible,

Job Summary/ Objective:
Under the general direction of the designated supervisor, maintains and enhances skills to provide emergency and non-emergency related services, including, but not limited to, fire suppression, pre-hospital emergency medical care, hazardous materials incident response, technical rescue operations, community engagement, and life safety education.

Essential Functions:
Performs Emergency Response - Responds and performs at fire, rescue, and EMS emergency incidents; demonstrates rapid, safe, and effective actions as prescribed by relevant operational protocols, policy, and direction; provides basic and, if certified, advanced life support, drives and operates fire and EMS apparatus, and completes associated incident reports.

Assists Projects/Programs - As directed, participates in, and develops training activities to include physical training; cleans station facilities; maintains station supplies; assists with fire inspections, smoke alarm installs, and life safety presentations; developing and maintaining pre-plans and station maps in accordance with Department and station policies and procedures.

Provides Customer Service - Delivers internal and external customer service. Strives to ensure positive relations among system personnel. Uses discretion and an understanding of sensitive issues when participating in formal and informal discussions and when making decisions and resolving problems.  Engages in joint problem-solving while maintaining a flexible approach. Demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with both external and internal contacts.

Ensures Emergency Apparatus Readiness  -   Maintains emergency apparatus in a state of readiness. Performs daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of emergency response vehicles. Ensures equipment and supplies are accounted for, operating properly, and ready for service. Initiates inspection reports and makes minor repairs to equipment as directed or in conjunction with Department and Station policy and procedures; completes inspection records.

Participates in and completes department-sanctioned initiatives. Participation can be independent or as a member of a team.

May perform other essential job functions specific to the position and department assignment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods, principles, practices, techniques, procedures, and equipment of fire prevention, suppression, and basic and advanced life support as assigned according to certifications and related assigned duties.
• General knowledge of the street system and physical layout of the County.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of the Department services.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to keep and maintain records, logs, and proper reports.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise written reports.
• Ability to identify and solve routine work-related problems.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteer personnel, other members of the fire and rescue staff, and members of the public.
• Ability to take direction, understand, and follow oral and written orders.
• Ability to occasionally work independently and with others as a response team member.
• Ability to drive/operate fire and rescue apparatus and equipment as assigned.
• Ability to meet physical and mental requirements to perform the work.
• Ability to complete required training.

Required Education and Experience:

• Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application  
• High school diploma or equivalent required

Certification, License and Special Requirements:

Pre-employment:

• Successful completion of the firefighter entry-level online exam 
• Successful completion of the ACFR Physical Ability Test
• Background check to include but not limited to criminal history and complete driving history Candidates will be required to submit fingerprints and may have to sign release so a complete and thorough background check can be completed
• Possession of a valid driver’s license for at least 2 years required at the time of application. Driving record must meet County driver eligibility requirements
• Successful completion of a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 Medical Physical Exam

Pre-employment option:

At the discretion of the Fire Rescue Chief and in coordination with the Department of Human Resources, a Firefighter/EMT candidate may be required to have certain certifications and previous experience for special recruit schools which are intended to be shorter than a traditional recruit school.

Recruit School:

Firefighter Recruits must possess the following certifications by the end of the Recruit Academy in accordance with the ACFR Recruit School Manual and the Successful Completion of Recruit School policy.

• Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support
• Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
• Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) Firefighter I 
• VDFP Hazardous Materials Operations
• VDFP Emergency Vehicle Operator Course – Level II
• FEMA Incident Command System 100, 200, 700, and 800
• TEEX Fire and Emergency Services AWR 160
• VDFP Introduction to Low Angel Rescue
• VDFP Passenger Vehicle Operation Technician 
• Child Passenger Seat Technician
• Tactical Emergency Combat Care
• Others as determined by the Department

Maintains certification, license, and special requirements to include but not limited to:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Certifications received during recruit school or as a requirement of employment.
• The employee is subject to a no-tobacco, no vaping and no smoking of marijuana policy
• Pass an annual physical ability test
• Pass an annual NFPA 1582 medical physical 

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

Physical:

• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing        –  ascending,  descending   ladders,  stairs,        ramps,  requires  body agility.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or , feet
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touching with skin, fingertips
• Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand
• Hearing – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information, receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back - Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 165 pounds. 
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning
• Pulling – use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely
• Standing – for sustained periods of time
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back
• Visual Acuity – prepare, analyze data, transcribing, extensive reading, depth perception, field of vision, observe facilities/structures, operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment, close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices
• Walking – on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site 
• Wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus is required. 

 Mental:

• Perform job duties while enduring environments which are stressful up to and including environments immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
• Expected to function as part of a team in an IDLH environment
• Expected to operate in a variety of shifts to include 8, 12, and 24-hour durations and in potentially sleep-deprived conditions
• Expected to process complex emotional situations involving loss of property, human suffering and/or death.  
• Expected to perform complex cognitive functions and analytical skills while in an IDLH environment and under stressful conditions. 
• Expected to control emotions and exercise sound judgement and decision-making skills, including while in an IDLH environment and under stressful conditions.

Hiring Salary: The starting pay for a new recruit without experience is *54,631 per year with excellent benefits including 12 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, VRS retirement, and continuing education/training opportunities. Recruits who have graduated from an accredited college or university with an Associate's Degree will receive an additional $1,000 per year and those with a Bachelor's Degree will receive an additional $2,000 per year. This is a full time, FLSA non-exempt position. Internal candidates will receive pay adjustments in accordance with Local Government Personnel Policy, §P-60.

*rates are based on the Fiscal Year 2026 public safety pay scale and are subject to change. 

Deadline for Applications:  Position open until August 16th, 2025

Process: Learn more about the hiring process for the Firefighter / Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) position at the www.workforACFR.com

Learn more about the County as a great place to live at New Resident Guide

You may find more information at the Albemarle County Human Resources page http://www.albemarle.org/hr.

Remote Work:
This position is not eligible for remote work. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Albemarle County Core Values:
Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County’s Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through: 

Community:  We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.

Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.

Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.