Paramedic (Full-Time)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Newton, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02327
Department: Emergency Services
Division: Emergency Medical Services
Opening Date: 05/08/2026


New as of 01/01/2026:

Your well-being matters from the start - benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.

Position Description
Join Catawba County EMS. Now Hiring Paramedics!

Looking for a rewarding EMS career with competitive pay, modern equipment, and opportunities to grow? Catawba County EMS offers a supportive environment, advanced clinical tools, and a schedule designed for work-life balance.
Schedule & Work-Life Balance:

• 12-hour shifts
• Typical shift times:
  • 0700-1900
  • 1900-0700
  • 0900-2100
• Pittman-style schedule:
  • Fixed day or night shift assignment
  • Every other weekend off
  • Alternating 36-hour and 48-hour work weeks
  • Built-in overtime included in your schedule
• Generous paid leave, including 40 hours of advanced leave upon hire
• 11 paid holidays annually

Competitive Pay & Incentives:

Base Pay

• Starting salary: $54,967.43+ ($26.43/hour)
• With built-in overtime: $64,243.18+

Bring Your Experience. Earn More.
We recognize the value of your time in the field. Experienced EMS professionals are paid a higher starting salary based on years of service.

Shift Differential

• Night shift: +$2.00/hour

Specialty Pay

• Field Training Officer (FTO): +$1.25/hour

Education Incentives

EMS professionals with advanced degrees will receive extra pay based on the highest degree obtained:

• Associate's Degree: +$0.25/hour
• Bachelor's Degree: +$0.50/hour
• Master's Degree: +$0.75/hour

Certification Pay

Additional hourly pay for National Registry certification:

• EMT: +$0.25/hour
• AEMT: +$0.25/hour
• Paramedic: +$0.50/hour

Financial Security

• Longevity Pay beginning at 5 years of service
• Participation in the NC Local Government Retirement System (Pension)
• 401(k) contribution up to 3% from the County

Other Information:

Advanced Equipment & Technology

• Work with cutting-edge tools that support high-quality patient care:
• Video laryngoscopy with image capture capability
• IV infusion pumps on every ambulance with pre-programmed medication dosing to match agency protocols
• LUCAS 3 automated CPR devices on every ambulance
• Hamilton T1 transport ventilators
• Handtevy mobile platform (real-time protocols & charting integration)

Modern Fleet

• All frontline Ambulances are less than 4 years old
• Stryker Power-LOAD systems & power stretchers on every ambulance

Facilities & Service Area

• Diverse call volume: rural and urban responses
• 35,064 calls for service in 2025
• Newly constructed EMS bases throughout each region of the county

Specialty Team Opportunities

Expand your EMS experience by serving beyond the ambulance on one of our specialty teams:

• Special Events (Bike) Team
• State Medical Assistance Team (SMAT)
• Tactical Medic Team
• Honor Guard (one of less than 10 EMS Honor Guards in NC)
• EMS Explorer Program (mentoring local students)
• Peer support and other specialty teams

Apply today to make a difference in Catawba County!

Be part of a progressive EMS system that values your skills, supports your growth, and invests in your future. Join us as we serve our community!

Responsibilities

• Administering pre-hospital medical care and psychological support to sick and injured patients
• Operating emergency vehicles
• Attending continuing education programs to maintain recertification hours
• Completing electronic patient care reports and other documentation
• Cleaning and restocking ambulances and bases
• Other assigned duties

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and completion of a Paramedic degree or certification program; and
• Certification by the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services as a Paramedic

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record (Driving is an essential function of this position)
• Excellent patient care skills with thorough knowledge of paramedic-level emergency medical protocols and the ability to properly use the appropriate equipment and supplies
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to policies/procedures
• Dedication to outstanding customer service and community focus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with a variety of individuals, including citizens, co-workers, managers, hospital staff, and other agencies
• Exceptional initiative and motivation
• Knowledge of the geographical layout of Catawba County
• Working conditions are inside/outside, and candidates must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull at least 200 pounds with a partner regularly

Preferences:

• Applicants with successful completion of BTLS, ITLS, ACLS, or PALS courses
• Applicants who are bilingual in English/Spanish or English/Hmong are encouraged to apply. Extra duty pay for bilingual skills is available upon successful test results.

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee's children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

• Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Time off for activities that support our local schools.
• Continuing educational assistance.
• Discount tickets to recreational venues.
• Employee appreciation days/activities.
• Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security

• Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
• 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
• Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
• Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
• Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee's annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
• Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

01


List your current level of North Carolina credential (Paramedic, Advanced EMT, or EMT), your NCOEMS "P" number, and the expiration date.
02


If not a Paramedic, are you currently enrolled in Paramedic school? If so, what school and what is your expected date of completion? This is a requirement for this position.
03


Are you currently certified as a National Registry Paramedic, AEMT, or EMT? If so, list your number and the expiration date.
04


Do you have a valid NC Driver's license with a safe driving record?

• Yes
• No

Required Question