Fire Cadet

Fire Cadet Position

Pay: $14 hourly

Pensacola Fire Department covers the full cost of tuition, fees, uniforms, and gear for the local George Stone Fire Academy. All hours spent attending the academy are included in your paid work hours.

The George Stone Fire Academy runs from October 2026 through May 2027. Upon graduating from the academy and passing the Florida State Firefighter Certification, you will become eligible for promotion to Professional Firefighter with an increase in pay. After promotion, your schedule will transition to a 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off shift rotation.

PAT testing will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026; Thursday, August 13, 2026; and Friday, August 14, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at Pensacola Fire Station 4, located at 1 N Q St, Pensacola, FL 32505. Please ensure you are able to attend one of these in-person PAT dates. Out-of-town applicants are encouraged to complete the PAT on Friday, August 14, 2026, unless another date is needed.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, and Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Only the applicants with the 15–16 fastest PAT times will be invited to interview. Virtual interviews are available upon request.

Minimum Preparation for Work:

• Graduation from high school or a GED that meets Florida Standards.
• Minimum age 18.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession of an appropriate driver license for equipment operated and any license, training or certification required by law or regulation to complete assigned tasks.
• Applicants must have been free from the use of tobacco or tobacco products for one (1) year prior to application.
• Must successfully obtain Professional Firefighting Certificate of Compliance within six (6) months of hire unless otherwise approved by the Fire Chief and Chief Human Resources Officer.

Nature of Work:

This is a classified position. This is an entry-level position for those who are interested in a career in the fire service. An employee in this class is responsible for a variety of tasks related to prevention and suppression of fires. Work is performed in accordance with departmental rules and regulations and cadet may be required to work shifts. Work assignments are received from a superior officer who evaluates performance through the review of work methods, procedures, and results. An employee appointed as a Fire Cadet remains on probation for the entire time the employee is in that classification. A cadet may be separated from employment at any time without appeal rights. This classification is established as an apprenticeship program.

Examples of Work:

• Attends regular training classes on fire methods, first aid, and related subjects.
• Aids firefighters in firefighting procedures such as fire prevention, fire suppression, fire rescue, and salvage operations.
• Performs routine and special housekeeping functions.
• Aids in the inspection and maintenance of fire hydrants and other fire related equipment.
• Aids in the maintenance, repair, and construction of fire facilities and grounds.
• May be required to drive automotive equipment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to understand and comply with departmental policies, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of fire methods, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations in a calm and collective manner.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with associates and the general public.
• Ability to develop knowledge of the geography of the city and the location of important buildings.

Mental and Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to hold or feel, reach with hands and arms, walk, talk, smell and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, crouch and crawl. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves over 100 pounds.

Work Environment:

An employee in this job is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions, occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and has a risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment may be loud.