Firefighter

Firefighter Supporting documentation: Your high school diploma/GED and your successful completion of the CPAT form must be submitted by attachment to the application, by email, or in person by the deadline before your application is considered complete. If all of the supporting documentation is not submitted by the deadline (Thursday, October 29, 2026), your application is considered incomplete and you will NOT be allowed to take the written test. The written test for this job is scheduled for Thursday evening, November 5, 2026, and/or Saturday morning, November 7, 2026. Applications and supporting documentation must be turned in by Thursday, October 29, 2026, in order to take the written exam. You will receive more information regarding the written test after the job closes for receipt of applications and after acceptance of your application. The purpose of this classification is to perform as a team member technical and specialized work functions associated with preparing for and responding to fire, rescue, and disaster emergency calls, with protecting life and property, and with supporting fire safety, prevention, and equipment maintenance activities. High school diploma or GED required; no previous experience required. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must possess a valid driver's license. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Alabama Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification within the first year of employment. Must be able to obtain and maintain an Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) certification within one (1) year of receipt of Firefighter I certification or within one (1) year of employment with the City of Tuscaloosa as a Firefighter. This job classification is considered to be safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens. The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position. Physical requirements: Must be able to operate a variety of firefighting, rescue, and medical equipment, office equipment, and grounds maintenance equipment including extinguisher, pumper, hand/power tools, chain saw, generator, fans, ladders, hoses, breathing apparatus, protective clothing, emergency medical supplies, ropes, forcible entry and rescue tools, two-way radio, computer, printer, copy and facsimile machines, telephone, lawn mower, weedeater, and motor vehicles. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for very heavy work. Data comprehension: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include standard operating procedures, maps, safety bulletins, log books, guidelines, and manuals. Interpersonal communication: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange medical, emergency, safety, and fire related information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with educators, law enforcement personnel, dispatchers, medical personnel and the general public. Language ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of informational and technical documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice. Intelligence: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex fire prevention/suppression, life saving, and emergency related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Verbal aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, such as in a public speaking situation, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions. Numerical aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages, and determine time, weight, and measurements. May be required to perform basic algebraic calculations and utilize basic geometry. Form/spatial aptitude: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment which may include standard measuring devices. Motor coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using fire, rescue, and medical equipment, office equipment and ground maintenance equipment and to operate motor vehicles. Manual dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, firefighting, rescue, and medical equipment, office equipment, and grounds maintenance equipment including extinguisher, pumper, hand/power tools, chain saw, generator, vent fans, ladders, hoses, breathing apparatus, protective clothing, emergency medical supplies, ropes, forcible entry and rescue tools, two-way radio, computer, printer, copy and facsimile machines, telephone, lawn mower, weedeater, motor vehicles, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have above average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Color differentiation: Requires the ability to discern color. Interpersonal temperament: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency. Physical communication: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear. The City of Tuscaloosa offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time permanent employees that includes retirement, vacation and illness leave, paid holidays, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance, and other supplemental insurances and deferred retirement saving plans. For a more detailed overview of our benefits package, please visit the Employee Benefits Summary within our website or contact the Human Resource Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io. City of Tuscaloosa, AL