Firefighter Trainee

Firefighter Position

Are you ready to start a rewarding and impactful career? The City of Asheville invites you to apply for the position of an entry-level firefighter. This role offers the opportunity to serve your community as a crucial member of a dedicated team, responding to fire emergencies, natural disasters, and medical crises.

As a firefighter, you will engage in:

• Emergency Response: Act swiftly and effectively to fire calls, disaster situations, and medical emergencies.
• Technical Training: Learn and master firefighting techniques, hazardous materials handling, and emergency medical care through rigorous study and training.
• Life-Saving Work: Perform responsible and technical tasks to protect Asheville residents from fires, environmental hazards, and disasters, providing emergency medical treatment and conducting rescue operations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Fire Control and Extinguishment: Apply advanced techniques to manage and extinguish fires.
• Medical Assistance: Deliver critical emergency medical care to the sick and injured.
• Station Maintenance: Participate in the upkeep of equipment and station quarters to ensure readiness.
• Public Interaction: Exhibit tact and courtesy when dealing with the public and those in distress, maintaining a professional demeanor at all times.

This role demands rapid response, strenuous physical exertion, and the ability to make independent judgments in high-pressure situations. Your performance will be evaluated based on your effectiveness in emergency responses and adherence to established procedures.

For more information on the hiring process, including timelines, practice exams, and assessment descriptions, please visit the Asheville Fire Department's website.

Join us in making a difference—apply today to become a part of the Asheville Fire Department.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and persons of all genders and races are encouraged to apply.

Tentative start date is January 4, 2027. The academy lasts from 3-5 months based on certifications.

Candidate Selection Process:

• Applicant Physical Ability Testing (APAT) - Testing Sessions: Week of September 28th and Week of October 5th
• Written Testing: Week of October 5th
• Structured Interviews: October 19th - October 23rd
• NFPA Physical: November 2nd (alt November 3rd)

Final applicants are subject to the following checks and screenings:

• Pre-Employment Drug Screening: Ensure a drug-free workplace.
• Driving Record Check: Verify safe driving history.
• Background Check: Confirm suitability for the role.

All successful candidates will attend the City of Asheville Fire Department's Fire Academy as paid Firefighter Trainees for approximately 3-5 months. The training schedule is generally Monday to Friday, typically varying between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM, though hours may vary due to instructional needs. Upon successful completion of the academy, firefighters will begin 24-hour shift rotations.

Incentives:

• Education Incentive: Available for candidates with an Associate's Degree or higher.
• Language Incentive: Offered to candidates proficient in more than one language who can successfully pass a foreign language competency test.

All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 18th. This position is non-exempt.