Firefighter

A Little About The City: Jacksonville has one of the youngest demographics in the US with a median age of 22.7 and an estimated population of 75-80,000. The City offers a great work/life balance. We are rich in history and deep in pride of our local military as demonstrated at Lejeune Memorial Gardens near Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station. Many of our military return and plant roots here because of the lifestyle and all that the City has to offer. Another reason people stay in Jacksonville...We are a Caring Community as stated in our City seal.

The Fire Department: The City of Jacksonville Fire Department is opening up an exciting opportunity for a career in firefighting. While training, candidates will receive full salary and benefits. To learn more, apply today and plan to attend our Hiring Event at the Center for Public Safety on Friday, August 21, 2026! 

General Description: The City of Jacksonville Fire Department performs responsible protective service work providing fire suppression and rescue services; does related work as required. Work is performed under immediate supervision. Much of the work is performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves considerable personal hazard.

Continuing training and instruction; responding to emergency fire and medical related situations; participating in fire suppression and rescue; maintaining equipment and facilities.  (These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Participates in continuing training and instruction program by group and individual study of technical material and attendance at scheduled drills and classes.
• Responds to alarms and assists in the suppression of fires, including rescue, entry, ventilating, salvage work, containment of hazardous materials, traffic control, crowd control, etc.
• Assists in maintaining fire apparatus and equipment and cleaning fire station and grounds.
• Inspects, cleans and maintains fire hose, pumps, hydrants and related equipment.
• Assists with preplanning and inspection activities.
• Conducts child safety seat and smoke alarm inspections and installations.
• Maintains required physical fitness through exercise, jogging, weightlifting, walking, etc.
• Performs other firefighting and related emergency tasks consistent with appropriate NFPA standard for position.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Requirements for Firefighter Trainee below: 

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Driver's License Valid in NC
• 18 years of age or older

Preferred Certifications/Qualifications:

• NC Firefighter or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent
• NC Hazardous Materials Operations or IFSAC/Pro Board Equivalent
• NC Emergency Medical Technician or ability to obtain reciprocity from NC Office of Emergency Medical Services
• NIMS ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800

Requirements for Firefighter I below:

• Driver’s License valid in NC
• NC Firefighter or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent
• NC Hazardous Materials Operations or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent
• NC Emergency Medical Technician or ability to obtain reciprocity from NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (Boarded in Onslow County within 90 days)
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
• 6 months of prior municipal fire service

Requirements for Firefighter II below:

• Driver’s License valid in NC
• NC Firefighter or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent
• NC Hazardous Materials Operations or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent
• NC Emergency Medical Technician or ability to obtain reciprocity from NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (Boarded in Onslow County within 90 days)
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
• Child Passenger Safety Technician
• NC Fire Life Safety Educator 1 or NC Technical Rescuer Passenger Vehicle Rescue Series or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent 
  • *Valid certifications awarded prior to NCOSFM standard editions accepted
• 1.5 years of progressive municipal firefighting experience

Requirements for Firefighter III below:

• Driver’s License valid in NC
• NC Firefighter or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent
• NC Hazardous Materials Operations or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent
• NC Emergency Medical Technician or ability to obtain reciprocity from NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (Boarded in Onslow County within 90 days)
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
• Child Passenger Safety Technician
• NC Fire Inspector Level or JFES Backup Driver Task Book
• NC Fire Life Safety Educator 1 or NC Technical Rescuer Passenger Vehicle Rescue Series or IFSAC/Pro Board equivalent 
  • *Valid certifications awarded prior to NCOSFM standard editions accepted
• 2.5 years of progressive municipal firefighting experience. 

Additionally, after two years with Jacksonville Fire Department you may be eligible to join Specialty Teams within the Department, such as, HAZMAT, Technical Rescue, Honor Guard, and Tactical Medic Teams.Ability to learn technical firefighting principles and techniques and principles of hydraulics as applied to fire suppression; some knowledge of the street system and physical layout of the City; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to perform prolonged manual and mechanical work under adverse conditions; mechanical aptitude; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.

Equal Employment Opportunity
 
The City of Jacksonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, religion, or disabilities unrelated to the essential function of the position.

Firefighter Trainee Selection Process:

1. Apply Online TODAY!
2. Meet The Minimum Requirements Above
3. Complete the CASAS Assessment BY AUGUST 20 OR ONSITE AT THE HIRING EVENT ON AUGUST 21
4. Schedule & Take the Agility Test ON AUGUST 21 AT THE HIRING EVENT
5. PASS steps 1 through 4 and get an INTERVIEW the week of AUGUST 24!!!
6. Successful Candidates will receive an opportunity to Interview with the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief the week of AUGUST 31
7. Conditional Offers of employment will be made shortly after!
8. Complete ALL conditional offer requirements prior to Start Date

**The above timeline and process is tentative, and dependent on emerging operational requirements, and weather.