Department:
Emergency Services
Join the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) and become part of a dedicated team of over 500 firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics serving a vibrant and growing community across 472 square miles. With opportunities in marine and ladder operations, EMS bike team, special operations, public education, leadership, and more, SCFD offers a dynamic and rewarding career — apply today and make a difference!
Applicants MUST complete the following by the posting close date to be considered for employment with the Sarasota County Fire Department:
Candidates must complete an application with the National Testing Network (NTN). Please direct all questions regarding the NTN application and testing process to National Testing Network Customer Support.
Candidates must share their current passing FireTEAM and CPAT test results with the Sarasota County Fire Department via the NTN website.
Candidates must complete a Sarasota County application for employment in full.
Candidates will be required to submit copies of their current and valid.
Failure to complete any of the application process steps above could disqualify a candidate from consideration during this round of hiring.
If you are a current or former Firefighter who works or worked for another Florida agency, a Public Records Request of your personnel file will be submitted.
This position has been identified by Sarasota County Government as one that will require a pre-employment drug screen as part of the selection process. An applicant must successfully pass this test prior to the start of employment. External applicants who fail will be disqualified from employment with the County for a period of five (5) years. Internal applicants will be subject to the County’s policies and procedures on positive drug tests.
(We will notify those who are invited to advance to the Panel Interviews)
Posting Start Date: July 2, 2026
Posting Close Date: August 3, 2026
Panel Interviews: August 18, 2026 to August 20, 2026
Chiefs’ Interviews: September 2, 2026
Job Offer & Uniform Sizing: TBD
Start Date: October 12, 2026
** Please note that applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the posting closing date to be considered for the current hiring class. **
Must be 18 years of age.
High school diploma or equivalent.
No minimum experience required.
Must be able to meet the eligibility requirements of the Firefighter/EMS Apprenticeship programs as approved and recognized by the State of Florida’s Department of Labor.
Must possess a current and valid Minimum Standards Certification, as issued by the Bureau of Fire Standards.
Must possess a current and valid State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician License (EMT) or State of Florida Paramedic License.
Must possess a current and valid State of Florida driver's license (or obtain within 30 days of hire).
Must be able to pass a pre-employment and annual National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1582 comprehensive physical, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments.
Must meet all the requirements of Chapter 633.412 F.S.
CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as a part of the hiring process.
Employees hired as a Firefighter shall be required to either be or become dual certified as a Firefighter/Paramedic as a condition of their employment within three (3) years of hire. Obtainment of a State of Florida paramedic license will be during off-duty hours, but will be eligible for payment of education expenses in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement.
Responds to medical and trauma emergencies using up-to-date techniques in Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support.
Responds to Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, Rescue, and Extrication incidents.
Reports as essential personnel to any callback related to a County-declared emergency.
Inspects fire and rescue apparatus at the beginning of each tour of duty to ensure all tools and equipment are working and in their proper place. Reports deficiencies to ensure required maintenance and/or repairs are completed.
Promotes and acts in a professional demeanor representative to the position represented. This includes maintaining the physical and mental welfare of oneself.
Participates and successfully completes all drills, EMS modules, Firefighter modules, and continuing education programs.
40-hour training schedule: During the first 10 weeks of employment, Firefighters will be in training 40 hours per week.
24/48 shift: Upon completion of training, Firefighters will be assigned to 24-hour shifts with 48 hours off between each shift.
All Firefighters must have the flexibility to work on holidays and weekends.
Training Pay (40 hours per week for the first ten (10) weeks of employment only):
Shift Pay (24/48 shift schedule):
Annual – Base annual pay plus County paid Insurance Trust Fund Contribution - $62,250.24 - $67,491.84 based upon experience. This includes the annual County paid Insurance Trust Fund contribution* of $5,454.26.
Hourly - Base hourly pay $24.94 - $27.04 based upon experience (Base hourly pay of $22.75 per hour - $24.85 per hour plus $2.19 per hour County paid Insurance Trust Fund contribution*)
- For the past 20+ years, the County has contributed a monthly contribution to the Sarasota Firefighters’ Insurance Trust Fund on behalf of each employee who is a participant in the Florida Retirement System. The contribution to the Trust Fund was negotiated and agreed to by the County and the IAFF in lieu of a wage increase.
Pay Additives:
Paramedic In Charge (PIC) pay additive of $20,000
PIC Field Training Certification pay additive of $21,500
Lead PIC on ALS Transport Unit - $2.00 per hour
Lead PIC on ALS Non-Transport Unit - $1.00 per hour
Hydraulic Maintenance Technician (HMT) - $1,922 annually
Special Operations - $2,620 - $4,742 annually
Ladder Truck Seat Pay - $1.00 per hour
Special Operations Seat Pay - $2.00 per hour
Marine Operations Seat Pay - $1.00 per hour
21-day work cycle of 24/48 shifts with a Kelly Day off every 7th shift
96 hours of Vacation Leave per year, increasing with longevity
120 hours of Holiday Leave per year
120 hours of Paid Sick Leave per year
Longevity Pay based on 10, 15, and 20 years of service
College Tuition Reimbursement Program
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
County-paid Annual NFPA 1582 Comprehensive Physical
Health and Wellness Programs
Employee Assistance Program
Uniform Maintenance and Shoe Purchase Allowance
Florida Retirement System (FRS) "Special Risk" Pension Plan
Sarasota Firefighters’ Insurance Trust Fund – This benefit was instituted 20+ years ago in lieu of a pay increase and is equivalent to 6% of the top step Firemedic base annual salary. This benefit provides health insurance and medical expense reimbursement upon retirement
Deferred Compensation Program
County-Paid Paramedic School
The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) employs highly motivated emergency services public servants to protect the citizens of beautiful Sarasota County. Opportunities within the department include marine operations, ladder operations, special operations, EMS bike team membership, honor guard membership, public education, special events, committees, fire and EMS training, and leadership opportunities.
SCFD responds to nearly 70,000 calls for service annually and serves a population of 335,539 residents, with more than a 20% increase during the season. Our service area includes urban and rural areas distributed across 472 square miles.
SCFD is an all-hazards, ALS transport agency that currently operates out of 25 fire station locations. Our highly trained personnel provide advanced patient care and transport to 10 resource hospitals, including one level II trauma center.
Apply to join our fire department and become one of the 500+ SCFD firefighters/EMTs and firefighters/paramedics proud to serve the residents and visitors of Sarasota County.
Regular (Budgeted)
Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).
If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:
1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
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If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)
2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)
A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.
We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different and are committed to creating a culture of understanding and respect where our employees realize that we are stronger together.
Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.
Sarasota County Government promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, genetic information, religion, national origin, marital status, age or disability. A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.
Government employers are drug-free and tobacco-free environments, EEO/AA/ADA employers, and they prohibit discrimination in all services, programs or activities.
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.
