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.
Academy Pipelines
Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT/ Technical Rescuer certification: 12 weeks
Certified Firefighter/NC EMT or NREMT: 18 weeks
Certified NC EMT / or NREMT: 18 weeks
No Experience or FF Only: 25 weeks
Candidate Selection Process:
Applicant Physical Ability Testing (APAT) - Testing Sessions:
Week of September 28th (Specific dates to be communicated)
Week of October 5th (Specific dates to be communicated)
Written Testing:
Scheduled test dates (Virtual)
Week of October 5th
Structured Interviews:
October 19th - October 23rd
NFPA Physical:
November 2nd (alt November 3rd)
Start date of January 4, 2027.
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.
Additionally, final applicants must successfully complete a physical examination per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 guidelines. This comprehensive physical includes tests for hearing, vision, breathing capacity, and cardiology. These examinations require scheduled appointments, and the City’s physician or physician assistant must provide final clearance. The exams are conducted at the City's expense after a conditional offer is made but before a final offer of employment.
Fire Academy Training
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.
Benefits:
Starting Salary $44,940.32 (21.60 hourly) during the academy
Upon graduation from the academy annual salary is $51,064.52
AEMT 5% Supplement
Advanced FF 5% Supplement
Annual Leave – 12 days per year
Government Credit Union eligibility
401K with up to 6% employer match
457B with up to 6% employer match
Dependent Life Insurance
Dental Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Life Insurance
Health Insurance
Long Term Disability
Medical and Dependent Care
On-Site Medical Office
Sick Leave – 12 days per year
Holiday Leave – 11 days per year
Sick Leave Sharing Bank Option
Tuition Reimbursement
Bereavement Leave
Military Leave
For City of Asheville employee benefits information, click here.
About the Asheville Fire Department
The mission of the City of Asheville Fire Department is to protect the lives, property, and environment of all people within Asheville by preventing the occurrence and minimizing the adverse effects of fires, accidents, and all other emergencies. We accomplish this mission with firefighter pride, preparedness, and professionalism, focusing on quality customer service and continuous improvement.
The Asheville Fire Department is an accredited agency, having received its first accreditation status in 2005. Our members dedicate countless hours to examining past, current, and future service levels and internal performances, comparing them to current research and industry best practices to maintain this accreditation. This designation, along with an ISO rating of 1, affirms that our firefighters provide the highest levels of service and professionalism while protecting the lives and property of all people in the city of Asheville.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The City of Asheville is proud to be a second-chance employer.
