Ready to Build a Career in Emergency Services? Are you self-disciplined, responsible and focused? Do you thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments? Are you looking for a career with real growth, real impact, and real purpose?
The University Fire Department is now accepting applications from UAF students who are serious about building successful careers in firefighting and emergency services.
This one-of-a-kind program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks allows you to earn your degree while gaining hands-on experience as a firefighter and EMT - all while earning wages to support your living expenses.
As a Student Firefighter, you will:
- Work a 56-hour shift schedule
- Attend college classes in fields like Fire Science, Paramedicine, and Emergency Management. All fields of study are welcome and supported.
- Gain real-world emergency response experience that set you apart
This powerful combination of training, education, and experience has launched our alumni into fire service careers across the United States. Many graduates become top candidates in hiring processes-and go on to be promoted into leadership and management roles.
What It Takes To Succeed
We're looking for candidates who can perform under pressure, think critically, and operate effectively in high-stakes environments. Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- The ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, determining the proper course of action
- The ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions
- The ability to learn and efficiently perform a wide variety of firefighting and emergency medical duties, methods, and techniques, including climbing stairs in multi-story buildings while carrying heavy tools and equipment
- The ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as carrying victims, hoisting equipment using ropes, and operating heavy equipment, while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
- The ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights
- The ability to understand and execute complex oral and written instructions quickly
- The ability to perform limited mechanical work related to maintaining firefighting and rescue apparatus, equipment, and tools
- The ability to work as part of a team while exercising independent judgment when required
- The ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- The ability to drive or operate large fire vehicles safely and efficiently with appropriate instruction
**This isn't just a job-it's a launchpad. ** If you're ready to challenge yourself, serve your community, and start building a career that matters...**Apply today. **
**Minimum Qualifications ** To be considered for the UAF Student Firefighter position, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Must be 18 years old by the time of hire
Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
Must have a current, valid Alaska Driver’s License
OR obtain one:
o Within 30 days of employment,
and
o Within 90 days of entering the state
Must be
enrolled, or plan to enroll, as a full-time student at UAF and be eligible to work more than 20 hours per week. After hire, student employees must:
o Maintain at least a
2.0 semester and cumulative GPA
o Be enrolled in
a minimum of 12 credit hours each regular semester
- Firefighter Certification:
Must have
Alaska State Firefighter I certification by the date of hire
o Applicants from outside Alaska may obtain reciprocity through the Alaska Fire Standards Council for
IFSAC for Pro-Board Firefighter I certifications
o Certification can also be obtained by attending the **CTC Summer Fire Academy **
- Physical Ability Testing:
Must obtain and submit one of the following:
o A CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certificate issued by the University Fire Department or an approved CPAT testing agency
o OR proof of passing a Biddle Physical Ability Test from an approved administrator
Must submit and maintain
an acceptable criminal history and driving record
Required Application Materials
Please attach the following with your application:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- **Letters of Recommendation **Submit two (2) letters of recommendation
- **Personal Essay (Minimum 500 words) **Tell us about: o Yourself
o Your academic goals o Your career ambitions
- **Transcripts o Provide high school, college, and university transcripts **
- Driving & Background Records
o Driving Record from your state's Division of Motor Vehicles
o Criminal Background History from your local Police Department
- Supplemental Questionnaire – MANDATORY
Complete the department questionnaire here:
https://www.docusign.net/Member/PowerFormSigning.aspx?PowerFormId=addfa88b-bcdb-4555-b659-79855464a4b9&env=na1&acct=53b791d1-5d5b-4282-b568-c3325d21c5e3&v=2
**Additional Application Requirements - **In addition to the materials above, you must also provide the following:
**Two (2) Professional References - **(Include names and contact information)
- Certifications & Testing (if applicable) :
Already Certified?
If you are already certified as an Alaska State / IFSAC /Pro-Board Firefighter I, you must attach your certification to your application.
Example Certifications:
o IFSAC or Pro-Board Firefighter I Certification
o CPAT or Biddle Physical Ability Test Certification (must be valid within one year)
o BLS for Healthcare Providers Card – Current
o FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 certs
Pro Tip: Submitting a complete and well-organized application demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail—qualities we expect from future firefighters. Top candidates review the grading rubric first to understand how applications are scored and to build a standout submission: https://www.uaf.edu/fire/how-to-become-a-student-f/Grading.Rubric.Fillable.pdf
Application Completeness Requirement - MANDATORY Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required application materials are submitted by the application deadline. Applications that are incomplete, missing required documentation, or fail to meet the stated requirements will be disqualified from further consideration and will not advance in the hiring process.
Examples of incomplete applications include, but are not limited to:
Missing cover letter
Missing resume
Missing letters of recommendation
Missing personal essay
Missing transcripts
Missing driving record
Missing criminal background record
Incomplete supplemental questionnaire
Applications will not be held pending receipt of missing materials after the application deadline. Applicants who submit an incomplete application may apply again during a future hiring cycle once all requirements have been met.
How the Process Works:
**Department Interest: **Through the supplemental questionnaire, you may indicate interest in one or more departments. Your Preferences will be considered during the initial offer process Departments will coordinate to align offers with applicant preferences when possible
Shared Review & Interviews:
Applications are jointly reviewed and scored using a standardized process.
Selected applicants will be invited to consortium interviews
Interviews are conducted collaboratively, typically with a few days of application review
Initial offers are coordinated across departments following interviews
Your stated preferences will be prioritized during the first round of offers
After initial offers, candidates may be considered by any department with remaining openings
Scholarship & Volunteer Opportunities
In addition to the paid UFD Student Firefighter position, our consortium partner departments offer scholarship-based positions.
If you express interest in the supplemental questionnaire, your application may be considered for these opportunities:
Chena-Goldstream Fire & Rescue
https://www.cgfr.com/scholarship-program/
Steese Volunteer Fire Department
https://steesefire.org/scholarship-program/
North Star Volunteer Fire Department
http://www.northstarfire.org/scholarship-program.html
Important Notes
Selection processes and final hiring decisions are made individually by each department
Scholarship positions may have additional requirements or onboarding steps
Each department may continue to make offers after the initial round to fill open positions
This process is designed to maximize your opportunities, streamline the hiring process, and connect you with the department that best fits your goals.
Position Details:
This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. The starting hourly rate of pay is $14.00.
To ensure consideration, please submit your application by Sunday, November 1, 2026, by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time. Applications received on time will be reviewed for the January 2027 positions.
NOTE: This recruitment is open to undergraduate students only.
Specific application submission deadlines can be found on the UAF Fire Department website at https://www.uaf.edu/fire/index.php
A successfully submitted application does not guarantee employment; applications will be reviewed, and successful applicants will be contacted. Interested applicants must apply online.
Candidates who have not obtained the State of Alaska Firefighter 1 certification by the hire date will be passed over.
- ️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Samara Steele, UAF Fire Department Office Manager, at [email protected]** or (907) 474-5700.**
- To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at [email protected].
The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.
**Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years. *
Access to the reports is available at:
UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or [email protected] / 907-786-1214 or [email protected].
UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or [email protected].
UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing [email protected].
