Address
Form of work
SalarySummary
The City of Charleston Fire Department is looking for candidates for Firefighter Recruit; no prior fire service experience necessary. The academy is scheduled to start July 22, 2024. Upon successful completion of the required recruit academy, personnel will progress into the position of a probationary firefighter.
Before applying, please read this guide in its entirety!Only fully completed online applications are accepted.
If you do not submit all required documents, your application will not be accepted.
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS- If prior military, a copy of your DD214 (copy 4)
- A copy of your high school diploma OR GED equivalent OR College diploma/transcript with degree awarded.
- A copy of your state issued driver’s license.
- Resume
- EMS certification status (i.e.. SC EMS, NREMT, or another state EMT certification) – if applicable.
The Charleston Fire Department will be hosting two Pre-Academy sessions. All applicants who have submittedCOMPLETE applications will receive an invitation to participate. This is optional and will be limited to 40 people per session.
February 10, 2024 and March 23, 2024.
The Pre-Academy will consist of:- An overview of the CFD Hiring Process
- A morning classroom session on written test skills and interview preparation
- In the afternoon, applicants will be given the opportunity to view a video on the Firefighter Physical Ability Test. You will receive a complete walkthrough with instruction and the opportunity to practice each event individually.
- You will also be given the opportunity to attend a question and answer session with firefighters who have just completed our 26 week Recruit School.
- Participation in the Pre-Academy (morning AND afternoon sessions)
- You MUST schedule and complete a Ride-Along with the CFD
In order to receive the additional points, you must complete each section.
Partial credit will not be given.
Please monitor your email for more information and the link to sign up.
The first 40 people to sign up will be reserved a space.
If selected to move forward:
You will need to plan on participating in the in-person hiring process in Charleston, South Carolina from Saturday June 8, 2024 through Friday June 14, 2024. Applications are accepted through May 1, 2024. Applicants will be contacted between May 2 and May 7, 2024 of the next steps in the process.
You will need to plan on participating in the in-person hiring process in Charleston, South Carolina from Saturday June 8, 2024 through Friday June 14, 2024. Applications are accepted through May 1, 2024. Applicants will be contacted between May 2 and May 7, 2024 of the next steps in the process.
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday June 8, 2024: Pre-orientation, written test, physical ability test.
Sunday June 9, 2024: Physical ability test continued and interviews.
Monday June 10, 2024: Physical ability test and interviews if needed.
Tuesday June 11, 2024: Job offers and gear fitting.
Wednesday June 12, through Friday June 14, 2024: Physicals and background checks.
Examples of Duties
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
18 years of age or older at time of the job offer.
High school diploma, GED equivalent, or College diploma/transcript with degree awarded.
Valid state issued driver’s license.
Must get a South Carolina Driver’s License within 90 days of hire date.
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: Applications without ALL required documents are not accepted
If prior military, a copy of your DD214 (copy 4)
A copy of your high school diploma OR GED equivalent OR College diploma/transcript with degree awarded.
A copy of your state issued driver’s license.
Resume
EMS certification status (i.e.. SC EMS, NREMT, or another state EMT certification) – if applicable.
HIRING PROCESS:
The Fire Department will reach out to selected applicants to proceed in the following steps:
- NFST-EMS Written Test - Selected candidates must successfully pass the written test. For test information: www.Applytoserve.com/study.
- Physical Ability Test (PAT) – Applicant must pass the CFD administered Physical Ability Test (PAT) or have passed the CFD administered PAT within the past 12 months from the date this application process closes. For test information: www.charleston-sc.gov/1259/Physical-Agility-Test
- Oral Board Interview - Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will move onto the oral board interviews.
The recruit academy will focus on training and preparing the candidate to meet specific standards of the CFD. The program includes classroom instruction and hands on training in firefighter techniques, search and rescue, vehicle extrication, emergency medical services, firefighter survival, and the use of various firefighting tools and equipment. The candidate will work a 10-hour shift and upon completion will move to a 24 on, 48 off standard firefighter shift schedule.
Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions:
The CFD recruit academy program uses Peer Fitness and Practical Skill fitness training. Our Peer Fitness Instructors are certified ACE trainers. The Peer Fitness and Practical Skill methodology has shown it is effective in increasing the work capacity of military personnel, police officers, and firefighters.
VETERANS - We are thankful for your service!
We are proud to offer the following additional resources to Veterans:
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education State Approving Agency has approved the CFD (recruit academy) for veterans' education and training. Veterans
and those eligible may use their GI Bill® Education benefits to attend CFD recruit school.
Veteran on-the-job training
Preference Points: A five-point preference will be awarded on the written exam for Honorably discharged veterans or service members currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the veteran’s preference points, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Have separated under honorable conditions from any of the branches of the armed forces of the United Stated after having served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or more.
For points to be awarded, above documentation must be received prior to written examination.
2024 Pay Plan
During the academy, you will be compensated at a rate commensurate with your current level of education as outlined in the chart below.
During Academy Pay
EDU completed
Base Pay
Paramedic Hourly
High School
$16.78477
$17.95970
Associates Degree
$17.95970
$19.98556
Bachelors Degree
$19.21688
$22.23992
Masters Degree
$20.56206
$24.74859
PhD
$22.00140
$27.54023
After graduation, you will move to Step 1. The CFD’s pay plan includes a comprehensive scale based on career development accomplishments and degree pay incentives. The rates listed are estimated annual compensation.
Step 1 - upon graduation of Academy
Step 2 - after 6 month probationary period
Step 3 - after 6 months of satisfactory service
IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFIERS
It is not possible to list every act or omission that may disqualify an individual from performing the safety sensitive duties of this position. The following are some of the more obvious:
Criminal History
Conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude
Conviction of any crime which carries a 6-month jail sentence or more
Any conviction of domestic violence, including simple assault against a domestic partner, spouse, child or parent
Adult commission of undetected crimes of a serious or repetitive in nature
Drugs
Any involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs as an adult
Juvenile involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs is an area of concern which will be given careful scrutiny in the context of the full review
Any illegal possession of heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens or any other schedule 1 or 2 drug, or any derivative thereof, within the last 7 years
Illegal possession of anabolic steroids within the last 3 years
Illegal possession of marijuana or a derivative thereof within the last 24 months
Traffic Violations
Must have a driving record that reflects no more than three moving violations or at fault/contributable accidents, or any combination thereof, in the past 36 months. Moving violations and preventable accidents that are indicated on the applicant’s driving record but are more than 36 months old will be considered on a case by case basis
No driver’s license suspension in the past three years
Points may be negated by attending defensive driving school offered by the Division of Motor Vehicles prior to application being submitted
Any conviction of the following within the last 5 years:
Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
Refusal to take blood or breath test
Eluding police, racing, or leaving the scene of an accident
Others
Less than honorable discharge from any military service. Untruthfulness and/or intentionally withholding of information on any application, interview or paperwork associated with this application.
Examples of intentional withholding of information would include the following:
Deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements
Cheating on any exam or testing associated with the application
Note:
This is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of background disqualifiers. Applicants who are successful in the initial testing will undergo a thorough background investigation. Areas of concern will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis within the context of the full review. Examples of the areas of concern may include but are not limited to the following:
Reduction of charges as a result of a plea agreement or other form of sentencing disposition prior to a conviction in any of the aforementioned criminal and driving history categories
Crimes committed against a juvenile, including undetected crimes
Patterns of reckless and/or irresponsible driving
Multiple convictions of driving under the influence
Illegal drug possession that does not fall within the parameters of the above
Less than honorable discharge, erratic work record, or unfavorable work employment references
Pending litigation or prosecution for criminal offenses must be resolved prior to consideration for employment.
If you have additional questions, contact us at fire-recruitment@charleston-sc.gov
The City of Charleston offers an extensive benefits package for full-time employees, including: health, dental and vision insurance; employer-paid short and long term disability, life insurance, and employee assistance program; annual and sick leave; 11 paid holidays and 2 personal holidays every year; tuition reimbursement; participation with the SC Retirement System, a defined benefit pension plan; 401k and 457 plan options; and many other benefits.
