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Arff Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Respond to any ARFF, EMS, or Hazmat incident on or near the airport. * Conduct Runway / safety checks of the airfield at random intervals * Conduct extinguisher checks * Check and maintain all ...

Respond to any ARFF, EMS, or Hazmat incident on or near the airport. * Conduct Runway / safety checks of the airfield at random intervals * Conduct extinguisher checks * Check and maintain all ...

Non-Exempt Description Under general supervision, perform a variety of tasks in the maintenance, and repair of airport buildings and grounds and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) duties. Work ...

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Arff information

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$20.5K

$54.6K

$101K

How much do arff jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for arff in the United States is $54,585.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $72,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Arff position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) specialist, you need comprehensive knowledge of firefighting techniques, emergency medical services, and airport safety protocols, generally supported by Firefighter I/II certification and sometimes EMT licensure. Proficiency with specialized rescue equipment, airport communication systems, and hazardous material handling is essential. Strong teamwork, quick decision-making, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this high-pressure environment. These skills and qualifications are vital because ARFF specialists must ensure rapid, coordinated responses to emergencies to protect lives and property in an aviation setting.

What does a typical day look like for an ARFF specialist at an airport?

A typical day for an ARFF specialist involves inspecting and maintaining firefighting equipment and vehicles, participating in regular training drills, and monitoring airport operations for potential safety hazards. While standby and readiness are key components, ARFF personnel may also conduct fire prevention inspections around airport facilities and provide emergency medical response as needed. Team collaboration is constant, often with airport operations, air traffic control, and local law enforcement. The dynamic environment demands alertness and the ability to adapt quickly to a variety of emergency scenarios. This blend of preventative work and rapid response makes the role both challenging and rewarding for those dedicated to aviation safety.

What is an ARFF job?

An ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) job involves responding to airport emergencies, including aircraft fires, medical incidents, and hazardous material situations. ARFF personnel are specially trained firefighters who work at airports to ensure passenger and crew safety. Their duties include operating firefighting vehicles, performing rescue operations, and conducting fire prevention inspections. They must be prepared to handle high-risk situations quickly and efficiently. This role requires specialized training, physical fitness, and knowledge of aviation-related firefighting techniques.

More about Arff jobs
What cities are hiring for Arff jobs? Cities with the most Arff job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Arff jobs? The most popular types of Arff jobs are:
What states have the most Arff jobs? States with the most job openings for Arff jobs include:
Infographic showing various Arff job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 94% Physical, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,585 per year, or $26.2 per hour.
Firefighter (Emergency Medical Technician, BLS), GS-0081-05/06/07

Firefighter (Emergency Medical Technician, BLS), GS-0081-05/06/07

US Department of Homeland Security

Elizabeth City, NC

$41K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Participate in structural firefighting, aircraft rescue and firefighting, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical response activities.

  • Operate firefighting and emergency response apparatus, including engines, ARFF vehicles, aerial apparatus, rescue vehicles, and special purpose units.

  • Perform emergency medical response within the scope of certification, including patient assessment, basic life support, treatment, and support during medical and trauma emergencies.


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 279 rated public sector bodies


Job description

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, Fire & Emergency Services Division, Facilities Engineering Department, Fire and Emergency Services, Base Elizabeth City, North CarolinaQualifications:

To qualify at the GS-5 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

  • Experience in structural firefighting, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), hazardous materials response, and emergency medical response.
  • Experience in aircraft rescue and firefighting operations including assisting with apparatus positioning, handline or turret operations, agent application, aircraft familiarization, and rescue support functions.
  • Experience performing hazardous materials response activities including hazard recognition, isolation, defensive control actions, monitoring, and decontamination support.
  • Experience participating in the operation of firefighting and emergency response apparatus, including engines, ARFF vehicles, aerial apparatus, rescue vehicles, and special purpose units.
  • Experience performing emergency medical response within the scope of certification, including patient assessment, basic life support, treatment, and support during medical and trauma emergencies.
Quality Ranking Factors(s) are knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies. Applicants who possess advanced fire service certifications may receive additional consideration during the evaluation, such as:
  • Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) certification
To qualify at the GS-06 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS- 05 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
  • Experience in structural firefighting, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), hazardous materials response, and emergency medical response.
  • Experience in aircraft rescue and firefighting operations including assisting with apparatus positioning, handline or turret operations, agent application, aircraft familiarization, and rescue support functions.
  • Experience performing hazardous materials response activities including hazard recognition, isolation, defensive control actions, monitoring, and decontamination support.
  • Experience participating in the operation of firefighting and emergency response apparatus, including engines, ARFF vehicles, aerial apparatus, rescue vehicles, and special purpose units.
  • Experience performing emergency medical response within the scope of certification, including patient assessment, basic life support, treatment, and support during medical and trauma emergencies.
Quality Ranking Factors(s) are knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies. Applicants who possess advanced fire service certifications may receive additional consideration during the evaluation, such as:
  • Multiple Driver certifications
To qualify at the GS-07 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS- 06 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
  • Experience driving and operating firefighting and special purpose vehicles of significant complexity (e.g. ARFF apparatus, structural pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, emergency rescue vehicle, HAZMAT response vehicle).
  • Experience using turrets or handlines to combat fires on aircraft and to cool weapons or fuel cells during aircraft crash rescue operations.
  • Experience Responds to HAZMAT incidents including hazard recognition, monitoring, containment, mitigation, and decontamination activities.
  • Experience rendering emergency medical services as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Life Support (BLS).
  • Experience performing patient assessment, stabilization, treatment, and preparation for transport during medical and trauma emergencies.
Quality Ranking Factors(s) are knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies. Applicants who possess advanced fire service certifications such as:
  • Fire Officer I
  • Fire Inspector I
  • Fire Instructor I
  • or higher-level equivalent certifications

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).
College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information

Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003