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Contract Firefighter Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Senior Emergency Response Associate

Durham, NC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Technicians will have responsibility for access control of all employees, visitors, contract and ... Desired * Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Operations or Technician, CPR / First Aid / AED, NC EMT ...

Press Brake Operator

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$17.75 - $23/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... a leading contract manufacturer of custom close-tolerance sheet metal parts for industry. We ... Established in 1978 by two city firefighters, we remain a family-owned small company focused on ...

Security Account Manager

Butner, NC

$64K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Leverage AI-powered technology to effectively schedule security officers, meeting client contract ... Graduate of certified public safety academy (e.g., Law Enforcement, Firefighter/Paramedic ...

Security Account Manager

Butner, NC · On-site

$64K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Leverage AI-powered technology to effectively schedule security officers, meeting client contract ... Graduate of certified public safety academy (e.g., Law Enforcement, Firefighter/Paramedic ...

Security Account Manager

Butner, NC · On-site

$64K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Leverage AI-powered technology to effectively schedule security officers, meeting client contract ... Graduate of certified public safety academy (e.g., Law Enforcement, Firefighter/Paramedic ...

Contract Firefighter information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$27.7K

$57.9K

$97.2K

How much do contract firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract firefighter in Raleigh, NC is $57,942.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,200.00 and $67,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract firefighter?

Contract firefighters are trained professionals who work for private companies that provide firefighting services to government agencies, military bases, industrial sites, or remote locations on a contract basis. Unlike municipal firefighters employed directly by a city or town, contract firefighters are hired by organizations to fulfill specific needs, such as wildfire suppression, emergency response, or fire protection in areas without their own fire departments. They often work under fixed-term agreements and may be deployed to various locations based on demand.

What does a contract firefighter do?

Similar to any other firefighter, a contract firefighter fulfills a variety of emergency response and rescue responsibilities but on a contractual basis. Your specific duties depend on the type of firefighting you do. Many contract firefighters work in wildland firefighting, where you work to prevent or control burns in wildland areas. Many federal and state agencies contract firefighters to work throughout the wildfire season. You can also find work with for private insurance companies. In this position, your job is to protect any property or building that has insurance under your employer. Some contract firefighters work overseas, supplementing a foreign fire service.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract firefighter?

To thrive as a Contract Firefighter, you need comprehensive training in fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazardous materials handling, typically supported by relevant certifications such as Firefighter I/II and EMT. Familiarity with firefighting apparatus, rescue tools, and incident management systems is crucial for effective performance. Exceptional teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure distinguish top professionals in this role. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure effective emergency response, safety, and operational efficiency during critical incidents.

What are some unique challenges contract firefighters face compared to municipal firefighters?

Contract firefighters often work in diverse environments, such as industrial sites, remote locations, or military bases, which can present unique hazards and require specialized training. They may need to adapt quickly to different team structures and protocols based on the client or location. Additionally, contract positions can involve variable schedules and shorter-term assignments, so flexibility and strong communication skills are essential. Building rapport with new teams and maintaining readiness for a range of emergencies are key aspects of the role.

What is the difference between Contract Firefighter vs Full-Time Firefighter?

AspectContract FirefighterFull-Time Firefighter
CredentialsFirefighter certification, EMT license often requiredFirefighter certification, EMT license often required
Work EnvironmentTemporary or seasonal assignments, variable hoursFull-time, permanent position with regular hours
Employment StatusContractual, short-term or project-basedPermanent, benefits included
Job StabilityLess stable, dependent on contractsMore stable with benefits and job security

Contract Firefighters typically work on temporary or seasonal basis, often with shorter contracts and less job stability. Full-Time Firefighters hold permanent positions with consistent hours and benefits. Both roles require similar certifications and work in similar environments, but employment terms differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Firefighter jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Firefighter jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Firefighter jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Contract Firefighter jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Firefighter jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Firefighter jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Contract Firefighter jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Contract Firefighter job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Firefighter job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,942 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Senior Emergency Response Associate

MSD

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for supporting the plant operations at the Durham facility. Technicians operate 7-days per week utilizing different shifts. Technicians will provide services in numerous areas within site services. Technicians must be forward thinking individuals who are able to flow to the work.Functioning as a member of the Site Services Team and operating in an empowered team environment. Technicians are responsible for safeguarding all company personnel, property, and assets, preventing theft or loss of company property, and enforcing company, local, state, and federal rules, and regulations. Technicians will have responsibility for access control of all employees, visitors, contract and service personnel and truck drivers to the site. Technicians will report to the Emergency Manager.

Shift Schedule

Rotating 12-hour shift, 2-2-3 schedule. Rotates every 28 days from days to nights or nights to days. Shift starts at 6 and ends at 6.

GENERAL PROFILE:

  • Works within a team.
  • Contributes to the performance and results of a department.
  • Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges.
  • Decisions are guided by policies, procedures, and business plan; receives guidance from manager.
  • Provides technical guidance to employees and colleagues on all site fire protection, life safety and security systems.
  • Primary emergency responder on site serving as a permanent member of the sites emergency response team to include fire suppression, hazardous materials, confined space, and high angle rescue, Oxygen alarms, medical and Security.
  • Will serve as a full-time member of the site's emergency response and medical teams.
  • Will sign high risk work permits.
  • Complete preventative maintenance work for various items around the site that is owned by Emergency Management.
  • Teams with local Fire Marshal's office and current insurance provider.
  • Will be the lead team during inclement weather events to ensure the safety of the site. Must be self-motivated.

BUSINESS EXPERTISE:

Applies technical skills to align staff activities with departmental metrics.

Will need to complete required NFPA courses, North Carolina EMT Basic or First Responder and Firefighter I & II

FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE:

  • Employee Development/People Management
  • Line Performance
  • Information Transfer
  • Compliance
  • NFPA, Emergency Response, or Loss Prevention
  • Financial

PROBLEM SOLVING:

  • Identifies and resolves technical and operational problems; collaborates with peers to resolve problems that cross into inter-related units
  • Acts under extreme circumstances and pressure to resolve emergency management issues rapidly and effectively.

IMPACT:

Influence

Explains difficult concepts and persuades others to adopt point of view.

Communicates information, asks questions and checks for understanding.

Accountability

Accountable for the performance of the work team

Accountable for emergency management

Decision Making

Makes decisions - guided by policies, procedures, and guidelines- that impact the team's ability to meet performance objectives and departmental metrics.

Consults on an as-needed basis with next-level manager on more complex decisions and/or issues that impact other units with inter-related processes

STRATEGIC PLANNING:

Adapts and executes departmental plans and priorities based on departmental metrics to address local business, service, and operational challenges.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

Forecasts resource needs; works within the allocated budget, makes suggestions or recommendations for the betterment of the department.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Candidate must have 3-years' experience or combined experience in Firefighting, Rescue, Fire Life Safety Systems, or Loss Prevention.
  • Candidate must possess a current NC EMT-B or NC EMR certification.
  • Candidate must be certified at minimum of Firefighter Level 1 and must be able to obtain Firefighter Level 2 within 24 months of hire.
  • Must be willing to work shift work, weekends, and holidays.

Desired

  • Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Operations or Technician, CPR / First Aid / AED, NC EMT, Confined Space Rescue, High Angle Rescue, Fire Instructor I, II or III, Certified in NFPA 25: Inspection, Maintenance and Testing of Water based Fire Protection Systems or NICET II, NC Limited Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician through the North Carolina Board of Examiners Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors, Hazmat Technician
  • Candidate must demonstrate the ability to coach and develop work teams and to provide different types of training; Individuals must be able to operate effectively and efficiently in high stress situations, must be able to work both indoors and outdoors and must be able to work in all different types of weather conditions; Individual must have a working knowledge of computers, and be able to work with Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook; Technicians must demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, above average technical aptitude with the ability to learn new skills and tasks, and problem solving skills; strong team skills and interpersonal skills including motivating/empowering others, and resolving conflict; Must be flexible and be able to manage multiple priorities. Must be goal-oriented and able to manage risks and crisis' maintaining control of self, their surroundings, and the environment.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

  • Reports to our company's Emergency Manager
  • Interacts with employees within own department
  • Frequent interaction with employees from other departments
  • Interacts with representatives from regulatory agencies
  • Interacts with external suppliers

Note: This description is not intended to be all-inclusive or a limitation of the duties of the Job. It is intended to describe the general nature of the job that may include other duties as assumed or assigned.

#MSJR

The salary range for this role is:

$70,300 - $110,700

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. #MSJR #VetJobs

Required Skills:

Accountability, Building Maintenance Management, Commercial Property Management, Conflict Resolution, Detail-Oriented, Emergency Management, Emergency Response, Equipment Maintenance, Facility Maintenance, Firefighting, First Aid, Forklift Operations, Handling Crisis Situations, Interpret Electrical Drawings, Lease Administration, Microsoft Outlook, Preventive Maintenance, Resource Management, Right-Of-Way (ROW) Acquisitions, Security Strategy, ShiftPlanning, Standards Compliance, Strategic Planning, Utilities Management

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

San Francisco Residents Only:We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day, 2nd - Evening, 3rd - Night

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

Cleaning Supplies

Job Posting End Date:

08/13/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.