Entry Level Citrus County Fire Rescue Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.
Orange County Fire Rescue Department (OCFRD) is proud to be internationally accredited and maintain an ISO Property Protection Class 1 rating. OCFRD provides world-class fire rescue and full-service emergency medical services, to include transport, within the 800 square miles of unincorporated Orange County and four municipalities. OCFRD has 45 community-based fire stations.
Orange County Fire Rescue is also the home department to the University of Central Florida, one of the largest universities in the country as well as the second largest convention center in North America. OCFRD serves a population of nearly 900,000 residents. As the theme park capital of the world, Orange County attracts over 200,000 daily visitors. Firefighters have numerous promotional opportunities, along with the opportunity to join one of the many elite specialty programs including the rescue diver/rescue swimmer program, the special access climber program, squad technician program, EMS bike team program, or the unmanned aerial system unit. OCFRD has a reputation for providing excellence in our continued training programs for firefighters and offers sponsorship to firefighters to obtain their paramedic certification. This is an exciting opportunity to join the OCFRD family.
Job Description
General Functions :
This is specialized work in the protection of life and property through emergency and non-emergency services to the citizens of Orange County.
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Lieutenant with considerable independence requiring discretion, sound judgment and initiative while being committed to organizational values and providing on-target customer service and positive community relations.
Representative Duties/Assignments :

• Performs fire suppression as a team member and/or individually by manning hose lines, operating hand held fire suppression equipment, and carrying out related duties in emergency firefighting situations.
• Performs emergency medical services on persons injured or ill according to National, State and Departmental guidelines at either an EMT or paramedic level depending upon certification.
• Performs rescue functions to extricate victims from occupancies filled with heat, smoke, and toxic gases by entering occupancy and physically removing victims.
• Performs rescue and extrication functions of victims involved in vehicular entrapments using specific hand and pneumatic equipment.
• Performs salvage and clean-up functions as required at the conclusion of fire-related emergency scenes.
• Maintains physical conditioning and physical stamina required to perform firefighting duties.
• Performs routine inspections of personal safety equipment in order to ensure equipment is in optimum condition and promptly notifies superiors of deficiencies.
• Attends classroom and drill ground training sessions in order to continuously update knowledge and skills required for effective work performance.
• Communicates and interacts with co-workers and/or the public either collectively or on a person-to-person level to receive emergency instructions or relay emergency information.
• Participates in public relations activities such as school demonstrations, safety demonstrations, etc., to promote the image of the Department as a public safety provider in the community.
• Performs clean-up and janitorial duties in stations to maintain a clean working and living environment.
• Operates Fire Rescue Department emergency vehicles as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications :

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess and maintain Florida State Firefighter certification.
• Must possess and maintain a current EMT or Paramedic license.

Effective March 29, 2015, individuals hired must successfully complete all State of Florida and local requirements to become a Certified Paramedic no later than 3 years following their assignment to a field Firefighter position or as agreed upon in writing by the union and management and must thereafter serve as a paramedic for Orange County Fire Rescue. Possession and maintenance of Paramedic Certification is condition of continued employment with Orange County Fire Rescue.

• Must possess and maintain a State of Florida Driver's License by date of hire.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a non-user of tobacco products for at least one year, as evidenced by a sworn affidavit of the applicant.
• Must meet all moral and criminal background guidelines.
• Must meet medical and physical agility standards. Must maintain a level of physical fitness consistent with job assignment.

Application Deadline
Open Date: 05/22/2026
Close Date: 06/04/2026
This posting is subject to close without prior notice.
Salary Information

• Firefighter/EMT (No Experience) Step 1 - $28.40 per hour /$59,072.00 annually
• Firefighter/EMT (2 or more years of experience) Step 2 - $29.82 per hour/$62,025.60 annually
• Firefighter/Paramedic (No Experience) Step 1 - $28.40 per hour/$59,072.00 annually Plus Paramedic Incentive $11,876.80
• Firefighter/Paramedic (2 or more years of experience) Step 3 - $31.32/$65,145.00 annually Plus Paramedic Incentive $11,876.80
• Effective October 12, 2025, all eligible bargaining unit employees under this Agreement shall receive a minimum of a 5% wage increase by advancing one step in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 through 2026-27 Step Pay Plans

(Effective October 2026 the Paramedic Incentive will increase to $12,994.00)
(Per the contract, Firefighters that start on Step 1 shall be advanced to Step 2 ($29.82 per hour) of the applicable Step Pay Plan upon successful completion of the Fire Department 10-week new hire orientation program)
Placement based on County Policy or bargaining unit contract
Benefits

• New 56-hour Firefighters get 8 vacation shifts and 5 personal holidays for a total of 13 paid shifts off
• Longevity bonus based on years of service
• 9 shifts of sick leave annually
• Participation in Union-Sponsored Health Insurance Trust
• Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System

• Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc
• Free access to Wellworks gyms and Orange County Recreation Centers
• Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Earn service time to forgive student loans

Disclaimer: Benefits may vary for employees under collective bargaining agreements.
For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx
Veterans Preference
If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder .
Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.
Educational Requirements
If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) . If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.
Notes
Please note the selected applicants will be required to submit to a pre-employment physical, drug test, and background screening process prior to the start of employment. To learn more about our Sign-On Incentive Program visit our website at: http://www.ocfl.net/careers/#incentives
ENTRY LEVEL TESTING (Fire Team Video Test and CPAT)
All candidates must pass the Ergometrics FireTEAM Video Test and Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) to participate in the hiring process. Applicants with a valid passing test score on file do not need to re-take these tests. The FireTEAM test scores are valid for 2 years and the CPAT test scores are valid for 1 year. OCFRD also accepts passing scores of the Ergometrics Fire Team Video Test and Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) completed though the National Testing Network (NTN). For more information about NTN's testing process, you can visit their website at www.nationaltestingnetwork.com. Candidates who do not have a valid test score can obtain information on taking the CPAT and FireTEAM tests by contacting Orange County Fire Rescue Department at OCFRDCareers@ocfl.net.