Entry Level Firefighter Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $50,931.88 - $81,491.01 Annually
Location : Fuquay-Varina, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 202400195
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Working Hours: Academy Hours
Pay Grade: 12
Job Overview
Personnel in this position are responsible, under close supervision in a training capacity, to prepare to perform a wide variety of technical and specialized fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and incident response activities on an assigned shift in the fire department. After completing department provided training academy, duties will consist of entry level firefighting and technical work as described. This position performs responsible fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical and incident response activities. An employee in this class participates in the operations of fire suppression, fire education and prevention, technical rescue, emergency medical and other incident response operations at the fire station. Employees participate as part of a team in the maintenance of facilities, equipment, and apparatus. Employees also participate in pre-incident planning, maintenance of records, inspections, fire education and training programs. Work requires that the employee stay abreast of state-of-the-art fire suppression and rescue procedures, techniques, and equipment and requires the employee to incorporate the necessary changes into in-service training. The employee is subject to the hazards associated with incidence response work including working in inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold temperatures, loud noise, vibration, moving parts, high heat, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, oils, wearing respirators, and working in close quarters. The employee is also subject to the final OSHA standards on blood borne pathogens. Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and written reports concerning the quality and effectiveness of work completed.
Essential Duties and Tasks
Note: The following duties are intended to be representative of the functions performed by a Firefighter after successful completion of the department provided training academy.

• Responds to fires with the application of appropriate firefighting techniques.
• Responds to emergency medical calls, performs patient assessments; selects and follows proper protocols; documents patient care.
• Maintains proper firefighting and emergency medical certifications.
• Assists with maintenance checks and inventories to ensure readiness and working condition of assigned apparatus.
• Maintains the required level of physical fitness.
• Assist with instructing public education classes on fire safety and prevention.
• Participates in the hydrant maintenance program.
• Assists in the maintenance of the fire station building and grounds.
• Participates in continuing education activities.
• Assists with engine company business inspections.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Note: The following duties are intended to be representative of the functions performed by a Firefighter after successful completion of the department provided training academy.

• Under close supervision responds to fire and emergency calls by completing fire suppression activities for residential and commercial structures, vehicles, rubbish, and grass areas, operating apparatus, removing hazards from emergency scenes, rescuing persons from fire and emergency scenes, utilizing fire extinguishing and extraction equipment to suppress fires and documenting actions when appropriate.
• Under close supervision and if certified, provides basic emergency medical services by responding to emergency site, assessing the medical needs of patients, determining best immediate basic treatment, administering life support, utilizing trained medical skills, operating life-saving equipment, lifting and moving patients and extricating patients as necessary, assisting patients to emergency centers, completing medical reports, stocking medical supplies, and documenting all services provided.
• Receives training to certifications by participating in education related to medical, firefighting, driving and computer skills and completing appropriate paperwork for training received.
• Maintains fire-fighting equipment and fire station property by performing preventative maintenance on equipment and machinery, ensuring apparatus is operating properly and safely, determining if problematic or faulty parts exist, replacing faulty parts.
• Maintains fire station property by performing interior and exterior building maintenance such as mowing lawn, assisting with fire station cleaning activities and documenting maintenance actions when appropriate.

Requirements

• Candidate must be 18 years of age on date of hire.
• Candidate must possess a High School Diploma or GED from an accredited school.
• Candidate must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina or current state of residency and have a safe driving record.
• Candidate must pass a physical agility test, medical examination to include a drug screen, and have a visual acuity of 20/100 or better, corrected to 20/20.
• Candidates will be subject to a criminal background check upon offer of employment.
• Candidate must have the ability to meet current requirements set forth by the National Fire Protection Association and the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission.
• Candidate must possess or ability to readily obtain appropriate state EMS certification.
• Candidate must have the knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with high school education.
• Candidates must pass all required exams and physical agility test.

Please read:
Additional Information:

• Anticipated Written/Agility Test dates: Tuesday September 1st and Wednesday the 2nd, 2026
• Anticipated Interviews: Wednesday September 9th and Thursday the 10th, 2026
• Recruits will attend the Wake County Fire Academy located at 413 Shearon Harris Rd, New Hill, NC 27562
• Projected Academy Start date is October 19th, 2026
• Recruits will be paid while attending the Academy

The Town of Fuquay-Varina is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.
The Town of Fuquay-Varina aims to be a dash-more! Below is the comprehensive benefits package for all regular, full-time employees:

• Employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid Employee Life Insurance
• Participation in the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System
• Five percent (5%) employer contribution to the NC 401(k)
• Optional 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Holiday Leave
• Bereavement Leave (40 hours)
• Shared Leave
• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks)
• Paid Eldercare Leave (120 hours)
• Dash-More Time (32 hours)
• Membership with Local Government Federal Credit Union
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Longevity Pay
• Christmas Bonus
• On-site gym (Town Hall and Community Center)
• Optional Supplemental Term Life Insurance
• Optional STD, Accident, Cancer, Medical Bridge, Critical Illness, & Whole Life Insurance
• Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)

01
What is your highest level of education?

• Less than high school
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college, no degree
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

02
Are you at least 18 years or older?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you understand that this position works a 24-hour rotating shift?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you understand that you must have a visual acuity of 20/100 or better, corrected to 20/20 (this is a critical job requirement for this position)?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you understand that you must pass a physical agility test and medical examination to include a drug screen and fingerprints?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you foresee any challenges with the anticipated dates that are listed under "Additional Information". If "yes", please note below. If "no", please write N/A.
Required Question