Fire Inspector Jobs in Columbus, MS (NOW HIRING)

**This posting is for applicants who have completed Fire Academy or equivalent training and maintain current certification**

**Successful candidates must complete or possess both Mississippi State Board of Health and National Registry Emergency Medical Technician certifications to become eligible for the premium Firefighter salary**

**Please upload copies of your certification documents for review**

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Firefighter is to control and extinguish fires, protect life and property, maintain equipment, perform related tasks as assigned, work is with the element of risk.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responds to fire alarms and extinguishes fire;
Responds to calls for emergency medical services, and renders first aid;
Responds to and render assistance in emergency cases;
Cleans and inspects equipment and apparatus after returning from a fire;
Inspects equipment and apparatus and notifies superior officer of any defects;
Makes minor repairs to equipment and apparatus, performs routine preventative maintenance tasks, and keeps records of such action;
Keeps fire station, equipment and grounds in a clean and orderly condition;
Participates in training activities and instruction sessions;
Acquires and retains a thorough knowledge of the City, including streets, buildings, water supply, unusual hazards and related items;
Performs various public information or education tasks;
Enters inspection, training and (on occasion) fire and emergency medical service calls into the records management systems;
Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures;
Works in a safe manner and report unsafe activity and conditions. Follows citywide safety policy and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety, prevention, reporting and monitoring as outlined in the City's Safety Handbook;
Perform other duties as required;

Knowledge of:
The geography of the City of Starkville and surrounding areas, (or the ability to quickly learn this information), including the street system, hydrant locations, the layout and location of public utilities and potentially hazardous materials or substances;

Ability to:
Make determinations as to the best course of action for fighting fires or responding to other related emergency situations;
Work under extremely stressful situations, day and night, which result of a fire and other emergencies, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property;
Successfully meet the City of Starkville Fire Department's requirements and pass entry exams;
Successfully meet the medical and physical fitness requirements set forth by the National Fire Protection Association as well as a written test to assess critical skills necessary to be a successful firefighter such as teamwork, mechanical aptitude, reading ability, and basic math skills;
Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders;
Work in a team environment under extremely stressful situations;
Read, comprehend, and follow simple oral and written instructions; and to understand and apply available guidelines to varied operational requirements;
Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
Successfully complete a firefighter trainee program at the State Fire Academy;

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES:

Education: A high school diploma or a state recognized equivalent;
License: Must have a valid Driver's License (must have a good driving record--license check will be made), no police record (felony);

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Environment: All types of weather and temperature conditions. Work and/or walk for long periods on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation, and verbally communicate to exchange information.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to operate assigned equipment. FREQUENT bending, stooping, squatting, and climbing; standing, sitting, reaching at and above shoulder height, kneeling, balancing above ground, pushing and pulling, crawling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting of objects weighing up to 75 lbs.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, equipment dials and gauges, color vision acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (COMPLETED IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):

1. All candidates who successfully pass the initial screening background and criminal check will move forward into the hiring process, overseen by the city's Human Resource Director (or designee) and Fire Department Training Chief.
2. A timed general knowledge test (reading comprehension; judgement, human relations, and problem solving; language) will be administered to all qualified job applicants by the City of Starkville's Human Resource Director (or their designee) and Starkville Fire Department Training Division. All candidates who complete and pass the general knowledge test with a score of 70% or better will proceed to the next phase of assessment.
3. Candidates will be required to complete a 1.5 mile run within 14 minutes or less. After successful completion of the 1.5 mile run, candidates will move to the Starkville Fire Department Physical Agility Test.
4. The Starkville Fire Department Physical Agility Test will consist of five timed events, 1. Simulated axe chops 2. Hose drag 3. Hose pull 4. Equipment carry 5. Step ups. The total time allowed to complete this test is 4 minutes 30 seconds. Immediately following the step ups the candidate will don a blacked out face piece and follow a 100 foot section of fire hose in zero visibility. After successful completion the candidate will be offered an interview and notified by the HR designee of the time and place the interview will be conducted.
5. An Assessment Board, consisting of members from the fire department as selected by the Fire Chief and the human resources department, will conduct an interview to score the candidate's ability to perform as a firefighter at Starkville Fire Department.
6. After all testing is completed the applicants score from the employment test and the Assessment Board will be summed and rated.

See the video links below for a preview of the SFD Physical Agility Test and Zero Visibility Drill:

Physical Agility Test -https://fb.watch/iitMDPWBH6/?mibextid=cr9u03

Zero Visibility Drill - https://fb.watch/iitK3gppvV/?mibextid=cr9u03

SCHEDULE FOR PHYSICAL AGILITY AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TESTING:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026

All testing will take place at Fire Station 2 located at 118 Airport Road, Starkville, MS 39759 (near the George M. Bryan Airport) unless stated otherwise. Please report to this location on the testing date by 8:30am. Activities will begin at 9:00am. Additional testing dates may be added as needed. Candidates are encouraged to prepare for the physical agility requirements in advance of the testing date. Communication about testing may be sent via email. Candidates are also encouraged to maintain valid email addresses and to monitor their inboxes as well as junk/spam boxes to ensure important information is received.