Full Time Search And Rescue Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $53,331.76 Annually
Location : City of Henderson - 222 First Street, Henderson KY 42420, KY
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00027
Department: Fire Department
Division: Fire
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 4:30 PM Central
Job Description
YOU MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR APPLICATION:
1. Driver's license
2. High School diploma/GED/Transcript with graduation date
3. If you are a Veteran, please submit your DD214.
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STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST AVAILABLE
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON THE PHYSICAL ABILITY EXERCISE
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If you have a current CPAT card, please submit now.
Essential Functions
CITY OF HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Firefighter-In-Training
PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION
The purpose of this classification is to learn basic firefighting and rescue techniques and methods. An employee classified as a Firefighter-in-training is responsible to attend training classes (In House or State Fire Academy) as designated by the Fire Chief. The firefighter-in-training is required to learn and obtain the knowledge needed to deliver emergency services efficiently and effectively to the customers served.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Attends and satisfactorily completes the prescribed courses of training designated by the Fire Chief through in house instruction or at an approved Fire Academy.
• Obtains skills and knowledge in the areas of Search/Rescue, Fire Attack, Ventilation, Forcible Entry, PPE, Building Construction, Extinguishment, Ropes/Knot (High/Low Angle; confined space) Ground Ladders (Aerial ladder), Stream management and advancement, Fire protection Systems, Overhaul, Salvage, Technical Rescue and support (Dive, Swift water, boat, extrication, Hazmat, elevator, Trench, Structural collapse), Foam applications, Hydrant Operation(Supply) Incident Scene operations (Chain-of-Command), Maintenance and Testing responsibilities, Risk reduction, Basic First Aid (CPR/AED)
• Performs assigned duties designated by the Training/Company Officer. These duties should not be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.
• Ability to perform physically arduous work requiring strength and agility during training, assigned duties and during all kinds of weather.
• Ability to act quickly, calmly, and effectively during training and assigned duties.
• Ability to understand the Chain-of-Command and how to operate in an atmosphere of discipline and teamwork.
• May be asked to respond to alarms and all fire and non-fire emergencies, such as structural fires, hazardous material spills, bomb threats, building collapse, vehicle accidents, aircraft emergencies, wild land/brush fires, and emergency medicals calls.
• May be asked to perform a variety of firefighting and rescue tasks; extinguishes fires; chops openings in buildings for ventilation; perform search and rescue operations; performs extrication of victims and performs CPR and basic life support as needed; climbs ladders; performs forcible entry at emergency scene; operates fire stream nozzles; turns fire hydrants on/off at fires; ensures proper connections of fire hose
• May be asked to perform salvage and overhaul operations on fireground; assists law enforcement personnel with traffic and crowd control.
• Inspects and maintains turnout gear, pumping apparatus, aerial apparatus, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire hose, and related equipment; inspects apparatus daily to ensure good working condition; takes inventory of equipment on apparatus daily; cleans apparatus and equipment as outlined in the department manual and after each run; performs routine repairs; notifies supervisor of maintenance needs.
• Utilizes a variety of equipment in the performance of duties, such as radio communications equipment, fire engine pump panel, aerial ladder devices, fire suppression tools, rescue tools, safety equipment, ventilation tools, forcible entry tools, and self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Participates in fire safety education classes; participates in and instructs the general public on fire prevention; participates in station tours; provides instruction of fire extinguisher usage.
• May be asked to participate in preplanning activities and business inspections as needed installing private smoke detectors; conducts fire hydrant inspection.
• Maintains working knowledge of departmental rules and regulations and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to work with other departments and agencies including but not limited to City Police, HMP&L, HWU, Gas, Sanitation, Facilities Maintenance, Public Works, EMS, Sheriff's Office, Coroner's Office.
• Performs routine maintenance work involved in the upkeep of fire department property and equipment.
• Attends training classes in Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, and other; maintains minimum training hours as required by the Kentucky Fire Commission and the Henderson Fire Department.
• Maintains physical fitness and medical standards.
• May be asked to prepare fire incident and equipment deficiency reports and submits as appropriate.
• May be asked to assist in fire and arson investigations.
• May be asked to perform water rescue, confined space, rope rescue, and technical rescue operations.
• Must perform station clean-up and maintenance duties inside and outside the station and at the training ground.
• Maintains regular and predictable in-person attendance during regular business hours of the fire department and City of Henderson is required.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Performs other related duties as required, necessary, or assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma or GED; supplemented by vocational/technical training in fire science preferred; supplemented by little or no previous experience or training; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Must be certified and maintain a KY Emergency Medical Technician-Basic and be or become a Kentucky Certified Career Firefighter within one year of employment and maintain throughout employment. Must be or become certified in Bloodborne Pathogens. Must be a certified FF1&2 and HazMat Awareness and Operations within two years of employment.
PERFORMANCE APTITUDES
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate and control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and rapid adjustments.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in critical and/or unexpected situations involving extreme risk to the organization.
ADA COMPLIANCE
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert very heavy physical effort in very heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials (up to 100 pounds) and occasionally heavier items (100 pounds or over).
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Any oral or written statements or promises to the contrary are hereby expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any prospective or existing employees. This job description is subject to change by the employer (the City of Henderson) at the discretion of the employer, or as the needs of the employer and/or requirements of the job change. The City of Henderson explicitly reserves the right to modify any of the provisions of this job description at any time and without notice. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or essential functions does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Benefits include but are not limited to:
Health Insurance
Group Life Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Cancer Insurance
Disability Insurance
Accident Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance
Retirement
Paid time off includes, but is not limited to:
Vacation
Sick time
Personal time (full time employees only)
Holidays (for eligible employees)
Benefits are subject to change