Certified Firefighter

At Cary, we believe great firefighters deserve great compensation. That's why we've built a pay and benefits package that reflects the value of the professionals who serve our community. Advance your career with a team that recognizes and rewards professionalism-- Apply today!

Certified Firefighters – We Want You. Are you a Certified Firefighter ready to take the next step in your career? The Cary Fire Department is actively seeking Certified Firefighter professionals who are driven, disciplined, and committed to excellence. We're looking for you to bring your experience, skill, and leadership to a department that sets the standard across the state.

This is your opportunity to:
- Join one of the premier fire departments in North Carolina
- Work alongside highly trained, motivated professionals
- Serve a growing, progressive community
- Continue developing your skills in a culture built on teamwork, performance, and pride

What to expect as a member of the Cary Fire Department:
- The most competitive pay in the area as well as a career ladder promotion program with several levels of advancement possibilities
- Comprehensive benefits package for all stages of your life
- Ownership in an organization that is committed to excellence, high-quality service delivery and putting people first
- Commitment to making all things better through experimenting in an effort to learn, fail, and grow
- Opportunity to lead from where you are and leadership development
- Collaboration and problem-solving in a team environment

What to expect if hired as a Certified Firefighter in Cary:
All newly hired Certified Firefighters will participate in a 4-week orientation and skills assessment program designed to familiarize them with Cary Fire Department operations and ensure they can successfully demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and performance required for the position. Additional training and support may be provided when needed. Successful completion of the program, including demonstrating proficiency in required skills and meeting established department standards, is required for continued employment. During your training and assessment, you will work to be able to:
- Perform firefighter skills at a proficient level
- Perform EMT skills at a proficient level
- Maintain a high level of physical fitness and meet established performance standards

Upon completion of assessment/training for Certified Firefighters, you will be assigned to rotating shifts at one of 9 fire stations that provide fire suppression, emergency medical aid, technical rescue, fire prevention, fire investigation, and public education services to the 60+ square-miles that are the Cary town limits.

Out of state? No problem. We want to hear from you too! If you hold firefighter certifications accredited by IFSAC or Pro Board that are eligible for North Carolina equivalent credit, along with a current National Registry EMT (NREMT) certification, we encourage you to apply.

Typical Tasks:
Responds to alarms and participates in the suppression of fires, including rescue, forcible entry, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul work and first response emergency situations; Responds to basic life support calls as an EMT; Administers defibrillation as needed; Provides other emergency medical procedures consistent with Wake County protocols; Provides assistance to other emergency medical personnel; Performs basic rescue functions in vehicle extrication, collapsed structures, trench, confined spaces, high level, and swift water; Works with the Police Department in performing missing person searches; Responds to hazardous materials calls including weapons of mass destruction, radiological emergencies, and drug labs; Assists in maintaining fire apparatus and equipment, cleans fire station and grounds; checks readiness of equipment; May also have responsibility for checking and maintaining specialty rescue equipment; Plans work assignments and procedures; Prepares risk assessments for multi-family, residential, commercial, and public buildings; Participates in continuing training and instruction program by individual study of technical material and attendance at scheduled drills and practices; Gives educational talks and demonstrations to groups of children and adults; Gives firehouse tours to visitors and assists with educational programs throughout the year; Participates in mandatory physical fitness training; Assists in residential fire safety checks; Performs other job-related tasks as required.

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, 18 years old, valid NC driver's license with good driving record, NC Firefighter I & II certification, NC EMT certification, NC Hazardous Materials Operations, ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700 NIMS, IS-800 NRF, must have graduated from qualifying fire academy or possess at least 1 year full-time paid firefighting experience, TR Rescue Common Passenger Vehicle or TR-Ropes required or must be obtained within first 12 months

Salary: $64,688.00 - $92,580.80 Annually

Application Deadline: 2026-10-12