Firefighter Recruit

Interested in joining a world class fire department in America's most authentic and urban waterfront city? Norfolk Fire-Rescue (NFR) is accepting applications for Firefighter Recruit.

NFR has a rich history of quality and innovative response to emergencies. Over 100 years of fire service response and over 30 years of pre-hospital emergency medical service (EMS) response have resulted in high service delivery standards for the members of NFR. Today's approaches to technically challenging calls involve hazardous material responses, technical rescue responses, and water rescue emergencies.

Department Core Values:
AIRPSI - Accountability, Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, Safety, Innovation

Academy Information:
Firefighter Recruits participate in a paid 8-9 month program to become a Firefighter EMT-Advanced (EMT-A). Training is in accordance with curriculums and regulations of Hampton Roads Recruit Fire Academy (HRFA), Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), and Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS). The academy will include a combination of classroom, physical fitness, technical rescue, and hazardous materials response training.

Upon academy graduation, recruits receive a career progression to Firefighter EMT-A and an increase in salary to $48,250.

Opportunities for Advancement:
In addition to annual pay increases authorized by the Norfolk City Council, Firefighter EMT-A may be eligible for competitive career progression:

• Firefighter EMT-A, starting salary - $48,250
• Firefighter EMT-P, starting salary - $57,786
• Fire Lieutenant, starting salary - $59,031
• Fire Captain, starting salary - $69,365
• Battalion Fire Chief, starting salary - $95,824
• Assistant Fire Chief, starting salary - 114,274

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Acquires knowledge of fire and emergency medical service (if applicable), to become a member of NFR by participating and successfully completing certification courses determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia, NFR Training, NFR Administration, course Medical Director and all testing and additional certification elements of an approved Fire Academy as documented by the Training Chief and verified by the Fire Chief.
• Performs limited fire or emergency medical service functions.
• Participates in physical fitness training.

Other Requirements:

• Must be a (U.S.) citizen, lawful permanent resident, or authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must be 18 years of age at the time of applying.
• Must possess a current and valid Driver's License.
• Must successfully pass all entry level testing and assessments.
  

• Firefighter Recruit applicants must submit a City of Norfolk online employment application with ALL required documents as outlined below.
• Failure to include ALL of the required documents and/or certificates will result in your employment application being deemed incomplete and will not be given further consideration in the recruitment process.
• Documents cannot be added to your employment application submittal after the application has already been submitted.
• For any questions, please email FIRE-RECRUITERS@norfolk.gov.

• Valid Driver's License.
• Complete and recent (generated within 1 year of application date) Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) report from the state in which you are licensed. This report should show driving history. This needs to be a complete report, the end of the document should read, "This ends transmission" or "End of record."
• High school diploma or GED certification. Proof of a higher education diploma is also acceptable.
• DD214 long form that shows discharge information, if applicable (prior military only).
• Any relevant and valid EMS and/or Fire certifications.

• Conviction of any felony.
• Conviction of any offense involving moral turpitude, including, but not limited to, larceny, concealment, bad checks, embezzlement, fraud and/or perjury.
• Conviction of a domestic violence offense.
• Failure to meet the requirements of Criminal History Code 12VAC5-31-910 of the Virginia Administrative Code.

• Current drivers' license suspension.
• Driver's license suspension for moving violations within 12 months of submitting an application to the Department of Human Resources.
• Conviction of drunk driving or driving under the influence within five years of submitting an application to the Department of Human Resources.
• More than -5 Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) demerit points at the date of application to the Department of Human Resources or anytime thereafter during the hiring process.
• Conviction of driving on a suspended or revoked license within the past 5 years of application submission to the Department of Human Resources.
• Conviction of a misdemeanor hit and run within the past 5 years of application submission to the Department of Human Resources.

• Any use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule l of the Code of Virginia within 5 years of submitting an application to Human Resources, or for more than minimal experimentation at any time. (Includes heroin, LSD, MDMA, etc.).
• Any non-medicinal use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule ll of the Code of Virginia within 5 years of submitting an application to Human Resources, or for more than minimal experimentation at any time. (Includes cocaine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, methamphetamine, PCP, etc.).
• Any non-medicinal use of a controlled substance listed in Schedules lll-Vl of the Code of Virginia, or any noxious chemical inhalants, within 6 months of submitting an application to the Department of Human Resources, or for more than minimal experimentation at any time. (Includes marijuana, steroids, huffing, etc.).
• Any substantiated illegal act arising from the manufacture and/or distribution of any illegal drug.

• Dishonorable discharge from the military.
• Bad conduct discharge from the military.

• Applicants must successfully complete the following steps:
  • Written Examination: Designed to measure the reading comprehension necessary to successfully complete required trainings(s) and certification(s).
  • Physical Agility Test: Designed to simulate typical work-related situations that require the ability to perform specific physical activities.
  • Ranking Interview: Panel interview. All applicants are asked the same set of questions.
  • Personal History Booklet: Used to gather information of your personal history.
  • Psychological Evaluation: Using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Test (MMPI), used to assess personality traits and psychopathology, provided at City expense.
  • Background Investigation: Involves obtaining and verifying information related to prior employment, drug usage, personal and professional references and criminal records, DMV records and credit records. Includes a criminal and an Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) fingerprint background check.
  • Polygraph Examination: Used to verify the background data disclosed in the Personal History Booklet and employment application, provided at City expense. Deception noted in the areas of the automatic disqualifiers may prevent further processing of your application.
  • Medical Examination: Includes medical physical and drug screen, provided at City expense. Required vaccinations will be verified.