POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Firefighter Recruit & EMT Recruit (FT)
Department: Emergency Services
Starting Salary: $18.25/hour
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Posting Date: August 10, 2026
Closing Date: August 20, 2026

Readvertisement – Previous Applicants will be considered and do not need to reapply 

Job Summary:

Upon completion of the initial training, this position is responsible for assisting the work of personnel involved in fire prevention, suppression, rescue, EMS, and All-Hazards activity.

Major Duties:

·      Attends training sessions as required to gain skills and knowledge regarding department operations, job performance, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, reads professional literature and training materials; completes tests and skills assessments; and obtains and maintains professional affiliations.

·    Responds to emergency calls for fire suppression, medical assistance, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, downed power lines, and other emergency situations, responds to instructions from dispatcher; and contacts appropriate related agencies as needed.

·      Provides protection of life and property: suppresses, controls, and extinguishes fires; performs a search, rescue, extrication of victims, and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; establishes openings in buildings for entrance, ventilation, or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing the debris; assists with cleanup activities; and exercises control of emergency situations until relieved by a superior officer.

·         Responds to a variety of emergency calls requiring the administration of basic first aid and medical treatment.

·      Maintains a state of readiness and preparation for emergency response, checks and maintains stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; assists in preparing apparatus for subsequent emergencies and in testing personal equipment, hoses and pumps, and other tools and apparatus; and ensures the emergency medical service equipment is properly stocked and operational.

·     Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable regulations, policies, and procedures, maintains an awareness of new equipment, procedures, trends, and advances in the profession; participates in physical fitness training, training drills, and other continuing education activities; and attends shift meetings, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.

·    Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, apparatus, equipment, and tools in operable condition, inspects and tests equipment; replaces fluids and greases equipment; replaces parts; washes and cleans equipment, cleans quarters, and performs grounds maintenance; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.

·       Responds to hazardous materials incidents.

·       Assists with the fighting of structural fires to ensure that appropriate firefighting techniques are used.

·       Completes required reports and paperwork for incidents occurring during an assigned shift.

·        Maintains training and education for ISO, fire standards, and training and EMS required training.

·        Assists with the training as needed.

·        May assist with building inspections and fire preplanning.

·        Conducts tours of the firehouse and demonstrates firefighting equipment.

·        Provides first aid and CPR and advanced life support as appropriate

·        Participates in and assists with department training sessions.

·        May assist with the teaching of fire safety classes in public schools, CPR techniques to local civic and business groups.

·         Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

·         High School Diploma or GED and ability to obtain State Fire Certification and Emergency Medical Technician certification through HCES Training Division.

·         Must be age 18 years or older.

·         Must not have been convicted of a felony within the past 10 years.

·         Must successfully pass a physical agility test and written examination (computer based).

·         Must be of good moral character as determined by personnel evaluations and adherence to standards.

Salary:

·         Initial pay rate for the Firefighter Recruit & EMT Recruit is $18.25/hour with benefits ($37,960/annually) for a 40-hour week. Upon completion of the FF1 and EMT Training period (6 months), the pay rate is $15.05/hour (changing to a 24/48 shift) with benefits ($43,946/annually).

 The successful candidate must complete a Reference Check, Background Check, Pre-Employment Drug Screening and Physical prior to the start of employment.

To Apply: All applicants must complete a Habersham County employment application. Applications can be found online at www.habershamga.com.  Applications and a detailed job description can be picked up at the Habersham County Human Resources Department, Administration Building located at 130 Jacob’s Way, Clarkesville, GA 30523 in room 303. For more information please call (706) 839-0214.
Habersham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.