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The City of Charleston, SC

Firefighter In Training - Non-experienced

Application Deadline: May 21, 2026 11:59 PM EST.

Annual Salary:

$50,908.00 - $71,442.80

Hourly:

$17.80 - $24.98

Department:

Fire, Public Safety

Division:

Fire Training

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Job Description

The City of Charleston Fire Department is looking for candidates for Firefighter Recruit; no prior fire service experience necessary. The academy is scheduled to start August 31, 2026. The recruit academy will focus on training and preparing the candidate to meet specific standards of the CFD. The program includes classroom instruction and hands on training in firefighter techniques, search and rescue, vehicle extrication, emergency medical services, firefighter survival, and the use of various firefighting tools and equipment. The candidate will work a 10-hour shift/5 days a week during the 28 week program. Upon successful completion of the required Recruit academy, personnel will progress into the position of a probationary firefighter working our current 1-3-2-3 schedule. (24 on – 72 off- 48 on-72 off)

Before applying, please read this guide in its entirety. Only complete applications (with all required documents) will be accepted.

Applications are accepted through May 22, 2026.

Applicants will be contacted between May 26 and May 30, 2026 if they are selected to move forward.

If selected to move forward:

You will need to plan on participating in the in-person hiring process in Charleston, South Carolina from Saturday July 11, 2026 through Friday July 17, 2026.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, July 11, 2026 Pre-orientation, written test, physical ability test.

Sunday, July 12, 2026 Physical ability test continued and interviews

Monday, July 13, 2026 Physical ability test and interviews if needed.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Job offers and gear fitting

Wednesday-Friday, July 15 -July 17, 2026 Pre-Employment physicals and background checks.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

18 Years of age or older at the time of job offer
High School diploma or GED equivalent
Valid state issued driver’s license (You must obtain a South Carolina Driver’s license within 90 days of hire)

REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS: Applications without ALL required attachments will not be accepted.

A copy of your state issued driver’s license.
A copy of your high school diploma, GED equivalent OR Official College transcript with degree awarded.
Current Resume
If prior military, a copy of your DD214 (copy 4)
EMS certification status (NREMT or state EMT certification) – if applicable

TESTING INFORMATION:

NFST-EMS Written Test - Selected candidates must successfully pass the written test. For test information: www.Applytoserve.com/study

Physical Ability Test (FPAT) – Applicant must pass the CFD administered Physical Ability Test (PAT) or have passed the CFD administered PAT within the past 12 months from the date this application process closes. For test information: www.charleston-sc.gov/1259/Physical-Agility-Test.

Pre-Academy

The Charleston Fire Department will be hosting two Pre-Academy sessions. They will be held on April 18, 2026 and June 6, 2026. All applicants who have submitted COMPLETE applications will receive an invitation to participate. This is voluntary and optional and will be limited to 45 people per session. You will be responsible for all travel expenses (airfare, hotel, etc).

The Pre-Academy will consist of:

An overview of the CFD Hiring Process
A morning classroom session on written test skills and interview preparation
Overview of Recruit School (Fire and EMT)
In the afternoon, applicants will be given the opportunity to view a video on the Firefighter Physical Ability Test. You will receive a complete walkthrough with instruction and the opportunity to practice each event individually.

If you complete the following, we will be offering 5 additional points to be added to your written test:

Participation in the Pre-Academy (morning AND afternoon sessions)
You MUST schedule and complete a Ride-Along with the CFD (Ride-alongs will not be conducted the same day as the Pre-Academy)

In order to receive the additional points, you must complete each section.

Partial credit will not be given.

VETERANS - We are thankful for your service! We are proud to offer the following additional resources to Veterans:

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education State Approving Agency has approved the CFD (recruit academy) for veterans' education and training. Veterans and those eligible may use their GI Bill® Education benefits to attend CFD recruit school.
Veteran on-the-job training
Preference Points: A five-point preference will be awarded on the written exam for honorably discharged veterans or service members currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the veteran’s preference points, applicants must meet the following criteria: Have separated under honorable conditions from any of the branches of the armed forces of the United Stated after having served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or more.
For points to be awarded, a DD214 (Honorable discharge) must be received prior to written examination.

2026 Pay Plan

During the academy, you will be compensated at a rate commensurate with your current level of education as outlined in the chart below:

Completed Degree

High School $17.80

Associates $19.06

Bachelors $20.39

Masters $21.82

PhD $23.34

High School - Paramedic $19.06

Associates-Paramedic $20.39

Bachelors-Paramedic $21.82

Masters-Paramedic $23.34

PhD-Paramedic $24.98

After graduation, you will move to Step 1. The CFD’s pay plan includes a comprehensive scale based on career development accomplishments and degree pay incentives. For a review of the CFD’s complete pay scale, please click here.

Step 1 - upon graduation of Academy

Step 2 - after 6 month probationary period

Step 3 - after 6 months of satisfactory service

IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFIERS

It is not possible to list every act or omission that may disqualify an individual from performing the safety sensitive duties of this position. The following are some of the more obvious: Criminal History:

Conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude
Conviction of any crime which carries a 6-month jail sentence or more
Any conviction of domestic violence, including simple assault against a domestic partner, spouse, child or parent
Adult commission of undetected crimes of a serious or repetitive in nature

Drugs:

Any involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs as an adult
Juvenile involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs is an area of concern which will be given careful scrutiny in the context of the full review
Any illegal possession of heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens or any other schedule 1 or 2 drug, or any derivative thereof, within the last 7 years
Illegal possession of anabolic steroids within the last 3 years
Illegal possession of marijuana or a derivative thereof within the last 24 months

Traffic Violations:

Must have a driving record that reflects no more than three moving violations or at fault/contributable accidents, or any combination thereof, in the past 36 months. Moving violations and preventable accidents that are indicated on the applicant’s driving record but are more than 36 months old will be considered on a case by case basis.
No driver’s license suspension in the past three years
Any conviction of the following within the last 5 years:

Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
Refusal to take blood or breath test
Eluding police, racing, or leaving the scene of an accident

Others:

Less than honorable discharge from any military service.
Untruthfulness and/or intentionally withholding of information on any application, interview or paperwork associated with this application.

Examples of intentional withholding of information would include the following:

Deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements Cheating on any exam or testing associated with the application

Note: This is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of background disqualifiers. Applicants who are successful in the initial testing will undergo a thorough background investigation. Areas of concern will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis within the context of the full review. Examples of the areas of concern may include but are not limited to the following:

Reduction of charges as a result of a plea agreement or other form of sentencing disposition prior to a conviction in any of the aforementioned criminal and driving history categories
Crimes committed against a juvenile, including undetected crimes
Patterns of reckless and/or irresponsible driving
Multiple convictions of driving under the influence
Illegal drug possession that does not fall within the parameters of the above
Erratic work record, or unfavorable work employment references
Pending litigation or prosecution for criminal offenses must be resolved prior to consideration for employment.

The City of Charleston is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity ( EEOC) as a fundamental policy to be implemented and observed in our daily operation. Our full EEOC statement can be found on our website:

www.charleston-sc.gov [charleston-sc.gov]

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