Firefighter/EMT

About the Role

Chesterfield County Fire and EMS is looking for motivated, service-oriented candidates to join a professional emergency response team. The department handles about 60,000 service calls each year, and roughly 80% are EMS-related. This is an opportunity to serve a community-focused organization that values teamwork, clear communication, commitment, compassion, integrity, courage, accountability, professionalism, safety, and strong customer service.

Successful team members will be expected to support the county’s goal of keeping the community safe and secure while helping people live, work, and raise families in a protected environment.

What You Will Do

• Complete a demanding 26-week recruit academy that tests both physical and mental endurance.
• Respond to emergency calls and deliver patient care, firefighting support, hazardous materials mitigation, community risk reduction, and public safety education.
• Operate emergency vehicles and maintain fire apparatus, medical gear, equipment, and station facilities.
• Maintain the fitness level needed for the role through regular physical training with your crew and on your own.
• Represent Chesterfield County and the department professionally in day-to-day work and community interactions.
• Carry out additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States and have a valid driver’s license with a good driving record. A negative 1 or better DMV driving point balance is required. By the time of testing, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years old.

All applicants must complete and pass a written exam and a physical ability test, undergo a thorough background investigation with employment verification, and pass a pre-employment medical exam confirming good health and 20/20 vision or corrected vision to 20/25. Out-of-state driving records must be obtained by the applicant and submitted with the background packet at testing; the record must show at least three years of history and be dated within 30 days of testing.

Pre-employment drug screening, an FBI criminal background check, and verification of education/degree are required. This is a safety-sensitive role and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. The position also involves work in high-security areas regulated by the U.S. Department of Justice CJIS Security Policy, so a stricter criminal background review is required.

Driving Record Restrictions

Based on Virginia DMV standards, an applicant cannot have six or more demerit points in the 24 months before the expected hire date, one major violation worth six demerit points within the prior 36 months, or a DMV point balance below negative 1. Candidates are not eligible if, within the past five years, they have been convicted of DUI involving alcohol or drugs, convicted of a felony, assigned to an alcohol safety action program or driver alcohol rehabilitation program under Code of Virginia 18.2-271.1, involved in hit and run, or operated a vehicle on a suspended or revoked license.

Additional Qualifications

Candidates should be able to use firefighting tools and equipment, apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention practices, and handle strenuous activity for long periods in extreme heat, cold, smoke, heights, and emergency conditions. The role involves heavy lifting and physically demanding work such as climbing stairs, prolonged standing, squatting, bending, twisting, stretching, crawling, and reaching overhead, often in awkward positions with little variety. Strong verbal and written communication, the ability to follow instructions, effective teamwork, and professional interaction with internal and external customers are important. Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception as well as the ability to adjust focus. EMT-B (Virginia or National Registry) or NREMT-P certification is preferred but not required.

Shift and Work Schedule

Recruit school runs 40 hours per week for approximately 26 weeks. After academy completion, the schedule is typically 24 hours on and 48 hours off, though it may vary depending on assignment.

Career Growth and Benefits

This role is part of an approved Career Development Plan and includes progression steps with pay increases through Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Firefighter III, Firefighter IV, Firefighter V, and Firefighter VI. The department also offers a public safety pay plan, advanced life support programming, specialty training, promotional opportunities, annual health assessments, workout equipment in every fire station, health and dental coverage, GI Bill educational benefits, an employee assistance program, peer support, continuing education, VRS hazardous duty retirement, and uniforms and equipment.

Testing and Hiring Process

• Written test with registration required
• Submission of the completed background packet at the time of the written test
• Background review
• Panel interview
• Background interview
• Physical ability test
• Pre-employment physical

Additional Information

Applicants must have an active email address for all recruitment communications. Test dates, times, locations, and other next steps will be shared by email. Questions may be directed to the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Human Resource Division at (804) 748-1360, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, or by email at FireApplicant@chesterfield.gov.

The role is located within Fire & EMS in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Chesterfield County is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion. County benefits details are available in the employee benefits summary.

Job Details

Job number: 26-00855. Department: Fire. Opening date: 06/08/2026. Closing date: 7/5/2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Full-time position based in Chesterfield, VA.

Employer Information

Employer: Chesterfield County. Address: Human Resources Department, 9901 Lori Road / P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, Virginia, 23832. Phone: 804-748-1551. Website: http://www.chesterfield.gov

Compensation

Annual salary: $60,147.