Updated March 15, 2024 --  Caroline is not accepting applications at this time.

Why Caroline?

Many questions of today are met with uncertainty.  The individual desire for purpose, however, has not changed.

Are you someone looking for work that is as meaningful as it is challenging?  Do you want to work closely as an essential part of a team?  Do you want to learn about yourself and what you are capable of? Does lifelong learning matter to you?  Do you wish for time to cultivate a healthy work-life balance?

Have you been seeking a career with purpose, rather than just a job?

If you have answered yes to these questions, we believe Caroline County is the place for you.

Caroline County Fire and Rescue is a small and growing combination fire/EMS department.  A combination department means that both career and volunteer staff work within the system. 

We pride ourselves on our commitment to adapt and grow with the increasingly changing times both within our trade and without…and we believe this commitment is the bedrock of who we strive to be.  We promote an atmosphere of teamwork, valuing the contributions of all organization members.  Growth often happens at work, together, with your coworkers in a hands-on environment.  It also happens through the individual contributions of our firefighters toward this common goal.

Our department is certainly not the largest in the area.  Our staff needs to be ready to meet the demands of the job with often limited resources.  Nothing will be handed to you, except the expectation to do your work in fire/EMS and bring your unique interests and talents along.

That means there are opportunities here that don’t exist elsewhere.  Our firefighter/EMT’s and firefighter/medics have occasion to learn and grow far beyond their counterparts in other localities. 

Caroline is working towards bringing together the values of the age-old work of taking care of our neighbors and the overwhelming desire of people to produce real change.

Come see for yourself what’s possible.

Hiring Process Overview

Caroline Fire and Rescue has a simple hiring process.

Step One – Apply

Apply for open positions through the County’s official website at:

https://co.caroline.va.us/551/Employment-Opportunities 

Applicants are reviewed and screened to ensure they meet the minimum qualifications. 

Step 2 – Written Examination

You’re invited to take our written FireTeam exam - Our FireTeam exam evaluates four areas:  Human Relations, Mechanical Reasoning, Reading, and Math.   None of these tests require specific fire or EMS knowledge.   They offer us feedback on which candidates are likely to be a good fit for our organization and be successful in our training program.  This is a video-based exam.

Note – Caroline does NOT conduct physical agility testing for applicants.   

Step 3 – Panel Interview

Candidates are invited to a panel interview - This interview allows us to meet candidates and get to know them better.  It also allows you, the candidate, an opportunity to interview our organization.

Step 4 – Reference and Background Checks are conducted

Step 5 – Conditional Job Offer

New hires complete:

• Post hire physical and drug testing - Once a candidate accepts an offer, they are scheduled for a post hire medical physical and drug testing. This medical physical is based on the industry standard National Fire Protection Association 1582. It evaluates your medical ability to successfully perform the job.

Fingerprinting / Criminal Records Search - Before starting in Caroline, all new hires undergo required Virginia OEMS fingerprinting / criminal history checks.  

Once VA OEMS returns acceptable results, new hires are scheduled to begin orientation.

New Firefighter / EMT Recruit 

Considering a career in Fire and EMS, but don’t have any formal training?  Then consider applying for one of our Firefighter / EMT Recruit positions.   These positions will attend a six-month training academy, in which they will learn basic firefighting, emergency medical technician, hazardous materials response and emergency driving skills and obtain their initial course certifications. 

Candidates do NOT have to have previous fire or EMS certifications of experience.   

Basic Requirements

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Be eligible to obtain EMS certification within the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Valid Virginia driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Must meet the medical requirements set forth in NFPA 1582, Chapter 6: Medical Evaluations of Applicants.

Once Recruit Positions Open, applications must be submitted electronically via the County’s website at:  https://co.caroline.va.us/551/Employment-Opportunities

Recruits will attend a 6-month training academy.   This academy is scheduled to start in late March 2023. 

Firefighter / EMT and Firefighter / Medic Recruits
with existing EMT or higher certification

Caroline Fire – Rescue gives special consideration to applicants with existing EMT, Intermediate, or Paramedic certification.   These candidates bypass the traditional recruitment process and attend specific Firefighter training certification classes and orientation. 

To be considered for this classification of hiring, candidates should minimally have:

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid Virginia driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (Health Care Provider CPR)
• Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), EMT – Intermediate or Paramedic
• ICS 100, 200, 700, 800
• ALS providers are required to maintain certification in ACLS, PALS and PHTLS
• Must meet the medical requirements set forth in NFPA 1582, Chapter 6: Medical Evaluations of Applicants.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the County’s website at:  https://co.caroline.va.us/551/Employment-Opportunities .   Please include copies of your EMS certifications and driving record with your submission.

Firefighter / EMT Recruits
with existing Firefighter II certification

Caroline Fire – Rescue gives special consideration to applicants with existing Firefighter II certification.   These candidates bypass the traditional recruitment process and attend specific EMT training certification classes and orientation. 

To be considered for this classification of hiring, candidates should minimally have:

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid Virginia driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (Health Care Provider CPR)
• Virginia Firefighter II certification (or Pro-Board equivalent)
• Must meet the medical requirements set forth in NFPA 1582, Chapter 6: Medical Evaluations of Applicants.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the County’s website at:  https://co.caroline.va.us/551/Employment-Opportunities .   Please include copies of your Fire certifications and driving record with your submission.

Experienced Firefighter / EMTs and Firefighter / Medics 

Caroline County has an open application process for individuals already trained and working elsewhere as Firefighter / EMTs.   These candidates complete an in-house orientation and do NOT need to complete a new recruit school.   Compensation for experienced candidates will be based on previous experience and years of service.  

Basic Requirements

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid Virginia driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Currently hold and maintain certification or equivalent in the following:
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (Health Care Provider CPR)
  • EVOC Class III
  • Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), EMT – Intermediate or Paramedic
  • ICS 100, 200, 700, 800
  • Virginia Department of Fire Programs FireFighter II *
  • Virginia Department of Fire Programs Hazardous Materials Operations *
• Must meet the medical requirements set forth in NFPA 1582, Chapter 6: Medical Evaluations of Applicants.
  
  * Note – Virginia accepts many Pro-Board Firefighter certifications

Applications must be submitted electronically via the County’s website at:  https://co.caroline.va.us/551/Employment-Opportunities .   Please include copies of your Fire and EMS certifications and driving record with your submission.

Work/Life Balance – Our Schedule

Firefighters in Caroline maintain an excellent work / life balance based on their unique 24-hour shift schedule.  This schedule is designed to maximize one’s time off when away from the station.   Staff love the built in 5-day break every three weeks.

Below is a chart that provides a snapshot of the rotational schedule:

Operational Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Medics are assigned to rotating 24 hours shifts over a 28 day pay cycle.   Firefighters are scheduled 9 to 10 days a month.   A typical rotation is as follows:

Crews conduct shift change at 06:00 AM each morning.   This allows for an easier traffic commute to and from work.

Salary and Benefits

Caroline County provides an attractive wage and benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision (currently paying 80% of the cost of a family policy)
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
• Virginia Retirement w/ Hazardous Duty Supplement
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Training
• Career Development Compensation

Compensation for Recruits (40-hour week schedules) - starting July 1, 2023

Experienced Firefighter/EMTs (212 hr / 28 day cycles) - starting July 1, 2023

Paychecks are issued every two weeks.

Questions / More Information

Apply on line at https://co.caroline.va.us/551/Employment-Opportunities

If you have any questions about the position or would like more details, please call the Department of Fire and Rescue at (804) 633-9831.