General Definition of Work The City of Gastonia is seeking motivated, driven individuals to join our team as Non-Certified Firefighters. This is your chance to embark on a rewarding path where you'll receive top-notch training, build critical skills, and prepare to protect lives and property. As a Non-Certified Firefighter, you'll begin an incredible journey, gaining the knowledge and experience necessary to thrive in a dynamic and impactful role. With access to professional development opportunities, state-of-the-art resources, and the unwavering support of a dedicated team, you'll be set up for success as you grow into a certified firefighter. This role often places you in high-stakes situations, requiring you to perform under emergency conditions with composure. From climbing great heights to navigating through smoke, fire, heat, and confined spaces, you'll face hazardous elements to safeguard lives and property. Whether battling flames or assisting in crises, your work will be a vital contribution to your community's safety. Under close supervision of a Fire Captain and top-tier training, you'll develop the skills and resilience necessary to thrive in this demanding but highly fulfilling career. If you're ready to meet the challenge and rise to the occasion, we invite you to take your first step toward and apply today! Essential Functions/Duties The following job functions are typical for a position of this nature. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned. * Responds to fire alarms with an engine company. * Lays lines and connects hoses; holds nozzles and directs water streams. * Climbs ladders, forces entry, and ventilates buildings during fire operations. * Uses chemical fire extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other firefighting equipment. * Performs rescue operations to save individuals from hazardous situations. * Conducts salvage operations, including applying salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris. * Wears protective gear, such as self-contained breathing apparatus and fire-resistant clothing, to enter burning or smoke-filled structures. * Assists in maintaining fire apparatus and equipment and cleaning the fire station and its grounds. * Serves as Relief Driver, operating fire apparatus to and from fires and emergency scenes. * Maneuvers and lays hose from engine; operates pumps, ladders, and other mechanical equipment. * Ensures assigned hand tools and equipment are properly maintained and in working order. * Performs inspections and preventative maintenance on fire hydrants. * Participates in continuing training and instructional programs, including studying technical materials and attending drills and classes. * Preplans buildings and premises for familiarization and identification of fire hazards. * May require additional training and perform associated duties for assignment to the Hazardous Materials Response Team. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities * Some knowledge of firefighting techniques, procedures, and mechanics as applied to fire suppression. * Basic understanding of technical firefighting principles and techniques. * Familiarity with principles of hydraulics as they apply to fire suppression. * Ability to quickly learn and retain the street system and physical layout of the City. * Skill in understanding and following oral and written instructions. * Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with colleagues and the public. * Capability to keep accurate records and prepare simple reports. * Demonstrated physical endurance and agility to perform demanding tasks under strenuous conditions. * Ability to operate and maintain firefighting tools and equipment effectively. * Awareness of safety protocols and ability to adhere to them in high-pressure situations. * Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions in emergency scenarios. * Willingness and capacity to engage in continuous training and professional development. * Effective communication skills to relay critical information in emergency and non-emergency situations. Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Starting annual salary: $45,926 * High school diploma or equivalent * Must obtain the following certifications within 18 months of hire * North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician Certification * North Carolina Firefighter Certification SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: * NC Certified Firefighter, NC Emergency Medical Technician, NC Hazardous Materials-Operational Level certifications within eighteen months of hire. * NIMS Requirements: IS-700, IS-100, and IS-200 within one year of hire. * Valid North Carolina driver's license. * Passing grade on Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) prior to hire * Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) silver level upon hire ADDITONAL INFORMAITON: Additional information can be found on the City of Gastonia Fire Departmentwebsite PHYSICAL DEMANS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: 1. The physical activity of this position includes: * Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion. * Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium. * Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. * Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees. * Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. * Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet. * Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. * Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time. * Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. * Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. * Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. * Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. * Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. * Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips. * Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. * Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts. 2.The physical requirements of this position: Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision: The worker is required to have visual acuity to: * Be the operator of trucks, forklifts, cranes and other equipment. * To determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned (i.e. custodial, food services, general laborer, etc.) 4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position: * The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather. * The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside. * The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour. * The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour. * The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. * The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals. * The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation. * The worker is required to wear respirator. * The worker is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways. Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity. The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)