Become A Firefighter

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

Being a firefighter is not for everyone.

Those who choose this profession are humble community servants who provide care to others in ways that are immeasurable. The hours are long; the work is physically, mentally, and emotionally rigorous; and the standards for work performance are unwaveringly high. There is an expectation of continual learning and mastering of skills. We suggest reading through our Pre-Fire Academy Fitness Recommendations document to better understand how to prepare for our fire academy and a career in the fire service.

For most who are willing to take on the challenge, firefighting is not a job but rather a 20-30+ year career with daily opportunities to help people, and it comes with a level of camaraderie among co-workers that cannot be replicated in any other profession. Firefighters have the honor of being trusted with the lives of strangers in need and the responsibility to live up to that honor every time they respond to a call.

If you want to be a part of this amazing profession and believe you can dedicate yourself to serving others, we hope you consider South County Fire as your potential employer. We seek the best candidates from around the country and choose those individuals we think can best help to live up to our values and standards.

Steps to getting hired

Step 1: Preparation

Be Prepared Ahead of Time

Detail orientation is key!

Before you apply, ensure you have thoroughly reviewed all of your documents. Update your resume and make sure it is clear, concise, and in correct chronological order.

Read carefully through all of the information listed in the job posting, pay special attention to all requirements listed.

Study the materials listed in the job posting in preparation for the written exam. Also, make sure to study our website so you can learn as much as possible about our organization.

Check and confirm the contact information for each of your references and make sure you inform them that you are participating in this process so they are prepared to be contacted.

A lot of the process is done virtually now, so make sure that you have an adequate computer set-up, a reliable internet connection, an appropriate background while on camera, and make sure you have a "plan B" in place should you encounter any technical issues during the interview processes.

Read through our Pre-Fire Academy Fitness Recommendations document to ensure you are physically prepared for the rigorous academy should you be hired.

Any questions in regards to these tips? Please reach out to our Recruiter, Hedy Lavinsky, (425) 551-1256.

Step 2: Application

Getting started

When you select Current Job Openings on this site or enter through another job board, you will be redirected to governmentjobs.com which hosts our postings.

Once the desired job is clicked, you can begin the application process in NeoGov – which is the Government Jobs accompanying applicant tracking system.

Follow all instructions carefully

Thoroughly review all materials in the job posting, answer all questions and fill out all required fields carefully and honestly.

You will need to upload the required documents, so they are attached to your application. Once complete, you will submit the application.

Please apply only one time

Entering more than one application does not increase your likelihood of moving forward in the process. If you make a mistake that you feel has to be corrected, please do not start over as that will create a new application. Instead, please call (425) 551-1256 for assistance.

Email notifications

After applying, check your email (including your junk/spam folders.) You should receive notification that your application was received.

We will not contact any applicants about moving to the next step until after the job is closed.

We will generally only contact those who are moving to the next step. If you have not heard from us within 10 days of the closing date, that means it was determined you did not meet the basic eligibility requirements or submit the required documents.

Step 3: Written exam

If your application meets the listed requirements, you will be considered eligible to participate in the written exam. You will be notified by email of your invitation to test and will be provided the details for testing. Please read the email carefully and follow the instructions.

Generally South County Fire uses its own test questions based on the study materials noted in the job posting. The written exam may take place in person at our headquarters, or virtually using a 3rd party company such as Public Safety Testing. All tests are timed and proctored. Written exams are scored and veteran test points and/or volunteer test points are added to the scores prior to candidate ranking.

The Fire Chief and HR Director will determine the criteria for inviting top candidates following the written exam to the next hiring step.

You will be informed of your written score within 10 days of the exam, regardless if you move on to the next step or not. You will not be provided with which questions were correctly or incorrectly answered.

Step 4: Oral boards

If you are invited to the next step in the process, you will receive an email providing the details of the oral board interview process.

Oral boards will consist of panel interviews, either in person or virtual, and may consist of other tests as well. You will be scheduled for your testing for a particular day/time and those are generally not flexible, so please be prepared to be available during this hiring process.

Your written exam and oral board scores will be considered in determining if you will be invited to the final interview step.

For paramedics only: EMS practical exam

In addition to the general oral boards, paramedics will also be required to participate in an EMS practical exam.

This testing is administered in person and conducted by our medical services officer and senior paramedic team. You will be presented with a scenario and required to demonstrate your knowledge and skills with no advance preparation.

Your scores from the EMS practical exam will be added to the oral board and written exam scores.

Step 5: Chiefs interview

If selected for a chiefs interview, you will be meeting with the fire chief and additional chief officers or HR in person at South County Fire Headquarters.

Again, you will be scheduled to a specific day and time that will likely not be flexible. Chiefs interviews are generally very short and fast-paced.

The fire chief reserves the right to make the final determinations of who will be made job offers following the interviews.

Step 6: Conditional offer

If you are selected by the fire chief for a job offer, you will receive notification by email in the form of a conditional offer.

That offer shows our intent to hire you contingent on you passing or completing these pre-hire requirements:

Firefighter medical exam (including spirometry)
Drug testing
Criminal background check
Driving record check
Psychological exam
Reference checking
Any other validation we deem necessary

The conditional offer letter will outline how to complete each item and will also provide the salary and benefits being offered to you.

Step 7: Final offer

FAQs

Q: How often do you hire?

A:
While it may vary from year to year, we generally hire twice each year, for the spring and fall fire academies. The posting for those jobs is as far as six months in advance of the hire dates because of the large volume of candidates we receive, and the extensive hiring and background checking processes we follow. That means jobs are generally posted in March/April and August/September each year.
Q: Do I have to be an EMT to apply?

A: Yes. Qualified candidates are required to provide a current Washington State Department of Health or National Registry EMT card/letter that includes the expiration date at the time of application. Certifications from states other than Washington are not accepted.
Q: Do you hire paramedics?

A:
Yes, generally when we recruit firefighters, we post for both EMTs and paramedics.

Paramedic candidates are required to provide a current Washington State Department of Health or National Registry Paramedic card/letter that includes the expiration date at the time of application.

Certifications from other states other than Washington are not accepted.
Q: I graduated from medic school, but I don't have my Washington State or National Registry certification card/letter yet. Can I still be hired as a medic?

A:
No. We require that the certification is included in the application.

You will either need to wait until the next hiring process to apply as a paramedic or consider applying as an EMT. If you are hired as an EMT, South County Fire will not sponsor you as a medic and doesn’t guarantee that you will be converted, so you should consider your options carefully.
Q: I've never been a firefighter before. Can I still be hired?

A:
As long as all of the other requirements are met, including EMT or paramedic certifications, individuals will be considered for hire.

All new hires, regardless of experience level are required to successfully complete the 14-week Snohomish County Fire Training Academy. As a recruit in the academy, all new hires are trained to become firefighters under South County Fire standards and in accordance with all applicable laws. If you are hired without experience, you are considered an Entry Level Firefighter.
Q: Will I have to attend a fire academy if I'm hired? What about if I'm a lateral?

A:
Yes. All new hires, regardless of experience level are required to successfully complete the 14-week Snohomish County Fire Training Academy upon hire.

The academy is held for participating fire agencies in the county and instruction is provided by skilled members of those agencies. Following graduation from the academy, you will receive your assignment and will be on probation for one year, regardless of your experience level.
Q: If I previously graduated from the Snohomish County Fire Training Academy while working for a different agency, will I be required to go through it again?

A: It will be at the discretion of the fire chief to determine if you will be required to attend the academy again. The fire chief will consider factors, such as how long it has been since you attended, where you have worked since, etc.
Q: Will I be paid while I am attending the academy?

A: Yes. You will become a fully paid employee of South County Fire on your start date, which is generally two weeks prior to the start of the academy. Those two weeks are dedicated to orientation, training and preparation for the academy. Your benefits will also be effective upon hire.
Q: Where is the academy held?

A:
South County Fire is part of the Snohomish County Fire Training Consortium and utilizes the Snohomish County Fire Training Academy. This regional collaboration promotes uniformity in training for firefighting recruits from fire agencies throughout the county. The academy is currently held at the North County Regional Training Facility, located at 3115 300th St NW, Stanwood, WA 98292.
Q: Do I need to provide my own gear and tools if I am hired?

A: No. South County Fire provides all uniforms, safety equipment, training clothing, tools, etc.
Q: What can I do to prepare for the hiring process and potentially starting as a new recruit?
A:
There are several things you can do:
- Read through and carefully follow all of the information provided on this website about joining our team.
- Make sure you are physically fit and able to meet all of our expectations and requirements. To help you with your fitness preparations, please refer to our fitness recommendations PDF document.
- Talk to our firefighters – they’re always happy to share information and suggestions.
- Study the materials listed in the job posting in preparation for the written exam.
- Hone your interview skills and make sure your documents are perfect.
Good luck!