Firefighter Recruit

About This Role

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is accepting applications for Firefighter Recruits. Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States, covering 874 square miles. JFRD recruits serve a geographically diverse area that includes urban downtown districts, suburban residential neighborhoods, coastal communities along the St. Johns River, and industrial zones near the Port of Jacksonville.

Job Overview

• Job Title: Firefighter Recruit
• Company: Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
• Location: Jacksonville, FL
• Job Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Entry-level
• Salary Range: $17–$24/hr
• Posted Date: 2026-06-01
• Application Deadline: 2026-07-01

Role Context

JFRD recruits complete a 16-week fire academy that incorporates coastal water rescue, storm surge response, and marine fire operations. All JFRD firefighters earn Florida EMT certification. The department operates 72 fire stations — one of the highest station counts of any department in the southeastern United States — providing broad geographic exposure for new recruits.

Key Responsibilities

• Suppress structural fires across Jacksonville's extremely diverse service area
• Provide emergency medical services as a Florida-certified EMT
• Conduct river, coastal, and marine rescue operations on the St. Johns River
• Respond to hurricane and storm surge emergencies along Jacksonville's coastline
• Perform vehicle extrication and technical rescue operations
• Support industrial fire response near the Port of Jacksonville

Requirements & Skills

• Florida residency; must be at least 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED; Florida State Fire College coursework preferred
• Florida EMT-Basic certification required at hire
• Pass JFRD physical ability test and CPAT
• Valid Florida driver's license with clean driving record
• Pass background investigation, drug screen, medical and psychological evaluations

Benefits & Work Conditions

• $17–$24/hr under IAFF Local 122 collective bargaining agreement
• Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund (defined benefit)
• Health, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents
• 24-on/48-off shift schedule
• Specialty assignment pay for marine, haz-mat, and technical rescue teams

Who Should Apply

Florida residents who want the operational breadth that comes with serving one of the country's largest cities by area — from urban high-rise responses downtown to marine rescue on the St. Johns River. JFRD's scale means consistent promotional opportunities and access to a wide range of specialty assignments throughout a career.

About the Company

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department operates 72 fire stations with over 1,700 uniformed personnel, making it one of the largest fire departments in Florida and the Southeast. Its geographic scale, coastal location, and industrial port operations create an unusually diverse emergency response environment.

How to Apply

Apply at coj.net/fire-rescue-careers. Recruitment cycles are posted on the JFRD careers page. The process includes Florida EMT verification, written exam, CPAT, physical ability test, oral board, background investigation, and medical and psychological evaluations.