Position: Firefighter (Recruit)
Department: Fire

Rate of Pay:
The starting salary for a Hattiesburg Firefighter is between $40,000 and $43,000 per year, depending on education level. All Academy recruits will receive a salary based on $35,000, and the salary will be adjusted upon graduation.

Nature of Work:
Firefighters are tasked with many duties beyond responding to fire emergencies, and it can be a challenging and rewarding career. As a first responder, your responsibilities cover a wide range from working with your crew to extinguishing fully involved building fires and saving lives, to assisting other emergency responders such as paramedics or police during other types of emergencies. Daily activities may require you to provide support for emergency situations, then attend public events where you will interact with the public as a representative of HFD, so each day can present a new challenge or obstacle. Public events vary greatly from community appearances to fire safety education and awareness events, and involve all ages from toddlers to senior citizens. You will be expected to graciously accept compliments and praise, and become accustomed to receiving thanks in different forms from people who consider you to be a Hero. In order to deserve the accolades and recognition, you will be required to maintain a level of professional knowledge, skills, and constantly strive to improve yourself with additional training, education, and experience.

Qualifications:
Recruits must successfully complete the *Physical Agility Test before participating in the *Civil Service Exam, be 18 years of age or older and a United States citizen, have a high school diploma or a GED, have NO felony convictions or serious misdemeanor convictions, possess a valid driver’s license, and be a registered voter in your current county or city of residence.
(*Study materials will be mailed after application is received).

Skills and Abilities:
Overall physical health: good reflexes, vision, and hearing; ability to maneuver through obstacles, while carrying loads of equipment and rescuing people; manual dexterity to operate communications devices and other equipment while wearing safety gear and navigating in low visibility; climbing and/or repelling. Some initial physical attributes are necessary to pass the entry test, others will be taught and tested during the Academy. (Your study packet will explain those in detail.) Additional certifications will be available for you to pursue throughout your career which include rope rescue, swift water rescue, smoke diver, and EMT.

Applications can be submitted to:
• Online at www.hattiesburgms.com or hburgacademy.com
*Applications will be accepted from October 15, 2024 through December 31, 2024