Fire Department · Career
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
Tampa, FL · Hillsborough County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) provides fire suppression and emergency medical services across the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County in west-central Florida, the Tampa region. The department also handles fire prevention inspections, fire investigations, and public safety and education programs.
With more than 1,300 employees, HCFR is a large metropolitan agency. Its workforce spans career sworn firefighters as well as offices such as Emergency Management (OEM), the Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC), and administration.
Operations run out of 47 fire stations plus one rescue station, and crews respond to over 140,000 calls for service each year. The department is headquartered at the Public Safety Operations Complex (PSOC).
MissionHillsborough County Fire Rescue fights fires and provides emergency medical services for the unincorporated areas of the county.
HCFR hires entry-level firefighters who already hold Florida Firefighter II (Certificate of Compliance) and Florida EMT certifications, along with a high school diploma or GED and a Florida driver's license. Applications are accepted only during open recruitment periods, which the department opens based on operational needs, and are submitted through the county's Oracle application portal.
Selected candidates move through background screening, a medical examination by an HCFR-designated physician, possible polygraph and/or psychological testing, and a character evaluation. Prospective applicants can reach out through the "Contact a Recruiter" option on the recruitment site.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Florida Driver's License
- State of Florida Firefighter II (Certificate of Compliance) certification
- State of Florida EMT certification
Hiring process
- Apply during an open recruitment period via the Oracle application portal
- Background screening (criminal history, driving record, employment/education verification)
- Medical examination by an HCFR-designated physician
- Possible polygraph and/or psychological testing
- Character evaluation
Benefits
Benefits include enrollment in the Florida Retirement System (Special Risk class), a 2.5% county contribution to a deferred compensation account, health, dental, and life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, 11 paid holidays, two weeks paid vacation after the first year, an annual uniform allowance, cafeteria benefits, and tuition reimbursement after probation.
What certifications do I need to apply as a firefighter?
Entry-level applicants must already hold a State of Florida Firefighter II (Certificate of Compliance) certification and a State of Florida EMT certification, along with a high school diploma or GED and a Florida driver's license.
How do I apply, and when is hiring open?
Applications are only accepted during open recruitment periods, which the department opens based on operational needs. You apply through the county's Oracle application portal linked on the careers page.
What is the work schedule?
Firefighters work shift work on a three-week R-day rotation totaling a 48-hour work week: 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off duty.
What does the hiring process involve?
After applying, candidates go through background screening (criminal history, driving record, and employment/education verification), a medical examination by an HCFR-designated physician, possible polygraph and/or psychological testing, and a character evaluation.
What benefits does the department offer?
Benefits include Florida Retirement System Special Risk enrollment, a 2.5% county contribution to deferred compensation, health, dental, and life insurance, disability insurance, 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, an annual uniform allowance, cafeteria benefits, and tuition reimbursement after probation.