Fire Department · Career
Hickory Fire Department
Hickory, NC · Catawba County
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Hickory Fire Department is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Formally organized in 1905, Hickory Fire Department has grown from a horse-drawn volunteer outfit into a career department that today operates seven stations staffed by 139 members across a service area of more than 31 square miles. The department takes an all-hazards approach, covering structural fire suppression, emergency medical response, technical rescue, hazardous materials operations, and aircraft rescue and firefighting at the Hickory Regional Airport, in addition to fire prevention, inspections, and public life-safety education carried out by its Fire & Life Safety Division.
Administration is led by a Fire Chief, a Deputy Chief of Operations, a Deputy Chief of Administration, and a Battalion Chief of Professional Standards, who set department policy and training priorities in coordination with company officers and firefighters throughout the ranks. Dispatch for the department is coordinated through the Catawba County Communications Center.
The department's stations carry local history alongside their operational role: Station 1 (Earl G. Moser Fire Station) houses the department's administration and displays a brass fire bell dating to 1912, while newer facilities like Station 4 at the airport and Station 7 (Larson H. Moore Station) reflect the city's growth into outlying corridors along I-40 and Highway 70/321.
MissionHickory Fire Department's mission is to provide an all-hazards approach to our community through professionalism and the continual pursuit of excellence.
The City of Hickory hires firefighters through the city's central Human Resources process, with all fire openings posted on governmentjobs.com/careers/hickory. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid North Carolina Class C driver's license (unless a posting specifies otherwise), and have a high school diploma or GED. All offers are contingent on a background check and drug screen, and some classifications require a post-offer functional/physical exam to confirm applicants can safely perform essential job functions.
Requirements
- Minimum age 18
- Valid Class C driver's license from NC, unless otherwise specified on the job posting
- High school diploma or GED
- Proof of identity and right to work in the U.S.
- Successful completion of a drug screen and background check
- Post-offer functional/physical exam may be required for specific positions
Hiring process
- Apply online at governmentjobs.com/careers/hickory
- Background check
- Drug screening
- Post-offer functional pre-work examination (for applicable classifications)
Benefits
City of Hickory employees receive a benefits package valued at over $15,000 annually, including NC Local Government Retirement System participation (14.35% city contribution), city-paid life insurance (1.5x salary up to $125,000), a 401(k) with up to 5% city match, competitive health/dental/vision insurance, an employee assistance program, an on-site wellness clinic and pharmacy, free membership to the Highland Fitness Center, 11 paid holidays, 12 days of paid sick leave, 10-22 days of paid vacation depending on tenure, and tuition assistance.
How many stations does Hickory Fire Department operate?
The department operates seven stations across the city, staffed by 139 members, including a dedicated airport station and stations covering the city's outlying corridors.
What are the basic requirements to apply?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid NC Class C driver's license unless the posting states otherwise, and have a high school diploma or GED. All offers are contingent on a background check and drug screen.
Where are Hickory Fire Department jobs posted?
The City of Hickory advertises jobs only on governmentjobs.com/careers/hickory; applicants should verify any posting there to avoid job scams.
When was the Hickory Fire Department founded?
The department was formally organized in 1905.
What services beyond fire suppression does the department provide?
The department provides EMS, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) at the airport station, and fire prevention/inspection services through its Fire & Life Safety Division.