Firefighter

The Position

PLEASE REVIEW THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

Under close supervision of a company officer is responsible for extinguishing fires, rescuing persons and property from danger, including water rescues, and performing salvage and related follow-up work. Incumbents are also required to perform lifesaving rescue techniques as part of other emergency operations.  While emergency responses constitute the primary focus of a firefighter's responsibility, considerable time is spent in study, training, inspecting, and maintaining equipment and apparatus, and in cleaning and maintaining quarters.  Duties involve an element of personal danger and incumbents must be capable of functioning as an integral part of a work unit in order to ensure the safe and efficient performance of duties.  Work is performed in accordance with direct instructions and well-defined routines and under the immediate supervision of a ranking officer.  Work is reviewed through written reports for adherence to established policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Protects citizens during emergencies.
• Responds to emergencies with a fire company or rescue unit.
• Answers medical emergencies as part of an engine company, as an advanced life support unit or on a rescue unit as an advanced life support transport unit.
• Removes, extracts, and rescues persons from danger.
• Recognizes acute and chronic symptoms requiring care; administers life-saving rescue procedures to injured or afflicted persons.
• May work on a rescue crew and, in this capacity, may also be required to perform a leadership role on an ALS unit.
• Performs salvage operations including throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, removing debris, and placing smoke ejectors.
• Connects hose to hydrants and pumps; joins hose section and connects nozzles to hose; enters burning buildings with or without hose lines; operates nozzles and applies stream of water or fog on fires.
• Operates hand fire extinguishers and similar equipment in extinguishing fires; raises and climbs ladders; ventilates burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.
• Makes daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and notifies supervisor of defects; performs cleaning and maintenance tasks in and about assigned station.
• Aids in the mitigation of other emergencies as directed by supervisor.
• Attends instruction sessions in firefighting methods; equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, and related subjects; may conduct drills and classes in these and other areas.
• Mitigates chemical spills by recognizing hazardous material situations; makes identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized testing equipment; sets up decontamination procedures; assists state agencies in the removal/disposal of hazardous material.
• Prevents fire damage by conducting surveys and inspections for hazards.
• Prepares citizens to prevent fire damage by developing and conducting educational and training programs. Provides educational information and lectures to community organizations and schools on other Fire and EMS related topics.
• Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.
• Ensures availability of water at fire scene by testing hydrants, requesting and expediting repairs, and verifying repairs.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions, and troubleshooting malfunctions.
• Notifies supervisor of needed repairs.
• Evaluates new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains operations by following policies and procedures and reporting needed changes.
• Provides information by completing reports.
• Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, studying publications, and participating in scheduled drills.
• Maintains fire station building, grounds, and related equipment by completing maintenance schedules.
• Prepares and maintains required documentation when serving in a leadership role during emergency operations.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Performs related work as required for this position description only.

The Requirements

2-STEP APPLICATION PROCESS Step 1:  Apply with the City of Hollywood by Monday August 17, 2026 - 11:59 pm est. Step 2. Complete testing process with Public Safety Answers (PSA) by: Thursday August 20, 2026 - 8:00 pm est.

CLICK HERE

Candidate is responsible for all fees related to testing with Public Safety Answers

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - Must be 18 years of age. - High School / GED equivalent. - Valid Class E Driver’s License with proof of automobile insurance. - No use of tobacco products within one (1) year of application. Preferred: - Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Sciences or a closely related field Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.   CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: - State of Florida Certified Firefighter (required) - State of Florida Certified EMT (required) - American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) or American Red Cross Basic Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professionals - CPR/AED certification (required) - State of Florida Certified Paramedic - (preferred - required for Paramedic applicants - at date of hire) - American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or American Red Cross Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification (required at date of hire for Paramedics) - Must possess a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the National Testing Network (must have been taken within 6 months of date of hire) - Must possess an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) - Minimum 16 hours (required) - Valid Class E Driver's License: With proof of automobile insurance - Background Check: Must have an acceptable background and driving record

PROOF OF CERTIFICATION AND LICENSES After an initial review of your application and the results of the Assessment process from Public Safety Answers, if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you will receive an invitation to VETTED, our preliminary background screening platform, where you will be prompted to complete a questionnaire.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR SUBMITTING ON-LINE APPLICATION

• Proof of State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance (required)
• Proof of State of Florida Certified EMT (required)
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support BLS) or American Red Cross Basic Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professionals - CPR/AED certification (required)
• Proof of State of Florida Certified Paramedic (preferred - at date of hire)
• American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or American Red Cross Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification (required at date of hire for Paramedics)
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the National Testing Network (required at date of hire and completed within 6 months of hire date)
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Certificate (EVOC) - Minimum 16 hours (required)
• Valid Class E Driver's License: With proof of automobile insurance
• Non-Use of Tobacco Waiver (not required at time of application)
• Employment Inquiry and Consent Documents (not required at time of application)

IMPORTANT:  Copies of the above listed required documents must be submitted with the employment application.  Applicants may submit a confirmation of successful results from the respective agencies, while they await their official licenses/certifications.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of firefighting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of tools, equipment, and apparatus used in firefighting.
• Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting skills and resume duties within a reasonable probationary period.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to keep simple records and prepares reports.
• Ability to perform water rescue.
• Skill in the use of firefighting tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force and occasionally exert over 100 pounds of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May require the use of fingers or hands to manipulate objects such as picking, gripping, or pressing.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involves moderate to heavy physical activity in a primarily outdoor setting under all types of weather conditions with the added exposure to insects, animals, body fluids and other hazards. This position works in an environment with heavy equipment and tools that could result in bodily harm to the employee co-workers or others.Work requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. The employee regularly makes decisions that could lead to major community or organizational consequences if he or she fails to make the appropriate decision at the time.

The Examination

1. Completion of Public Safety Answers Assessment Process Including a Video Interview(CLICK HERE)
2. Preliminary Background Check through Vetted 
3. PSA Video Interview Evaluation

4. Oral Interview with Hollywood Fire Rescue & Beach Safety

5. Polygraph Examination 

6. Psychological Screening 
7. Comprehensive Background Check 
8. Medical including Drug Screen

Veteran's Preference: The City values the service that veterans and their family members have given to our country, and as such, proactively recruits and hires veterans and qualified spouses to the greatest extent possible.  Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  To obtain veteran's preference, candidates MUST submit a copy of separation papers (DD214) and meet eligibility requirements as stipulated by the Florida Statutes. For additional information, please refer to theFlorida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Additional Information

All successful applicants will be required to pass an extensive background which may include criminal history searches, driving history checks, credit report, courthouse searches, education verification, employment verification, professional license verification, or other search methods as deemed necessary for the position. In addition, the applicant will be required to undergo a medical examination, which may include a drug screening, prior to appointment.

EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES:  The City of Hollywood has an Ordinance which regulates the employment of relatives of City employees.   Effective January 28, 2008, a relative may only be hired under the following additional conditions:

• The relative must have competed in an appropriate examination process as determined by Human Resources and be placed on a civil service eligibility list;
• The relative must be among the top three ranked candidates available on the certified eligibility list unless expanded by the Civil Service Board;
• The Department or Office Director and the Director, Human Resources must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of the City of Hollywood to hire the relative of a public officer or employee.

As of 12/15/2005 the City will require all newly hired employees to sign an affidavit affirming non-usage of tobacco or tobacco products within the last year prior to submission of application and will continue to be a non-user of tobacco products throughout employment with the City of Hollywood.   REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The Employment Office will make reasonable efforts in the examination and workplace to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of special needs by calling (954) 921-3216.   All applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, abilities, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression (except as limited by law, Personnel Rules, Collective Bargaining Agreements, or bona fide occupational disqualifications).    The City of Hollywood is an Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Employer.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS FIREFIGHTERS, DRIVER ENGINEERS, LIEUTENANTS, CAPTAINS & FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS I, II, & III

• Shift employees shall accrue vacation leave as follows:

• 8.31 per pay period - employees with less than 10 full years of service;

• 9.23 per pay period - employees with 10 or more full years of service.

• Non-shift employees shall accrue vacation leave as follows:

• 4.23 per pay period - employees with 1 – 3 full years of service;

• 5.08 per pay period hours - employees with 4 - 10 full years of service;
• 6.31 per pay period hours - employees with 11 - 15 full years of service;
• 6.92 per pay period - employees with 16 – 20 full years of service;

• 8.46 per pay period - employees with 21 or more full years of service.

• Shift Employees have the option of converting up to three full shifts of their annual vacation leave into a lump sum payment.   Non-shift employees can sell back a maximum of 432 hours at time of separation and any hours above that would be lost.

• On October 1 of each of the three years of the 2022 - 2025 Agreement, all employees shall be provided eight additional hours of “use it or lose it” accrued vacation leave.  The eight hours of vacation leave provided each year must be used prior to December 31st of the next calendar year and cannot be carried beyond the expiration date and cannot be converted to a lump sum payout.

• Non-shift personnel, not including those who are assigned to a light duty assignment, will be given 10 hours of “Paid Time Off” each fiscal year and must be used within the fiscal year accrued.

• Shift employees are entitled to a “ Kelly Day ” which grants time off every sixth shift. In the case of a Kelly Day added to a vacation period, it shall be construed to mean three consecutive calendar days off.

• Shift employees shall accrue 5.54 hours of sick leave per pay period.  Forty (40) hour employees shall accrue 4.62 hours of sick leave per pay period.

• Accrued sick leave may be liquidated upon termination of employment and will be paid at the following rates in relationship to years of service with the City:

Accrued Sick Leave Payout

• Less than ten (10) years                                  20% sick leave
• Ten (10) to twenty (20) years                           40% sick leave
• Twenty (20) or more years                              80% sick leave

Fire employees will receive the following paid holidays:

New Year's DayMartin Luther King,Jr.'s BirthdayPresident's DayMemorial DayJuneteenthIndependence DayLabor DayVeteran's DayThanksgiving DayDay after ThanksgivingChristmas EveChristmas DayNew Year's Eve

All shift personnel who are in employment status at a time a holiday occurs shall be granted twelve (12) hours holiday pay.   Such holiday pay shall be paid in the first pay received in November.  All non-shift personnel, including recruits, who are in employment status at a time when a holiday occurs, shall be granted twelve (12) hours of holiday leave.   Non-shift employees shall then utilize holiday leave in an amount equal to the hours in their normally scheduled workday on the actual date of the holiday.  All remaining hours of holiday leave shall be paid in the first pay received in November.

• Shift employees will be granted to two shifts or 48 hours of paid bereavement leave for the demise of a close family member. Non-shift employees will be granted 40 hours of paid bereavement leave for the demise of a close family member.

• Shift employees will receive 48 hours and non-shift employees will receive 20 hours each fiscal year of use-it-or-lose-it time off in recognition of the importance of mental health well-being.

• On October 1, 2022, each employee’s level of base pay shall be increased by four percent; effective the first full pay period on or after October 1, 2023, each employee’s level of base pay shall be increased by three percent; and effective the first full pay period on or after October 1, 2024, each employee’s level of base pay shall be increased by three percent.

• The City is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Full-time service at the City contributes to the 120 months of payment for certain federal student loans to be forgiven.

• Fire employees may receive educational incentive up to $100 per month from the State of Florida based on Florida Statute 633.382.

• Special Assignment, Education or Other Incentive Pay:

Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or EMS or EMT                                                HAZ-MAT Assignment

Bachelor’s degree in job related field as approved by the Fire Chief                    Paramedic Certification

Master’s degree in job related field as approved by the Fire Chief                        Rescue and Rescue Captain Assignment

• Fire employees and families shall be provided the option of coverage in the City’s health insurance plans.  The City will contribute 80% of the premium for employees electing single or dependent coverage on the OAP plan and the employee will be responsible for contributing 20% of the premium; The City will contribute 100% of the premium for employees electing single coverage on the OAPIN plan.  For employees adding dependents, the City will contribute 90% toward the premium and the employee will be responsible for contributing 10% of the premium.  The biweekly rates are as follows:

Enrollment TierMedical OAPMedical OAPINEmployee Only$87.89$0Employee +1$175.78$39.34Employee+2 or More$281.24$86.56

• Each employee and their dependents enrolled in the City’s medical insurance plan shall have access to the City of Hollywood Employee Health Center, allowing them to conveniently and exclusively access services ranging from routine primary care, urgent care, preventative care, lab work, vaccines, pediatric care for ages 6 months and older, x-rays, health coaching, and much more. All services at the City’s Employee Health Center are free and at no charge to the employee/dependent, with the City paying 100% of the cost of services.

Each employee shall have the option of completing an annual comprehensive wellness physical through the City of Hollywood Employee Health Center with the costs of the visit paid for by the City, including a comprehensive medical evaluation, ultrasound imaging, cardio-pulmonary assessments, vision and hearing test, and extensive laboratory blood profiles.

• Fire employees shall be provided group dental with $19.00 of the monthly premium costs paid by the City. There are three benefit plan offerings.  The biweekly rates are as follows:

Enrollment TierDental DPPO LowDental DPPO HighDental DPPO Buy UPEmployee Only$5.17$21.37$25.11Employee +1$14.80$40.68$46.82Employee + 2 or More$23.69$58.51$66.86

• Fire employees shall have the option to purchase vision coverage through payroll deductions. Three plans are offered, and the biweekly rates are as follows:

Enrollment TierVSP Option 1VSP Option 2VSP Option 3Employee Only$2.36$3.87$4.44Employee +1$4.73$7.73$8.87Employee +2 or More$7.61$12.45$14.28

• Fire employees will receive from the City a “use it or lose it” Health Reimbursement Account annually.   The amount to the employee is determined by the employee’s medical enrollment status or if no coverage is elected then it will default to the lowest level.  The level of the City contribution will be reevaluated once a year.   The levels are: Single or no coverage = $400; Employee plus one = $600; and Employee plus two or more = $1000.  This benefit is contingent upon the employee completing a biometric visit at the City’s Employee Health Center. In addition, the employee may establish and contribute to a Flexible Spending Account.

• Fire employees shall be provided with term life insurance of $100,000 with all premium costs paid by the City.   Employees shall have the option of purchasing additional term life insurance at group rates up to $475,000.

• Other departmental benefits may include:

Career Development Program                  Service Awards

Footwear                                                     Full Uniform & Equipment Issuance

Replacement Uniforms & Equipment        Bereavement Leave

• All Fire employees are required to participate in the Fire Pension Plan as defined in the Hollywood City Charter.  Employees hired after July 16, 2009, employees will be required to contribute 9.5% pretax dollars to the retirement fund.  An employee is vested in the pension plan after ten years of continuous service.  To be eligible for normal retirement an employee must be age 50 with 10 years of service or complete 23 years of credited service. An employee’s pension is determined by averaging an employee’s highest 5 consecutive year’s annual salary using a 3.2% multiplier.  Details of the pension plan benefits can be obtained from your pension administrator.

• Fire employees may enter into a Deferred Compensation Program through payroll deduction.

• Fire employees have the option of joining the Sun Credit Union.
• Fire employees have the option of participating in payroll Direct Deposit.
• Fire employees have the option of participating in the BeyondMed Plan for elective/cosmetic services, Pre-paid Legal/ID Theft Protection Plans, and AFLAC Plans through voluntary payroll deductions.
• Fire employees may be reimbursed a maximum total of $3,000.00 annually for educational tuition fees.
• Fire employees are eligible to participate in the City’s Work/Life Assistance Program offering a wide range of services and support, including 10 free face-to-face or virtual visits with licensed counselors, 24/7 telephonic support, free 30-minute consultations with legal or financial advisers, online tools and webinars.
• Employees may have access to the City’s fitness facilities free of charge.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – This document is intended only as a summary of some of the benefits employees may be entitled to as an employee of the City of Hollywood.   This is NOT a legal document, does NOT represent any guarantees, and is subject to change at any time.