Fire Department · Combination
Highlands County Fire Rescue
Sebring, FL · Highlands County
Pay scale
| Firefighter/Paramedic 56-Hour - 03292022 | $57,418–$88,998/yr |
| Paramedic | $52,921–$82,028/yr |
| Firefighter EMT 56 hour | $46,168–$55,382/yr |
| Volunteer Firefighter | $5 per_call |
Earn an annual salary of $45,502 to $55,382 while responding to fire and EMS calls. Requires a Florida Firefighter II Certificate and State/National EMT certification. Apply continuously until filled.
Earn an annual salary of $57,418 to $88,999 while providing advanced life support and fire suppression. Requires a Florida Firefighter II Certificate and Florida Paramedic certification. Applications are accepted continuously until filled.
This continuous posting offers an annual salary ranging from $52,921 to $82,028 for Paramedics. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent and a current valid Florida Commercial Driver License.
Highlands County Fire Rescue seeks Volunteer Firefighters at least 18 years old to respond to local station calls. This role offers $5 per call paid quarterly along with a length of service award program.
Highlands County Fire Rescue (HCFR) provides fire protection and emergency medical services throughout Highlands County in central Florida, based out of Sebring. The department was established in 2018 as a unified response organization consolidating fire and rescue operations countywide.
HCFR is the sole state-licensed EMS provider responsible for round-the-clock 911 emergency medical response across the county's geographical boundaries. It operates nine advanced life support (ALS) rescue units and handles patient transport to hospitals, with operations partially funded through county property taxes and offset by transport user fees.
The department is organized around two primary functional areas: Fire/Rescue Operations, covering incident response, firefighter safety, and equipment and facility maintenance; and Fire/Rescue Training, which develops and delivers programs for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and fire officers.
In 2021, the service answered over 18,000 calls with a countywide average response time of 7.22 minutes, measured from when a dispatcher answers the 911 call to unit arrival.
MissionSafeguard the lives and property of our community through effective emergency response, fire prevention, and public safety education
Highlands County posts openings, including firefighter positions, through its Human Resources careers portal, which runs on JazzHR. Candidates must submit a separate application for each position they wish to pursue.
Employment is subject to a drug-free workplace policy, with testing possible at pre-employment, on reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and routine fitness stages; commercial driver's license holders are tested under 49 CFR Part 382. For questions, contact Human Resources at (863) 402-6500 or HRbcc@highlandsfl.gov.
Requirements
- Submit a separate application for each position sought
- Pass pre-employment drug screening (drug-free workplace)
- CDL holders subject to testing under 49 CFR Part 382
Hiring process
- Apply for the desired position through the county careers portal (JazzHR)
- Complete pre-employment screening, including drug testing
Benefits
The county provides employee benefits and a posted holiday schedule; specific plan details are available through Human Resources.
How do I apply for a job with Highlands County Fire Rescue?
Openings are posted through the Highlands County Human Resources careers portal, which uses JazzHR. You must submit a separate application for each position you wish to pursue.
Does the department hire volunteer firefighters?
Yes. A Volunteer Firefighter position for Highlands County Fire Rescue has been listed through the county's careers portal.
Is there a drug test for employment?
Yes. Highlands County maintains a drug-free workplace, and testing may be required at pre-employment, on reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and routine fitness stages.
Does HCFR provide EMS and ambulance transport?
Yes. HCFR is the sole state-licensed EMS provider for Highlands County, operating nine advanced life support rescue units for 24-hour 911 response and patient transport to hospitals.
Who do I contact with employment questions?
Highlands County Human Resources handles hiring and can be reached at (863) 402-6500 or HRbcc@highlandsfl.gov, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.