Fire Department · Combination
County Of Albemarle Department Of Fire & Rescue
Charlottesville, VA · Charlottesville (city) County
Combination department operating 14 stations
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when County Of Albemarle Department Of Fire & Rescue is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) serves more than 112,000 residents across roughly 726 square miles of central Virginia surrounding Charlottesville. The department delivers fire suppression, emergency medical treatment and transport, technical rescue, water rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation.
ACFR is a combination system: career staff work alongside eight volunteer fire and rescue agencies plus regional partners, operating out of 14 stations. Its members, both career and volunteer, describe their work as protecting the life, property, and well-being of the community.
The department frames its culture around what it calls "the ACFR Way," emphasizing dedication to the health and well-being of both the community and one another.
MissionGuided by the ACFR Way, our members are dedicated to the health and well-being of our community and each other.
ACFR hires career Firefighter/EMTs with no prior fire rescue experience required. Applicants must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, have held a valid driver's license for at least two years, and be legally authorized to work in the U.S. The department runs a defined recruitment cycle: for the current cycle, applications open July 13 through August 16, 2026, with a paid 24-week recruit academy beginning in early 2027.
The selection process includes an online written exam (reading, math, map reading, writing, human relations and reasoning), an in-person physical ability test, a panel interview, and an executive interview, followed by a background check. Hiring and promotion of career staff is overseen by Deputy Chief Heather Childress; prospective applicants can reach the recruitment team at workforacfr@albemarle.org.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license held for at least 2 years
- Legally authorized to work in the United States
- No prior fire rescue experience required
Hiring process
- Submit application during the open application window
- Complete the online written exam (reading, math, map reading, writing, reasoning)
- Pass the in-person physical ability test
- Complete the online panel interview
- Complete the in-person executive interview
- Background check
- Attend the paid 24-week recruit academy
Benefits
Career members participate in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and have access to Albemarle County's affordable benefits options. ACFR offers skill-based stipends: Paramedic certification ($10,000), Bachelor's degree ($2,000), Associate's degree ($1,000), and $1,000 each for Driver Pump Operator, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Technical Rescue qualifications.
Paid 24-week recruit academy; for the current cycle, recruit school begins January/February 2027.
What are the basic requirements to become a career firefighter?
You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, have held a valid driver's license for at least two years, and be legally authorized to work in the U.S. No prior fire rescue experience is required.
How much do Albemarle County firefighters earn?
Career Firefighter/EMT pay ranges from $57,363 to $103,905 depending on experience, with additional stipends for paramedic certification, college degrees, and specialty qualifications.
What does the hiring process involve?
An online written exam, an in-person physical ability test, an online panel interview, an in-person executive interview, and a background check, followed by the recruit academy.
Is there a training academy?
Yes. New hires attend a paid 24-week recruit academy; for the current cycle, recruit school begins in early 2027.
When can I apply?
ACFR runs recruitment in cycles. For the current cycle, applications are open July 13 through August 16, 2026. Watch workforacfr.com for future openings.
How do I get more information about pay or recruitment?
Email the recruitment team at workforacfr@albemarle.org or call 434-296-5833.