Fire Department · Career
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire & Rescue Department
Sterling, VA · Loudoun County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Fire & EMS Department was established in 1987 from the FAA's Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Branch. It provides aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), structural fire suppression, fire prevention and code enforcement, and pre-hospital emergency medical care.
The department protects two major airports serving the National Capital Region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. It operates as a full-service department and a partner with other regional agencies.
All personnel are certified Emergency Medical Technicians through the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the department participates in the National Fire Protection Association Professional Firefighter Qualifications Certification Program. A piece of its history, ARFF 331 (a foam truck used in the 9/11 response), is now displayed at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum.
MWAA Fire & EMS recruits for aviation firefighter positions at both airports, including Firefighter II at Reagan National and Firefighter II EMT Trainee at Dulles International. Applications are submitted online through the Authority's careers portal at www.mwaa.com/about/careers.
The selection process moves from minimum-qualification screening through a written test, a Work Performance Evaluation, and a structured interview to a conditional offer, followed by background clearance (including a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer, medical exam, and drug testing) before a final offer.
Requirements
- Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); Firefighter II EMT Trainee track available at Dulles
- Ability to complete a written test, Work Performance Evaluation, and structured interview
- Successful background clearance including Computer Voice Stress Analyzer, medical exam, and drug testing
Hiring process
- Apply online at www.mwaa.com/about/careers
- Minimum qualifications screening
- Written test
- Work Performance Evaluation (WPE)
- Structured interview
- Conditional offer of employment
- Background clearance (Computer Voice Stress Analyzer, medical exam, drug testing)
- Final offer
Benefits
Supplemental pay is available on top of base salary, paid bi-weekly: Paramedic Pay ($384.62), Extended Practice Pay for EMT-P ($100.00), Preceptor Pay for EMT-P ($50.00), and Intermediate Pay for EMT-I ($284.61).
What firefighter positions does MWAA Fire & EMS hire for?
The department recruits Firefighter II at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Firefighter II EMT Trainee at Washington Dulles International Airport.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online through the Authority's careers portal at www.mwaa.com/about/careers. Recruitment questions can be directed to Recruitment Representative Kelly Rector.
What is the pay for a firefighter?
Firefighter II starts at $67,441 annually and tops out at $108,122. Bi-weekly supplemental pay is available for paramedic and EMT certifications.
What is the work schedule?
Firefighters work a 56-hour work week on a rotation shift schedule.
What does the hiring process involve?
After a minimum-qualifications screening, candidates take a written test, complete a Work Performance Evaluation, and go through a structured interview. A conditional offer is followed by background clearance (including a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer, medical exam, and drug testing) before a final offer.
Do I need to be an EMT?
Yes. All department personnel are certified Emergency Medical Technicians through the Commonwealth of Virginia; the Dulles position is offered as a Firefighter II EMT Trainee track.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.
Apply by July 7, 2026, for a Firefighter II EMT Trainee position with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, offering $32.43-$51.98 hourly and a sign-on bonus.
Apply by July 7, 2026, for a Firefighter II position with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority offering $32.43-$51.98 hourly and a sign-on bonus.