Charlotte, NC 2012/2013 Hiring Process

Information about jobs with CFD and the City of Charlotte

The Charlotte Fire Department employs over 1,100 men and women, of which more than 90% are employed within the Operations Division. Our hiring needs vary from year to year, however it is our goal to continually seek out highly qualified and diverse candidates to join our world class organization.

For more information about becoming a Charlotte Firefighter click here

2012 Firefighter Hiring Process Updates

The Charlotte Fire Department has filled all open vacancies from the 2012 Hiring Process. If you wish to be considered for future employment, we strongly encourage you to participate in the 2013 Hiring Process, which opens on Monday November 26, 2012. Please continue to check our website for updates on the hiring process.

2013 Firefighter Hiring Process

Please note the following important dates for the upcoming 2013 Firefighter Process:

Firefighter Application Period: November 26, 2012- December 9, 2012

Written Entrance Exam: January 26, 2013



Website: http://www.charmeck.org/city/charlot...s/JoinCFD.aspx

Anyone else filled out the application for this coming year notice it was significantly less detailed than last years? The criminal history and driving record section were very basic and it didn't ask anything about past drug use or for references. Additionally, didn't see a place where you could attach a resume or cover letter like last year. Last years was through the CFD website and this years links you to an application on the generic city job posting page.

Few questions for anyone with information.
Is the starting salary enough to live off of for a young single guy?
Also, I have heard mixed things about retirement. Some say that they have a great retirement plan but I have also heard that you lose your health benefits after retirement. any information would be great!

The starting salary is $38,xxx per year, with a 5%/10% supplement for an Associates/Bachelors degree after passing the recruit school. So yes, it is plenty to live off of for a young, responsible single guy. From what I understand, come of the health benefits have gone away, but it is still a lot better than if you worked in the private sector your whole career. I am not sure of all the details on this, but it is just what I have heard through the grapevine.

What's the deal with the tattoo policy? Are tattoos not allowed to be visible?

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Originally Posted by fire34fighter

What's the deal with the tattoo policy? Are tattoos not allowed to be visible?

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That's what it sounds like. The website says no tattoos visible when wearing short sleeve polo shirt.

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Originally Posted by Wolfpack94

The starting salary is $38,xxx per year, with a 5%/10% supplement for an Associates/Bachelors degree after passing the recruit school. So yes, it is plenty to live off of for a young, responsible single guy. From what I understand, come of the health benefits have gone away, but it is still a lot better than if you worked in the private sector your whole career. I am not sure of all the details on this, but it is just what I have heard through the grapevine.

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Also consider the average apartment in the area for a single three room loft is $600 a month excluding utilities, its about 7,200 a year or 38-7.2=30,800 to play with for your needs. Even better this is excluding overtime. Personally I'd take this one in a heartbeat, why? Third largest FD that does not cross buses with firefighters, great promotional and special teams opportunities, fast growing city, and unique structures as compared to other southern cities. This is a very good FD to take.

I definitely keep hearing the same thing, and it's all good things. My main concern was the pay (I know I won;t be getting rich doing this, but just enough to live comfortably) and the retirement. Now, I understand it is a very large department, and like anywhere there are busy companies and there are slow ones. How hard is it to get into a busy company?

I'm an out of state applicant and curious to know if Charlotte has a preference for local applicants, or if residency matters at all? Charlotte is a popular destination for transplants and a lot of people from out of state have applied for CFD the past few years (myself included). Can anyone comment on the demographic make-up of the last few hiring classes (i.e., whether there were any folks from out of state in those classes, and approx how many)?

For those of you preparing for the Charlotte fire exam, go to the link to review our custom designed exam prep.

http://www.fireprep.com/charlotte_fi...exam_pre1.html



Assistant Chief Brent Collins, Cleveland Fire Dept.
Firehouse.com Entry Level Contributor Author since 2002
www.fireprep.com
1-800-989-FIRE

Has anyone received a notice on the location and time of the written exam on January 26? Last year, we all received an e-mail with this information immediately after we completed our online application. But the application process is different this time around - and I haven't received any additional info on the test.

Only an email confirmation that my application was received. If I remember correctly from last year, they send out the notice of your date and time of exam, along with location, after the application period has closed (which happens to be today). I would expect an email with further info within the next few days.

Notices for the test went out today (or at least I got one)

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Originally Posted by proofyeq

Notices for the test went out today (or at least I got one)

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Same here. I got one too.

I just got mine as well.

On a side note does anyone have any suggestions for hotels in the area of the testing site. I'm not sure if everyone has the same testing site but mine is at the Oasis Shriners Headquarters.

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Originally Posted by Pugsley67

I just got mine as well.

On a side note does anyone have any suggestions for hotels in the area of the testing site. I'm not sure if everyone has the same testing site but mine is at the Oasis Shriners Headquarters.

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That area of town is the University City area. Here is an Expedia link that shows several hotels in the area.

http://www.expedia.com/University-Pl...-Filter-Hotels

Thanks for the link on hotels. Was wondering if anyone has heard how many the department is seeking to hire. If you have any information or have gotten a direct answer from HR that would be great! Good luck to everyone

Is everyone ready for the test? Is there anyone taking this test that took the test in Richmond last week?

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Originally Posted by Pugsley67

Is everyone ready for the test? Is there anyone taking this test that took the test in Richmond last week?

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I think so, the only really tricky part will be the memory portion I think. Yeah, I was at the Richmond test last week as well. How you feeling about this test?

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Originally Posted by IFR

I think so, the only really tricky part will be the memory portion I think. Yeah, I was at the Richmond test last week as well. How you feeling about this test?

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Pretty good, The ones i would say that gave me the most difficultly were the most/least appropriate questions, pretty much the choices came down to do/say nothing, talk to the person, talk to other people or rat to the chief. I just wasnt sure what would be the best answer they were looking for. Its not that the questions were difficult to answer its just i wasnt sure the best answer they were looking for. What did you think about them?