Position Information
This position is located in Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. If your application is approved by the Office of Professional Standards, you will be sent further information via email regarding the required entry-level exam.
STARTING SALARY: $25.96 per hour
LATERAL FIREFIGHTERS
Lateral firefighters will receive credit for years of service. Final determination of eligibility will be determined by the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY
- $1,000 Associates Degree
- $2,000 Bachelors Degree
- $3,000 Masters Degree
SPECIALTY INCENTIVE
Paramedic and Specialty Unit (Technical Rescue, HazMat, Med Ops) pay incentive available.
Benefits
Eligible for health and dental coverage, retirement plan, life insurance, long term disability insurance, and deferred compensation.
Additional Benefits Available To Firefighters
- State of Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund
- Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Death Benefit Fund
- Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Flower Fund
- Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Benevolent Fund
PAID VACATION LEAVE
- 13 days per year / 1 year of service
- 15 days per year / 5 years of service
- 20 days per year / 10 years of service
- 22 days per year / 15 years of service
- 25 days per year / 20 years of service
HOLIDAYS
12 paid holidays per year
PAID SICK LEAVE
Accumulates at 4.0 hours per biweekly
MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE
Employees are eligible for 6 weeks paid leave.
PAID MILITARY LEAVE
Up to 18 days per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE POLICY
Full time employees will receive up to [3] days of bereavement leave with pay for [24] hours. Employees working in part time positions shall be eligible for bereavement leave equal to [3] part time days off with pay.
Essential Functions
Responds to emergency calls for fire suppression, medical assistance, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, downed power lines, and other emergency situations: responds to instructions from dispatcher; and contacts appropriate related agencies as needed.
Provides protection of life and property: suppresses, controls and extinguishes fires; performs search, rescue, extrication of victims, and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; establishes openings in buildings for entrance, ventilation, or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris; assists with cleanup activities; and exercises control of emergency situations until relieved by a superior officer.
Responds to a variety of emergency calls requiring the administration of basic first aid and medical treatment or stabilizes victims who are dealing traumatic medical issues: and may respond to airway management, cardiac emergencies, allergic reactions, altered medical status, cerebral vascular accidents, or various medical traumas.
Safely drive firefighting apparatus to and from fires or other emergencies following laws and regulations, operating pumps, aerial devices, power and other mechanical equipment as required, keep inventory of tools, and equipment on apparatus.
Maintains a state of constant readiness and preparation for emergency response: checks and maintains stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; assists in preparing apparatus for subsequent emergencies and in testing personal equipment, hoses and pumps, and other tools and apparatus; and ensures the emergency medical service equipment is properly stocked and operational.
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures: maintains and awareness of new equipment, procedures, trends and advances in the profession; participates in physical fitness training, training drills and other continuing education activities; and attends shift meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
Participates in fire prevention, pre-fire planning and other fire education activities: conducts fire safety programs, apparatus displays and skills demonstrations; and conducts tours of fire station and fire trucks; and participates in community events and fundraisers.
Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, apparatus, equipment and tools in operable condition: inspects and tests equipment; replaces fluids and greases equipment; replaces parts; washes and cleans equipment, cleans quarters, and performs grounds maintenance; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
No Experience: High School Diploma or GED and ability to graduate from the Fire Academy within 12 months required.
Lateral Transfer: High School Diploma or GED required, supplemented by a minimum two (2) years consecutive service in a full-time sworn/certified position as a Firefighter/EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; Had a break in service not to exceed one (1) year at time of the application for any agency.
Licenses and Certifications
No Experience: Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License; must be able to obtain NPQ Firefighter I and Emergency Medical Technician certifications within 12 months.
Lateral Transfer: Must possess and maintain an active certification of NPQ Firefighter I combined with a National Registry or State of Georgia EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; or an active National Registry or State of Georgia EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; or F; an active State of Georgia certification as a Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, or Fire Educator.
Physical Abilities
Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).
Sensory Requirements
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors
Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, traffic hazards, bright and dim lights, toxic agents, animal and wildlife attacks, animal and human bites, explosives, or rude and irate customers.
EEO Statement
Cobb County Government is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Visit Cobb County's
Employee Benefits page to learn more.
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Important instructions: Being truthful is the most important part of your pre-hiring process. The public expects public safety employees to be of good integrity, not innocent, but truthful about their past. In addition, honesty is important as public safety employees are often required to testify in court. Please remember this throughout your process. Absolute truthfulness is a must. Cobb County recognizes that drug experimentation is not uncommon. Prior drug usage is not an automatic dis-qualifier for public safety positions, however, dishonesty is. Remember: There will be no second chance if you lie on your application. You will be BARRED (BLOCKED) from employment if you are untruthful in your statements (written or verbal). You must answer every question. If the question is not applicable, enter N/A. Do you understand these requirements?
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For the purpose of this Public Safety Application, EVER means at any time in YOUR life. Do you understand this statement?
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Do you understand that you must complete this application yourself and failure to do so will result in your removal from the process?
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Do you understand a complete background investigation will be conducted based on the answers you have provided in this application?
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Requirements
Do you meet the minimum requirements for this position, which include being at least 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or GED by the closing date of this posting (June 29, 2026)? Please select the option that best describes your current status:
- I am 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED.
- I will be 18 years of age and will have a high school diploma or GED by the closing date of this posting.
- I am not 18 years of age and do not have a high school diploma or GED and will not meet both requirements by the closing date of this posting.
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Do you have a current and valid driver's license?
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Have you used MARIJUANA or HASHISH in any form, including but not limited to products containing THC such as GUMMIES, EDIBLES, VAPES, etc., within the last 12 months?
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List ALL illegal drug(s) usage OTHER THAN MARIJUANA and the number of times you experimented with each drug(s), and date(s) of last use. Enter N/A if not applicable.
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Have you ever sold, traded or given away illegal drugs?
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If "yes" explain. (enter N/A if not applicable)
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Have you ever served in the military?
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What type of discharge did you receive? Enter N/A if not applicable.
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Have you EVER/ AT ANY TIME IN YOUR LIFE been arrested as a juvenile or adult, regardless of disposition including expungements. ALL prior arrests MUST be disclosed for public safety employment regardless of what advice you may have received.
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If "yes", please give the arrest date, city and state of arrest, charge(s) and disposition(s). Briefly explain. (enter N/A if this is not applicable)
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Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor as a juvenile or adult?
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If "yes", list all arrest date(s), charge(s), city and state of arrest(s), and disposition(s). Enter N/A if not applicable.
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Have you EVER been convicted of a felony as a juvenile or adult?
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Public Safety positions often require employees to work shifts, nights, holidays, weekends, overtime and on-call and if required, 24-hour shifts. Will you be able to meet these requirements?
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Public Safety positions often require employees to wear a regulation uniform or assigned career clothing, equipment and badge. Will you be able to meet these requirements?
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Public Safety positions often require employees to conform to personal appearance standards. Will you be able to meet these requirements?
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Do you currently hold an NPQ Firefighter I certification?
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Do you currently hold BOTH NPQ Hazardous Materials Awareness AND Operations?
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What is your GFSTC ID Number? Enter N/A if not applicable.
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Do you hold a State of Georgia EMS License for either Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate (EMT-I), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician – (AEMT) or Paramedic?
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What is your State of Georgia OEMS License number? Enter N/A if not applicable.
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Under the penalty of OCGA 16-10-71, False Swearing, I certify that all information entered on this supplemental questionnaire pertaining to me is true, correct and complete.
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The elements for the selection process for all
sworn applicants could include one or more of the following elements: written exam, polygraph exam, psychological exam, oral interview, medical examination and drug screening. A background investigation will also be conducted. This investigation may include a current check on the applicant's credit, criminal and driver history. All information provided in your application will be verified. Personal or verbal contact will be made with all references supplied by the applicant and/or other sources. The applicant will be required to provide written explanations for any issues in questions brought forth during the background investigation.
- I AGREE with the terms stated.
- I DO NOT AGREE with the terms stated.
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The duration of the selection process will vary by applicant due to availability for appointments and other factors. The average time period for completion of all elements of the background process is approximately three months. Reapplication by any applicant previously removed from the process will be taken on a case by case basis specific to each applicant's situation and past reason for removal. I hereby acknowledge that if I elect to continue in the application process, all elements will be subject to
Cobb County Department of Public Safety's Hiring Standards.
- I AGREE to the terms stated.
- I DO NOT AGREE to the terms stated.
- Required Question
