Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.  However, if you are a non-citizen, you must have acceptable documentation that you are a legal resident of the United States.  The documentation must be presented when a job offer is made.

Only online applications will be accepted.  Applications may submitted through the employment portal: www.charleston-sc.gov/employment    

Visit www.charleston-sc.gov/JoinCFD to learn more. 

The Charleston Fire Department recruits for Firefighter approximately once per year. This varies depending on hiring needs. The only means of applying is online. To apply, go to the Employment page and search for Firefighter Trainee.

Yes.  However, upon employment, all Firefighters have  to move into the State of South Carolina.

The Charleston Fire Department may offer a standard or a fast-track recruit program, both require a similar application and interview process.  The fast-track program requires certain certifications in order to participate in an accelerated recruit academy.  

You must be at least 18 years of age on or before the date of application.

Yes.

We are thankful for your service!   A five-point preference will be awarded on the written test for honorably discharged veterans or service members currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the veteran’s preference points, applicants must:

• Have separated under honorable conditions from any of the branches of the armed forces of the United Stated.
• Served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or more.

For points to be awarded, above documentation must be received prior to the written examination.

Please visit www.charleston-sc.gov/JoinCFD and explore information regarding our hiring process.

Yes.

The City of Charleston does not have a maximum age limit.

No.  You will have to present two (2) forms of identification at the time of hire (usually a driver’s license & social security card).

Yes.  You will have to upload a copy at the time of application to obtain your Veteran Preference Points.

Criminal history and convictions will be considered during the application process.  Sworn public safety positions require closer scrutiny by hiring authorities during the background screening process.  Disclosure of all criminal history is required for the background screening process.

It is not possible to list every act or omission that may disqualify an individual from performing the safety sensitive duties of this position. The following are some of the more obvious:
 
 Criminal History
 

• Conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude
• Conviction of any crime which carries a 6-month jail sentence or more
• Any conviction of domestic violence, including simple assault against a domestic partner, spouse, child or parent
• Adult commission of undetected crimes of a serious or repetitive in nature

Drugs

• Any involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs as an adult
• Juvenile involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs is an area of concern which will be given careful scrutiny in the context of the full review
• Any illegal possession of heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens or any other schedule 1 or 2 drug, or any derivative thereof, within the last 7 years
• Illegal possession of anabolic steroids within the last 3 years
• Illegal possession of marijuana or a derivative thereof within the last 24 months

Traffic Violations

• Must have a driving record that reflects no more than three moving violations or at fault/contributable accidents, or any combination thereof, in the past 36 months.
• Moving violations and preventable accidents that are indicated on the applicant’s driving record but are more than 36 months old will be considered on a case by case basis
• No driver’s license suspension in the past three years
  Points may be negated by attending defensive driving school offered by the Division of Motor Vehicles prior to application being submitted
• Any conviction of the following within the last 5 years:
  1. Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
  2. Refusal to take blood or breath test
  3. Eluding police, racing, or leaving the scene of an accident

Others

• Less than honorable discharge from any military service. 
• Untruthfulness and/or intentionally withholding of information on any application, interview or paperwork associated with this application. Examples of intentional withholding of information would include the following:
  1. Deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements
  2. Cheating on any exam or testing associated with the application

Note:  This is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of background disqualifiers. Applicants who are successful in the initial testing will undergo a thorough background investigation. Areas of concern will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis within the context of the full review. Examples of the areas of concern may include but are not limited to the following:
 

• Reduction of charges as a result of a plea agreement or other form of sentencing disposition prior to a conviction in any of the aforementioned criminal and driving history categories
  Crimes committed against a juvenile, including undetected crimes 
• Patterns of reckless and/or irresponsible driving
• Multiple convictions of driving under the influence
• Illegal drug possession that does not fall within the parameters of the above
• Less than honorable discharge, erratic work record, or unfavorable work employment references
• Pending litigation or prosecution for criminal offenses must be resolved prior to consideration for employment.

Those with a valid EMT or Paramedic certification must obtain South Carolina reciprocity by their reporting date/first day of the Academy. Visit the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control website for more information: https://www.scemsportal.org/

Carefully review the application packet to determine what specific certifications may be required or will be accepted.

Yes. You will need to present photo identification, or you will not be allowed to take the exam.

Specific date(s) and time(s) will be offered during each process.  At this time, we do not offer alternate test times.