What You''ll Be Doing
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT''s) are responsible for the operation of emergency vehicles, biomedical equipment and other equipment necessary to provide patient and situational assessment, treatment and transport in an emergency setting. EMT's are required to effectively interact and communicate with individuals and groups of individuals from all education levels, cultural backgrounds, belief structures, and states of health. Candidates are expected to understand scene management and be able to effectively operate within an Incident Command System. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to calmly and effectively work in high stress and emotionally charged situations.
Key Responsibilities:
NOTES:
A criminal background and driving record check will be conducted, and pre-employment drug test is required.
Hazmat Gear Requirements: Due to the unpredictability of the hazards encountered in the course of work, the applicant must be able to successfully fit test in, wear and perform essential job functions in respiratory personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, NIOSH-certified N95/P100 air-purifying respirators and a full-face tight-fitting respirator with the appropriate air-purifying cartridge. Applicant must also be able to wear and perform essential job functions in Level C personal protective equipment (Full Tyvek suit, chemical-resistant gloves and chemical-resistant boots.)
Physical Requirements: During the first week of the Wake County EMS New Hire Academy, EMT Recruits must demonstrate a minimum level of physical ability and fitness by successfully completing the Wake County EMS Physical Ability Test (EMS-PAT). The purpose of this physical test is to simulate and evaluate an employee's ability to perform the minimum physical requirements of the job. The test is performed solo (i.e., tasks that would traditionally require two employees have been modified so they can be completed by one employee), the events are performed continuously and there is a time limit of 7 minutes and 5 seconds. The events in the test consist of unbuckling a seatbelt and exiting a vehicle from the driver's seat; stretcher lift simulation (using a 95-lb curl bar); stretcher movement with equipment 100ft (50ft down and 50ft back) over curb stops bolt to the floor; stretcher stair carry simulation (using a 95-lb curl bar); equipment lift and place; equipment movement/transfer (which includes kneeling 8 times); patient drag (using a 150-lb manikin strapped to a backboard) a total of 100ft; chest compressions (2 minutes of chest compressions at a rate of 120 a minute); repeat stretcher movement; climbing into the back of ambulance through side door.
Applications accepted at this time (9/21/2026 through 11/8/2026) are for the Wake County EMS Winter 2026 Assessment Center. The assessment center will be conducted virtually for the interview (Phase 1) and will progress to the in-person testing and simulation (Phase 2), upon review and evaluation of the virtual interview. The in-person assessment will be conducted at our Emergency Services Education Center located at 221 South Rogers Lane, Raleigh, North Carolina 27610. We will have multiple offerings of the testing and interview components throughout the months of October and November. As applications are processed through the Wake County Human Resources department, we will reach out via email to invite applicants to attend the assessment center. Please note that all applicants will be placed in ranking order based on their results and will be notified of offer decisions in December. All new Wake County EMS employees are required to attend a paid academy and field training program as a condition of their employment. The first few weeks of employment will be a Monday through Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm schedule primarily consisting of classroom-based lecture and skill orientation. The next few weeks will be spent in both the classroom and ambulance (field training) setting. For the remaining months of the field training program employees will be assigned to a regular shift. Those offered employment from the WCEMS Winter 2026 Assessment Center will begin employment in January 2027 as recruits in the WCEMS Academy 53.
About Our Team
Wake County EMS is a cutting-edge emergency medical services system that is responsible for providing EMS services throughout Wake County including within each of the county's 12 local municipalities. We have well-developed mobile integrated health (community paramedicine) and research programs. We responded to over 140,000 requests for 911 EMS services in 2025. We greatly value the enrichment we receive through diversity in our staff, and we are continuously working to enhance that diversity and create spaces where all employees can thrive.
The Basics (Required Education and Experience)
How Will We Know You''re ''The One''?
About This Position
Location: Public Safety Center Raleigh, NC 27601
Employment Type: Regular
Work Schedule: Rotating 12 Hour Shifts
Hiring Range: 24.98 - 30.88
Market Range: 24.98 - 36.77
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.
Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 11/8/2026
What Makes Wake Great
Equal Opportunity Statement
Background Check Statement
Emergency Service Worker Statement
What Makes Wake Great
Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is the proud home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, winners in 2006 and 2026. In addition to being Wake County's seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina's most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. Starting in fall 2026, the Wake County Board will have seven commissioners elected by voters in their districts and two at-large commissioners elected by the whole County. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County's FY2027 General Fund budget is approximately $2.28 billion, and the County has more than 5,000 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Background Check Statement
Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Emergency Service Worker Statement
In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.
| Location | Raleigh, NC |
| Salary | $24.98–$30.88 Per Hour |
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