Fire Captain 1

Fire Captain 1

Salary

$61,411.00 - $76,764.73 Annually

Location

Hickory, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

200-01318

Department

Fire

Opening Date

11/06/2026

Closing Date

11/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Salary Depends on Qualifications

Yes

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

• This is a promotional position with the City of Hickory Fire Department*

This position directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of an assigned work unit, including emergency firefighting and medical incidents, training of personnel, and fire inspection functions in order to provide fire and life safety protection to the City of Hickory.

Major Duties

• Maintains readiness of equipment and personnel for immediate response to emergency incidents; ensures regular equipment checks are completed.

• Responds to emergency incidents in the assigned districts; supervises personnel during fire suppression activities; supervises personnel during EMS calls.

• Plans and conducts company training and monthly in-service; plans and provides training for career advancement.

• Evaluates the work of assigned personnel.

• Conducts fire code inspections; conducts pre-incident fire plans; plans and conducts fire education programs to schools and civic groups.

• Coordinates fire suppression and emergency response activities with outside agencies and organizations.

• Plans and conducts hydrant maintenance; conducts water flow testing.

• Completes required incident and activity reports; maintains knowledge of multiple types of reporting systems.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Knowledge of firefighting standards, practices, strategies, tactics, and equipment.

• Knowledge of management and supervisory techniques and practices.

• Knowledge of local, state and federal fire codes.

• Knowledge of city and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Skill in management and supervision of personnel in both day-to-day and emergency

situations.

• Skill in interpersonal relations and problem solving.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a minimum of (5) years of service with Hickory Fire Department to test for the Captain 1 position.
• Meet all the requirements of a Fire Apparatus Operator II or Firefighter III
• Must have recommendation letter from Battalion Chief to apply for Captain I position.
• Must successfully complete the Hickory Fire Department Captain Exam.
• Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the National Fire Protection Association and the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission.
• Meet or exceed all standards of the most current employee annual performance evaluation. (For internal applicants only)

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS

• North Carolina Class B Drivers license

• NC Firefighter I and II Certification

• NC Emergency Medical Technician-Basic

• NC Emergency Vehicle Driver Certification

• NC Technical Rescue Common Passenger Vehicle or equivalent

• NIMS 100, 200, 700, & 800

• NC Hazardous Materials Operations Certification

• NC Rapid Intervention Crew Certification (preferred)

• North Carolina Fire Officer II

• Certified or Qualified NC Fire Service Instructor

• Successful completion of Hickory Fire Departments Officer Candidate School (OCS).

• Must complete the City of Hickory Supervisory Class within two years of promotion (or when available).

• ICS 300 preferred (must complete to be considered for Captain II)

• National Fire Academy Incident Safely Officer certification preferred.

Supplemental Information

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Battalion Chief assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include National Fire Protection Association Standards, OSHA regulations, NIMS Incident Command System guidelines, ISO guidelines, environmental laws and regulations, department policies and procedures, EMS provider guidelines, and the International Fire Prevention Code. These guidelines require interpretation, judgment, and selection in application.

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied technical and supervisory duties. The need to respond to emergency situations contributes to the complexity of the position.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to manage the fire suppression and related activities of an assigned work unit. Successful performance contributes to the safety of life and property.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with Fire Department personnel, vendors, other emergency service providers, the general public, members of the business community, and city and state officials.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to exchange information, resolve problems, plan and provide services, and motivate/supervise personnel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and must be able to distinguish between shades of color.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed at the fire station or at fire scenes. The employee may be exposed to inclement weather, extreme temperatures, smoke, fumes, and hazardous situations and materials that require the use of protective equipment such as masks, goggles, gloves, protective clothing, and self-contained breathing apparatus.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: The position has direct supervision over assigned personnel.

SAFETY SENSITIVE: This position has been identified as safety sensitive. The employee in this position will be part of a random drug testing pool. The methodology for choosing the random test subjects is handled by an outside, impartial, third-party vendor.

The City of Hickory provides a generous benefit package valued at over 30% of an employees annual salary. Employer provided benefits include:

• 11 paid holidays
• 12 paid sick leave days per year
• Paid vacation
• Health insurance for employees and family members
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program - 5 FREE visits
• 15.1% contribution per employee to the NC Local Government Retirement System
• Up to 5% matching contribution to 401k
• Free Life insurance of 1.5 times salary up to ($125,000)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• On-site Wellness Clinic
• A selection of voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, dependent life, short-term disability insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance.
• Employees working in seasonal/part-time positions are not eligible for benefits.*

01

Do you have 5 years of service with Hickory Fire Department?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you currently hold the rank of Fire Fighter III or Fire Apparatus Operator II?

• Yes
• No

03

Have you completed Hickory Fire Department OCS?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you completed Fire Officer II?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Hickory

Address 76 North Center Street

PO Box 398

Hickory, North Carolina, 28603

Phone 828-323-7421

Website http://hickorync.gov/employment