Who can apply?
You must:
- be over 18 when the recruit course is due to start - there's no upper age limit
- be less than 4 minutes away from your chosen fire station
- have the right to work in the UK (but we accept any nationality)
- not have any unspent criminal convictions (if you have a criminal record, you must let us know in your application).
There are no height requirements.
You can still apply if you have another job elsewhere, check out our Employee Guide (PDF 4.34MB)Opening in a new window for more information.
You need to maintain a level of fitness and will be tested during the selection process. Find out more:
Fitness, disabilities and medical conditions
Armed forces - current and former
If you're currently serving outside our eligible postcodes, you can still apply - just contact us first at fire.recruitment@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
We've signed up to the Armed Forced Covenant to treat those who serve in the armed forces, or who have served, with fairness and respect.
To make sure everyone has an equal chance of applying, we don't make special provisions for current or former military personnel.
Your experience may help you with discipline and fitness, but there's much more to the role of a modern firefighter.
There's no process for direct transfer into the Fire and Rescue Service, just as there's no process for firefighters to transfer directly into the military.
If you've applied, or worked, for another fire service
If you've completed a selection process with another fire service, you'll still need to complete our process, so all applicants are assessed the same way.
If you work for another fire service, take a look at our wholetime transfer opportunities.
Tattoos, piercings and facial hair
We will accept candidates with tattoos, unless they could be construed as discriminatory, violent, intimidating or offensive to any religion or belief - regardless of where they appear on your body.
We will accept candidates with body piercings, but they must be removed when on duty. For health and safety reasons, we won't accept candidates with cavities caused by body modifications (such as flesh tunnels or ear stretchers) unless they can be surgically corrected.
You must keep most of your face and neck free of hair or stubble because it affects the seal of the breathing apparatus. You can have facial hair that doesn't interfere with the seal, like a moustache or a small goatee.
We're an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all parts of the community.