North Carolina’s Triangle Region has consistently been ranked as one of the best places to live in the country.¹  Live and work in one of the fastest growing economic centers in America—an area with rich history and cultural diversity, as well as outstanding educational opportunities.  With three local world-renowned research universities—one of which provides our medical direction and CME—there are few better places to advance your career.  Only a few hours away from both the beach AND the mountains!

To search for a job as a Paramedic, AEMT, or EMT click here.

View Durham County Benefits.

For an approximate annual salary, multiply the wage in the relevant job posting by 2,312 annual working hours (already adjusted for overtime pay).  This does not include 13 days of government holiday pay, which EMS field employees receive even if working that day.

Upcoming Hiring Periods:

 Typically, employees will have the weekend off after graduation and begin field training the following pay period.  Weekends during the Academy include some scheduled 12-hour observer field shifts, including day and night.

1. Candidates must fill out an application on the Durham County Careers website. All sections must be thoroughly completed exactly according to instructions. All prerequisites listed in the job posting must be finished prior to the employee start date to prevent termination. This includes obtaining North Carolina EMS certification (National Registry cannot be substituted).
2. The Durham County Human Resources department will forward properly completed applications to Durham County EMS. Selected candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in an Assessment Center.
3. Assessment Centers are hosted on predetermined dates. Candidates must attend one Assessment Center in person to be considered for hire. It is a 2-day competitive process. Candidates must satisfactorily complete a Physical Agility Test as well as a Medical Scenario on the first day. Passing candidates will attend an interview on the second day. Interviews are held virtually as of 2024 but this may be subject to change. Click here to learn more about the Assessment Center.
4. Candidates selected from the Assessment Center will be subject to a criminal background check, a driving record check, and a local Tax Administration check (Durham residents only). References listed on applications will be contacted including the candidate’s current/last employer. Remember to tell your references to expect a phone call.
5. Candidates chosen for hire will have applications returned to the Human Resources department for approval. EMS will contact the candidate to let them know a job offer is pending approval.
6. If approved, the Durham County Human Resources department will contact the candidate with a formal job offer. Candidates must then schedule and complete a drug screen with the County’s third-party vendor prior to the employee start date.

• emsjobs@dconc.gov – Email for questions and assistance.
• North Carolina OEMS legal recognition process (“reciprocity”)
• North Carolina driver licenses (please note the DMV’s 60-day limit is overridden by Durham County’s employee start date limit)
• North Carolina OEMS skills and protocols (Providers should be comfortable performing up to the scope of practice listed here under “Medications and Skills.” National Registry is considered equivalent.)
• ICS Resource Center – National Incident Management System online courses required are ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800. You must have a certificate from the latest update of each course; previous version certificates are not accepted.
• Traffic Incident Management online courses. All courses are required to obtain certificate.

¹According to HGTV, U.S. News, Business Insider, Money magazine, CBS News, Fox Business, USA Today, and many others.