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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Following the reception of grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the City of Columbiana Volunteer Fire Department is now looking to hire an independent contractor to serve as its new Recruiting and Retention Coordinator.

The new position is made possible by the city’s reception of a FEMA supported staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant. That grant will provide the city with a fixed amount of funding for a period of at least three years that will serve to hire and compensate the new position.

Once hired, the RRC will be responsible for the development and implementation of a Recruiting and Retention Plan for the CVFD which will push the objective of hiring and training at least 20 volunteer firefighters over the next four years. Submission of that completed plan will have a targeted completion date within 90 days of the position being filled and will require the plan be submitted no later than 120 days after coming on board.

The submitted plan initiated by the RRC will include the setting of minimum requirements for all new recruits and the commencement of advertising and marketing plans. The role will also be responsible for developing incentives and other techniques to assist in the retention of new recruits as well as existing trained and experienced firefighters.

Current guidelines also call for the successful hire and training of five new volunteer firefighters no later than Thursday, June 19, 2025. An additional 10 firefighters must be onboarded by June 19, 2026, three in 2027 and two in 2028 for a total of 20 by June 19, 2028.

It is estimated that the independent contractor’s effort may require an average of 30 or more hours per week in the first year, approximately 25 hours per week in the second year and a reduced average of just 20 hours per week for the third year—all of which will be paid at a rate of $30 per hour.

Candidates for the position are expected to have achieved a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, business administration, management, human resources or other relevant disciplines. Five-years of relevant on-the-job experience may be substituted in lieu of said degree.

Those seeking more information on this position are encouraged to call 205-669-5800 or email ctucker@cityofcolumbiana.com for more information.