Do I need citizenship to get hired?

[Vladimir]

Hi, I just wonder if I can be enrolled with a greencard. Thank you

[mcaldwell]

Career, Volley, Other? Location?

Many places require citizenship to get licensed for Emergency Services Jobs. You may be able to volunteer in some places, but you may or may not be eligible to be certified with FR or EMT licenses, so it may be too limiting anyway.

[Vladimir]

Hi, I am in Washington DC area, and trying to find a career. I have a college degree and fluent in Russian and Spanish- do u think this can help? Or make it worse-many employers dont like overskill

[KingHippo]

Yes you can. I know of no state that requires citizenship to enroll in any EMS or fire program, and only a small number of FDs require citizenship to apply. You can apply for just about any fire job with a green card. NYC, Denver area, and a few others require citizenship, but pretty much anywhere else won't. Even if the job announcement states that citizenship is required, 9 times out of 10 the fine print will state that a green card is good enough.

Also, knowing more than one language is a big plus these days.

Good luck!

[Vladimir]

I have another question if you don't mind: What happens if you move to another state and join FD there? I mean retirement plans. Say you worked 3? 7? 10 years and moved. Can you still retire after 20/25 years of service or you loose it? What if you worked these 10 years and joined local police or FBI?

[KingHippo]

If you move to another state, you'll start over. There are exceptions- I think Nevada is in the same PERS system California is- but overall the time you spent at your last department won't matter. I don't think you could transfer your time to the FBI. If you transfered from fire to PD in the same city, you might be able to keep your time (but why the heck would you want to do that?).

[RFRDxplorer]

Where in the DC area are you located Vladimir?

[allineedisu]

Green card?

You must be a citizen on the United States and also have a valid drivers license for the state in which that you are apply for the position in the city or county thereof!

[wiexplorer18]

Hi, I am in Washington DC area, and trying to find a career. I have a college degree and fluent in Russian and Spanish- do u think this can help? Or make it worse-many employers dont like overskill

Why would an employer not like that you are fluent in 3 languages???