Firefighter and Firefighter-Paramedic
ENTRY-LEVEL FIREFIGHTER & FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDIC
Opening Date: April 21, 2022
Salary Range:
Firefighter: $5,507 - $7,029/month
Firefighter-Paramedic: $6,278 - $8,013/month
Closing Date: May 16, 2022
NATURE OF POSITION
Protect life and property through fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical aid.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age; a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; high school graduate or equivalent; and have one year of paid/volunteer firefighting experience or IFSAC Firefighter I certification by closing date.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Valid State driver's license and good driving record; current Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) certificate; non-user of tobacco products on and off the job; and Washington State EMT certification. Entry-level Firefighter-Paramedics shall possess Washington State and/or National Registry EMT-P certification; OR will attain certification within six months of the date of hire.
Note: As a condition of employment, employees hired after March 2, 2004, and are currently certified or are expecting to be certified as a paramedic within six months of the completion of their paramedic educational program shall maintain that certification for a period of not less than six (6) years beginning from their date of hire. Failure to achieve certification within the allotted time may be grounds for termination.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bilingual in Spanish.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:
To be considered for this position, a completed City application, resume and supplemental questionnaire must be returned to the Human Resources Department (15 N. 3rd Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362) by the closing date on the front of this announcement. Paramedic candidates must provide (if applicable) EMT-P Certification. Testing dates are May 25, 26, – and 27, 2022. Applicants will be notified of testing locations and times as soon as schedules are in place. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will take a written examination on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. A score of 70% is required to pass the written exam. The top 30 applicants following the written exam will advance to the physical agility testing the same day. The physical agility testing is pass/fail with a six (6) minute maximum time allowed. Candidates who pass the physical agility test will proceed to the oral interviews on the afternoon of May 25th, all day Thursday, May 26th, and if necessary, interviews will continue Friday, May 27, 2022. Veteran’s Preference points will be given to eligible candidates. Veteran’s Preference points are added to the final score following completion of all portions of the exam.
The incumbent will serve a twelve (12) month trial service period.
Special application requirements include:
- City application
- Resume
- Supplemental questionnaire
- EMT-P Certification (for paramedic candidates only)
Applications may be found on the Human Resources page of the City of Walla Walla website wallawallawa.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation: The City of Walla Walla will provide reasonable accommodation to handicapped applicants if requested. Please notify the Human Resources office at least 5 days prior to the need.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
The City of Walla Walla complies with title VI, ADA, and other applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex in employment or the provision of services. Equal opportunity employers/minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
General direction and oversight are provided by the Fire Captain. Additional supervision and/or assignments may be received from a Lieutenant.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City’s core values: Service - Integrity - Collaboration - Equity - Leadership - Community
2. Participate in fire suppression including structural, automotive, chemical, aircraft, and wild land, and operate pumps, aerial ladders, and other auxiliary fire apparatus.
3. Participate in engine and pumper hook-up at scene of fire; lay connector hose; hold nozzle and direct water stream to combat fire; raise and climb ladders; use chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, ropes, and other equipment to suppress and extinguish fires.
4. Perform salvage and overhaul operations; sweep water; remove debris; search for and extinguish hidden fires; investigate for causes of fire.
5. Search for victims in hazardous environments; participate in rescue services to include low to high angle, swift water, confined space, and trench rescue activities. Participate in training and continuing education in fire suppression, emergency medical aid, and use of equipment, special assignments, and other matters; provide training to others as required.
6. Perform general maintenance duties for firefighting equipment, apparatus, building, and grounds including light to medium repairs, testing and inventory control as needed. Firefighter-Paramedic
7. Perform fire prevention inspections of commercial and residential buildings; check for fire hazards; seek abatement of hazards through education, demonstration, and enforcement of regulations; test fire hydrants; provide fire prevention training as assigned; and participate in developing pre-incident emergency plans.
8. Provide tours of the facilities to the public and school children; provide educational programs to teach safety and fire prevention both at the station and in the field.
9. Participate in physical fitness activities to assure physical readiness to participate in emergency operations.
10. Function at operations or technician level on hazardous material scenes; respond to incidents involving hazardous materials; wear self-contained breathing apparatus; and use specialized tools and equipment to save lives, protect property, suppress fires.
11. Drive ambulance and administer emergency medical aid within certification level; prepare medical incident report.
12. As an EMT, perform medical triage of patients, determine appropriate action within established protocols, and provide appropriate medical treatment in emergency situations.
13. Maintain EMS certification by completing required training as mandated by the WAC and National Registry Standards.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.
2. Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.
3. Execute assignments, projects and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.
4. Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.
5. Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.
6. Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Technical operation, use and maintenance of specialized fire apparatus, vehicles, and ambulances, including pump and hydraulic operations.
• Principles and practices of fire science including techniques, methods, materials, and equipment used in fire prevention, fire suppression and emergency medical services.
• Prolonged and strenuous work in adverse conditions including heavy physical labor and climbing stairs and ladders.
• Proper use and maintenance of Fire Department buildings, fire equipment and apparatus.
• Oral and written communication skills including record-keeping and report writing techniques.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of City and county roads and maps.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain fire codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, including knowledge of building codes and types of construction.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy and ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with customers and employees. Firefighter-Paramedic
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Specialized fire equipment and apparatus, ambulances equipment and apparatus; pumps, hoses, and related hydraulic equipment; self-contained breathing apparatus; specialized tools and equipment to save lives, protect property, suppress fires.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Heavy lifting, bending, stooping, crawling, and pulling hoses to suppress fires and rescue victims; reaching overhead and above shoulders; carrying victims; standing and walking for extended periods of time; climbing ladders for rescue; utilize hand and power tools for medical and fire emergencies. Seeing, speaking, and hearing to evaluate and communicate emergency situations, and dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized fire and EMS equipment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Indoor and outdoor environment; adverse weather conditions; subject to working around fumes and smoke. Fire, smoke, and fumes inhalation; working with people with unknown medical problems; working at heights; extreme weather conditions; exposure to contagious diseases and blood; working with hostile or abusive individuals; toxic fumes, hazardous materials; working in confined spaces; falling objects.