Entry Level Firefighter
City of Tumwater
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Job summary
City of Tumwater seeks entry‑level firefighters to provide fire suppression, rescue, EMS, and public safety services for residents and visitors. You will operate fire apparatus, perform inspections, and participate in training to maintain readiness and professional standards.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications, obtain required certifications, and work under a structured command system. Typical duties include public education, drills, and emergency response while supporting department
Qualifications
- Modern fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical response, and operations.
- Fire behavior, scene safety, incident command principles.
- Ability to work under stressful, rapidly changing conditions.
- Ability to operate within a paramilitary chain of command.
Responsibilities
- Respond to fires, hazardous conditions, rescue calls, and other emergencies.
- Perform fire suppression, rescue, and emergency operations per department procedures.
- Provide EMS within certification scope and protocols.
- Operate firefighting apparatus, vehicles, and equipment.
- Maintain readiness and respond to incidents as assigned.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Under general supervision, provides fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical response, and protective services to residents and visitors of the City of Tumwater and surrounding service areas. Firefighters respond to fires, hazardous materials incidents, accidents, natural and human‑caused disasters, and other emergencies threatening life or property.
Employees provide emergency medical services within the scope of their certification and training in accordance with Thurston County Medic One protocols while operating as members of an emergency response team. Work is performed in hazardous and physically demanding environments requiring sound judgment, teamwork, and the ability to respond effectively under stressful and rapidly changing conditions.
In addition to emergency response, Firefighters participate in training, pre‑incident planning, fire and injury prevention, public education, inspections, report preparation, equipment and apparatus maintenance, station duties, and other activities supporting the Department's mission.
- This is the journey‑level Firefighter classification. Positions at this level perform fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical response, public education, fire prevention, and related emergency services while operating within an established chain of command.
- Employees work in highly collaborative team environments and are expected to maintain operational readiness, exercise sound judgment, and perform physically and mentally demanding work under hazardous conditions.
- Unlike the Paramedic/Firefighter classification, this position provides emergency medical services only within the scope of the employee's certification and does not require Advanced Life Support licensure or authorization.
- Responds to fires, hazardous conditions, rescue calls, accidents, natural and human‑caused disasters, and other emergency incidents.
- Performs fire suppression, rescue, and other emergency operations consistent with Department policies, procedures, and training.
- Provides emergency medical care within the scope of certification and established Thurston County Medic One protocols.
- Operates fire apparatus, emergency vehicles, communications equipment, and related firefighting and rescue equipment.
- Maintains operational readiness and responds to emergency incidents as assigned.
- Participates in required classroom, practical, and scenario‑based training to maintain firefighter knowledge, skills, certifications, and operational readiness.
- Participates in physical fitness and conditioning activities necessary to safely perform firefighter duties.
- Attends schools, conferences, drills, and other training opportunities to remain current on firefighting tactics, emergency response practices, and Department procedures.
- Obtains and maintains Department‑required certifications and qualifications.
- Provides mentoring and support to other firefighters as assigned.
- Participates in public education, community outreach, fire prevention, and injury prevention activities.
- Assists with pre‑incident planning, building familiarization, inspections, and related community risk reduction efforts.
- Responds to customer requests and provides professional, service‑oriented assistance to members of the public.
- Inspects, cleans, tests, maintains, and inventories apparatus, tools, protective equipment, and firefighting equipment.
- Performs routine maintenance of stations, facilities, equipment, and assigned work areas.
- Reports damaged, missing, unsafe, or malfunctioning equipment and assists with corrective action.
- Completes timely and accurate incident reports, activity documentation, training records, and other required reports.
- Operates Department computer systems, telecommunications equipment, software applications, and related technology.
- Complies with Department policies, procedures, operating guidelines, safety requirements, and the established chain of command.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Modern fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical response, and emergency operations principles and practices.
- Fire behavior, emergency scene operations, incident command principles, hazardous conditions, and firefighter safety practices.
- Ability to assess emergencies, identify hazards, exercise sound judgment, and perform effectively under stressful and rapidly changing conditions.
- Ability to work effectively within a paramilitary chain of command and collaborative team environment.
- Ability to understand and follow Department policies, procedures, operational guidelines, and safety requirements.
- Ability to communicate effectively and maintain accurate incident, training, and operational documentation.
- Ability to establish productive working relationships with coworkers, partner agencies, and members of the public.
- Ability to maintain operational readiness and meet established performance standards.
- Accredited high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
- Valid Washington State Driver License with a driving record meeting Department requirements.
- Successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) prior to appointment.
- Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
- Previous fire service, emergency medical, military, or public safety experience.
- Current Emergency Medical Technician certification.
- Firefighter certifications or completion of a recognized firefighter training program.
Required at Appointment
- Valid Washington State Driver License.
- Successful completion of required pre‑employment background investigation, medical evaluation, drug screening, suitability testing, and other conditions of employment.
Required Following Appointment
- Successfully complete a Department‑recognized firefighter recruit academy.
- Obtain Washington State Emergency Medical Technician certification within one year of appointment and maintain certification throughout employment.
- Obtain IFSAC Firefighter I certification within the first year of employment.
- Obtain IFSAC Firefighter II certification within the first two years of employment.
- Obtain HAZMAT Awareness and Operations Certification within first two years of employment.
- Complete the Washington State Firefighters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Firefighter program within the first three years of employment.
- Successfully complete required fitness‑for‑duty evaluations and SCBA/respirator fit testing.
- Maintain all required certifications throughout employment.
- Exercises judgment within established emergency‑response procedures, the incident command system, Department policies, and the established chain of command.
- Assesses emergency conditions, identifies hazards, and selects appropriate actions within the employee's training, certification, and assigned authority.
- Emergency‑scene decisions frequently involve hazardous, rapidly changing conditions and require sound judgment, teamwork, and effective communication.
- Employees follow the direction of incident commanders and company officers while elevating unusual or high‑risk situations as appropriate.
- Received:Works under the direct or general supervision of Lieutenants, Battalion Chiefs, or other designated supervisory personnel.
- Exercised:Does not exercise formal supervisory authority. May provide instruction, mentoring, or task guidance to firefighters, recruits, or members of the public as assigned.
- Internal: Firefighters, Paramedic/Firefighters, Lieutenants, Battalion Chiefs, command staff, fire prevention personnel, administrative staff, and employees from other City departments.
- External: Patients, family members, residents, visitors, law enforcement agencies, neighboring fire departments, ambulance providers, hospitals, air medical transport providers, Thurston County Medic One, medical control physicians, schools, businesses, contractors, and community organizations.
- Fire apparatus, emergency vehicles, and related equipment
- Fire suppression, rescue, ventilation, and forcible‑entry equipment
- Self‑contained breathing apparatus and personal protective equipment
- Radios, mobile communications equipment, and emergency notification systems
- Department computer systems, mobile devices, and reporting software
- Office software and standard office equipment
Work is performed in fire stations, emergency vehicles, medical facilities, residential and commercial properties, roadways, outdoor environments, confined spaces, elevated locations, and disaster or emergency scenes.
Duties involve exposure to fire, smoke, extreme heat and cold, inclement weather, hazardous materials, bloodborne and airborne pathogens, contagious diseases, electrical hazards, traffic, unstable structures, loud noise, traumatic injuries, death, violence, and other conditions that may be immediately dangerous to life or health.
The position requires strenuous physical activity while wearing protective clothing and respiratory equipment. Employees regularly stand, walk, run, climb, balance, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push, pull, carry, drag, and operate tools or equipment. Duties include climbing stairs and ladders, working at heights or in confined spaces, handling charged fire hoses, moving patients, and performing rescue activities.
Emergency operations may require heavy lifting and moving people, equipment, or materials independently or as part of a team. Employees must possess the strength, mobility, coordination, vision, hearing, and respiratory capacity necessary to safely perform assigned firefighter and paramedic duties.
Employees generally work 24‑hour shifts and may be required to attend training outside the normal shift schedule. The position is subject to overtime, callback, holdover, shift reassignment, and extended work periods during emergencies or disasters.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws.
Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly.
Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
Step 1: Apply with the City of Tumwater
Candidates interested in this position must complete the written exam (firefighter selection tool) through Public Safety Testing (PST) and a city of Tumwater application for employment. Applications are available at the Government Jobs website.
Applicants interested in this position must complete the written exam (firefighter selection tool) through Public Safety Testing. Please visit Public Safety Testing for information regarding the testing process.
Step 2: Speed interview
Top candidates with a combined score of 80% on the PST written test will be invited to participate in a 9‑minute speed interview. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70% to be considered for the next step. Volunteer points are added to passing scores for those who qualify. Speed interviews will take place in February.
Step 3: Oral board interviews
Top candidates from speed interviews will be invited to participate in oral board interviews. These interviews will take place in March. Candidates must pass with a minimum of 70%.
Step 4: Eligibility list
Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility register based on their scores achieved on the PST Written Exam (40%) and the oral board interviews (60%), plus veteran's preference. The eligibility list will be approved at the April Civil Service Commission.
Step 5: Chief's interview
Depending on department openings, the top seven candidates will be invited to the chief's interview, which will be scheduled as needed.
Step 6: Conditional offer
- Pre-employment screening
The next step in hiring is a conditional offer of employment. Candidates will be required to participate in pre‑employment screenings, including a medical and psychological exam.
- A valid candidate physical ability test (CPAT) certification is required.
CPAT certification is accepted from PST or another agency provider licensed by the IAFF/IAFC. To be valid, CPAT testing must have been completed within the last calendar year.
CPAT certification is valid. Candidates without valid certification who are scheduled for oral board interviews may request a test fee waiver.
- How to prepare for the candidate physical ability test (CPAT)
Engage in advanced physical training before the CPAT, targeting muscle groups used in lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and other actions related to firefighter tasks. A workout program may include distance running, sprints, rowing, stair climbing with a weight pack, and weightlifting to develop both the upper and lower body.
More information can be found at the Public Safety Testing website.
Step 7: Recruit academy
Successful candidates will begin a firefighter recruit academy.
Candidates will receive updates regarding application status by email.
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