Fire Fighter II/Paramedic

City Of Belen, New Mexico; Belen (NM); On-site; USD 27,772 - 32,015; Full time

Job summary

City Of Belen, New Mexico is seeking a Fire Fighter II/Paramedic to join their team. This full-time position involves playing a critical role in emergency response, including fire suppression and providing medical care on the scene.

The ideal candidate must be 21 years or older, possess a high school diploma, and have valid emergency medical training. The role is essential in protecting life and property in crisis situations.

Qualifications

• 21 years of age and US citizen.
• Pass written entrance examination.
• Possess AHA Healthcare Provider CPR.

Responsibilities

• Perform fire suppression activities and drive fire apparatus.
• Provide emergency medical aid based on EMS licensure.
• Attend training and public meetings.

Skills

Emergency medical aid

Fire suppression

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid New Mexico Driver’s License

Tools

Fire apparatus

Public safety radio

Job description

Fire Fighter II/Paramedic

Full-time, regular position. Starting hourly rate: $20.16-$23.24 (rate depends on years of service as a paramedic). Open until filled.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, a member of an engine company, ladder truck or medical rescue protects life and property by performing live‑fire suppression, rendering emergency medical care, responding to hazardous materials incidents, and maintaining fire apparatus, issued equipment and department facilities. An EMT‑Paramedic firefighter must pass an exam testing the ability to assess patient condition, handle trauma or cardiac emergencies, clear blocked airways, immobilize injured patients and give oxygen. They also learn to operate incident command systems, complete incident reports, and communicate the needs of their team to command authority using the department’s standard operating procedures.

Essential Duties

• Perform fire suppression activities, including driving and operating fire apparatus; operate pumps, hydraulics and related equipment; perform offensive and defensive fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks; operate fire and medical apparatus in emergency and non‑emergency situations.
• Provide emergency medical aid at the appropriate level of EMS licensure by following local patient care guidelines.
• Participate in classroom and training drill activities; attend continuing education courses in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials and other related activities; attend meetings and public gatherings as required.
• Operate public safety communications equipment and office appliances including telephone and email.
• Perform daily/weekly/monthly/ semi‑annual/annual preventive maintenance inspections of personal protective equipment, fire and medical apparatus and equipment to ensure operational readiness and availability for immediate deployment and use; perform minor repairs as needed.
• Maintain certification in firefighting and emergency medical licensure.
• Rely on the senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to determine the nature of emergencies; maintain personal safety; make critical decisions in chaotic, potentially life‑threatening environments throughout the operation.
• Understand and carry out orders and assignments in both emergency and non‑emergency situations; demonstrate adequate speaking skills.
• Communicate face‑to‑face and by radio and telephone; communicate effectively with co‑workers and the public; speak English; demonstrate adequate reading and writing skills.
• Learn the skills and duties of the job within reasonable training timeframes; remain motivated and self‑disciplined to learn complex job knowledge.
• Perform both emergency and routine tasks with consistent investment and effort; follow city and department policies and procedures; respond to corrective discipline and supervisory guidance; work effectively as a team member.
• Coping with repeated trauma and loss; courage to confront danger and life‑threatening events.
• Coping with the required work schedule, assignments, and the impact of the job on self and family.
• Make quality decisions based on training, certification and common sense.
• Maintain a communications device for call or recall in an emergency situation.
• Work under a 48/96 schedule as directed by the fire chief and/or city administration; work weekends, holidays, overtime or as otherwise scheduled or required.

Qualifications

• At least 21 years of age and US citizen.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid New Mexico Driver’s License, Class E (or obtain within 6 months of hire).
• Pass a written entrance examination.
• Pass an initial drug and alcohol screening.
• Possess AHA Healthcare Provider CPR.
• Possess Incident Command Levels 100 and 200.
• Possess NIMS 700 and 800.
• Possess IFSAC Firefighter II (if not certified by date of hire, must be certified within one year of employment).
• Possess New Mexico EMT‑Paramedic licensure.
• Possess National Registry EMT‑Paramedic licensure.

Equipment Used

• 1,000‑gallon and 3,000‑gallon engine company and associated hand tools and equipment.
• 75‑foot ladder truck (Quint) and associated hand tools and equipment.
• Wildland brush truck unit and associated hand tools and equipment.
• Vehicle extrication equipment (cutter/spreader) and pneumatic airbags.
• Various personal protective equipment and self‑contained breathing apparatus.
• Public safety radio.
• Computer and other office appliances and various software applications.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Discharge duties at the level of training, certification and licensure.
• Lift and carry at least 50 pounds over horizontal and vertical distances of at least 250 feet.
• Operate in high‑noise, poor‑visibility, limited‑mobility environments, at heights and in enclosed or confined spaces.
• Free from significant personal limitations that interfere with required duties.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, jog, run, climb, bend, lift, raise, kneel, crawl, squat, stretch, pull, push, twist, hold, grip, carry, drag, throw, catch, lean, maintain balance and other miscellaneous physical agility and dexterity.
• Use a wide variety of fire suppression and special protective gear under stressful and non‑stressful situations.
• Perform complex tasks during emergency and non‑emergency situations; determine nature and extent of illness or injury; use medical diagnostic equipment and perform diagnostic techniques.
• Lift and carry a loaded stretcher or gurney up or down a flight of stairs with one person to assist; lift and carry medical jump kits and equipment.
• Spend extensive time outside exposed to elements; tolerate extreme temperature fluctuations while operating firefighting or medical duties; perform physically demanding work in very hot temperatures (up to 4000°F or greater) and atmospheres while wearing protective equipment that impairs cooling systems.
• Experience frequent transition from hot to cold and from dry to wet atmospheres; connect hose couplings in complete visibility or total darkness.
• Operate a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as rooftops or from ladders; work in areas where traumatic or thermal injuries are possible.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials or infectious agents including carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as chlorine, corrosives, carbon monoxide or organic solvents through inhalation or direct skin contact.
• Wear personal protective equipment and self‑contained breathing apparatus weighing approximately 60 pounds while performing strenuous firefighting, rescue and other related tasks.
• Perform complex tasks during life‑threatening emergencies; work for long periods; sustain physical activity and intense concentration; face grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma, burn victims and death.
• Not pose a direct or indirect threat to the health and welfare of self or others; perform all required functions efficiently and safely.
• Rescue, by carrying or dragging, a typical adult weighing up to 175 pounds from a burning structure or other dangerous situations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this certification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for personnel so classified.

The work environment characteristics here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or contract between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs and requirements of the job may change.

This position has been classified as a safety sensitive position and is subject to our drug testing policy to include pre‑employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post‑accident testing for the following prohibited substances: marijuana, amphetamines, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP), and cocaine, as well as any drug not approved for medical use by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.